Books, Writing & Ideas
I write to help people understand themselves—and each other—a little better.
Whether I’m talking about neurodiversity, mental health, relationships, or personal growth, my goal is always the same:
Share ideas that are practical, human, and actually useful in real life.
Below you’ll find my books, along with my latest writing and videos.
HeyDrDan.com
Get in-depth resources
I share in-depth practical guides on HeyDrDan.com, such as:
How to Start Recovering from Burnout: Dr. Dan’s Guide to Feeling a Little Better
How to Meet New People: Dr Dan’s Guide to Kickstarting Your Social Life
How to Turn Acquaintances into Real Friends: Dr Dan’s Guide to Going Beyond Shallow Connections
HeyDrDan.com also lets you subscribe to my newsletter and stay up to date with all things Dr. Dan.
Substack
My most reflective writing lives on Substack
It’s where I share contemplative essays on
My life with autism
Relationships and intimacy
Personal growth
Grief and healing
A few places to start:
Follow Along ON TIKTOK & INSTAGRAM
If you prefer quick, practical insights you can apply right away, I share bite-sized ideas on social media.
This is where I post:
Short mental health insights
Social skills tips
Everyday strategies for navigating life and relationships
Quick takes on neurodiversity and personal growth
YouTube
On my YouTube channel, I break down social skills, mental health, and neurodivergent experiences in a way that’s clear, practical, and easy to apply.
You’ll find:
Short, actionable tips
Deeper dives into psychology and self-development
Real-life strategies you can actually use
Watch videos and subscribe
Books
Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal
(with Dr. Kyler Shumway)
What does it really mean to be “normal”?
In this series, we explore the science and philosophy of neurodiversity—challenging the idea that there’s one “right” way for a brain to work.
You’ll learn:
Why neurodiversity is a natural part of human variation
How environment shapes ability and disability
How we can build systems where more people can thrive
Improve Your Social Skills
This is my most well-known book—and the one that started it all.
I wrote it after spending years teaching myself social skills from the ground up.
As someone who grew up struggling socially, I approached it like a system:
studying patterns, testing ideas, and figuring out what actually works.
This book breaks it all down into practical, easy-to-use strategies for:
Conversations
Body language
Building friendships
Navigating awkward moments
Level Up Your Social Life
If you’ve ever played video games, this book will feel familiar.
I use game mechanics—like leveling up, skill-building, and strategy—to teach social success in a way that’s intuitive and fun.
It’s designed to help you:
Build confidence
Make new friends
Approach social growth in a structured, rewarding way
Let’s Work Together
If you’re interested in bringing these ideas to your organization through a keynote or training, let’s talk.