Maladaptive Daydreams: Uncovering Autism Through Poetry & Storytelling

by Cindy Robinson

“A cosmic non-dairy milkshake of broken, seen, furious, and held... How did she pull these words out of my brain?!” - Morgan Chonis, author of Feral Grace

"Touching on an exceptionally human level. Written with exquisite vulnerability... A gift to the world.” - Dr. Jeannine Jannot, author of The Disintegrating Student

An unconditional love letter to highly masked autism.

Cindy Robinson takes us on another wildly tactile ride in her 2nd memoir, exploring her late Autism diagnosis through colorfully creative storytelling and deeply rooted poetry. Though rich with depth, she leaves enough space for well-timed humor, making the book feel like a permission slip to enjoy the ride.

Cindy displays a rethink of her life in a way that is digestible, relatable, and daringly playful. This book gives the reader a sensory-filled and vulnerable glimpse into what it means to reunite with parts of ourselves so deeply hidden we never knew they were there. It is a brilliant and easy read for anyone who is neurodivergent or loves someone who is.

Genres: Psychology

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2025

About the author

Cindy Robinson is a Researcher, Writer, and Neurodivergent Life Coach. She writes fiction and nonfiction books that feature relatable neurodivergent characters through an affirming lens. As a researcher, she specializes in researching neurophysiology, primarily as it pertains to neurodivergent brains. In her coaching, he supports neurodivergent humans through the unmasking process and helps them embrace their diagnoses and, in turn, themselves. Her passion for supporting neurodivergent humans is person, as she is diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, and OCD.

Cindy is married to an impressively supportive husband, Brad, whom she describes as a real-life Ron Swanson. Together they have a son, Maddox, who's beautiful soul is worth the weight of breaking every generational trauma cycle. She is grateful for their endless love and acceptance.

Love on the Spectrum intro: Cindy loves sunshine on her face and warm cups of tea. Cindy doesn't like microfiber cloths or running into people she knows at the grocery store.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Muller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the combination of poetry and prose. The “happy roo” chapter made me smile and cry!!! Beautifully written insight into neurodivergent brains.

[Brandi Boozer · Rating 5 out of 5]

37 years old and 3 months into an ASD (Level 1) diagnosis (to compliment my existing ADHD—spicy blend!)—that’s where this book found me and it was exactly what I needed. A book on the grief of receiving a late autism diagnosis, and the absolute mind effer when it comes to figuring out what it means for both my past and future selves.

In its pages, I found reflections of myself and my experiences. Chapter by chapter, Cindy is able to put words to feelings I have yet to be able to articulate and she perfectly captures the complexity of autism—the beauty and pain, the lightness and darkness of it all.

Like ASD brains, grief is nonlinear, which is why even in the sections/stages I do not fully relate to quite yet (like Acceptance), I still found familiar pieces and (surprisingly) hope.

Even though I absolutely devoured it, none of this to say that this book was an easy read for me, as some parts hit close to home. Cindy’s writing is vulnerable, insightful, and honest; it’s hard to look at your own reflection when you have difficulty accepting what the mirror shows.

However, it’s a book I plan to come back to again and again—if for no other reason than to feel seen and know I’m not alone in the way I feel.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy has done it again and this time it’s in poetry. She writes in a real and raw way that provides context, yet leaves room for interpretation. A mesh of personal stories and poetry that highlights the internal and mental experience of neurodivergence. Maladaptive Daydreams is structured around the 5 stages of grief and allows space to reflect on how to grieve parts of yourself that felt unseen and unheard through one’s lifetime. Her raw vulnerability makes reading feel like a sensory experience painting a picture of radical self-acceptance.

It is the perfect balance of humor and heartbreak that acknowledges how both can be true at the same time. It invites readers to explore themes of self-compassion and reflection.

If you are neurodivergent, love someone who is or a poetry fanatic this book is for you. It’s more than a poetic memoir, it’s an invitation to self-love and extending kindness to all parts of yourself.

AND if you’re looking for more she has an incredible memoir that more deeply highlights these themes called ‘Bright Girl Lacks Focus’ which is available on Amazon.

[Luciel Morgenstern · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book that made me feel „seen“ (in a good way) for the very first time of my life. My whole life before I had either felt „invisible“ or so „different“ somehow I might as well have been an alien. There are LOADS of *good* cries waiting in there. I have never cried about a recipe before — but here I did. Why? For the first time it was a recipe with instructions as *I* would need them. I had never seen those given anywhere before. There was always something missing, and I never knew what — just like other people seemed to always feel something was either „missing“, „too little“, „too different“ or „too much“ in me. This? This is what it is.

