GPS' Recommended Books About Autism

With Autism Spectrum Disorder being a widely diagnosed neurodivergent disorder, there have been a variety of published books about ASD in recent years. These books offer inspiration, guidance and hope to the Autism community. While Autism is heavily supported with research and therapies, sometimes, storytelling can resonate better with parents and educators that interact with children with special needs. Therefore, we have compiled a list of books - for children and adults - that we think make a big impact.

Children's Books

Children love stories, and books about autism may be one of the best ways to explain to young readers what they may be experiencing. Below are three fiction picture books, which you can also find on Youtube.

1. All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer

"In All My Stripes, Zane the zebra feels different from the rest of his classmates. He worries that all they notice about him is his "autism stripe." With the help of his Mama, Zane comes to appreciate all his stripes — the unique strengths that make him who he is!"

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25314999-all-my-stripes?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=pNGXHXi7av&rank=1

               

            

2. Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book by Celeste Shally

"Matt’s autism doesn’t keep him from having fun! Even when he struggles in social situations, his friend is there to help him out. The two boys love playing sports watching movies, reading books, and talking about animals. By working together, a best friend’s understanding and compassion change Matt’s frustration into excitement. No matter where they go—from the basketball court to the playground swings to the neighborhood pool—the two friends enjoy spending time with each other."

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/2108558.Since_We_re_Friends

3. Uniquely Wired: A Story About Autism and Its Gifts by Julia Cook

"Zak is obsessed with watches. Before that it was trains. He owns hundreds of watches and is quick to tell everyone everything about them. Zak also has autism, so he sometimes responds to the world around him in unconventional ways. As Zak describes his point of view, young readers gain a better understanding of his behaviors and learn valuable lessons about patience, tolerance and understanding."

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/38235528-uniquely-wired

Books for Adults

These books are memoirs written by people that are on the Autism spectrum or who are parents to children with Autism.

1. The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida

"Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one, at last, have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within."

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16113737-the-reason-i-jump

2. The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's by Temple Grandin

"Dr. Temple Grandin's voice of experience is back to give parents and teachers specific, practical advice on helping young people on the autism spectrum. This collection of articles, written from 2000-present as an exclusive column in the national award-winning magazine, Autism Aspergers Digest, offers Temples invaluable personal and professional insights, from inside the world of autism, about autism. Temple voices her views on a wide variety of topics ranging from the nonverbal child to social functioning, early intervention to adult issues. The articles have been updated and Temple has added fresh commentary on the topics."

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3394503-the-way-i-see-it

3. The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius by Kristine Barnett

"Kristine Barnett’s son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einstein’s, a photographic memory, and he taught himself calculus in two weeks. At nine he started working on an original theory in astrophysics that experts believe may someday put him in line for a Nobel Prize, and at age twelve he became a paid researcher in quantum physics. But the story of Kristine’s journey with Jake is all the more remarkable because his extraordinary mind was almost lost to autism. At age two, when Jake was diagnosed, Kristine was told he might never be able to tie his own shoes. The Spark is a remarkable memoir of mother and son. Surrounded by “experts” at home and in special ed who tried to focus on Jake’s most basic skills and curtail his distracting interests—moving shadows on the wall, stars, plaid patterns on sofa fabric—Jake made no progress, withdrew more and more into his own world, and eventually stopped talking completely. Kristine knew in her heart that she had to make a change. Against the advice of her husband, Michael, and the developmental specialists, Kristine followed her instincts, pulled Jake out of special ed, and began preparing him for mainstream kindergarten on her own."

Source & read more at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15798364-the-spark

We hope you enjoy these magnificent stories about navigating life with an autism diagnosis. These stories of acceptance and triumph shine a light on the capabilities and gifts of people with autism.

- Gifted People Services