Bradley Riches, best known for his roles in Heartstopper and Emmerdale, is now sharing something more than his acting with the world: his writing. Autistically Me is a self-help book of sorts. Part self-help, part memoir, Riches has written a book that will benefit everyone – neurodiverse or not. Autistically Me is a wonderful book written with authenticity, heart and sensitivity.
Note: I was kindly sent a copy of this book from Bradley Riches to read and review before the release in June. This has not influenced my review in any way. These are all my own honest thoughts.
Book: Autistically Me
Author: Bradley Riches
Genre: Nonfiction self-help/memoir
Release date: 9th June 2026
Rating: ★★★★★
As usual, to bring everyone up to speed, here is the blurb for the book, taken from Waterstones:
Are you autistic, or think you might be? Are you ready to not only understand but embrace your unique mind? Discover Bradley Riches’s tips for celebrating neurospicy life!
Bradley spoke few words until age ten, when he found his voice at his theatre school. Fast-forward a decade, and he is not only a recognizable actor, but an inspirational spokesperson for autism advocacy and awareness.
Bradley is now on a mission to share his experiences and empower others like him to celebrate their neurodivergence and thrive!
In this book you will discover:
How to get a diagnosis and why it’s important
Autism in different genders and common co-existing conditions
Self-acceptance exercises, such as reframing negative self-talk
Executive functioning strategies for daily life
Tips on understanding social cues and creating healthy relationships
Grounding techniques to manage sensory overload
Strategies for flourishing in education and at work
How to build self-advocacy skills and set boundaries
Tips for dealing with poor mental health
And how to tap into your creative passions and find your community.
With tips, exercises and everyday strategies, cutting-edge research from charity Autistica and case studies from others neurodivergent voices, this life-changing book will empower you to celebrate your unique mind!
Bradley Riches may be best known for his acting work, but he is also well known for sharing his experiences as an autistic actor. In his new book, Autistically Me, he’s combined his own journey with easy-to-understand information and practical help not only for neurodiverse people, but for everyone. Even if one is not neurodiverse themselves, at some point in our lives, everyone will come across someone who is. Autistically Me is a personal, practical and positive book that has something everyone can take away from it, a book everyone will benefit from.
Riches has found a good balance with his writing throughout the book that reads well. The personal memories, experiences, and stories combined with the factual evidence and practical advice result in a book that feels personal, heartfelt and honest, as well as useful and informative. The content within this book is written in a way that it can all be adapted and used by anyone on the neurodiversity spectrum, regardless of age and gender and regardless of where someone is on their own personal journey. Furthermore, the book is also beneficial for neurotypical people; one may not necessarily be neurodiverse themselves, but that doesn’t mean we can’t support and be there for others.
This personal aspect makes this book feel special – this is not a book written by someone lecturing on how one can change and live their lives; it is Riches using his own lived experience to help others learn to live authentically and without shame. Autistically Me has the potential to widen people’s understanding of neurodiversity, which can in turn lead to more acceptance – something which can only be a good thing that should be celebrated. The honesty in Riches’ own experiences was heartwarming to read; it takes courage to share so much of your own life and journey, but by sharing the good, the bad, and the in between, Riches recounting his own journey may make someone feel less alone on theirs.
Autisically Me is a positive book, yes, but it is also realistic. Riches is honest about how a lot of this book may be trial and error; not everything will work for everyone. Something of note in this book is also how, at times, Riches hands the baton over to other people to share their own experiences, too. The title of the book is Autistically Me, as Bradley is autistic; however, there is the acknowledgement that neurodiversity is a spectrum not limited to autism. Having sections of this book dedicated to other people sharing their own experiences with other neurodivergences beyond autism is a fantastic way to show the sheer diversity of neurodiversity; it doesn’t discriminate and can affect a whole range of people, in a broad range of ways.
Following on from this, Autistically Me features discussions on how there will be good and bad days, as is the way of life. There are still stereotypes and outdated judgments about neurodiversity, but books like this and people like Bradley Riches sharing their experiences all help break down these issues more and more by the day. It is books like this and people like Bradley that help others see themselves, that there is nothing wrong with the way they are, and how important self-acceptance and self-love are. Something that importance of cannot be emphasised enough.
Autistically Me is a heartfelt, hopeful and empowering book. Bradley Riches has shared his journey of finding his voice and is now using his experience to help others do the same. A book that will impact so many people, Autistically Me is not just for neurodiverse people; it’s for everyone. A heartwarmingly honest and positive book of acceptance and empathy, Autistically Me is a brilliantly beautiful declaration that everyone deserves to be seen, heard and understood.
Autistically Me is out on June 9th. You can pre-order it now!
One Show at a Time 