Summer Reading Guide: The Latest Books About Autism

summer-reading-guide
books about autism

It’s not a surprise that reading books is on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Weeks upon weeks at home has to be filled up with more than just binging on Netflix, right? Even with restrictions easing and people getting out more, there are many who love having a summer reading list. Therefore, we’ve researched the latest books about autism published so far in 2020. There are several books for parents as well as books to help autistic kids, tweens, and teens. (Note: This is not an endorsement of all of these books, but an informative list for you to do your own research.)

The Latest Books About Autism

For Parents

There are several new books about autism released the first half of 2020 that are written to help parents. There’s a brand new release filled with tips to help children with autism in our new COVID-19 world. We found a book written by a BCBA that we are excited to add to our collection. There is also a new resource written by a Mom specifically for the many families navigating a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism.

Autism in Lockdown: Expert Tips and Insights on Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic

This timely collection includes tips from expert voices in the field of autism like Dr. Temple Grandin, Ellen Notbohm, Dr. Tony Atwood, and many more. You’ll find activities to help kids cope with the new “normal”. There is also homeschooling tips, stress management tactics, social stories, ideas on building structure for better behavior, and much more!

Thriving with Autism: 90 Activities to Encourage Your Child’s Communication, Engagement and Play by Katie Cook, MEd, BCBA

Written by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Educator, this book is filled with practical activities for parents and caregivers to help their children build better conversation skills and strengthen social skills. This read is also a great resource for families new to autism, as well as Applied Behavior Analysis. Kelly provides a great foundation for understanding your child’s diagnosis and the reasons for and scientific background of ABA therapy.

A New Course: A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome and Autism by Teresa Unnerstall

For families navigating a dual diagnosis, this brand new book takes a deep dive into the complexities that families face raising a child with Down syndrome and autism. The author’s son is now in his twenties, so she has years of experience navigating this extra unique world.

For Kids, Tweens and Teens

It’s wonderful to find so many new books about autism specifically written for kids, tweens and teens! Here are a few released the first half of this year.

Your Interests, My Interests: A Visual Guide to Playing and Hanging Out for Children on the Autism Spectrum by Joel Shaul

Geared toward elementary and middle school aged kids, this visual resource can help children learn important social skills. So if your child could use some help learning how to play and interact with their peers, check out Your Interests, My Interests (no preview available).

books about autism for kids
The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon

This empowering quote from the book says it all: “Never be ashamed of being different: it is this difference that makes you extraordinary and unique.” If your daughter with autism could use this type of positive self image and support in understanding social communication, friendships, dealing with bullying and more, this book may be a great option. The author, a young woman on the spectrum, understands this important time in a young autistic girl’s life.

The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis and Tanya Masterman

This newly released interactive book is a guide for autistic tweens and teens that promotes self-acceptance. It helps shape a young person’s understanding of the strengths they have because of their autism and develops confidence in who they are. How great is that?!

Have you picked up a new favorite book about autism that we don’t have here? If so, let us know in the comments! And if you want to check out more helpful resources, check out Six Great Books for Parents of Autistic Children.

We hope you learned about some new books about autism. Please share it with your community!

Six Great Books for Parents of Autistic Children

Books-for-Parents
books for parents

We meet with families every week who just received a diagnosis of autism for their child. We also work with parents of autistic children who are further along in their journey of raising their child. But no matter where you’re at, we see the need for new and helpful resources. So we’ve compiled this list of diverse books that can help parents at various stages with their kids. And three of the books feature authors who happen to have autism. How cool is that?!

Six Great Books for Parents of Autistic Children

10 Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm

This award-winning book is often one of the first resources recommended to read after your child receives an autism diagnosis. As Ellen is the parent of a children with autism and ADHD, she understands. In the latest edition of this book, she expands upon topics of communication behavior issues, as well as social processing skills. This book helps readers understand the needs and the potential of every autistic child. It is available on Amazon in several formats.

Autism: How to raise a happy autistic child by Jessie Hewitson

Written by a personal finance writer for The Times and mother of an autistic son, this guide provides powerful information for anyone raising a child with autism. With many great reviews from parents and publications alike, it is unique in that it utilizes information and tips from various perspectives, such as other parents, autistic adults, professionals, and academics. This book is everything you need and more – especially if you’re a parent new to the world of raising an autistic child and aren’t sure where to start. The Kindle or Paperback copy can be found on Amazon.

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide by Pam & Pete Wright

In addition to navigating your child’s autism diagnosis, you will also be entering the world of special education and IEP’s. But where do you start to learn in the ins-and-outs of special ed law?  What do FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education) and LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) actually mean? This book, from the founders of Wrightslaw, will help empower you to enter meetings with your child’s school ready to advocate for what they need, as well as what they are legally entitled to.

Autistic Authors

The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida

Named one of the best books of the year by NPR, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Business, The Reason I Jump is written by a thirteen-year-old boy with autism. Naoki shares with honesty his unique point of view on autism  and life itself. As a result, the book provides an incredible lens into how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives and responds to the world around him. The Reason I Jump is available on Amazon.

Six-Word Lessons On Growing Up Autistic by Trevor Pacelli

Trevor is a young adult who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 5. He is aware that “growing up autistic” was challenging for himself and his family. For that reason he wrote a book to help others. Trevor provides 100 short, practical tips to help understand the autistic person in your life. He addresses 5 topics: sensitivity, loneliness, sudden changes, disciplining and not underestimating capabilities. You can learn more about Trevor through his website growingupautistic.com, as well as purchase his book from Amazon.

A Full Life with Autism: From Learning to Forming Relationships to Achieving Independence by Chantal Sicile-Kira and Jeremy Sicile-Kira

Parents of an autistic child often wonder: Will my child have friends? How will my child communicate? Will my child be able to work? And is living independently an option when they grow up? This book by a mother-son duo shares what it takes to raise your child and transition them to adulthood. Most noteworthy is the authors have lived this, as co-author Jeremy is on the autism spectrum. Copies are available from Amazon.

We hope you found this list of books helpful as you navigate raising your autistic child. If you have any other books you recommend, please let us know in the comments!

And here some more resources you may find helpful.