This reading list has been collated by Autistic young people, parents and professionals so there should be something for everyone, some will appeal to you some won’t but we wanted to put together a list that was recommended by those that have read them and some knowledge of autism.
If you have a great read you think REACH families would like then do get in touch via the Contact Us form, we would love to hear from you. We have listed the books with a link to a bookshop to avoid broken links but you can search authors on other platforms such as amazon.
Autistic Authors
Thinking in pictures
Author Temple Grandin
The idea that some people think differently, though no less humanly, is explored in this inspiring book. Temple Grandin is a gifted and successful animal scientist, and she is autistic. Here she tells us what it was like to grow up perceiving the world in an entirely concrete and visual way - somewhat akin to how animals think, she believes - and how it feels now. Through her finely observed understanding of the workings of her mind, she gives us an invaluable insight into autism and its challenges. Thinking In Pictures
Thinking Club - A Filmstrip of My Life as a Person with Autism
Author Alex Lowery
Alex's book outlines his detailed recollections of his life so far from his earliest memories at the age of 3 right up to the age of 19. His memories are acute and he can give virtual word for word, action by action descriptions of the whole of his life. Thinking Club
Can you see me?
Author Libby Scott Rebecca Westcott
Endearing, insightful and warmly uplifting, Can You See Me? is a story of autism, empathy and kindness that will touch readers of all ages. Tally is eleven years old and she's just like her friends. Well, sometimes she is. If she tries really hard to be. Because there's something that makes Tally not the same as her friends. Something she can't cover up, no matter how hard she tries: Tally is autistic. Tally's autism means there are things that bother her even though she wishes they didn't. It means that some people misunderstand, her and feel frustrated by her. People think that because Tally's autistic, she doesn't realise what they're thinking, but Tally sees and hears - and notices - all of it. And, honestly? That's not the easiest thing to live with. Can You see Me?
Do You Know Me?
Author Libby Scott Rebecca Westcott
Tally is autistic and proud. She used to feel like she had to hide her autism, but now Tally is determined to make sure people see who she really is. But now Tally has a new worry - her school trip. And that means new places, new people and new challenges. She quickly falls in with the popular girls and is grateful that they don't make a big deal about her autism, but it's not long before Tally realises that, while the girls are popular, they aren't very kind. With a jolt Tally understands that she's not the only one who's been made to feel like she has to hide her true self. But will she find the strength to stand up for herself and the people she knows are being treated unfairly, or will she stay quiet? And will Tally ever find her people? Do You Know Me
Carly’s Voice
In this international bestseller, father and advocate for Autism awareness Arthur Fleischmann blends his daughter Carly's own words with his story of getting to know his remarkable daughter--after years of believing that she was unable to understand or communicate with him. At the age of two, Carly Fleischmann was diagnosed with severe autism and an oral motor condition that prevented her from speaking. Doctors predicted that she would never intellectually develop beyond the abilities of a small child. Carly remained largely unreachable through the years. Then, at the age of ten, she had a breakthrough. Carly's Voice
Moments of Feeling Known
Author Matteo Musso
Life perspectives of autistic teen. A thought provoking and inspirational collection of writings, insights and poetry from the perspective of someone living a life different from most. "Sometimes my life is masked by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Writing gives me moments of being known, despite that mask" Matteo. In this book, Matteo, shares his gift of poetry and words to inspire and enlighten us after almost 12 years of silence. His trapped intelligence released, he shares amazing insights on love, God, finding happiness and the gifts of autism. Through a miraculous discovery, Matteo's mother was finally able to communicate with her son, exposing a well of intelligence and heart way beyond her imagination. Here, Matteo's first book, is the light and culmination of locked up thoughts and messages. His messages are enlightening to say the least, about life, love, autism, and God Moments of Feeling Known
The Reason I Jump
Author Naoki Higashida (author), David Mitchell (translator), Keiko Yoshida (translator)
The No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. When I was small., I didn't even know that I was a kid with special needs. How did I find out? By other people telling me that I was different from everyone else. Written by Naoki Higashida when he was only thirteen, this remarkable book provides a rare insight into the often baffling behaviour of autistic children. Using a question and answer format, Naoki explains things like why he talks loudly or repeats the same questions, what causes him to have panic attacks, and why he likes to jump. He also shows the way he thinks and feels about his world - other people, nature, time and beauty, and himself. The Reason I Jump
Parent Authors
A Friend Like Henry
Author Nuala Gardner
This is the inspiring account of a family's struggle to break into their son's autistic world - and how a beautiful retriever dog made the real difference.
