A good nuts and bolts book to get started into finding out about autism not just for parents.

A “must have” for parents of a newly diagnosed child. Suggestions for what to do first. Summaries of different therapies and the author’s personal story.

Beautiful black and white photographs help tell the story of Jamie and her friend Will who has autism. In this short, simple tribute to friendship, autism is explained in an easy to understand way. The story is really about what being a friend is all about. A good basic book about friendship for anyone whether or not they have a friend affected by autism.

Based on an article of the same title published in November 2004, Notbohm has expanded her article into a book. In the book she explains some of the basic elements of autism, the basic behaviors and what they mean. This book helps explain not only what autism looks like but how it affects the perception of the child with autism. A great book for parents, grandparents, extended family, teachers and support staff.

A great nuts and bolts beginning guide to a family dealing with an autism diagnosis. It gives numerous real life examples and also has helpful definitions for common technical terms that can be like a foreign language. Comprehensively covering topics from what is autism, dealing with professionals, and dealing with family issues. A very thorough book and a good place to start.

Discusses early signs to look for and why early diagnosis is so important. Wiseman also walks the reader through the formal screening and diagnosis process as well as evaluating and choosing treatment options. A valuable tool in helping a parent determine when there might be a reason to speak to a professional and in deciphering what to do after the diagnosis. A reading list and resource list are included.

This is a book that you will refer to even as your teen with ADD/ADHD enters adulthood as challenges are met and new challenges arise. Dendy includes lots of tips, insights and support from other parents which lend a realistic feel to the advice and information. Included are in depth discussions of ADD/ADHD, diagnosis and testing, medication, and coexisting conditions, as well as advice on discipline, academics, home life and how to help the rest of the family deal with ADD/ADHD. A comprehensive resource guide is included.

A must have if you are considering setting up a home program; especially if you are planning on doing it without the help of a consultant (and even if you are!) This book outlines different teaching programs but focuses mainly on what and how to teach in a one-on-one setting. What is especially helpful is the curriculum listing skills in the order they should be taught as well as the carefully described programs, materials required, and how to teach each program.

This book discusses biological research done by KC’s own Dr. Shaw exploring the effects of candida (yeast) and gluten and casein in the body and on behavior. A very technical book but worth the effort. Dr. Shaw’s lab is one of the only labs in the country doing much of the specialized testing required to determine if an individual has yeast or other sensitivity.

This cookbook is filled not only with gluten free casein free recipes but with practical advice from a mom with an autistic son on a strict gfcf diet. It discusses autism, medical/biological treatments, tests, allergies/intolerances and gives lists of what to eat and what not to eat. My copy fell apart and had to be laminated and put in a 3-ring binder!

A mother’s account of her son’s “recovery” from autism due to strict adherence to a gfcf diet in combination with an intensive home program. Very good in helping to understand the effects of gluten and casein and their role in autism treatment.

More recipes taste tested in the author’s kitchen. Both books and recipes are annotated and substitutes for various ingredients are given.

A children’s picture book about Tobin the train and the things he must know to make friends with the other engines. Don’t yell or stand too close, share, take turns; a great tool for learning some of the most basic social skills.

A book for children to help explain about sensory and emotional overload and how to recognize it before it gets too big. Using easily understandable descriptions the relaxation techniques are easy to apply even for young children. This book will help children recognize when emotions are escalating and how to relate these emotions to others. The awareness of their emotions will help them gain control of their emotions before they escalate.

Author/mom of “Just This Side of Normal” has put together a resource guide detailing treatment options available, where to look for resources. This is the list you wish the doctor had handed out with the diagnosis. While she won’t tell you what to do with your child, each treatment is explained in an easy to understand manner so that you can make the best decisions for your child. Though advances and new treatment options may be left out of this 2000 edition it is an excellent place to start.

By the founders of the OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) website this is the go-to book when dealing with Asperger Syndrome. Completely revised and updated this comprehensive volume is a resource for parents, teachers, therapists and anyone who knows or works with a child with Asperger Syndrome. Forwards by Tony Attwood and Simon Baron-Cohen.

