Books for Parents

On this page you will find books about the Autism Spectrum written by doctors, educators, parents, and people
with Asperger's Syndrome. I hope you find them helpful in your quest for answers about Asperger's Syndrome.

---

• Books for Parents
• Books for Kids
• Websites & Blogs
• Videos
• Resources for Educators

• Anderson, Stephen R. Self-help Skills for People with Autism: a Systematic Teaching Approach. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2007. Print.



Learning self-help skills (eating, dressing, toileting, and personal hygiene) can be challenging for people with autism, but is essential for independence. This book thoroughly describes a systematic approach that parents and educators can use to teach basic self-care to children, ages 24 months to early teens, and even older individuals.




• Attwood, Tony. The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2008. Print.



This book is the definitive handbook for anyone affected by Asperger's syndrome (AS). It brings together a wealth of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through to adults.




• Attwood, Tony, and Temple Grandin. Asperger's and Girls: World-renowned Experts Join Those with Asperger's Syndrome to Resolve Issues That Girls and Women Face Every Day! Arlington, TX: Future Horizons, 2006. Print.



This book provides up-to-date information about girls and women with Asperger's Syndrome. Covering topics such as diagnoses, education, puberty, relationships, and careers, experts in the field share practical advice for both
caregivers and the women and girls who are affected by Asperger's. Other chapters are written by women who have been diagnosed with ASD and candidly reveal their experiences and compassionately advise others.




• Barbera, Mary Lynch, and Tracy Rasmussen. The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2007. Print.



This step-by-step guide provides an abundance of information about how to help children develop better language and speaking skills,
and also explains how to teach non-vocal children to use sign language.




• Boyd, Brenda. Parenting a Child with Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategies. London [u.a.: Jessica Kingsley Publ., 2005. Print



For parents of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) ordinary care and parenting just doesn't always do it - AS kids need a different
approach. Boyd discusses parents' reaction to their child's AS, from pre-diagnosis to acceptance of the condition, and gives advice on
how parents can better understand 'Planet Asperger'.




• Buckley, Julie. Healing Our Autistic Children: Finding the Road to Recovery Through the Wisdom of an Autism Pediatrician and Parent.New York, NY: Palgrove Macmillan, 2010. Print.



Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with a disease on the autism spectrum. While the medical establishment treats autism as a psychiatric condition and prescribes behaviorally based therapies, Dr. Julie A. Buckley argues that it is a physiological disease that must be medically treated.




• Clark, Julie. Asperger's in Pink: a Mother and Daughter Guidebook for Raising (or Being!) a Girl with Asperger's. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons, 2010. Print.



Congratulations! It's a girl . with Asperger's!. Whether you have a boy or a girl with Asperger's in your life, you'll nod and smile as you turn each invaluable page of real-life challenges and solutions. Teeming with wisdom and wit, this book has much to offer parents as well as educators and professionals.




• Cohen, Marlene J., and Donna L. Sloan.Visual Supports for People with Autism: a Guide for Parents and Professionals. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2007. Print.




Most of us use visual supports in our daily lives--for example, a shopping list, calendar, or a roadmap. Visual supports are particularly beneficial to people with autism because they help
make abstract concepts concrete and capitalize on the user's inherent visual learning strengths.




• Converse, Judy. Special-needs Kids Eat Right: Strategies to Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum Focus, Learn, and Thrive. New York: Perigee, 2009. Print.



Any parent of a child with autism, Asperger's, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or other developmental disabilities knows that special-needs
kids often have food sensitivities and can be very fussy eaters. Plus, they've been told to avoid such common ingredients as gluten and casein, making
it even harder to give them the balanced, healthy meals all children need. Now, Judy Converse, a registered, licensed dietitian, offers new advice and
guidance on how to use food as an essential tool for development.




• Delfos, Martine F. A Strange World: Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS : a Guide for Parents, Partners, Professional Carers, and People with ASDs. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2005. Print.