Dale was still a baby when his parents realised that something wasn't right. Worried, his mother Nuala took him to see several doctors, before finally hearing the word 'autism' for the first time. Scared but determined that Dale should live a fulfilling life, Nuala describes her despair at her son's condition, her struggle to prevent Dale being excluded from a 'normal' education and her sense of hopeless isolation. Dale's autism was severe and violent and family life was a daily battleground. a friend like henry
A Normal Family: Everyday adventures with our autistic son
Author Henry Normal
Johnny is nineteen. He likes music, art and going to the beach. He is also autistic - in his case that means he will probably never get a job, never have a girlfriend, never leave home. And over the last two decades this is what his father, TV producer and comedy writer Henry Normal, and mother, Angela Pell, have been trying to come to terms with. This is a book for anyone whose life has been touched by autism - it's about the hope, the despair, and the messy, honest, sometimes funny day-to-day world of autism, as well as a wonderful, warm book about the unconditional, unconventional love between a father, a mother and a son. a Normal Family
Parent’s Guide to Coping with Autism
Author Sarah Ziegel
This is an essential guide for parents and carers coping with children with autism. When Sarah Ziegel’s twin boys were diagnosed with autism, aged almost three, she realised there was very little practical information about what to do. When her next two children were also diagnosed with the condition, she was even more determined to put that lack of information right. Parent’s Guide to Coping with Autism
Let Me Hear Your Voice - Family Triumph Over Autism
Author Catherine Maurice
She was a beautiful doelike child, with an intense, graceful fragility. In her first year, she picked up words, smiled and laughed, and learned to walk. But then Anne-Marie began to turn inward. And when her little girl lost some of the words she had acquired, cried inconsolably, and showed no interest in anyone around her, Catherine Maurice took her to doctors who gave her a diagnosis of autism. In their desperate struggle to save their daughter, the Maurices plunged into a medical nightmare of false hopes, "miracle cures, " and infuriating suggestions that Anne-Marie's autism was somehow their fault. Finally, Anne-Marie was saved by an intensive behavioural therapy. Let Me Hear Your Voice is a mother's illuminating account of how one family triumphed over autism. It is an absolutely unforgettable book. Let Me Hear Your Voice
Teaching books
Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration
Paula Aquilla (author), Ellen Yack (author), Shirley Sutton (author), Carol Kranowitz (foreword)
Winner of the Summer 2015 Academics' Choice Smart Book Award. Written by three experienced occupational therapists, this book offers a combination of theory and strategies. It is a perfect tool for those working with young children, but also broad enough to be adapted for older children and adults. Building Bridges provides creative techniques and useful tips while offering innovative strategies and practical advice for dealing with everyday challenges, including managing behaviors, improving muscle tone, developing social skills, selecting diets, and more. Part one explains the role of the occupational therapists in treatment and examines sensory integration theories. Part two offers methods of identifying sensory problems in children along with numerous strategies and activities. Building Bridges
What You Need to Know About Motivation And Teaching Games
Author Steve Ward
"What You Need to Know about Motivation and Teaching Games: An in-depth analysis" is essential for anyone working with learners with social delays, including learners with Autism. This book dedicates significant attention to learner motivation, the ability of teachers to establish learner motivation, and, most importantly, the ability of teachers to identify whether their learners are interested. What You Need to Know About Motivation And Teaching Games
Socially Savvy: An Assessment and Curriculum Guide for Young Children
Author James T Ellis, Christine Almeida, Nancy Ferrari (editor)
Socially Savvy helps educators and parents break down broad areas of social functioning into concrete skills. The checklist pinpoints a child's specific strengths and challenges, which in turn makes it possible to prioritize the skills most in need of intervention, develop strategies to address them, and track the effectiveness of those strategies. Socially Savvy
The Verbal Behavior Approach
Author Mary Lynch Barbera
In this book, Mary Lynch Barbera draws on her own experiences as a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and also as a parent of a child with autism to explain VB and how to use it. 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. The Verbal Behavior Approach
Behavior Analysis for Effective Teaching
Author Julie S Vargas
This book shows teachers and other human service professionals working in school settings how to employ non-aversive, behavior analysis principles in classrooms and other school settings. Marked by its clear writing and multitude of real-classroom examples, this book is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate courses in teacher education, special education, school psychology, and school counseling. Behavior Analysis for Effective Teaching makes a perfect text for one of the five required courses for the Credentialing Exam of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) Behavior Analysis for Effective Teaching
Cook Books
The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook
Pamela J. Compart (author), Dana Laake (author)
The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook, 3rd Edition explains the best diets for children with food intolerances and hypersensitivities that stem from altered biochemistry and which may be causing problems in learning, behavior, development, attention, sensory responses, sleep, and digestion. The authors provide guidelines to help parents determine which diets may be helpful for their child's specific symptoms and needs. The Kid-Friendly ADHD andAutism Cookbook
Puberty and Hygiene
What’s happening to Tom?
Kate E. Reynolds (author), Jonathon Powell (illustrator)
Tom notices that his body is changing. Tom's voice is different and hair is growing in new places. There are other changes happening too. Tom learns that he has started growing into a man. Following Tom as he begins to notice changes to his body, this simple resource helps parents and carers teach boys with autism or other special needs about puberty. It covers all the changes that they will experience, both emotional such as new feelings and physical such as wet dreams. This fully illustrated positive and entertaining book provides the perfect opportunity to talk about puberty with boys and young men with autism or special needs. What’s happening to Tom?
What’s Happening to Ellie?
Kate E. Reynolds (author), Jonathon Powell (illustrator)
Ellie notices that her body is changing. Hair is growing in new places and there are other changes happening too. Ellie's mum helps her understand that she has started growing into a woman. Following Ellie as she begins to notice changes to her body, this simple resource helps parents and carers teach girls with autism and related conditions about puberty. It covers all the changes that they will experience, both emotional such as new feelings and physical such as periods. This fully illustrated positive and entertaining book provides the perfect opportunity to talk about puberty with girls and young women with autism or related conditions. What’s Happening to Ellie?
Kate E. Reynolds has a series of books like the above ‘What’s happening to Tom/Ellie?’ They cover puberty, sexuality, safety and hygiene.
- Things Ellie likes
- Things Tom Likes
- Ellie needs to Go
- Tom needs to Go
All by author Kate E. Reynolds
What to Do about Smearing
Kate E. Reynolds (author)
Addressing the often hidden, yet not uncommon, behaviour of faecal smearing among children and adults with autism and developmental and intellectual disabilities, this practical handbook shows how to tackle this often embarrassing and difficult issue in a positive way. Informing parents and caregivers of the many causes of smearing, the author offers tried-and-tested, everyday approaches for managing this behaviour. This supportive guidebook includes down-to-earth advice, helpful picture narratives, examples of how to prepare and use diary sheets for behaviour analysis, and practical exercises that can be carried out at home. What to Do about Smearing