Author Pinsky is not only a professional organizer, but she is also a parent of a child with ADD. These two roles converged and led to the creation of simplified organizational systems that respond to the specific needs of the individual with ADD. The first section of the book explains the organizational methods that can be applied by the reader to any aspect of life. The second targets common areas, rooms, or events that typically present a challenge to organize. Color photographs show before and after pictures and organizational tips are highlighted. Pinsky’s organizational philosophy can apply to everyone not just those with ADD.

The updated research highlights the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as an appropriate and successful intervention for preschoolers with autism. This book will assist parents in how to create and implement an ABA program in their home and how to select instructors and professional consultants to assist them. It will also help them evaluate public school programs and the pros and cons a home based vs. a center based program. Most helpful are the personal anecdotes by parents detailing their experiences with autism and ABA.

Written by the parent of a child with autism and a speech therapist who works with children with autism, they describe how to create visual supports to reduce frustration that parents and their children with autism feel when unable to communicate clearly. The introduction educates the reader to the purpose of the visual system. A valuable resource for family members or school personnel interested in helping a child with autism increase communication and to feel more in control of what is happening in their daily life.

A mother’s account of her fight against autism with two of her three children. It takes you through diagnosis, setting up a home program, and integration in to school. The book ends maybe too “hopefully” as both children are “cured”. I would like to have a sequel and find out how the kids are doing today and if they encountered any setbacks as they matured. Still, an easily read book that shows that with a lot of hard work on the part of the parent, child, and therapists the future may not be as bleak as it may look at the time of diagnosis.

Jane’s memoir’s of her life and the life of her son Paul. Paul age 20 at the writing of this book adds his thoughts in a very enlightening afterward. Though much of this book takes place long before autism was well recognized it shows the family life of living with a child with high functioning autism, what they are able to learn to do and what they continue to struggle with.

Undiagnosed until his late teens, Thomas McKean shares his unique perspective on autism and how he has learned to cope in society today.

A description of the author’s life and thinking style.

A personal account of the authors experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and life of her son with autism.

A mother’s account of her profoundly autistic daughter’s struggle with autism and their journey through and out of “Nirvana”. I found this book to be very interesting as it explores the way in which this autistic mind works.

Written by a sibling and her brother’s doctor, this is an excellent tool for discussing autism with siblings that they can read on their own or with a parent.

A look at the joys, sorrows, ups and downs of parenting a child with autism through one mother’s eyes. It shows that with faith, hard work and the passage of time many gains are possible. Easy to read essay style chapters you laugh and cry with the author and her son.

A family’s journey into the community and culture of high functioning autism and asperger’s syndrome. A look into the new diagnosis of asperger’s syndrome and the origins of autism as well as the author’s personal story of her and her son’s walk through autism.

Aspects of Autism and Asperger Syndrome. The author uses stories to personalize the professional research findings summarized here and explores the questions and trials faced by parents and individuals with autism and their search for help and understanding.

A mother and her son tell the story of his autism. Another older book but represents the family’s life and struggles with autism.

Stephen Shore’s account of his life with autism, what he has accomplished and the daily things he still struggles with.

Hughes’ account of raising his son with autism from a father’s perspective. He speaks to many issues families deal with such as home schooling, marital stress, public behavior, siblings, parenting issues, patience, and educational choices. A candid description of family life with a child with autism.

The authors met at a support group for parents of children with autism. Their children were affected very differently. These women share all that they have learned about living with autism and how to manage a marriage, siblings, grandparents, teachers, the public and themselves. Great real life descriptions of how they traveled their journey and found that while things might be bad at the time, their lives were still filled with hope, joy and a sense of fulfillment. Another must read as it gives hope for tomorrow especially for those with children newly diagnosed.

Parents, Grandparents, siblings, people with autism and professionals who work with those with autism share their stories and insights. A very frank look at life with autism by those who are touched by it daily. Through their eyes you can see the breadth of the spectrum as well as the hope for the future. A must read.

