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Autistically Me
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 13, 2026
Bradley Riches plays one of my all time favourite characters in Emmerdale, so there was no question about whether I’d be purchasing his book; the fact that it explores something I’ve been struggling with for the last few years is just a massive bonus, & means I can fully justify adding yet another book to my shelves.
Am I Autistic? That is the question that flies through my brain multiple times a day & sometimes keeps me up at night. I was diagnosed with CPTSD five-ish years ago & it can often present a lot like Autism, so I’m forever stuck between wondering if I’ve always been neurodivergent (outside of my dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.) or if I have “acquired” my neurodivergence via the path of repeated medical & disability trauma. I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever actually know either way — even if I were to be diagnosed with Autism, I would still be questioning it — but I do have some memories from my childhood that kinda’ indicate that I may have always been a little more different than I had already realised.
Bradley’s book presented an opportunity for me to look closer at Autism & see what similarities & differences I could identify between him & myself, as well as the other people quoted in the book — obviously those comparisons don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but Bradley wrote the book to help people better understand Autism & how to live with it in a positive & proud way, so it was just what I needed. I’ve also underlined, written notes & stuck a whole bunch of tabs all through the book to help me go back to the helpful parts when I need them.
I don’t know if I feel any more certain about my neurodivergent identity now, but Autistically Me has helped me to recognise some things about myself that I hadn’t previously picked up on. The book also includes some great advice, as well as coping mechanisms & “tools” for living with Autism, & I intend to make use of more than one of them. I also want to highlight that this book is great for pretty much all ages; the writing is suitable for children whilst also being engaging for adults.
My only criticism of the book — & really, it’s not actually a criticism — is that I wish it had been a little more biographical. Bradley shares quite a lot from his childhood, which I very much appreciated, but it would’ve been helpful (re: my self-reflection) to learn a bit more about his late-teens & early adult years, & how he’s navigated being an actor. But honestly, that’s very possibly just me being nosey.
I have a growing list of books about neurodivergence that I want to read, in the hopes of better understanding myself, & Autistically Me was a really steady & comforting book to begin with. Bradley’s warmth & kindness radiates off the pages & has left me envious of all the people within his orbit because he seems like a really great friend to have. I also think that it’s brilliant that Bradley is so enthusiastic about using his platform to help the community & I’m eager to continue supporting him & seeing what else he can achieve as an Ambassador for Autistica!
Am I Autistic? That is the question that flies through my brain multiple times a day & sometimes keeps me up at night. I was diagnosed with CPTSD five-ish years ago & it can often present a lot like Autism, so I’m forever stuck between wondering if I’ve always been neurodivergent (outside of my dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.) or if I have “acquired” my neurodivergence via the path of repeated medical & disability trauma. I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever actually know either way — even if I were to be diagnosed with Autism, I would still be questioning it — but I do have some memories from my childhood that kinda’ indicate that I may have always been a little more different than I had already realised.
Bradley’s book presented an opportunity for me to look closer at Autism & see what similarities & differences I could identify between him & myself, as well as the other people quoted in the book — obviously those comparisons don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but Bradley wrote the book to help people better understand Autism & how to live with it in a positive & proud way, so it was just what I needed. I’ve also underlined, written notes & stuck a whole bunch of tabs all through the book to help me go back to the helpful parts when I need them.
I don’t know if I feel any more certain about my neurodivergent identity now, but Autistically Me has helped me to recognise some things about myself that I hadn’t previously picked up on. The book also includes some great advice, as well as coping mechanisms & “tools” for living with Autism, & I intend to make use of more than one of them. I also want to highlight that this book is great for pretty much all ages; the writing is suitable for children whilst also being engaging for adults.
My only criticism of the book — & really, it’s not actually a criticism — is that I wish it had been a little more biographical. Bradley shares quite a lot from his childhood, which I very much appreciated, but it would’ve been helpful (re: my self-reflection) to learn a bit more about his late-teens & early adult years, & how he’s navigated being an actor. But honestly, that’s very possibly just me being nosey.
I have a growing list of books about neurodivergence that I want to read, in the hopes of better understanding myself, & Autistically Me was a really steady & comforting book to begin with. Bradley’s warmth & kindness radiates off the pages & has left me envious of all the people within his orbit because he seems like a really great friend to have. I also think that it’s brilliant that Bradley is so enthusiastic about using his platform to help the community & I’m eager to continue supporting him & seeing what else he can achieve as an Ambassador for Autistica!
