Female and Autistic
- Intinima
Intimina-Autism-Report-V1f.pdf
How people on the autism spectrum experience and manage their periods
- There’s no one way to be autistic – BBC
Video narrated by Sara Gibbs on her experience of autism
- The Secret Life of Rose by Rose and Jodie Smitten
https://www.jodiesmitten.co.uk/book/
In 2021 Jodie Smitten co-authored a book with her daughter, Rose. Each section is written from two perspectives; Rose’s as an Autistic child and Jodie’s as an Autistic adult and parent of an Autistic child. With nearly 300 reviews on Amazon, averaging 4.8 out of 5, they were incredibly touched and honoured that their book has supported so many Autistic children to understand themselves.
- The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon
https://uk.jkp.com/products/the-spectrum-girls-survival-guide
This essential go-to guide gives you all the advice and tools you’ll need to help you flourish and achieve what you want in life. From the answers to everyday questions such as ‘Am I using appropriate body language?’ and ‘Did I say the wrong thing?’, through to discussing the importance of understanding your emotions, looking after your physical and mental health and coping with anxiety and sensory overloads, award-winning neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon uses her own experiences to provide you with the skills to overcome any challenge.
- Autistic Girls Network
https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/autism-and-girls/
Information about how autism presents in girls
- The Curly Hair Project
https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/about-us/what-is-the-chp/
The Curly Hair Project (CHP) is an award-winning organisation founded by autistic author and entrepreneur Alis Rowe. CHP resources are used by individuals, families and professionals worldwide.
- Yellow Ladybugs
https://www.yellowladybugs.com.au/
Yellow Ladybugs is an autistic-led, non-government organisation with strong bridges to the community. We are dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls and women 1. We believe autistic individuals of all genders deserve to be recognised, valued, accepted and supported in order to realise their full potential.
- Supporting Autistic Girls and Gender Diverse Youth
https://yellowladybugs.com.au/Document/Books
- Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer O’Toole
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35756912-autism-in-heels
Autism in Heels , an intimate memoir, reveals the woman inside one of autism’s most prominent figures, Jennifer O’Toole. At the age of thirty-five, Jennifer was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, and for the first time in her life, things made sense. Now, Jennifer exposes the constant struggle between carefully crafted persona and authentic existence, editing the autism script with wit, candor, passion, and power. Her journey is one of reverse-self-discovery not only as an Aspie but–more importantly–as a thoroughly modern woman.
- A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum: Diagnosis, Intervention and Family Support by Dr Judy Eaton
https://help4psychology.co.uk/team/dr-judy-eaton/
This book addresses the specific mental health needs of girls and young women with autism . Looking at the ways autism presents differently in girls than in boys, and the mental health conditions that occur most frequently in girls with autism. There is advice on how to deal with the emotional impact on parents, carers and families, and the challenges they face when negotiating appropriate psychological and educational support.
- Christine McGuinness: Unmasking my Autism – BBC One
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k31t
In this heartfelt journey of self-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.n this heartfelt journey of self-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.elf-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.
- Holly Smale: “I was diagnosed as autistic at 39” BBC Radio 4
Helena Merriman speaks to Holly about her difficult childhood, short-lived modelling career, traumatic university years – and the day it suddenly all made sense.
- The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward
https://autismfriendlyperiods.com/
The book is aimed at Autistic people age 9-16 who will experience periods. The book is designed to be as Autism Friendly as possible.
- What’s Happening to Ellie? By Kate E. Reynolds
https://www.accessebookpages.com/full/what-s-happening-to-ellie/
A book about puberty for girls and young women with autism and related conditions
- Supporting Autistic Girls & Gender Diverse Youth
https://yellowladybugs.com.au/Document/Books
People’s Stories
- The Documentary – Inside an autistic mind
The Documentary – Inside an autistic mind – BBC Sounds
Sue Nelson shares her journey to understand a condition that affects millions worldwide. Inside her autistic inner world is a cacophony of brain chatter, anxiety and sensory issues – recreated within a 360 degree soundscape – that impact her life and interactions with others
- The Electricity of Every Living Thing: A Woman’s Walk in the Wild to Find Her Way Home by Katherine May
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60312400-the-electricity-of-every-living-thing
The book tells the story of the year in which Katherine comes to terms with her diagnosis. It leads to a re-evaluation of her life so far – a kinder one, which finally allows her to be different rather than simply awkward, arrogant or unfeeling. The physical and psychological journeys become inextricably entwined, and as Katherine finds her way across the untameable coast, she also finds the way to herself.
- Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World by Laura James
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34617842-odd-girl-out
Laura James found out that she was autistic as an adult, after she had forged a career for herself, married twice and raised four children. Odd Girl Out tracks the year of Laura’s life after she receives a definitive diagnosis from her doctor, as she learns that ‘different’ doesn’t need to mean ‘less’ and how there is a place for all of us, and it’s never too late to find it.
- Autism In Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cook O’Toole
https://www.jenniferotooleauthor.com/autisminheels
Jennifer exposes the constant struggle between carefully crafted persona and authentic existence, editing the autism script with wit, candor, passion, and power. Her journey is one of reverse-self-discovery not only as an Aspie but–more importantly–as a thoroughly modern woman.
- But you don’t look autistic at all by Bianca Toeps
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54555150-but-you-don-t-look-autistic-at-all
Autism – that’s being able to count matches really fast and knowing that 7 August 1984 was a Tuesday, right? Well, no. In this book, Bianca Toeps explains in great detail what life is like when you’re autistic.
- Wired Differently: 30 Neurodivergent People You Should Know by Joe Wells
This collection of illustrated portraits celebrates the lives of influential neurodivergent figures who have achieved amazing things in recent times. Showcasing these 30 incredible people, the extraordinary stories in this book show that the things they’ve achieved, created and inspired they did not despite being different but because they are different. From politicians, activists and journalists to YouTubers, DJs and poets, this book highlights a wide range of exciting career paths for neurodivergent readers.