• Cohen, J. (2002). For Whom the Minivan Rolls. Baltimore, MD: Bancroft Press.
• Cohen, J. (2003). A Farewell to Legs. Baltimore, MD: Bancroft Press.
• Cohen, J. (2005). As Dog is My Witness. Baltimore, MD: Bancroft Press.

  Aaron Tucker is a stay at home dad and free lance writer. He doesn’t intend to be the one solving the mysteries in his home town; however that’s what he ends up doing. Aaron’s family plays a major part in his life and in the story especially his son who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Cohen inserts a realistic and entertaining look at family life which includes Asperger’s within this mystery series.

The summer of 1960 brings big changes for Hattie Owen. Hattie is surprised to find that she has an uncle that no one has told her about. Uncle Adam was sent away to school ten years ago and no one has mentioned him since. However, his school is closing and now she is going to get to meet him. Hattie has been looking forward to her summer routine, which she likes. Uncle Adam changes that as you never know what Adam is going to do or what kind of mood Adam will be in from one minute to the next. What Adam teaches Hattie is that it’s ok to be different. While the book has a sad ending, I think that Adam and Hattie help their family to be more accepting of differences and to be open and talk about them not hide them away.

This is a science fiction book (because it’s set in the near future) however the author, a parent of a child with autism addresses the question “what is normal?” What happens to those who aren’t “normal”? It is a powerful and thought provoking book which raises a lot of questions and provides insight into society and how we treat those who don’t meet society’s definition of “normal” and this future world’s solution. This is one of my favorites, but as a parent of a child with autism I have horribly mixed feelings about the ending and the main character’s choice.

Set in the 1930’s on Alcatraz when Capone is an inmate working in the prison laundry. The story is not so much about Natalie who has autism but about her brother “Moose” and how having a sister with autism affects his life. The family dynamic is well portrayed as is Natalie’s autism. At the time the prison guards and their families lived on Alcatraz and the inmates did their laundry. The families of the guards and the backdrop of Alcatraz bring humor and fun to the story.

A chic-lit type of story that’s just for fun. This is Bella’s story and it’s all about Bella. Bella has a twin brother who has autism. Bella believes that you only get so many chances in life to make a wish so you had better make your wishes good. The story explores Bella’s feelings about herself, her brother and her parents and how they handle having a child with autism. Bella often feels that her parents spend too much time avoiding the issue rather than doing something to help her brother or herself. The story follows Bella’s story from when she’s 8 years old into her 30’s and shows how growing up with a brother with autism and a wish that he would get better or that she could “fix” him affects her life and her choice until she comes to realize that it’s ok to love her brother just the way he is and that he doesn’t need to be “fixed” just loved.

Just for entertainment. A cross between Silence of the Lambs and Rainman. Darcy, 25 year old autistic savant, assists burned out and depressed police detective, Susan Pulaski, solve a string of violent murders and helps catch the serial killer. During the investigation Susan is forced to see the crimes from Darcy’s unique perspective which proves key to solving the crime. Bernhardt does a good job describing Darcy and his perspective which was interesting and at time quite humorous.

Tyler, a 5th grader, has been going to school with Jackson since kindergarten and has always noticed that Jackson does things that are a little different than the other kids. He takes things too literally, and laughs during the not funny parts of movies. Now Jackson is moving and Tyler’s teacher asks him to present Jackson with a going-away gift from the class. As Tyler tries to decide if he will do this or not he reflects both on Jackson’s abilities and differences while learning about Asperger’s Syndrome.

Twelve year old Catherine whose younger brother David has autism creates rules for David to help him navigate the world and appear not so “weird”. Catherine struggles with her conflicting feelings about David. She loves him but at the same time she is embarrassed by him and resents the amount of time and energy David requires of her parents, which leaves her feeling ignored and unimportant. Making a friend with a different disability helps Catherine work through her feelings to find acceptance of David, herself and her situation. An honest look at life in a family touched by autism from a perspective rarely heard from. An excellent read for siblings of someone affected by autism.