The Autistic Guide to Adventure - by Allie Mason (Paperback)

About the Book

An A-Z guide for children 8+ in how to navigate the world of sports and adventure as an autistic person. Learn bow active hobbies can develop your strengths and skills, how to accomodate your sensory needs, what you need to get started in a new hobby, and be inspired by some amazing autistic athletes along the way.

Book Synopsis

It's time for a new generation of autistic adventurers!

Outdoor adventuring can be life changing - it makes you physically and mentally stronger, takes you to new places and introduces you to new friends, as well as being an exhilarating challenge - but it can be stressful when there are unexpected social and sensory challenges involved. Allie Mason, autistic adventurer extraordinaire, is here to help.

Join Allie as she introduces activities ranging from archery to stargazing, sailing to fossil hunting, snorkeling to nature-writing - and so much more. Each easily digestible factsheet comes with a short introduction, a summary of the sensory experiences involved, suggestions on approaching activities for when you're just getting started, as well as a handy budgeting system.

With personal anecdotes and interviews with awesome autistic athletes, this book will give you the support you need to take on the great outdoors.

Review Quotes

Mason's writing is endearing, approachable and inspiring. She writes from her own direct experience, and with empathy for her fellow Auts, motivated by the will to achieve the things that bewilder and scare so many of us Auts and often seem beyond our reach.

The guide not only informs you about physical activities but also things you might not expect, like Stargazing, Drawing, Photography, and Orienteering, as well as some stuff you might never have heard of, which, for me, included Mudlarking and Larping! There are snippets of history and little anecdotes included, as well as some lovely, clear and non-intrusive illustrations by @_ellawillis.
My favourite quote, from Allie's Manifesto at the close of the book: "Choosing to be an adventurer means choosing to see the possibilities for adventure in every aspect of your life!" might just become my new motto: )

An important, supportive, accessible guide that kids and parents and adult NDs will find interesting, informative and useful. While it's aimed at children, as an autistic adult I would say that this is very much a guide for autistics of ALL ages.

--N.E. McMorran, award-winning author of the Moojag series

While change and trying new things can be scary, Allie has a way of welcoming autistics to feel a little less anxious about getting out of their comfort zones. Allie guides readers through everything - lived experiences of autistic people who enjoy adventure and share their passions, sensory expectations, and ideas to get more involved. As a nervous adventurer, I found myself excited to learn more and explore new hobbies and ideas after reading.--Haley Moss, author of The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook

Want to give an Autistic child, or a young adult, the gift of enchantment in a world that is inaccessible? This is the book they need - I just wish that this had been around when I was a child.--Lydia Wilkins, journalist and author of The Autism Friendly Cookbook

What a fantastic book! Allie Mason has used her lived experience and zest for life to give autistic young people the information they need to get out and get involved in a wide range of active pursuits. The adventure starts here!--Michael James, author of Forest School and Autism: A Practical Guide

About the Author

Allie Mason is an autistic advocate who is passionate about making sport and adventure more accessible to the neurodivergent community. As well as being an ambassador for Neuropool, an organisation that aims to support neurodivergent people in further education and in the workplace, she has close links with the sports charities Spautism and Love Rowing.