Books
Essential reading on monotropism and related topics.
⭐ Primary — Start Here
Autism and Being Monotropic (2025)
Dr. Wenn B. Lawson Springer — SpringerBriefs in Disability Research
The comprehensive practitioner guide. 141 pages covering theory, interoception, gender, LGBTQIA+, and practical applications.
Chapters:
- Introduction
- Monotropism Theory
- Autism from the Autistic Perspective
- Monotropism and Cognitive Flow Effects
- Interoception and Relationship to Monotropism
- Looking at Monotropism as Strength-Based
- Autism, Gender Differences, and Monotropism
- LGBTQIA+ and Monotropism
- Autism and Cousins: Living Life Well
By the Theorists
The Passionate Mind (2011)
Dr. Wenn Lawson
Based on PhD thesis: "Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism" (SAACA). How monotropism shapes learning.
Life Behind Glass (1998)
Dr. Wenn Lawson
Autobiography. Emphasizes routine and singular focus from lived experience.
Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism (2001)
Dr. Wenn Lawson
First explicit contrast of "monotropism" (autistic) vs "polytropism" (neurotypical).
Related Books with Monotropism Content
The Psychology of Music and Autism
Pamela Heaton — Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter 6: "Monotropism, Flow and Musicality" — perspectives from autistic symphony orchestra musicians.
On Being an Autistic Therapist
Marnau (Ed.) — PCCS Books
Opening chapter: "Autism in therapy: Monotropism, meditation and autistic flow" by River Marino.
Words Inspired by Being Monotropic
Edgar, McLaughlin & Goodhall — FREE ebook
Resonant words and images from autistic perspectives worldwide.
→ Free download at monotropism.org
The Adult Autism Assessment Handbook
Neurodiversity-affirming perspective with monotropism discussion.
Flow Theory
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (1990)
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The foundational flow theory book. Essential for understanding the monotropism-flow connection.
→ Amazon
Deep Work (2016)
Cal Newport
Not about autism, but about protecting focused work in a distracted world. Highly relevant to monotropic optimization.