Delfos's biopsychological model provides a strong theoretical analysis of the nature of autism and what problems it can cause. She offers practical advice on how to approach these problems from the various
perspectives of autistic children, adolescents and adults, as well as parents and carers of autistic people. Balancing theory and practice, Delfos incorporates the findings of current research, and moves beyond.
She addresses issues such as differences between men and women with autistic spectrum disorders, and the question of what is 'normal', illustrating her points with many real life examples.




• Dubin, Nick. Asperger Syndrome and Bullying: Strategies and Solutions. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2007. Print.



Bullying is a serious problem for people with Asperger Syndrome (AS), both at school and in the workplace, and displaying "different" behavior, such as not understanding social rules or hand-flapping, exacerbates
the risk of being victimized. This book offers individuals with AS who are being bullied the opportunity to see that they are not alone, and it is an invaluable source of advice for parents, teachers, professionals
and personnel managers.




• Ernsperger, Lori, and Danielle Wendel. Girls under the Umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Practical Solutions for Addressing Everyday Challenges. Shawnee Mission, Kan.: Autism Asperger Pub., 2007. Print.



Co-authored by an experienced professional and a mother of a young girl on the autism spectrum, this much-awaited book combines the best of both worlds as it gives a voice to girls under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders.
The authors provide insightful first-hand accounts of girls lives along with research-based strategies and practical techniques for addressing the unique needs of girls on the spectrum while nurturing and developing their gifts and talents.




• Gagnon, Elisa, Brenda Myles, and Sachi Tahara. This Is Asperger Syndrome. Shawnee Mission, Kan.: Autism Asperger Pub., 2004. Print.



Through brief vignettes and whimsical black-and-white cartoon drawings, This Is Asperger Syndrome introduces siblings, peers and other children to the everyday challenges faced by children with Asperger Syndrome at home or at school.
Written for children ages 6-12, the book may be read independently by older children and serves as an excellent springboard for further discussion led by parents and teachers.




• Grandin, Temple. The Way I See It: a Personal Look at Autism & Asperger's. Future Horizons, 2008. Print.



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.




• Grandin, Temple. Thinking in Pictures: My Life with AutismVintage, 2010. Print



Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is a gifted animal scientist who has designed one-third of all the livestock-handling facilities in the United States. She also lectures widely on autism--because Temple Grandin is autistic, a woman who thinks, feels,
and experiences the world in ways that are incomprehensible to the rest of us. Grandin delivers a report from the country of autism. Writing from
the dual perspectivies of a scientist and an autistic person, she tells us how that country is experienced by its inhabitants and how she managed
to breach its boundaries to function in the outside world.




• Holzhauser-Peters, Leslie, and Leslie True. Making Sense of Children's Thinking and Behavior: a Step-by-step Tool for Understanding Children with NLD, Asperger's, HFA, PDD-NOS, and Other Neurological Disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2008. Print.



Making Sense of Children's Thinking and Behavior offers parents and professionals a tool for understanding children with neurological differences. These children have an atypical view of the world, unique to their particular disability, which can make their behavior
confusing and, at times, challenging. Often, the child's actions are misunderstood and, consequently, they are unfairly punished. This practical book is an invaluable resource for parents and professionals working with children with NLD, Asperger's, HFA, PDD-NOS, and
other neurological differences.




• Jackson, Luke. Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: a User Guide to Adolescence. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2006. Print.



Drawing from his own experiences and gaining information from his teenage brother and sisters, Luke wrote this enlightening, honest and witty book in an attempt to address difficult topics such as bullying, friendships, when and how to tell others about AS, school problems, dating, relationships and morality. Luke writes briefly about his younger autistic and AD/HD brothers, providing amusing insights into the antics of his younger years and advice for parents, carers and teachers of younger AS children.




• Moyes, Rebecca. I Need Help With School: A Guide for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome



As an educational advocate, Rebecca Moyes knows that many parents struggle with designing an individualized education program (IEP)
that addresses the special needs of their child. This book demystifies special education laws so parents can understand their legal rights
and the rights of their children, including the development of 504 Service Agreements, getting the most out of IEPs, and more. Written
especially for those dealing with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, this book also tackles important issues that will come up during your
child's early school experience, such as developing social skills, addressing challenging behaviors, encouraging self-esteem, and dealing
with teasing and bullying. Make school a positive experience for your child!




