Recommended Resources for Trauma and AuDHD (Autism and ADHD)
These books, podcasts and other resources have been an incredible support in my own trauma recovery journey and learning to befriend my own AuDHD brain. Being hyperlexic (one of the more positive elements of my neurodivergence), I’m almost always reading, writing and now, with the technology, listening.
Younger Me would have been in FAR better mental and emotional shape if I’d been able to listen to inspiring and informative books and podcasts growing up v being left to ruminate on deeply unhelpful thought spirals.
I hope that by sharing these with you (and I’ll be adding as I continue to devour more and remember additional ones that helped me decades ago!) you’ll not only benefit from the wisdom and honesty of some of these incredible people but that you’ll also be more mindful about all that you consume and curate friendlier soundtracks to your days (as well as helping me ruminate less, they help me FUNCTION. Driving, washing up, cleaning, doing admin, gardening…)
And am by no stretch suggesting that silence and mindfulness isn’t a wonderful thing but when my brain is too squirrelly, it’s not beneficial to let it so loose. A mindful walk or bath or doing anything in silence can be a beautiful experience and other times, having voices I TRUST in my head… it’s only through putting this section together for you that I realise QUITE how helpful it’s been for me!!!!!!
You can order them through your library or local independent bookshops
Enjoy!
And feel free to send me your recommendations and thoughts to eve@solestosoul.ie
Some recommendations in (mostly) alphabetical order
While I adore everything I’ve listed below and have kept things alphabetical as some are for trauma, some are for autism and some are for ADHD etc, THIS one is SOOOOOOOOO good, I’m listened to it again after finishing it the first time.
Radical self love as life changing and WORLD changing (for the better), Sonya Renee Taylor’s The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love is phenomenal. I’ve been working with the body, with embodied and somatic approaches for decades and was still practically screaming in agreement listening in the car. Everyone on the planet has a body (and the brain is part of the body!). Making peace with our own and with others’ (everyone has the right to exist! To thrive! How can any body or brain be “wrong”? And yet that’s the water we’ve all been conditioned to swim in) and Sonya Renee Taylor’s manual gives me hope that we truly CAN birth a world in which EVERYone feels safe, welcome, loved and able to thrive.
When I started my yoga journey for pain relief in 2001, I never expected to train as a yoga teacher but the trauma-informed yoga therapy training transformed my whole practice (and life) and led to my developing the Polyvagal Purrs approach that has helped me and so many others so much. Yoga is bodywork we do for ourselves so with interpersonal trauma, an INCREDIBLE resource to begin healing, reparenting, rewiring the brain and healing the nervous system. Yogic philosophy, especially with my executive functioning issues, used to overwhelm me so much and I read (and forgot) so many texts but when I recently came across this, I realised I have been LIVING it (to the best of my ability) with my daily practice since 2013. The somatic (becoming embodied and connecting with the body’s own wisdom) AND transpersonal (remembering we’re already whole, part of nature, part of the Divine) is so important in my own trauma recovery and the ways in which I work with clients, supervisees and groups. Yoga has also been a way in which I’ve been reconnecting with my Indian roots. Deborah Adele’s beautiful book, The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice, makes what can feel overwhelming accessible. It felt affirming to recognise how the discipline and practice has transformed my life over the decades.
One of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE BOOKS, Luvvie Ajayi Jones’ The Fear Fighter Manual: Lessons from a Professional Troublemaker is a must-read for anyone wanting to help build a world in which EVERYONE feels safe, welcome, loved and able to thrive. Her journey is inspirational.
Caroline Shola Arewu’s Opening to Spirit is a book I wish I’d read at the start of my yoga journey. While so much of what I learned is through Western lenses, Arewu goes back to Africa and it’s a joyous exploration that not only deepened my knowledge but helped me feel more connected to my roots (my mother’s Indian parents had emigrated to Kenya where she was then born and raised). It was an absolute joy to talk to Caroline for Episode 3 of the podcast (and, as far as I know, she coined the gorgeous term “beditation” which is something I do every morning!)