The only „complaint“ I can mention? I devoured this book in what felt like too little time (despite needing several breaks because even good cries can be exhausting) — I want more. I guess I‘ll be buying some more books about this topic soon. (Hint: Cindy seems to have another 🙀 I guess I know what I‘m buying next. 😸)

[Cate Blouke · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re wondering if you’re Autistic (or AuDHD) and looking for a book that will help you feel SEEN, look no further. While this isn’t a book explaining autism, ADHD, and the ways they overlap, it is absolutely a book that will give you a felt experience of what it’s like to live in a brain that is often tugging in multiple directions.

Admittedly, while I didn’t love the poetry sections as much as the prose, I think the poems offer a really sweet, metaphor rich, imagery rich, unique taste of what it’s like to be neurospicy in a neurotypical world.

I also super appreciate the way the structure walks through the stages of grief. I went through a similar process over the last year and didn’t have the words for my experience. But I can very much see it mapped out here.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late-Diagnosed autistic people will find themselves in the pages of this book. This book is about half prose and half poetry. The thing I love about poetry is that it has the power to capture feelings and emotions that are difficult to put into words. Cindy’s poems paint a picture of autistic experiences in a way that the reader can understand and even empathize with. For the poetry non-enthusiasts, don’t worry, Cindy’s poetry is very accessible, and the storytelling she has woven in between the poems is a great example of the experience of uncovering a late autism diagnosis. I think many people will relate to her comparison to the 5 stages of grief. I know I did.

[Angelina Simoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh about things I once thought I could only be annoyed about, and made me annoyed about things I thought I once thought I was only allowed to laugh about. In a beautiful, healing kind of way. It really took me on a journey within.

I snort-laughed while in a cafe reading ‘cable’s out’ and it was the first time in my life I felt allowed to do so and didn’t even lift my eyes from the page to see who noticed. Cindy is a magician and this book has magical powers.

It’s like nothing else I’ve ever read… this is the kind of book & writing style my AuDHD brain has been longing for. A MUST READ!

Thank you Cindy!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! I read it once through and then went through again to add bookmarks and highlights and have bookmarked most of the pages. It's hard to put into words but so much of the book touches on what it feels like to have a neurodivergent mind. I can particularly relate to the poem "Cable's Out," and "The Door at the End of the Hall" may be one of my favorite poems of all time now. If you are a late-diagnosed autistic person or neurodivergent, I think you will really appreciate the way Cindy writes and the moments that she chooses to focus on in her writing. Highly recommend!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy cracks me up! I read Bright Girl Lacks Focus, which made me cry, laugh, and feel everything in between. I knew I had to read Maladaptive Daydreams and I'm so glad I did. Cindy is the role model I wish I had when I was younger. I'm so glad I found her writing now, because her writing is a beautiful way of soothing my inner child. I feel so seen in her stories, even if not all the details apply. She has a way of capturing an array of emotions, and I loved the poetry addition in this book. It's easy, fun and deep. All things I enjoy.

[Amanda Leto · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fellow high-masking, late-diagnosed autistic, I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it didn't resonate as much as I thought it would. I did enjoy the mix of poetry and prose. I thought the story was a sweet one, as the author navigated the all-too-familiar mix of excitement and dread as a big event nears.

Regardless, I am very glad a book like this exists in the world - we need more autistic voices.

[Camille Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. So affirmative as someone that has ADHD and Autism to see it through someone else's eyes and relate so hard. I loved how they incorporated poetry into the book because it felt very real for the neurodivergent experience to go from stories to poetry and back again. I appreciated how the author described their concert experience at the end of the book and I brought me so much joy to witness that go from struggle and doubts to pure joy and unmasking. Highly recommend.

[Jeannine Jannot · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to put into words how I felt about this memoir,  except to say that it touched me on an exceptionally human level.

Robinson writes with such eloquence and exquisite vulnerability that it felt authentic and relatable to (neurotypical) me.

This book is a gift to the world that will have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of many! Excellent!!

[JC · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For I have a nonlinear brain, therefore all I have is today"
Raw, soul shattering and heart warming. So remarkably relatable. Maladaptive daydreams brought to light within me what has lived in fear and darkness by wielding a sense of acknowledgement, acceptance and peace.

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful free flowing look into understanding oneself 🥰