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Unmasking Mum: A Very Honest Guide to Life as a Neurodivergent Parent, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Raising the SEN-Betweeners
The funny and inspiring memoir about late diagnosed autism and parenting, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Raising the SEN-Betweeners.
So now it all makes sense. I am to blame for the ’tisms in this household, and the poor hubby is just stuck here in the middle of all of us, with our meltdowns, masking and madness. Once you know, it all starts to add up ...
Like any new parent, when Lisa Lloyd became a mum, her own needs were put at the bottom of a very long list. But for Lisa, adapting to her new life felt almost impossible. The sensory overload, the upheaval, the lack of personal space – how did anyone do it?
What she didn’t know was that this was the start of a journey that would lead to her finally discovering who she really is – at 41, Lisa received her autism diagnosis, and everything started to click into place.
In Unmasking Mum, Lisa shares the story of her late diagnosis to shine a light on the challenges of neurodivergent parenting. From being the ‘odd mum out’ at the school gates, to finding yourself in the middle of an all-family meltdown, this is a powerful story about identity, self-acceptance and what it really means to parent differently.
With honesty, humour and useful tips along the way, Lisa is pulling off the mask, for every parent who suspects their real self may have been hiding all along.
If you too are a parent with autism or ADHD, this candid guide and memoir will help you make sense of the rollercoaster ride we call ‘parenting’.
'Honest, funny and full of heart, Unmasking Mum will make so many parents feel seen and less alone.' – James Hunt, Sunday Times bestselling author of Love Needs No Words
'Heartfelt, comforting and utterly absorbing, this deeply relatable book had me laughing through tears.' – Camilla Thurlow
'Unmasking Mum is another wonderfully honest and raw book by Lisa.' – Kellie Bright
Lisa Lloyd 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
So now it all makes sense. I am to blame for the ’tisms in this household, and the poor hubby is just stuck here in the middle of all of us, with our meltdowns, masking and madness. Once you know, it all starts to add up ...
Like any new parent, when Lisa Lloyd became a mum, her own needs were put at the bottom of a very long list. But for Lisa, adapting to her new life felt almost impossible. The sensory overload, the upheaval, the lack of personal space – how did anyone do it?
What she didn’t know was that this was the start of a journey that would lead to her finally discovering who she really is – at 41, Lisa received her autism diagnosis, and everything started to click into place.
In Unmasking Mum, Lisa shares the story of her late diagnosis to shine a light on the challenges of neurodivergent parenting. From being the ‘odd mum out’ at the school gates, to finding yourself in the middle of an all-family meltdown, this is a powerful story about identity, self-acceptance and what it really means to parent differently.
With honesty, humour and useful tips along the way, Lisa is pulling off the mask, for every parent who suspects their real self may have been hiding all along.
If you too are a parent with autism or ADHD, this candid guide and memoir will help you make sense of the rollercoaster ride we call ‘parenting’.
'Honest, funny and full of heart, Unmasking Mum will make so many parents feel seen and less alone.' – James Hunt, Sunday Times bestselling author of Love Needs No Words
'Heartfelt, comforting and utterly absorbing, this deeply relatable book had me laughing through tears.' – Camilla Thurlow
'Unmasking Mum is another wonderfully honest and raw book by Lisa.' – Kellie Bright
Lisa Lloyd 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Audible Audio
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 11, 2026
This book follows on from Lisa's last book, newly diagnosed herself with Autism Lisa talks about her struggles with bringing up her two neurodiverse children. She also gives advice at the end of each chapter and at the back of the book. This book is very informative to those who have children with autism spectrum disorder and pathology demand avoidance (asd, pda). It talks about educational health care plans (echp).
July 14, 2026
This is Lisa’s second book and it was fantastic. Whilst her first book was about having children with autism and PDA and that journey, this book was more focused on being a neurodivergent parent and what that looks like.
This book is about Lisa’s journey to being diagnosed and how she had adapted and masked her whole life to fit in. How getting her diagnosis and having children allowed her to finally take that mask off and learn who she is underneath.
Parenting is hard on the best of days. Parenting neurodivergent children is a whole other level. Add in being autistic yourself and parenting becomes a daily battle for balance. Supporting your children while trying to keep your own head above water. Trying to be everything that everyone around you needs but desperately trying to find moments of peace and rest for yourself. Trying to prevent burnout becomes a full time job.
I love Lisa’s humour and she always finds a way to thread some fun and joy into her stories.
I resonated with so much of Lisa’s story. This life can be unfathomable to anyone who lives outside of it and Lisa has done such a wonderful job of reassuring parents that we are doing our best and that that is always good enough.
Our families might not be on the typical path but that’s okay too.
This book is about Lisa’s journey to being diagnosed and how she had adapted and masked her whole life to fit in. How getting her diagnosis and having children allowed her to finally take that mask off and learn who she is underneath.
Parenting is hard on the best of days. Parenting neurodivergent children is a whole other level. Add in being autistic yourself and parenting becomes a daily battle for balance. Supporting your children while trying to keep your own head above water. Trying to be everything that everyone around you needs but desperately trying to find moments of peace and rest for yourself. Trying to prevent burnout becomes a full time job.
I love Lisa’s humour and she always finds a way to thread some fun and joy into her stories.
I resonated with so much of Lisa’s story. This life can be unfathomable to anyone who lives outside of it and Lisa has done such a wonderful job of reassuring parents that we are doing our best and that that is always good enough.
Our families might not be on the typical path but that’s okay too.
July 14, 2026
Wow what an eye opening book it's a great read and Lisa writes so well you really understand what she's saying and a lot of what she's said is just like she's written about me so Thank you Lisa Lloyd for writing this book and make me look at myself closer as I feel like I may have a touch of the tisms rather than being odd
July 29, 2026
listened as it came up on audible recommendations
pro: easy to read , she is funny
con: repetitive, sweeping generalisations about what it’s like for different groups, unnecessarily long, reductionist , just didn’t enjoy
pro: easy to read , she is funny
con: repetitive, sweeping generalisations about what it’s like for different groups, unnecessarily long, reductionist , just didn’t enjoy
July 22, 2026
In one word: brilliant. The most relatable book I've ever read. Filled with heart and humour, Lisa's voice shine through in this book. Essential for other autistic parents raising autistic children.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews