By Erin Phillips (author) , Charlotte Grange (illustrator)
"Stuck on Hard Mode by Erin Philips is a thorough, swift-moving non-fiction guide for neurodivergent people who are feeling out of place and overwhelmed."
Paperback In Stock £14.99 £13.49
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July 2026 Book of the Month
Reading through Stuck on Hard Mode by Erin Philips made me wish I had something like this twenty years ago.
Written with gamers in mind, it’s a truly useful guide for anyone feeling overwhelmed with being neurodivergent. The book is crammed full of useful advice, tips and anecdotes that, as a neurodivergent person, was like weight off my chest. I love the analogy that being neurodivergent is like playing a game stuck on hard or Legendary mode all the time.
It fits perfectly with how many ND people feel on a daily basis. And to be clear, the book does not propose any kind of cure or quack-reason why people are ND, it simply offers ways of coping, understanding and navigating a world that is not designed for them.
What I love about the book is that it is written by an ND author who understands the idea that if you’ve met one ND person then you’ve met one ND person. There is no template that fits everyone, we are all different and are trying to cope with many different things in life. I loved every aspect that discusses feeling overwhelmed, mainly because it’s something I struggle with a lot.
There are some truly helpful ideas here including areas that focus on lighting, setting time limits, food, self care and importantly, knowing your rights as a ND person within the workplace. This is something I connect with strongly and I’m really glad to see it in written form.
The book is divided into nine chapters, all written in terminology familiar to gamers but non-gamers will also be able to pick it up in seconds. It provides clear tactics, practical insight and tons of empathy. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a manageable way to navigate life as an ND person. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced, funny yet informative non-fiction that is both useful and thought-provoking.
Stuck on Hard Mode by Erin Phillips and Charlotte Grange is available to purchase on the Jessica Kingsley website.
A guide for neurodivergent young adults to navigating real life presented as a videogame strategy guide
Read the full description
Your energy levels are depleted; those laundry and washing up questlines are all flashing with red exclamation marks and nearly everything is on fire...but that's just an average day for many neurodivergent people, right?
Being autistic, ADHD or AuDHD can sometimes feel like you're stuck on hard mode with no option to toggle that difficulty setting. Fear not! The first ever neurodivergent-friendly strategy guide to everyday life is here to improve your gameplay in a world built for neurotypicals.
Hilarious, witty and packed full of gorgeous art and 'screenshots' from the ultimate videogame - real life - this strategy guide is your tool to surviving the missions and quests of the daily grind.
Helped along by your digital companion Erin and allies you'll meet along the way, this guide features advice on customising your character, developing your stats, managing tricky status effects like burnout, and even making friends and exploring relationships in multiplayer mode. In this guide you have all the strats, tips and tricks you need to thrive during all aspects of gameplay as a neurodivergent player. So, let's begin and establish a play style that works for you.
Anyone living with autism, and or ADHD, will find this book profoundly enlightening. It offers clarity, compassion, and practical insight-an invaluable resource for anyone navigating autism, and or ADHD, themselves or supporting friends, family, or colleagues. Cranky, West Coast Canadian, Autistic Twitch Streamer and Content Creator (CrankyOldDude)
Joyful, neuroaffirming and genuinely useful - this guide hands autistic and AuDHD readers the controller. Clear tactics, smart buffs and co-op play tips you can use today. I wish I had this at Level 19. Mike, Autistic AF (YouTube)
Navigating a neurotypical world as an autistic person can be difficult, but Stuck on Hard Mode lays out life like a cheat sheet, with guides so useful it feels like you're modding your own character. Jesse McNamara, Plumbella (YouTube & Twitch)
A brilliant guide for Neurodivergent gamers and anyone who wants to understand Neurodivergent people better, and a reminder to be kind to ourselves amongst the constant obstacles we face. Aliona Baranova, ADHD Actor, Motion Capture Performance Director of Baldur's Gate 3, and Twitch Streamer
Erin Philips is an AuDHDer writer, whose lifelong special interests include writing and video games. She has an MFA in children's literature.
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A guide for neurodivergent young adults to navigating real life presented as a videogame strategy guide Your energy levels are depleted; those laundry and washing up questlines are all flashing with red exclamation marks and nearly everything is on fire...but that's just an average day for many neurodivergent people, right?Being autistic, ADHD or AuDHD can sometimes feel like you're stuck on hard mode with no option to toggle that difficulty setting. Fear not!
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Stuck on Hard Mode and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
Stuck on Hard Mode features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Computers and the Digital World, Science, PSHE: Special educational needs and disability (SEND), Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Parenting Books, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £13.49, down from the £14.99 cover price. In Stock.
Stuck on Hard Mode was written by Erin Phillips and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Stuck on Hard Mode has 144 pages
£13.49, reduced from £14.99. In Stock.
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