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RESOURCES: Understanding Autism + Neurodiversity (without the nonsense)

Autism is a neurotype — a naturally occurring variation in how a brain processes information, communication, sensory input, and the world. If you’re here because you’re newly diagnosed, self-identified, parenting, partnering, or just trying to understand someone you love: welcome. You don’t need to “fix” an autistic or neurodivergent person. You need better information, better support, and less ableism.

I’m Talisa Rafferty, owner of ND Renegade, and this page is my growing list of resources I trust — because they’re practical, respectful, and not built on dehumanizing “cure” culture.  In full disclosure, I was diagnosed with both ADHD and Autism later in life, so I do have more resources geared towards people in a similar position.  

How to vet info (so you don’t get played)

There’s a lot of content online that sounds confident and is still wrong.  There are a lot of experts, but some information is just better than others. 

 Look for:

Green flags                                                                                                          

• Written by neurodivergent people and/or ND-affirming clinicians

• Uses respectful language (no “tragedy,” no “epidemic,” no “burden”)

• Focuses on accommodations and quality of life, not compliance

• Doesn’t treat autistic or other neurodivergent traits as something to eliminate

• Strengths-based language

Beware of:

Red flags                                                                                                                 

• “Recovery,” “reversing autism,” “detox,” miracle supplements, or anything promising a “cure”

• Fear-based fundraising, shame-based parenting tactics

• Content that ignores masking, stimming, burnout, sensory needs, and autonomy

• Anything that promotes masking

If a resource makes you feel panicky, guilty, or like you or your child needs to be “normal”… close the tab, take a breath, and do something else for a minute.  No one needs that.  We’re all out here trying our best.

Start here: neurodiversity-affirming education + community

These are strong foundations — especially for adults, families, and newly diagnosed folks:

• AANE (Association for Autism and Neurodiversity) — support groups, education, community (aane.org)

• Neurodivergent Insights - The BEST resource for the late diagnosed and people with multiple neurotypes. Neurodivergent Insights

• Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) — community + resources for marginalized genders (Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN))

• CHADD -(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) resources for people and parents with or managing ADHD CHADD

• ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) — autistic-led policy + resources (“Nothing About Us Without Us”) (Autistic Self Advocacy Network)

• Welcome to the Autistic Community (ASAN) — super accessible intro + basics (Autism Acceptance)

• Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism — solid articles across topics, multiple perspectives (THINKING PERSON'S GUIDE TO AUTISM)

Okay, maybe we should have started here, but, if you or someone you care for have not been formally diagnosed or you don't plan to seek a diagnosis, these resources are for you:

• Try The Child Mind Symptom Checker.

• Check out Embrace Autism for a myriad of assessments, advice, and tools.

Common autistic stressors (masking, sensory overload, burnout)

Some of the hardest parts of being neurodivergent aren’t “autism or ADHD” — it’s living in a world that refuses to accommodate.

• Autistic burnout (research + lived experience): Raymaker et al. describe burnout as deep exhaustion + reduced functioning linked to chronic stress and lack of support (Learn From Autistics)

• Burnout Resources - from Neurodivergent Insights.  I can not stress to you how helpful this person is. If you start anywhere, start here. Burnout, what is it, why and how do you get help?

If you’re constantly trying to be“fine” in public and falling apart at home, that’s not you being dramatic. That’s a system problem. If you can barely get out of bed, it’s time to get help.

Mental health support (ND-affirming, not “let’s train you to show less neurodivergent traits”)

Finding a therapist who actually understands neurodivergence can be life-changing.

• Prosper Health (adult autism testing + therapy, affirming/strength-based) (Prosper Health)

• SAMHSA: Find Help (US directories + support/helplines) (SAMHSA)

Healthcare + services navigation (because the system is not user-friendly)

• NASDDDS State I/DD Agency list (US state agency directory) (Nasddds)

• Medicaid HCBS (home/community-based services overview) (Medicaid)

• Health Care advocates.

Work, accommodations, and disclosure (you don’t owe anyone your diagnosis)

Disclosure is personal. You’re allowed to be strategic.

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) — free guidance on accommodations + ADA-related info (Job Accommodation Network)

Mindfulness tools (free/low barrier)

Not as a “fix,” but as nervous system support.

• UCLA Mindful guided meditations (UCLA Health)

• Smiling Mind (free mindfulness programs) (Smiling Mind)

• Insight Timer (huge free library) (Insight Timer)

ND Renegade: resources + real support

• Our mission (ND Renegade)

• Our “Educate Yourself” page (definitions + basics) (ND Renegade)

• ND Renegade Grant for Autism Diagnosis (what it is + how to support/apply) (ND Renegade)

Books to start with:

• Unmasking Autism — Devon Price (PenguinRandomhouse.com)

• NeuroTribes — Steve Silberman (PenguinRandomhouse.com)

• Thinking in Pictures — Temple Grandin (PenguinRandomhouse.com)

• The Journal of Best Practices — David Finch (Simon & Schuster)

• I Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder — Sarah Kurchak (Douglas & McIntyre)