Sometime in the mists of last year I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of “University – The Autistic Guide: Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive” by Harriet Axbey. Now as someone who creates resources and has spent a body of time working on reasonable adjustments and support for a Neurodiverse student body, I was skeptical. My skepticism disappeared in the first few pages - Harriet’s book is balm to the soul. 

So why do I recommend University - The Autistic Guide? Well rather than write a small book about this book, I’ll give you my top three reasons.

1. Beyond the Classroom

Often when resources are made for Neurodivergent students they focus on academic attainment and coping in class. These resources frequently address coping in class to mean making oneself as Neurotypical as possible. Harriet’s book embraces university as a whole experience, from classroom to kitchen to doctor’s office and fresher’s fair. This book looks at university as a change of lifestyle and a major step towards living in the adult world. Harriet explores the Neurodivergent university experience and ways to cope at University as a Neurodivergent student as a whole, rather than an exercise in getting good grades at the detriment of mental and physical health.     

2. Health and Wellbeing

Harriet’s message comes loud and clear - take care of yourself and ask for help before you hit crisis point. As someone who did not exactly have a crisis-free undergraduate experience Harriet’s words hit home hard, like a safety blanket fired out of a supportive canon. Her words are supportive, kind and caring but coupled with practical advice on mental health support and wellbeing. Throughout the book she talks of the importance of up to date vaccinations and planning for medication management. Harriet’s words become a toolkit for knowing where to go for help and how to support your own physical and mental health when you’re working out your routine as a fresher. 

3. The Neurodivergent experience 

Anyone who is Neurodivergent and has ever sat in a lecture hall with bright lights, noisy chatter and clicking pens, knows that university is an exhausting experience at times. Harriet acknowledges these difficulties with understanding, humour and practical solutions. A core message of the book is that there is no such thing as an unreasonable adjustment. The book helps with knowing your rights as a Neurodivergent student and working with the university to ensure your reasonable adjustments are in place early and are met throughout the academic year.

Being Autistic, or if I’m honest Neurodivergent in general, can make going to university daunting. As an academic who has worked on reasonable adjustment research, and also as a former dazed and confused Neurodivergent undergrad, I create gold standard resources packs to support Neurodivergent students and universities. When creating these resources packs I can safely say Harriet’s book is an excellent addition to the toolkit of self confidence.

“University – The Autistic Guide: Everything You Need to Survive and Thrive” by Harriet Axbey can be purchased here.