- Inside Our Autistic Minds – BBC Two
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47
Thinking differently. Chris Packham helps autistic people illustrate how their minds work, helping them connect with their friends and family in a new, more authentic way.
- Melanie Sykes and Christine McGuinness
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59352983
Melanie Sykes and Christine McGuinness praised for openness about autism diagnosis
- Melanie Sykes On Her Autism Diagnosis
The amazing Melanie Sykes opened up about her autism diagnosis and how it transformed her life, on this week’s Three Little Words podcast.
- My Autobiography by Guy Martin
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/417784/guy-martin-my-autobiography-by-guy-martin/9780753555033
Martin is not comfortable with being a public figure and rejects any notion that he is a celebrity, turning down offers such as Top Gear’s Star In A Reasonably Priced Car segment. After struggling to come to terms with the fame brought about by his media work, Martin was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
- Joe James The Autistic Photographer
https://www.canon.co.uk/view/my-name-is-joe-james/
Joe talks about his experience of being autistic and proud, and his hyperfocus on photography
- Holly Smale: “I was diagnosed as autistic at 39”
Holly Smale was a successful author – the creator of the bestselling series of children’s books, Geek Girl. On paper, her life was good. So why did she feel broken? Then, aged 39, she finally got a diagnosis: Holly was autistic. In Room 5 – the series about lifechanging diagnosis – Helena Merriman speaks to Holly about her difficult childhood, short-lived modelling career, traumatic university years – and the day it suddenly all made sense.
- Sara Gibbs UK-based comedy writer
Sara’s debut book, Drama Queen – One Autistic Woman and a Life of Unhelpful Labels (published by Headline), a memoir about growing up undiagnosed autistic in a new-age community, is out now and available to buy at all good bookstores, as well as e-book and audiobook downloads.
- Pete Wharmby – Autistic Speaker and Writer
https://petewharmby.com/about/
Pete is an autistic speaker, writer, tutor and parent, who is working to improve autism acceptance in society by sharing insights and experiences of autism to the widest possible audience.
- Katherine May
https://katherine-may.co.uk/about
Katherine May is an internationally bestselling author and podcaster
- Why everything you know about autism is wrong | Jac den Houting | TEDxMacquarieUniversity
https://www.ted.com/talks/jac_den_houting_why_everything_you_know_about_autism_is_wrong
Being diagnosed with autism is often seen as a tragedy. But for Jac den Houting, it was the best thing that ever happened to her.
Fiction
Author who writes novels about queer, neurodivergent women
- M is for Autism Book by The Students of Limpsfield Grange School & Vicky Martin
Welcome to M’s world. It’s tipsy-turvy, sweet and sour, and the beast of anxiety lurks outside classrooms ready to pounce. M just wants to be like other teenagers her age who always know what to say and what to do. So why does it feel like she lives on a different plane of existence to everyone else? Written by the students of Limpsfield Grange, a school for girls with autism with communication and interaction difficulties, M is for Autism draws on real life experiences to create a heartfelt and humorous novel that captures the highs and lows of being different in a world of normal. Great for ages 8-16
- M in the Middle: Secret Crushes Book by The Students of Limpsfield Grange School
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30524518-m-in-the-middle
M in the Middle is the sequel to M is for Autism. Life after diagnosis isn’t easy for M. Back in her wobbly world, there are lots of changes and ups and downs to get used to, not just for M, but for her friends and family too. Faced with an exciting crush, a pushy friend and an unhelpful head teacher, how long until the beast of anxiety pounces again? Great for ages 8-16
- Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/book/c/can-you-see-me/
With diary entries written by eleven-year-old Libby Scott, based on her own experiences of autism, this pioneering book, written in collaboration with esteemed author Rebecca Westcott, has been widely praised for its realistic portrayal of autism. Tally is eleven years old and she’s just like her friends. Well, sometimes she is. If she tries really hard to be. Because there’s something that makes Tally not the same as her friends. Something she can’t cover up, no matter how hard she tries: Tally is autistic. Tally’s autism means there are things that bother her even though she wishes they didn’t. It means that some people misunderstand, her and feel frustrated by her. People think that because Tally’s autistic, she doesn’t realise what they’re thinking, but Tally sees and hears – and notices – all of it. And, honestly? That’s not the easiest thing to live with. 4 book series
- A King of Spark by Elle McNicoll
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/a-kind-of-spark
A Kind of Spark tells the story of 11-year-old Addie as she campaigns for a memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her Scottish hometown. Addie knows there’s more to the story of these ‘witches’, just like there is more to hers. Can Addie challenge how the people in her town see her, and her autism, and make her voice heard?
- The Space We’re in by Katya Balen
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38221641-the-space-we-re-in
When Frank’s younger brother is diagnosed with autism at the age of three, their mum explains that it means he may not always understand the way the world works. Frank, with great perceptiveness, observes that he doesn’t understand the world, either. Who really does? Now aged ten, Frank is learning that people can sometimes be cruel. When kids make unpleasant jokes about Max, Frank fails to defend him. Like many older siblings, he is also frustrated at how much of his parents’ time and attention his brother now demands. All in all, he’s currently wrestling some pretty serious feelings of guilt and resentment. Little does he know, life is about to throw something far, far worse at the family. 9+, great for siblings of autistic children
- Geek Girl by Holly Smale
https://www.goodreads.com/series/107946-geek-girl
The GEEK GIRL series has been an internationally bestselling no1. smash-hit. It won the Waterstones Teen Prize of the Year and the Leeds book award, was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Branford Boase award, and was long-listed for the Carnegie.