Books: Autism

Non-fiction

• Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity Before readers come to this book’s first essay, a sidebar quotation jumps out: “I have a place in this world. The fact that I am here is proof of that. Trust that we will find that place, together.” This may be precisely what readers need to hear in this collection of essays written in the form of letters to parents. Because the copyright for this work is held by the Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network, readers can be confident that an underrepresented population in autism research is finally getting their say. Each essay has insightful and eloquent advice by people with autism from a number of age groups, races, ethnicities, faiths, cultures, professional and life skills backgrounds, and gender identities. Because current media representations of autism have long been primarily focused on Western white men, this collection of essays from a diversity of people on the spectrum is an essential and necessary work that raises awareness and redefines normal.

• Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement: Stories from the Frontline. This open access book marks the first historical overview of the autism rights branch of the neurodiversity movement, describing the activities and rationales of key leaders in their own words since it organized into a unique community in 1992. Sandwiched by editorial chapters that include critical analysis, the book contains 19 chapters by 21 authors about the forming of the autistic community and neurodiversity movement, progress in their influence on the broader autism community and field, and their possible threshold of the advocacy establishment. The actions covered are legendary in the autistic community, including manifestos such as “Don’t Mourn for Us”, mailing lists, websites or webpages, conferences, issue campaigns, academic project and journal, a book, and advisory roles. These actions have shifted the landscape toward viewing autism in social terms of human rights and identity to accept, rather than as a medical collection of deficits and symptoms to cure. 
• The Autism Acceptance Book by Ellen Sabin. The Autism Acceptance Book is an activity book, a conversation-starter, and an educational tool that engages children in learning to embrace people’s differences and treat others with respect, compassion, and kindness.. It teaches children about autism; helps them imagine how things might feel for those with autism, and lets them think of ways to be understanding and accepting to people with autism. Ideal for children 6-13 and classrooms and other group settings.
• Bright Not Broken by Diane M. Kennedy; Rebecca S. Banks; Temple Grandin (Contribution by). The future of our society depends on our gifted children the population in which we’ll find our next Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, or Virginia Woolf. Yet the gifts and talents of some of our most brilliant kids may never be recognized because these children fall into a group known as twice exceptional. Twice exceptional kids are both gifted and diagnosed with a disability, often ADHD or an Autism Spectrum Disorder, leading teachers and parents to overlook the child’s talents and focus solely on his weaknesses. Too often, these children get lost in an endless cycle of chasing diagnostic labels and are never given the tools to fully realize their own potential.
• Including Families of Children with Special Needs by Sandra Feinberg; Kathleen Deerr; Barbara Jordan; Michelle Langa. Legislation has focused attention on the integration of children with special needs into the community. This guide offers advice for establishing a non-threatening and welcoming environment and reaching out to those who might feel alienated or uncomfortable in a traditional library setting.

• Atypical by Jesse A. Saperstein. The poignant, funny, and truly unique observations of a young writer diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.

• Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin; Catherine Johnson; J. P. Morgan Chase (Other Primary Creator). I don’t know if people will ever be able to talk to animals the way Doctor Doolittle could, or whether animals will be able to talk back. Maybe science will have something to say about that. But I do know people can learn to “talk” to animals, and to hear what animals have to say, better than they do now.–From Animals in Translation Temple Grandin draws upon a long, distinguished career as an animal scientist and her own experiences with autism to deliver an extraordinary message about how animals act, think, and feel. She has a perspective like that of no other expert in the field, which allows her to offer unparalleled observations and groundbreaking ideas. People with autism can often think the way animals think, putting them in the perfect position to translate “animal talk.”

• Inside Asperger’s Looking Out by Kathy Hoopmann. Through engaging text and full-color photographs, this book shows neurotypicals how Aspies see and experience the world. Each page brings to light traits that many Aspies have in common, from sensitive hearing and an aversion to bright lights and strong smells, to literal thinking and difficulty understanding social rules and reading body language and facial expressions. At the same time, the book highlights and celebrates the unique characteristics that make those with Asperger’s Syndrome special. This is the perfect introduction to the world of Aspies, told from their own perspective, for the people in their lives: including family, friends, and classmates. Those with Asperger’s Syndrome will also appreciate this book for the way it shares their own singular perspectives on life.

Fiction

• Chicken Boy by Gregory G. Allen. “I have a superhero inside my head. I call him Chicken Boy” proclaims our hero. What others may see as odd “quirks,” a child living with autism explains as all a part of his being a superhero. Told in the first person perspective, Chicken Boy offers a small glimpse into the mind of one child who wants others to understand they shouldn’t fear someone simply because that person is a little different.
• My Friend Has Autism by Amanda Doering Tourville; Kristin Sorra (Illustrator). My friend Zack has a disability called autism. But that doesn’t matter to us. We talk about airplanes, build models, and enjoy hanging out at each other’s house. I’m glad Zack is my friend!
• Ian’s Walk by Laurie Lears; Karen Ritz (Illustrator). Julie can’t wait to go to the park and feed the ducks with her big sister. Her little brother, Ian, who has autism, wants to go, too. Ian doesn’t have the same reactions to all the sights and sounds that his sisters have, and Julie thinks he looks silly.
• Autism Is… ? by Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan; Rob Feldman (Illustrator). Logan overhears his grandma tell her friend he has autism, and he asks her, “Autism is…?” She explains it to him in this beautifully illustrated story. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disability that, according to new statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 29, 2014, affects an estimated 1 out of 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) in the US alone. It is a spectrum disorder because its impact on development can range from mild to severe. The areas of development most affected are social interaction and communication skills, difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication, and leisure play. Someone wisely said, “If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.” The characteristics are different with each unique individual, and so are the ways to interact, teach, and care for them. You may or may not wish to explain the term autism to your child at a young age, but if you do, I hope this book can help make it easier for you, as it did for me when explaining autism to Logan. His inquisitive mind wanted to know, and once he read this story, even before it was illustrated, he was satisfied with the answer.
• My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete; Ryan Elizabeth Peete; Shane W. Evans (Illustrator). Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He’s good at so many things–swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett. But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet. His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away. Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun. Charlie is like any other boy–and he has autism. In this story, told from a sister’s point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.