Autism and PDA Books I love and highly recommend...

Newly published and old favourites

Mar 06, 2024

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Hello again, it’s been a while since I’ve been in touch…. where is this year flying away to?! I can hardly believe it’s March already. The first month of my year was spent mostly being poorly and it feels like I’ve had a slow start getting on with anything since then. In the past couple of weeks I’ve recorded for four different podcasts though, and been on two different radio shows, with more events lined up - and tonight I am being interviewed in front of a ‘live’ audience at an ‘In Conversation With’ event at our lovely local independent bookshop. So at least I’m keeping busy! Look how fab this event space is (tables will be moved for more chairs!):

I would never have thought of myself as a speaker, and still don’t - I have huge anxiety about words coming out wrong, coupled with the knowledge that stress makes me come out in particularly unattractive red blotches over my face and neck. But the more I do it, the easier it becomes. It helps that the questions are generally ones I have the answers to, because I’m talking about our own family’s experiences. I guess those answers can’t be wrong, right?! Although I do realise that not everyone understands, or agrees with what I’m saying… hey ho.

If you know of any local bookshops who are happy to hold author events, and you know of a group of people who might like to hear me talk about our book, please do get in touch (maybe I shouldn’t have said about the blotches?!).

Two of the podcasts were with Americans (exciting!) and I’m hoping to be able to share links to all four of the podcasts with you in the next newsletter.

PDA Book

The story is written from the viewpoint of a young boy called Ethan. He has been diagnosed with Pathological Demand Avoidance and he wants to try to explain what that means, and how it affects his ability to handle demands and expectations, although he acknowledges it can be difficult to put into words. Read more in my review post:

Understanding PDA

Autism Books

A Very Modern Family

This book has shot straight to the top of my favourites pile! A Very Modern Family has been written by Carrie and David Grant and tells the story of their four children, one of whom is adopted. It explores a variety of different situations and challenges faced, from mental health issues and neurodivergence to trans non-binary identities, various sexualities and the added factor of being a mixed race family.

The introduction shares the Grant's feelings about an autism diagnosis for two of their children initially, and then goes on to explain that although they knew then that things were about to change, they didn't see the fights and battles with inflexible systems that were to come - a sentiment that I am sure is shared by many SEND families.

For more details of what this book covers, read my review post here:

A Very Modern Family

Newly published:

Square Me, Round World

Square Me, Round World is written by Chelsea Luker, an autistic/ADHDer psychologist and owner of Connect Us Psychology, and illustrated by Eliza Fricker from Missing the Mark. This book aims to share insights and prompt conversation around neurodiversity by sharing stories of 'growing up in a world not built for you'.

There are seven short stories in the book, followed by a dicussion guide. The story titles are: Feeling Different, Finding Your Flock, The Mask, Take Me Apart, Put Me Back Together, Burned Out, It's a Loud, Loud World and Hard to Say Goodnight. All are beautifully illustrated by Eliza, whose work many will know from her own best-selling books 'Can't Not Won't', the 'Family Experience of PDA' and 'Thumbsucker'.

I highly recommend this book for helping children understand how they might be experiencing life differently to the majority, enabling them to feel seen and to feel positive about their unique 'sparkles'. It would also be great for helping other children, and adults, understand more about those feelings and learn how to adapt to help others. Read more in my review below:

Square Me, Round World Review