The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic

Neurodiversity campaigner Siena Castellon's The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide is a must read for young autistic girls. It offers a range of advice and tips relating to real life real world issues. An instant classic!

This marvellous book provides a very personal but also very practical insight into the life of an autistic adolescent. Siena Castellon generously shares her own story, turning her experiences into helpful advice, stunningly illustrated by Rebecca Burgess. I'd recommend this book for autistic teens and their siblings, parents, classmates and teachers too.

Siena Castellon is a talented, driven and passionate young woman and one to watch in future years. I am proud to have her as one of my young charity ambassadors. This book is a valuable resource for girls and women recently diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. I am sure this will be one of many books to be written by Siena! Congratulations.

Navigating life as an adolescent is perilous. No joke, I did try it once! Spectrum Girls is the ultimate guide to surviving this monumental stage in life, giving the reader the much-needed manual to many questions and situations that are often bewildering or difficult, but often intuitively known by non-autistic peers. At 16, Siena pours her wealth of experience, knowledge and compassion for fellow teens into this book, covering numerous situations that could be encountered. This book is a must read and a companion that will support you all the way.

This is a truly wonderful and welcome addition to any school library, CAMHS service and a 'must read' for any young woman who has autism - and indeed other learning-differences. Siena is a leading advocate and voice for young people and a champion of the neurodiversity movement. Like many neurodiverse young people, Siena calls for a paradigm shift in our understanding of intelligence, ability and employability that is relevant to the 21st Century. Siena not only challenges the stereotypes and stigma, but talks honestly about her own experiences, offering practical advice, guidance and encouragement to other young women with Autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

Siena has articulated the details of life that can be used as a blueprint for girls on the spectrum. She has powerfully illustrated many important concepts on how to focus on strengths and interests to build a healthy identity. This book is a gift not only to girls on the spectrum but also others who care about them. This book will be a great resource for neurodiverse girls, their parents and providers.