In 2026, after the publication of my second book, I realised that I’ve now released over 60 articles since I began writing in 2017.
Seventeen of my articles, written between 2017 and 2025, were gathered together in that second book, ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays‘.
Seeing those essays gathered all together in the one book got me wondering about the others… How do people who want to read through my body of work easily find my older articles and essays?
So, ta-dah – I’ve created a reading list for you!
There’s both an A-Z list and a reverse chronological order list of all of my writing. It should keep you in reading material for quite some time!
I will endeavour to keep the list up-to-date as I publish new material.
Autism: A Collection of Essays
Before you dive into the reading list, can I be so bold as to recommend my book Autism: A Collection of Essays.
It contains my 17 most read essays since I began writing in 2017. Collectively these essays have been read by over a million people online, cited academically and shared across the world.
Just these seventeen essays alone make a book of 400 pages (so that’s a lot less eye strain from reading in a book compared compared to reading on a screen!). I hope the book can be a companion and become a book you return to again and again.
Taken together, in the new book format, these essays collectively trace how conversations around Autistic people have shifted over nearly a decade across society, culture, and academia, while also reflecting the evolution of my own thinking as I have written, learned, challenged and argued, listened, reflected and grown.
I tell the full story of how the book came to be in ‘The Story Behind ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays‘ and it’s a nice read (if I do say so myself!).
About some of my older essays
This is taken from the Introduction of ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’ and is certainly something to hold in mind as you’re reading through some of my older work.
“Over time, my writing has evolved. My understanding deepened. I look back on some of my essays and cringe, not because they are fundamentally wrong, but because they were part of my becoming. They reflect where I was at the time, the limitations of my knowledge and thinking, the limitations of my privilege. That’s all valuable, as much as it’s uncomfortable for me to look back on. Growth isn’t neat. The point of reflection isn’t to erase the past, but to understand it better.”
I am acutely aware that my writing, old and new, is there to be critiqued and challenged. That challenge from my readers, that call to reflect, is what drives the (often difficult) conversations forward. And we absolutely need to be having these conversations if we are going to truly change the life outcomes for Autistic people for the better.
I hope that a decade of my writing can play a small part in these conversations and help to chart where we were in 2017 and what needed to change then, what has shifted since then, and what still urgently needs to change if experiences and life outcomes for ALL Autistic people are to genuinely improve.
All of my articles A-Z
(When you sign up to my mailing list you’ll receive a printable version of my reading list – the form to sign up is at the bottom of this page)
A brief comment on the media frenzy surrounding Uta Frith’s latest intervention and the wider political narrative (2026). “Naming ourselves is neither fashion nor confusion, and it is not the result of contagion. It is recognition. It is a refusal to let other people decide the boundaries of our humanity and our very existence.”
A Family of Diversity (2018). Kieran talks about communication in a family of Autsitic adults and kids.
A Parent of Autism (2018). Kieran explains why you are not a ‘parent of Autism’ but a parent of an Autistic child.
An Autistic Burnout (2018). Recognising and understanding Autistic Burnout in children and adults as an Autistic person, professional, parent or carer. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Diagnosis (2018). Perspectives on receiving an adult autism diagnosis. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Education (2018). Kieran explores his own childhood experience of school and reflects on the experiences of his own children. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Frequency (Stimming) (2018). Kieran explores why Stimming is a fundamental aspect of Autistic identity. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Guide to Healthy Relationships (2024). A companion article to go with the ‘The Autistic Guide to Healthy Relationships’.
An Autistic Identity (2019). Exploring the importance of identity and how the medical model of autism and societal views towards autism have a huge negative impact on identity. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Invalidation (2018). A look into the devstating impacts of a life lived in constant invalidation.
Animations About Autism (2026). A series of animations about autism; created for Autism Central.
An Open Letter to Employers of Autistic People (2018). Some things to consider if you employ Autistic people.
Asperger’s Syndrome: What’s in a name? (2020). What is the difference between Autism and Aspergers? Let’s look at the ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ label and how it fits in the current Autism narrative.
Autism Affirming Books I’ve Featured In (2023, updated as new books added). A list of autism affirming books Kieran has contributed to.
Autism and Attachment Theory (2025). An overview of why Attachment Theory is so problematic, and specifically why it might be problematic if applied to Autistic children.
Autism and It’s labels: Disorder and Condition (2022). An introductory look at the harm language can cause.
Autism Speaks and it’s influence on the UK (and the world) (2017). This article looks at Autism Speaks and the controversy surrounding the charity, along with the impact it has on Autistic people in the UK.