June 14, 2026
Very informative. Not just telling his own experience of autism but giving info that could help others. Lots of research seems to have gone into this book especially when it comes to helping others. I think there is info in it that would be helpful to many people,not just those with autism. I have a physical disability called spina bifida which has nothing to do with autism and I found parts that would be useful to me when dealing with my condition in different situations in life. I would highly recommend this book if you have any kind of disability as there is so much help about that I had never known about but is covered in this book. I'm sure it could help so many people with autism but also with other conditions too. Well done Bradley. Brilliant book.
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May 3, 2026There is something so special about finding a book that makes you feel instantly safe. Bradley uses his platform to not only share his own lived experience with autism, but to amplify voices from the LGBTQ+, POC, and female neurodivergent communities too. It truly feels like a warm hug for your brain! I’ve annotated mine to bits because the representation is just that good. A massive thank you to Chally Pop for letting me read and review this gem. 📖✨🌷🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance reader copy.
I would consider myself the prime demographic for this book, as a late-diagnosed queer reader. Unfortunately, I found the book very disappointing. To mention its merits, this is incredibly easy to read and very accessible. So far as I can tell, both from personal experience and from my experience in the care of Autistic people, all the information seems accurate. That said, I absolutely hated the writing. Just, the actual structure of the words on the page. I hooked into the pattern of the writing early on and my brain just kept saying, "Oh, look, statement! It's not X! It's Y!" which is a large part of the author's style and for some reason drove me absolutely feral while reading.
Furthermore, I'm not quite sure how to convey this, but the complexity of the information conveyed is all over the place. It goes from spoon-feeding you about time management to pocket sand about proprioception. I should mention that a lot of the advice is real, and stuff I do and have done for as long as I can remember, before I even got a diagnosis. A lot of the stuff didn't resonate with me at all, but that is to be expected because every person with autism is different.
There were little bits and pieces I liked. I liked the anecdote near the start, as a selective mute myself at one point in my life, I definitely felt some kinship. I liked parts of the chapter about working, though I absolutely recoiled at mentions of the Star Method...
Overall, though, I felt like I'm beyond the reading age of this material, and it is aimed way younger, maybe 13-16. As such, reading it as a late-diagnosed adult, I don't feel like I learned anything at all.
I would consider myself the prime demographic for this book, as a late-diagnosed queer reader. Unfortunately, I found the book very disappointing. To mention its merits, this is incredibly easy to read and very accessible. So far as I can tell, both from personal experience and from my experience in the care of Autistic people, all the information seems accurate. That said, I absolutely hated the writing. Just, the actual structure of the words on the page. I hooked into the pattern of the writing early on and my brain just kept saying, "Oh, look, statement! It's not X! It's Y!" which is a large part of the author's style and for some reason drove me absolutely feral while reading.
Furthermore, I'm not quite sure how to convey this, but the complexity of the information conveyed is all over the place. It goes from spoon-feeding you about time management to pocket sand about proprioception. I should mention that a lot of the advice is real, and stuff I do and have done for as long as I can remember, before I even got a diagnosis. A lot of the stuff didn't resonate with me at all, but that is to be expected because every person with autism is different.
There were little bits and pieces I liked. I liked the anecdote near the start, as a selective mute myself at one point in my life, I definitely felt some kinship. I liked parts of the chapter about working, though I absolutely recoiled at mentions of the Star Method...
Overall, though, I felt like I'm beyond the reading age of this material, and it is aimed way younger, maybe 13-16. As such, reading it as a late-diagnosed adult, I don't feel like I learned anything at all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Through Autistically Me, Bradley Riches takes readers on a deeply personal journey through his experience of being autistic, sharing how he navigated childhood, his diagnosis and the workplace with the mission to empower others to celebrate their neurodivergence and thrive.
As a neurotypical reader, I picked up this book to better understand how autistic individuals navigate society and to ensure I can best support my own children if they ever show signs of neurodivergence. I found it to be a very positive, easy-to-read guide packed with practical tips based on Bradley’s own lived experiences. Like many self-development books, the advice should be viewed as a flexible, practical support system rather than a strict rule book, as everyone's path is unique. The most powerful message for me was the reminder that everyone is different and society needs to adapt to people, rather than trying to 'fix' these differences; everyone deserves their space and neurodiversity truly enriches our communities.