• Nichols, Shana, Gina Marie. Moravcik, and Samara Pulver. Tetenbaum. Girls Growing up on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents and Professionals Should Know about the Pre-teen and Teenage Years. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2009. Print.



Growing up isn't easy, and the trials and tribulations of being a teenager can be particularly confusing for girls with Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASDs). This book covers all the concerns commonly faced by girls with ASDs and their parents, from periods and puberty to worries
over friendships and fitting in.




• Notbohm, Ellen, and Veronica Zysk. 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons, 2010. Print.



Every parent, teacher, social worker, therapist, and physician should have this succinct and informative book in his/her back pocket. Framed with both humor and
compassion, the book defines the top ten characteristics that illuminate the minds and hearts of children with autism. Ellen's personal experiences as a parent,
an autism columnist, and a contributor to numerous parenting magazines coalesce to create a guide for all who come in contact with a child on the autism spectrum.




• Robison,John Elder. Be Different: Adventures of a Free Range Aspergian with Practical Advice Crown Archetype, 2011. Print



By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John had already developed a myriad of coping strategies that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even highly successful, life.
In Be Different, Robison shares a new batch of endearing stories about his childhood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind.





• Robison, John Elder. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. Three Rivers Press, 2008. Print.



In this memoir, John Elder Robison described growing up with Asperger’s syndrome at a time when the diagnosis didn’t exist. He was intelligent but socially isolated; his talents
won him jobs with toy makers and rock bands but did little to endear him to authority figures and classmates, who were put off by his inclination to blurt out non sequiturs and avoid eye contact.
By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John had already developed a myriad of coping strategies that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even highly successful, life. In Be Different,
Robison shares a new batch of endearing stories about his childhood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind.




• Siri, Ken, and Tony Lyons. Cutting-edge Therapies for Autism, 2010-2011. New York, NY: Skyhorse Pub., 2010. Print.



New information, therapies, and advice for every parent with an autistic child. For parents of children with autism, research is a full-time job. This book contains
contributions from more than eighty experts on a variety of therapies, models, and multifaceted evaluation and treatment centers. Each contributor gives the reader a basic
description of the topic, including its scientific rationale, development, risks, and benefits. Siri and Lyons include the therapies of the future, focusing on current clinical
trials, ongoing research, and the researchers striving to better understand autism and find new treatments.




• Taylor, Paul G. A Beginner's Guide to the Pervasive Developmental Disorders: a Simple Introduction to Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD-NOS : for Parents and Teachers. Nelson, N.Z.: Altorfer Pub., 2009. Print.



Pervasive Developmental Disorder is a diagnosis which demands a total re-design of conventional thinking in order to understand what goes on in the mind of a person who has this condition.
This book is specifically aimed at parents and teachers coming across the diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder for the first time. It is designed to convey a basic understanding of the
important features of the condition. It provides practical and effective strategies that can be put into place to maximize the outcome for the person with PDD.




• Wiseman,Nancy D. The First Year®: Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed Child Da Capo Press, 2009. Print



When parents learn that their child has autism, the news can be devastating, even paralyzing. Meanwhile, the first 12 months after diagnosis are the most important
when it comes to intervention. As a parent of a child with autism, Nancy D. Wiseman knows firsthand how difficult it can be to unravel complex issues, discover what
questions to ask, and find effective treatments. In this landmark guide, Wiseman offers both compassionate insight and a wealth of information for diagnoses from Asperger’s to classic autism.



• Wiseman, Nancy D. Could it Be Autism? A Parent's Guide to the First Signs and Next Steps. Broadway Books, 2006. Print.



For parents worried about their children's development, Wiseman, president of a developmental disorder awareness organization and the mother of an autistic child, promotes a rigorous approach to
identifying autism warning signs, stressing early diagnosis as a crucial component of securing proper post-diagnosis treatment.

Return to home page