Autism, it’s Labels and the Language of Pathologising Rhetoric (2025). A detailed exploration into the landscape of language that surrounds Autistic people. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Autistic People are not Murderers (2017). Why news articles linking autism and murder are dangerous and not to be trusted.
Awareness, Performativeness and Irony in the Autism Narrative (2021). A cautionary tale about the performativeness oft he awareness narrative.
Best Autism Books (2020 with multiple updates). Kieran’s list of the most autism affirming books.
Celebrating 25 Years Together (2025). Kieran celebrates 25 years of being with Michelle; An Autistic love story!
Covid, 2020 and Autism: Where is my mind? (2020). Reflections on a challenging year (for many reasons, not just the pandemic).
Functioning Labels: Why you shouldn’t be using them (thanks a bunch, Terminology Dudes) (2017). A discussion around the use of functioning labels.
Good Evening Everybody… (2017). Kieran’s first ever post!
How To Be A Good Ally (2017). How to be a good ally to Autistic people as a non-Autistic person.
How to Hide Your Autism (2017). Kieran leans into his personal experiences to explain Autistic Masking and the dangers of using ABA to prevent Masking. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
How to Respond to the ‘Paracetemol (Tylenol/Acetaminophen) causes Autism’ Comments on Social Media (2025). Kieran’s (tongue in cheek) response to these claims.
I do not HAVE Autism (2017). Kieran talks about how language around Autistic people has a real world impact on lives.
I Look Back at My Parents and Wonder; How did they miss me? (2017). Kieran discusses the trauma stemming from his parents not seeing him as an Autistic child. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
I’ve been nominated for an award and I don’t want you to vote for me (2020). Kieran’s thoughts after being nominated for a National Diversity Award in 2020.
If you Light it up Blue for Autism, you’re supporting Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks doesn’t support Autism… (2017). Kieran explores why the logo for Autism Speaks the autism puzzle piece is very controversial and upsetting to many autistic people.
In lieu of tosh, here are some facts… (2020). The difference between Autism Awareness and Autism Acceptance is explored by Kieran Rose and Dr Amy Pearson.
Is Elon Musk good representation for Autistic people? (and also my thoughts on that ‘was it/wasn’t it salute’) (2025). Kieran’s thoughts on whether Elon Musk is a good representation of what it means to be Autistic.
Life Is Hard (2026). Just being alive as a disabled person in this world is HARD, especially when you are surrounded by stigma and that has soaked into your bones, shaping both your worldview and your self view…
Masking: I Am Not OK (2018). Why we Mask an the impact it takes on Autistic people. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
One day they will join us in the sun (2021). A companion article to the ‘Autistic Masking: Understanding the narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice’ research by Kieran & Dr Amy Pearson.
Parents, try #AskingAutistics (2017). If you have a qestion about your Autistic child, ask an Autistic person (guest post by Lyric Rivera).
Reclaiming Autistic Food Identity: Feeding Shame and Swallowing Stigma (2025). An exploration into why we, as Autistic people, often eat the way we do.
Regarding the Use of Dehumanising Rhetoric (2020). An open letter to King’s College London (by Dr Sophie Vivian).
Research from Kieran Rose and Dr Amy Pearson finds widespread abuse of autistic people (2022). A companion article to the ‘I felt like I deserved it because I was autistic’: Understanding the impact of interpersonal victimisation in the lives of autistic people’ reserch by Kieran and Dr Amy Pearson.
Responsibility, Autism and a Legacy of Failure (2018). A collective call to action for Autistic people, professionals and parents of Autistic children. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
School Refusal or School-Induced Trauma? Rethinking EBSA, EBSNA, and the Harm We Call Help (2025). Why we need to be critical of the concepts of EBSA and School Refusal; especially in relation to our Autistic children. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
So… Autism, what exactly isn’t it? (2017). Debunking some commonly held myths and beliefs.
Spectrum10K: Extreme controversy and a fail for ethics (2021). The ethics application feedback for the controversial Spectrum10k study make for an extremely interesting read.
Talking Without Words: Communication, Culture, Autism (and how I needed someone to tell me, that it’s OK to be me) (2017, updated 2025). Kieran looks back at his own childhood and reflects on what could have helped him. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
The Advent of the Autzi (2017). Why Autzi’s believe they are superior to other Autistics, especially those deemed ‘Low Functioning’.
The Autistic Cost of Travel (2018). Kieran considers how exhausting travel can be for Autistic people and asks you to consider how even a short trip can need meticulous planning and the cost this can take on an Autistic person.