I adore Susanna Barkataki‘s work and (at time of writing) am still feeling the results of my soothed soul from her gorgeous the Great Yoga Unlearning event which I devoured, wishing wishing wishing that this OBVIOUS approach was not so radical. Being mixed race myself but not looking it, I’ve spent a lifetime attempting to decolonise myself and my various practices and of all the guides I’ve found so far, Susanna’s Indian British heritage (emigrated to America) most closely reflects my Indian Irish London born. The more I think about it, the more intersectional it ALL is and decolonising ourselves has parallels as we ND people learn to (safely) unmask. My lifelong adoration of getting older (am loving being a Baby Crone) is also a form of decolonising myself
Martha Beck is one of my all-time favourite writers and I still can’t believe I got to meet her and interview her! I think I’ve read all her columns in O, the Oprah Magazine (I so miss it!) as well as all her books and she was one of the writers whose writing saved my life as I began processing my own trauma history. Leaving the Saints is my favourite She goes back to horrendous ritual abuse knowing that her body was remembering and she had to heal and I remain in awe of her courage and strength. Apart from her survival, another miracle is how FUNNY she is in parts. It’s the book I recommend the most to trauma survivors (I work a lot with adult survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA)) and while it’s a tough read, it’s also a joyous read as she survived and continues not only to thrive herself but has helped so so so so many others along the way.
Dr Sabina Brennan is an incredible woman who started out in insurance, became an actor on the Irish soap, Fair City and then trained as a neuroscientist. I met her through Westport’s Rolling Sun Book Festival years ago and interviewed her for a few features over the years. She was one of my first guests on the podcast and in this book, she shares so of the science behind why manifesting works. I’ve read dozens of books on manifesting over the decades (I think Tosha Silver’s Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead is my favourite because I had reached the point in my own trauma recovery where I was able to open up to more and that led me to Ireland!) and Dr Brennan’s scientific look at manifesting is great for people who need that “But WHY?” to give it a go.
I think I’ve read everything by Brené Brown and adore her consistent wisdom around healing shame, owning our vulnerability and ultimately living more wholehearted lives. Atlas of the Heart is a good place to start if you’ve not already read her earlier work.
The Me Too founder’s memoir, Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement is absolutely incredible. I was sobbing but in a good way. I do my best to focus on people who are doing good in the world in order to endure a world in which there is so much pain and suffering and Tarana Burke’s presence on this planet is a bonus for us all.
Deb Dana is incredible and these two books as well as countless online conference presentations, interviews and trainings, have had an enormous impact on my own healing and work. My Polyvagal Purrs approach was inspired by her making Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory more accessible to clinicians. It is such an OBVIOUS approach, we’re wired for safety and connection, and yet so radical in terms of how many of us – especially with trauma and AuDHD – have been conditioned to ignore what our nervous systems are telling us. By framing less healthy elements as adaptive survival responses that literally helped us stay alive, we can reassess in safety and heal.
KC Davis is a neurodivergent therapist and parent of neurodivergent children who started posting about her struggles cleaning. While many found her authenticity relatable and inspiring, it was a risk for her, as a therapist who so many project perfection onto and she has freed me and others to be more ourselves. How to Keep House While Drowning is one of hundreds I’ve read/listened to over the years (ADHD me struggles while autistic me has adored systems since childhood. My psychiatrist pointed out that I had to develop these systems as a small child to make up for the executive functioning issues I was decades away from understanding that I had so I spent most of my life thinking I was organised before realising how HARD I’ve always found it while also depending on it) and is an absolute delight.
Leonie Dawson is so completely herself, even when she’s posting from under the duvet on low bandwidth days or sharing normally unmentionable things in an effort to help the rest of us feel less alone, she radiates joy. If you’re interested in doing any of Leonie’s delightful courses, this affiliate link will take you to her resources around doing life and business as an AuDHDer). And you can listen, watch or read to our podcast interview here
I wish I’d been given this beautifully illustrated guide as a teeny tiny human. Better late than never (am far older than the author) and Laura Dowling’s no nonsense, celebratory tone is something I wish for ALL women. Trauma-informed and great information for women (and the men who love us) of all ages. It being out there, during a time when women’s and trans women’s right are so under threat in so many parts of the world, gives me hope: Not just for the women The Fabulous Pharmacist is helping by shining a light on issues that affect so many of us and reducing shame and isolation, but for the whole world.
I’ve been reading Denise Duffield-Thomas’s books for years (and we’re both columnists for Platinum!). She has ADHD and a gorgeous podcast too so whether you’re an ADHDer or not, you can learn to take better care of your nervous system and your money.
I got to tell V (formerly Eve) Ensler that her writing had saved my life when I went to a VDay conference on women and power in NYC the day I started my own business in September 2004! I met her, Gloria Steinem (see below), Jane Fonda, Sally Field and so many other powerhouses (many activists from around the world) – as I mention in my own book, V started VDay to end violence against women and girls because of the response to The Vagina Monologues. Back then, there was no social media so reading the survivor stories on their forum helped me so so much.
The fantabulous Karen Falconer (previously Moxom) was my editor at Rapport for nearly 20 years! Was such a joy to chat to her for this episode.
Karen Falconer on leaning to love early mornings: Episode 19 of The Feel Better Every Day Podcast (YouTube)
Marie Forleo has been an inspiration for decades and knowing she had ADHD as I was beginning my own late diagnosis and understanding journey was as helpful as all the resources she shares on MarieTV and in B School. Her lovely book, Everything is Figureoutable is also a delight.
You can listen to my interview with Allan Frater (episode 110) here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ellyce Fulmore’s Keeping Finance Personal changed my financial LIFE. She has ADHD herself and a chapter in the book on ADHD as well as her gorgeous podcast, Dopamine Dollars. I still hear her comforting voice in my head as I do my bookkeeping or check my balance or do ANYthing connected with money: “You’re not bad with money, you just have ADHD”. This book gave me the courage to (after 21 years in business) start paying proper attention by being patient with my working memory and executive functioning issues. I changed accountants (twice!), got onto Xero and recommend her work to SO many people.
Even though I’ve been doing All The Things for decades now (personally and professionally), Niamh Garvey‘s honesty and matter of fact approach to handling our additional needs revolutionised my life. So practical, so supportive and inspirational (in a gorgeously grounded way).
Another book I’ve been cheering to as well as welling up and laughing at. So helpful personally and also, SO sensible re advocacy for AuDHDers with higher support needs. Megan Griffith’s Welcome to AuDHD: How to Survive (and Thrive) is fun, informative and if EVERYone read it (AuDHD or not), we could work together to create a world in which everyone is valued and appreciated and supported (and able to share their unique gifts and purposes).
Drs Edward M Hollowell and John Ratey are ADHD are encouraging a new name for ADHD – VAST (variable attention stimulus trait) and their DECADES of work in the field as well as lived experience mean they’ve helped so many of us!
I did not expect to be sobbing over Paris Hilton‘s memoir but was hooked from the beginning, even before I found out she had ADHD. She has used her trauma to fight for other victims of the brutal “troubled teen” industry and recently worked with AOC and Barbara Lee in support of the Defiance Act to limit online abuses, in this case, deep fake porn, against women and girls.
Being mixed race (while looking white and sounding English – Indian Irish, London born, now in Westport, Co Mayo, Ireland) myself, have been a fan since Brit~ish.
Decolonising My Body had me sobbing while feeling more whole just listening.
I read Who Moved My Cheese? DECADES ago while working in legal publishing in London. There was a teeny library in the basement and I (while beginning my personal development journey) was taken by this story about four mice, two of whom learned to adapt and survived and two who argued with reality and perished. So simple. So life-changing (for me at the time). Even though I’ve been vegan since 2017, I continue to recommend this book.
Another gorgeous book that had me laughing and sobbing in recognition (this happens so much with AuDHD authors!).
Jess Joy and Charlotte Mia are delightful guides and How Not to Fit In: An Unapologetic Guide to Navigating Autism and ADHD is something I so wish I’d had access to decades ago.
Such a wonderful source of support when seeking support around getting accommodations at work (has helped me and I’m my own boss!) and all sorts of other areas of accepting and loving our whole selves.
As with Afua Hirsch’s Decolonising My Body, Dalia Kinsey’s Decolonizing Wellness was the breath of fresh air I hadn’t even known I was so desperate for (as someone working in the industry for decades and simply ignoring so much of the messaging).
Peter Levine‘s Waking the Tiger changed my life. Even before learning about Polyvagal Theory and developing my Polyvagal Purrs approach, his recognition of us as animals and explanation of the impala freezing then getting on with its day (v my torturing myself for decades for freezing), magical magical magical. In Sexual Healing: Transforming the Sacred Wound andAutobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey Levine shares his own trauma and healing as well as the influences on his career. Fascinating for the personal and professional beginnings of the somatic and transpersonal approaches to trauma that enabled me to start my own healing journey and help so many others over the years. Levine’s honesty and clear vision helped transform the world for the better.
At time of writing (March 2026), am feeling privileged to be reading an advance copy of this delightful book by ND therapy pioneer Louise Lucas. She was a wonderful guest on the podcast and her work and presence on the planet have inspired me professionally and personally. I was new to my neurodivergent journey and hadn’t realised how wounding neurotypical training and therapy had been. Lucas’ work helped me heal that, become a better therapist and slowly design a more sustainable and enjoyable practice and business!
I’ve known the fantabulous Joanne Mallon for decades now as we were part of a pre-social media online forum for freelance journalists.
You can watch our interview Joanne Mallon on supporting creativity: Episode 32 of The Feel Better Every Day Podcast or listen: Author, podcast host and coach, Joanne Mallon shares her ideal and actual daily self care routines
And you can hear my guest appearance on Joanne’s podcast here
Leanne Maskell’s AuDHD: Blooming Differently is yet another one that had me sobbing and laughing in (possibly, didn’t time each cackle or howl) equal measure. So relatable. So helpful. So empowering.
Mattia Maurée’s AuDHD Flourishing podcast was the first AuDHD podcast I listened too when (years after scoring high on an autism self-test, I realised that the ADHD medication and reduced masking meant I had AuDHD). She had me on the kitchen FLOOR sobbing (some of the others, snotty tears, others wracking sobs) listening the the first few episodes I’d heard of this. Had never felt SO seen. So many of her intersectional concerns could come directly from my own differently wired brain and I’ve never heard anyone else articulate them so thoughtfully.
Funnily enough, I’d adored May’s interview on Glennon Doyle, Amanda Doyle and Abby Wambuch’s We Can Do Hard Things podcast about her late diagnosis with autism YEARS before I listened to and adored this book. I’d already been scoring high on online autism tests but because I still felt so imposterish with the ADHD and was so highly masked, it helped plant a seed that took years to grow. She did partially inspire this page, though, too as even knowing she had a list of resources on her site (that she’d mentioned in the interview) helped me feel brave enough to begin exploring this pretty enormous part of myself.
Another book I was howling with laughter to while then sobbing, back and forth. Feeling so seen. So guided. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
Andrew McGonigle on relaxing his self care routine: Episode 4 of The Feel Better Every Day Podcast (YouTube)
Andrew McGonigle (aka Doctor Yogi) on being less rigid around self care (Captivate)
Me! Eve Menezes Cunningham! Am putting myself in some amazing company here but my book really DID help me – it includes 366 of the self-care practices and ideas that helped me begin my trauma recovery journey and navigate my then undiagnosed and completely misunderstood AuDHD brain – all I knew was that self-care was far from a luxury for me and that I needed and still need these practices in order to help me function at the most basic level. It was my way of outing myself, too – back then, I still felt shame and guilt (spiky profile!) about having so many offerings instead of having focused on Just One Thing. The feedback from 365 Ways to Feel Better: Self-care Ideas for Embodied Wellbeing and even the process of writing it and working with the publisher (and having my book launch at London’s Coliseum!) helped me counter the success amnesia of forgetting so much of what I’d done and honour all of who I am and what I offer clients, supervisees and groups. Buy here.
There were only two sentences in this book that I didn’t adore (a couple of digs at celebrities who I feel should have been far better protected v preyed on as very young women in the public eye) but the rest, so so helpful in terms of supporting people who don’t believe they deserve self-compassion but are willing to follow evidence-based approaches. I’ve been following Dr Neff’s work since 2011 and this is a gorgeous, easy to apply, practical guide to a skill that can help us not only heal ourselves but create a kinder world for everyone (high high bar and level of respect for her work is the only reason those two sentences really stood out).
Am almost embarrassed, having been working in the self-care field for DECADES, to have so needed this!
Such a helpful guide from another phenomenal Dr Neff!
I regularly present with Online Events and you can access my and other recordings and workshops etc using this affiliate link
One of the first guides on my journey, Otsuka’s message still stands out as unique in terms of her focus on the 43% of ADHDers who enjoy EXCELLENT mental health and her efforts to focus on the strengths (without any toxic positivity or glossing over the disabling aspects). It was SUCH a joy to interview her for the podcast (you can listen here) and if you haven’t already come across hers, it’s the same title.
Kaelynn is another inspiration simply by virtue of her being her whole, wonderful self and that giving me and others permission to be more of ourselves.
Here she shares her unusual perspective from service user to professional therapist.
It also helped me – recently diagnosed autistic (level 1) – see that as with decolonisation work and all social justice work, we need to use our privilege (exhausting as I now see life was because I had no understanding or accommodations for my differently wired brain) as high-masking neurodivergent people to advocate for those who are less or even unable to speak for themselves. It’s a beautiful book from a beautiful soul.
Now It All Makes Sense was one of the first ADHD books I started recommending to people as Alex Patridge’s honesty and openness about late diagnosis, struggles with alcohol, RSD and so much more were so relatable. This eagerly awaited (by me and so many others) is as delightful as I’d hoped as well as having practical tools and wisdom for navigating RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria).
I was fortunate to interview Nick Williams and the late Barbara Winter (author of the fantabulous Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for the Joyfully Jobless) soon after going freelance as a journalist with almost no experience and no contacts in 2004.
I got to know him better over the years through our Energetic NLP practice sessions and he is an absolute joy and inspiration. Such a kind soul (and he gave my book a gorgeous endorsement).
Watch our interview here The Feel Better Every Day Podcast episode 7: bestselling author Nick Williams on play and creativity and listen wherever you get your podcasts or: Nick Williams on his ideal and actual daily self and Self care, the importance of play and creativity
I’ve adored Oprah since I was a child. We lived in America the year The Oprah Winfey Show went national. I think I read every issue of her magazine. Watching her show evolve helped me begin curating what I was feeding my own mind, body, heart and soul. As #metoo creator Tarana Burke (see above) observed, her openness about her own trauma history helped Younger Mes see that recovery was possible. Here she teams with a neuroscientist, Bruce Parry, to amp up the compassion exploring what happened v what’s wrong with trauma survivors. An absolute beacon of shining light in the world.
I love their online content and honesty about an ADHDer and now (with Richard’s late autism diagnosis) autistic person in relationship. This book depersonalises a lot of the traits as they bring their humour and wisdom to everyday woes and successes. Am also really looking forward to their new book, The Cherry Tree Theory.
Carly Radford and Alice Tew were delightful guests on my podcast and I got to know them a bit through a community for neurodivergent therapists we’re all part of. From the very first episode of Too Much… Apparently, I exhaled that little bit longer and knew I was in excellent company. I love their honesty, their friendship and encouragement.
The fantabulous Rebecca Seal was my first podcast guest and I adore her research heavy but still lively and engaging style. Here she explores the benefits of so called “bad habits” (including Revenge Bedtime Procrastination) and calls out the systemic pressures that contribute.
Dr Daniel Siegel, creator of the much loved Window of Tolerance model in trauma work, was a guest lecturer on my trauma-informed yoga therapy for mental health training in 2012. His work has helped transform the field and what I remember most was his talking about working with a patient in his 90s who finally healed his attachment wounds. It is never too late to heal.
Gloria Steinem’s writing saved my life and, the week I went freelance as a writer myself and launched my private practice (then coaching and complementary therapy) in 2004, I was fortunate enough to meet her, V (formerly Eve) Ensler – see above, Jane Fonda etc etc in NYC. I got to tell her and Ensler that their writing had saved my life. At a time in my life when suicidal ideation was still too familiar (my 20s), meeting my Future Self and gaining Gloria Steinem herself as a (in my imagination) guide towards a happier, healthier future… saved my life. And, at 92, she has a new memoir coming out!
I met the fantabulous Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas through Substack. An AuDHD neuroscientist and gut health specialist, he was one of my first podcast guests and joined me again for my 100th episode! His work is incredible as is he – I’ve learned so much from him and his warmth, honesty and humanity will, I’m sure, pour from every page of his new book. It’s as delightful and informative as I’d expected and I’ll add an affiliate link when it’s available.
I cannot stop recommending this incredible former NYC dominatrix and energy worker (specialising in teaching women verbal and energetic self defence as we learn to own our power). I’ve been supporting clients’, students’ and my own embodied evolutions for decades now and yet Kasia Urbaniak’s approach, as SO relational, is amazing. I needed to do the work I’ve already been doing to put her approach into practice and you’ll hopefully save yourself years or even decades of trauma recovery by going for it. Check out The Academy for her trainings, too. And The “Independent Woman” Trap: Episode 72 of the podcast (inspired by her work)
Dr Karen Ward’s Moon Mná Women’s Celtic Circles facilitator training changed my life. A gorgeous introduction to my new home country when I moved to Ireland, its Goddesses and sacred sites, it helped me heal and make peace with my own body in ways that, even having been a trauma therapist for YEARS AND YEARS, I hadn’t believed possible for me.
Her Sacred Ireland and Brigid oracle card decks are amongst my favourites (and I have dozens and dozens of decks, collected since the 1990s).
You can watch our interview Dr Karen Ward on energy work and Sacred Ireland: Episode 20 of The Feel Better Every Day Podcast or listen Dr Karen Ward on connecting with the Irish landscape and sacred items as her daily self care and here I am on her podcast
I so adore all the interviews I’ve heard with late diagnosed autism advocate Pete Wharmby and this book is beyond delightful. Helping me make so much more of my experiences (am older than him) and I never expected to be moved or blown away (me too!) by a story about shoelaces!
I listened to all of Dana K White’s books in quick succession. Undiagnosed, she’s been told by many people that she has ADHD and while I’m not a psychiatrist or psychologist, I really think she’s one of us. White’s approach to organising is to make things better over time. Taking one item and immediately taking it to where you would (not should but actually WOULD) look for it if you needed it. Her talk of clutter thresholds and the container concept are simple and lifechanging. Much as I also adore Marie Kondo, The Home Edit women, Peter Walsh (Oprah’s clutter clearing expert) and so many others (I used to be a member of APDO, travelling around London and Essex and helping clients with clutter clearing coaching), White’s approach helps us override our default All or Nothing Approach (cue overwhelm and ADHD paralysis) and instead keep on keeping on. I find it challenging to slow down AND, when I inevitably burn myself out by STILL taking on too big a project in life or work or area in my home, I seem to be able to avoid the old overwhelm by identifying the next teeny tiny step. She’s also funny and enjoyable to listen to.
Check back to this page as I’ll be adding more life-enhancing and sometimes (it sounds dramatic but books really have saved my life, over and over) life saving reads and listens here
You can also subscribe for instant access to 100s of body-mind practices, polyvagal-informed journal prompts and more as well as ongoing recommendations that (ADHD brain) might not make it onto this page.