Autism Spectrum Disorder: Book Resources

Adult

Temple Grandin books

Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-functioning Autism, by Dr. Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy
This book shows how the unique characteristics of individuals lend themselves well to entrepreneurial ventures and looks at vocational rehabilitation programs that provide training and placement.

The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s by Dr. Temple Grandin
In this innovative book, Dr. Temple Grandin gets down to the REAL issues of autism, the ones parents, teachers, and individuals on the spectrum face every day. Temple offers helpful do’s and don’ts, practical strategies, and try-it-now tips, all based on her “insider” perspective and a great deal of research.

Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding Social Mysteries through the Unique Perspectives of Autism by Dr. Temple Grandin and Sean Barron
Explains the unwritten rules and patterns of social relationships and suggests guidelines for living and working with others.

A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s by Dr. Temple Grandin
Deals with the real issues of autism and Asperger’s (mostly autism) and offers helpful do’s and don’ts, practical strategies, and try-it-now tips

Other Authors

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Diagnosis and Getting Help (2nd Ed.) by Mitzi Waltz
Waltz brings together all the basic information for parents of a child or an adult who has been diagnosed with an autistic disorder.

The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Atwood
The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome is the definitive handbook for anyone affected by Asperger’s syndrome (AS). Now including a new introduction explaining the impact of DSM-5 on the diagnosis and approach to AS, it brings together a wealth of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through to adults.

Diagnosis Autism: Now What? by Lawrence P. Kaplen
Kaplan gives 10 Steps of things to do to improve communication with physicians after a diagnosis of ASD for a child.

An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn by Sally J. Rogers, Geraldine Dawson, & Laurie A. Vismara
This book seeks to provide parents and caregivers with tools and strategies to help their child with ASD learn, communicate and play.

Everyday Activities to Help Your Young Child with Autism Live Life to the Full: Simple Exercises to Boost Functional Skills, Sensory, Processing, Coordination and Self-Care by Debra S. Jacobs & Dion E. Bitts
The authors give ideas/activities and exercises to use with children who have been diagnosed with ASD to help the child manage daily life.

Finding Your Child’s Way on the Autism Spectrum: Discovering Unique Strengths, Mastering Behavior Challenges by Dr. Laura Hendrickson
Finding Your Child’s Way on the Autism Spectrum is a guide for parents struggling to communicate and manage behavioral challenges with their autistic child. Dr. Laura Hendrickson, a psychiatrist and biblical counselor, is the mother of a grown son who recovered from autism. She offers compassionate, practical advice on raising your child into adulthood and helping him function as the person God created him to be.

Children

The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism by Ellen Sabine
This book begins by looking at how everyone is different from each other and how nice it feels when people accept and include each other. Then the book looks at what autism is, how it affects people and how some things can be difficult for people who have autism. Then it explores with the reader how and why friends with autism may act differently than the reader does. It goes on to help the reader imagine some of the things that are hard for children with autism and how things might feel to them. It also helps the reader to think about ways to be thoughtful and supportive of them.

The Friendship Puzzle: Helping Kids Learn about Accepting and Including Kids with Autism by Julie L. Loe
Mackenzie Mackabee is going to school and she loves to make new friends. She’s very excited when she finds out there is a new boy at school named Dylan. But when she tries to be a friend to him but fails, she goes to her teacher for help. Together they determine to solve this “friendship puzzle.”

How to Deal with Autism by Lynette Robbins
Written at a 7-9 year old level, this book offers excellent explanations of autism and is a useful tool for calming fears.

My Brother is Autistic by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
This book is aimed at preschool and early grades children and encourages them to explore their feelings, deal with problems that trouble them, and understand others who have problems of their own.

Rules by Cynthia Lord
Lord wrote this book to try and show older children what it’s like to live with someone who sees the world differently. Catherine has a list of rules for her brother David who has autism. She wants the rules to help him learn how to behave with other people.

Russell is Extra Special: A book about Autism for Children by Charles H. Amenta
Amenta describes his son, Russell, and the rest of his family, showing their lives, both the good and bad sides. This view of the author’s family gives a good introduction to autism.

Some Kids Have Autism by Martha E.H. Rustad
This book is a great tool to use to help children understand friends who have autism. It provides key insight, pictures, and explanations to aid young students in learning about and understanding autism.

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (and Their Parents) by Elizabeth Verdick & Elizabeth Reeve
This book is for children to read through with their parents. It is a handbook to help kids with ASD by addressing key questions (“What’s ASD?” “Why me?”) and providing strategies for communicating, making friends and succeeding in school.

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter
A young boy names Sam has difficulty at school and seems moody at home. When Sam is diagnosed with a form of autism called Asperger syndrome, his family and teachers understand him better and learn how to help him succeed.