The Curious Case of the National Autistic Society and ‘Cures’ (2018). This article looks at the controversy surrounding the National Autistic Society and their stance on ‘cures’ for Autism.
The Danger of Misunderstanding Neuro-Affirming Practice (2025). Kieran discusses the dangers of misunderstanding neuro-affirming practice. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
The Great Autism Diagnosis Cover Up: How CAMHS and Education are Conspiring to Fail Autistic Children and their Families (2017). Kieran explores the problems surrounding the CAMHS Autism Assessment Pathway in the UK.
The Inside of Autism: You should see the world inside my head (2017). Kieran explains how being Autistic feels to him and takes you on a journey inside of his own head. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
The Mess of Autism (2017). There is a big pile confusion over Asperger’s, Autism and functioning labels (High and Low).
The Story Behind ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’ (2026). The story behind Kieran’s new book.
There Is No Such Thing As SEND (2025). Kieran examines SEND as a mechanism that allows an education system that was never designed for all children to remain fundamentally unchanged, while appearing compassionate. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Thoughts on RFK’s April 2025 Briefing regarding the CDC findings on the increase of autism prevalence (2025). Kieran’s response to Robert F Kennedy Jr’s comments regarding the increases in Autism in the USA.
Top 10 Academic Books about Autism (2025). A useful list of Kieran’s top 10 academic books about autism.
Top 10 Non-Academic Books about Autism (2025). A useful list of Kieran’s top 10 non-academic books about autism.
Ways of Being, Knowing and Doing: An Anthology for Neurodivergent Practice: An e-book to raise funds in support of the Palestinian people (2024). I was honoured to be asked by Kim Mears and Lisa Chapman to have my work featuredin a new ebook they were creating in order to raise funds to support humanitarian work in Gaza.
We Are Not OK (2018). Personal words from Autistic people. Don’t let these words stand as an obituary. Let them stand as a monument to a world that chose to embrace difference. Not punish it…
What is Autism? (2018, updated 2025). What Is Autism is a question that’s asked over and over but actually, when you dig beneath the surface, it’s very rarely answered. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
What is Neurodiversity? (2019, updated 2025). Kieran explains the concept of the Neurodiversity Paradign and addresses common misconceptions. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
What World Are We preparing for? (2020, updated 2025). If we don’t accept, validate and support the challenges a child has in school, how on earth do we expect them to manage adult life? (joint article with Jodie Clarke)
Why I Love My Community (2024). When your readers push back and it helps us to question our own academic practice.
All of my articles – Reverse Chronological Order
(When you sign up to my mailing list you’ll receive a printable version of my reading list – the form to sign up is at the bottom of this page)
2026
A brief comment on the media frenzy surrounding Uta Frith’s latest intervention and the wider political narrative (2026). “Naming ourselves is neither fashion nor confusion, and it is not the result of contagion. It is recognition. It is a refusal to let other people decide the boundaries of our humanity and our very existence.”
Animations About Autism (2026). A series of animations about autism; created for Autism Central.
Life Is Hard (2026). Just being alive as a disabled person in this world is HARD, especially when you are surrounded by stigma and that has soaked into your bones, shaping both your worldview and your self view…
The Story Behind ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’ (2026). The story behind Kieran’s new book.
2025
Autism and Attachment Theory (2025). An overview of why Attachment Theory is so problematic, and specifically why it might be problematic if applied to Autistic children.
The Danger of Misunderstanding Neuro-Affirming Practice (2025). Kieran discusses the dangers of misunderstanding neuro-affirming practice. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Autism, it’s Labels and the Language of Pathologising Rhetoric (2025). A detailed exploration into the landscape of language that surrounds Autistic people. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
School Refusal or School-Induced Trauma? Rethinking EBSA, EBSNA, and the Harm We Call Help (2025). Why we need to be critical of the concepts of EBSA and School Refusal; especially in relation to our Autistic children. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
There Is No Such Thing As SEND (2025). Kieran examines SEND as a mechanism that allows an education system that was never designed for all children to remain fundamentally unchanged, while appearing compassionate. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Reclaiming Autistic Food Identity: Feeding Shame and Swallowing Stigma (2025). An exploration into why we, as Autistic people, often eat the way we do.
Celebrating 25 Years Together (2025). Kieran celebrates 25 years of being with Michelle; An Autistic love story!
Top 10 Academic Books about Autism (2025). A useful list of Kieran’s top 10 academic books about autism.
Top 10 Non-Academic Books about Autism (2025). A useful list of Kieran’s top 10 non-academic books about autism.
How to Respond to the ‘Paracetemol (Tylenol/Acetaminophen) causes Autism’ Comments on Social Media (2025). Kieran’s (tongue in cheek) response to these claims.
Thoughts on RFK’s April 2025 Briefing regarding the CDC findings on the increase of autism prevalence (2025). Kieran’s response to Robert F Kennedy Jr’s comments regarding the increases in Autism in the USA.
Is Elon Musk good representation for Autistic people? (and also my thoughts on that ‘was it/wasn’t it salute’) (2025). Kieran’s thoughts on whether Elon Musk is a good representation of what it means to be Autistic.
2024
An Autistic Guide to Healthy Relationships (2024). A companion article to go with the ‘The Autistic Guide to Healthy Relationships’.
Ways of Being, Knowing and Doing: An Anthology for Neurodivergent Practice: An e-book to raise funds in support of the Palestinian people (2024). I was honoured to be asked by Kim Mears and Lisa Chapman to have my work featuredin a new ebook they were creating in order to raise funds to support humanitarian work in Gaza.
Why I Love My Community (2024). When your readers push back and it helps us to question our own academic practice.
2023
Autism Affirming Books I’ve Featured In (2023, updated as new books added). A list of autism affirming books Kieran has contributed to.
2022
Autism and It’s labels: Disorder and Condition (2022). An introductory look at the harm language can cause.
Research from Kieran Rose and Dr Amy Pearson finds widespread abuse of autistic people (2022). A companion article to the ‘I felt like I deserved it because I was autistic’: Understanding the impact of interpersonal victimisation in the lives of autistic people’ reserch by Kieran and Dr Amy Pearson.
2021
One day they will join us in the sun (2021). A companion article to the ‘Autistic Masking: Understanding the narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice’ research by Kieran & Dr Amy Pearson.
Awareness, Performativeness and Irony in the Autism Narrative (2021). A cautionary tale about the performativeness oft he awareness narrative.
Spectrum10K: Extreme controversy and a fail for ethics (2021). The ethics application feedback for the controversial Spectrum10k study make for an extremely interesting read.
2020
Asperger’s Syndrome: What’s in a name? (2020). What is the difference between Autism and Aspergers? Let’s look at the ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ label and how it fits in the current Autism narrative.
What World Are We preparing for? (2020, updated 2025). If we don’t accept, validate and support the challenges a child has in school, how on earth do we expect them to manage adult life? (joint article with Jodie Clarke)
#AutisticBlackLivesMatter and the Privilege of White Autistics (2020). A look at intersectionality and the racism built into the autism narrative.
In lieu of tosh, here are some facts… (2020). The difference between Autism Awareness and Autism Acceptance is explored by Kieran Rose and Dr Amy Pearson.
Best Autism Books (2020 with multiple updates). Kieran’s list of the most autism affirming books.
Regarding the Use of Dehumanising Rhetoric (2020). An open letter to King’s College London (by Dr Sophie Vivian).
I’ve been nominated for an award and I don’t want you to vote for me (2020). Kieran’s thoughts after being nominated for a National Diversity Award in 2020.
Covid, 2020 and Autism: Where is my mind? (2020). Reflections on a challenging year (for many reasons, not just the pandemic).
2019
An Autistic Identity (2019). Exploring the importance of identity and how the medical model of autism and societal views towards autism have a huge negative impact on identity. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
What is Neurodiversity? (2019, updated 2025). Kieran explains the concept of the Neurodiversity Paradign and addresses common misconceptions. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
2018
What is Autism? (2018, updated 2025). What Is Autism is a question that’s asked over and over but actually, when you dig beneath the surface, it’s very rarely answered. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Burnout (2018). Recognising and understanding Autistic Burnout in children and adults as an Autistic person, professional, parent or carer. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Masking: I Am Not OK (2018). Why we Mask an the impact it takes on Autistic people. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Diagnosis (2018). Perspectives on receiving an adult autism diagnosis. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Education (2018). Kieran explores his own childhood experience of school and reflects on the experiences of his own children. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Frequency (Stimming) (2018). Kieran explores why Stimming is a fundamental aspect of Autistic identity. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Responsibility, Autism and a Legacy of Failure (2018). A collective call to action for Autistic people, professionals and parents of Autistic children. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
An Autistic Invalidation (2018). A look into the devstating impacts of a life lived in constant invalidation.
We Are Not OK (2018). Personal words from Autistic people. Don’t let these words stand as an obituary. Let them stand as a monument to a world that chose to embrace difference. Not punish it…
The Curious Case of the National Autistic Society and ‘Cures’ (2018). This article looks at the controversy surrounding the National Autistic Society and their stance on ‘cures’ for Autism.
A Family of Diversity (2018). Kieran talks about communication in a family of Autsitic adults and kids.
A Parent of Autism (2018). Kieran explains why you are not a ‘parent of Autism’ but a parent of an Autistic child.
An Open Letter to Employers of Autistic People (2018). Some things to consider if you employ Autistic people.
The Autistic Cost of Travel (2018). Kieran considers how exhausting travel can be for Autistic people and asks you to consider how even a short trip can need meticulous planning and the cost this can take on an Autistic person.
2017
How to Hide Your Autism (2017). Kieran leans into his personal experiences to explain Autistic Masking and the dangers of using ABA to prevent Masking. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
I Look Back at My Parents and Wonder; How did they miss me? (2017). Kieran discusses the trauma stemming from his parents not seeing him as an Autistic child. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Talking Without Words: Communication, Culture, Autism (and how I needed someone to tell me, that it’s OK to be me) (2017, updated 2025). Kieran looks back at his own childhood and reflects on what could have helped him. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
The Inside of Autism: You should see the world inside my head (2017). Kieran explains how being Autistic feels to him and takes you on a journey inside of his own head. Included in ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’
Functioning Labels: Why you shouldn’t be using them (thanks a bunch, Terminology Dudes) (2017). A discussion around the use of functioning labels.
The Mess of Autism (2017). There is a big pile confusion over Asperger’s, Autism and functioning labels (High and Low).
I do not HAVE Autism (2017). Kieran talks about how language around Autistic people has a real world impact on lives.
So… Autism, what exactly isn’t it? (2017). Debunking some commonly held myths and beliefs.
Autism Speaks and it’s influence on the UK (and the world) (2017). This article looks at Autism Speaks and the controversy surrounding the charity, along with the impact it has on Autistic people in the UK.
The Great Autism Diagnosis Cover Up: How CAMHS and Education are Conspiring to Fail Autistic Children and their Families (2017). Kieran explores the problems surrounding the CAMHS Autism Assessment Pathway in the UK.
Autistic People are not Murderers (2017). Why news articles linking autism and murder are dangerous and not to be trusted.
If you Light it up Blue for Autism, you’re supporting Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks doesn’t support Autism… (2017). Kieran explores why the logo for Autism Speaks the autism puzzle piece is very controversial and upsetting to many autistic people.
The Advent of the Autzi (2017). Why Autzi’s believe they are superior to other Autistics, especially those deemed ‘Low Functioning’.
Parents, try #AskingAutistics (2017). If you have a qestion about your Autistic child, ask an Autistic person (guest post by Lyric Rivera).
How To Be A Good Ally (2017). How to be a good ally to Autistic people as a non-Autistic person.
Good Evening Everybody… (2017). Kieran’s first ever post!
Autism Research
As well as writing my own articles I am also heavily involved in autism research and you can find out more about that here; Autism Research. So if you do like to read then you’ll find even more to keep you busy on this page!
I have also contributed to a number of other books and you can find out about those here; Autism Affirming Books I’ve Featured in/Contributed to.
If you’ve found this article useful you can support my work by donating any amount from $3 (about the same as a coffee – mine’s a caramel latte please!).
I know not everyone wants, or needs, one of my training courses or to read one of my books, but I often find people will read one of my free articles and want to say ‘thank you’. And this is a really easy way to do that. It also supports me to keep being able to create new, free content and keep my older, free content up-to-date. It also allows me to keep my website ad-free!
My Autism FAQs page is a good place to start if you’re new to my work and want to explore more and my book, ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays‘ is a great way to immerse yourself into the narratives surrounding Autistic people.
Thanks for you support – it means the absolute world. Kieran x
JOIN KIERAN’S MAILING LIST (for infrequent, but useful, updates!)
And, as a thank you for joining, you’ll get a 10% off code emailed to you which you can use on Kieran’s on-demand autism training and ebooks (including his flagship training The Inside of Autism). And you’ll also receive a free, printable version of Kieran’s ‘Life is Hard‘ post and a printable reading list of all of his articles.
Training from Kieran
I have a full range of autism training on my website; starting from just a few dollars and all priced to be affordable.
Got more questions about Autism?
If reading this article has given you more questions then my Autism FAQs is a great place to point you in the right direct to get answers (and most of where I direct you is to free-to-access resources!).