While I loved the encouraging message to "be authentically you without shame," I do wish the book had included a dedicated section with practical tips for neurotypical parents, carers, friends or colleagues on how to actively offer support. Even with the best intentions, it can be hard to know how to practically navigate things like overstimulation or stimming, so advice on communication adjustments (e.g. like avoiding sarcasm or managing eye contact) would have been a wonderful addition to be more inclusive in our day to day life. Overall, it is an empowering and positive read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bradley Riches and Watkins Publishing for the opportunity to read an uncorrected advance proof and learn more about being autistic or neurodivergent.
As a neurotypical reader, I picked up this book to better understand how autistic individuals navigate society and to ensure I can best support my own children if they ever show signs of neurodivergence. I found it to be a very positive, easy-to-read guide packed with practical tips based on Bradley’s own lived experiences. Like many self-development books, the advice should be viewed as a flexible, practical support system rather than a strict rule book, as everyone's path is unique. The most powerful message for me was the reminder that everyone is different and society needs to adapt to people, rather than trying to 'fix' these differences; everyone deserves their space and neurodiversity truly enriches our communities.
While I loved the encouraging message to "be authentically you without shame," I do wish the book had included a dedicated section with practical tips for neurotypical parents, carers, friends or colleagues on how to actively offer support. Even with the best intentions, it can be hard to know how to practically navigate things like overstimulation or stimming, so advice on communication adjustments (e.g. like avoiding sarcasm or managing eye contact) would have been a wonderful addition to be more inclusive in our day to day life. Overall, it is an empowering and positive read.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bradley Riches and Watkins Publishing for the opportunity to read an uncorrected advance proof and learn more about being autistic or neurodivergent.
June 11, 2026
Autistically Me: How to understand and celebrate our unique minds by Bradley Riches is a must read especially if you adore his character in Emmerdale, which I do. He is a "Breath of Fresh Air."
This book was a quick and easy read and a very personal journey of Him and his experience of being autistic, and telling his story of when he childhood and how his diagnosis of being autistic navigated his life from a early age, Bradley only spoke few words until age ten, then he found his voice at his theatre school.
Now fast-forward a decade, and he is not only a recognisable actor, but an inspirational spokesperson for autism advocacy and awareness.
This book was a joy to read was an honest account of Bradley life and the person behind his lovely smile, it helped me in my Job working with autistic young children to adults. Thank you Bradley for writing this book.
This book was a quick and easy read and a very personal journey of Him and his experience of being autistic, and telling his story of when he childhood and how his diagnosis of being autistic navigated his life from a early age, Bradley only spoke few words until age ten, then he found his voice at his theatre school.
Now fast-forward a decade, and he is not only a recognisable actor, but an inspirational spokesperson for autism advocacy and awareness.
This book was a joy to read was an honest account of Bradley life and the person behind his lovely smile, it helped me in my Job working with autistic young children to adults. Thank you Bradley for writing this book.
June 14, 2026
A fantastic read, all in one sitting only pausing to make coffee.
So informative and even bit that I was unaware of in raising my young autistic son. A lot of teachers, medical professional, employers and parents without autism in their lives would learn a lot from reading this, showing how they can support people as I myself have found, most feel that one size fits all. It doesn't!
Bradley is a great role model for autistic people can now see themselves represented in real life. This is so important, this was confirmed by my son's reaction when he saw Lewis wearing his noise cancelling headphones in Emmerdale
So informative and even bit that I was unaware of in raising my young autistic son. A lot of teachers, medical professional, employers and parents without autism in their lives would learn a lot from reading this, showing how they can support people as I myself have found, most feel that one size fits all. It doesn't!
Bradley is a great role model for autistic people can now see themselves represented in real life. This is so important, this was confirmed by my son's reaction when he saw Lewis wearing his noise cancelling headphones in Emmerdale
June 14, 2026
Brilliantly informative, heartwarming and well written.
A must read for anybody who knows somebody, loves somebody or works with somebody who has Autism.
I have worked in the Autism world for many years now and have a 13 year old nephew who is an amazing young man who too has the super power and the book is thoroughly enlightening to read.
Well done Bradley Riches you have smashed it!
A must read for anybody who knows somebody, loves somebody or works with somebody who has Autism.
I have worked in the Autism world for many years now and have a 13 year old nephew who is an amazing young man who too has the super power and the book is thoroughly enlightening to read.
Well done Bradley Riches you have smashed it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews