When I took my then-3-year-old child to be assessed for autism, we patiently waited for Dr. Bethany Ziss, MD, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Specialist in Pittsburgh, PA, USA, and a fellow autistic and disabled adult that’s also active in the realm of advocacy. In the room we waited in, there were plenty of books, both aimed at the children who came to her and the parents/guardians that brought them. Without time to read them all at the appointment, I took photos so I can later peruse at my own leisure. I’d love to share this list with you.
Books about Autism, Anxiety, and Communication for Kids
- “Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap: NT is OK!” by Clay Morton and Gail Morton
- “Middle School – The Stuff Nobody Tells You About: A Teenage Girl with ASD Shares Her Experiences” by Haley Moss
- “The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents)” by Elizabeth Verdick & Elizabeth Reeve
- “Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism” by Mary Wrobel
- “The Whatif Monster Chapter Book Series” by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt
- “Join In and Play (Learning to Get Along®)” by Cheri J. Meiners
- “Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes” by Jennifer Elder
- “My Social Stories Book” by Carol Gray and Abbie Leigh White
- “When my Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live With Anxiety” by Kari Dunn Buron
- “Let’s Talk about It: Extraordinary Friends (Mr. Rogers)” by Fred Rogers
- “Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability” by Pat Thomas
- “The Green Zone Conversation Book: Finding Common Ground in Conversation for Children on the Autism Spectrum” by Joel Shaul
- “The Conversation Train: A Visual Approach to Conversation for Children on the Autism Spectrum” by Joel Shaul
Book Recommendations for Autistic Teens & Adults
- “Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum” by Ruth Elaine Joyner Hane, Kassiane Sibley, Stephen M. Shore, Roger N. Meyer, Phill Schwarz, and Liane Holliday Willey
- “The Explosive Child” by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
- “Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking” by Julia Bascom, published by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
- “Autism: What Does It Mean to Me? A Workbook Explaining Self Awareness and Life Lessons to the Child or Youth with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers” by Catherine Faherty
- “Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism” by Mary Wrobel
- “The Incredible 5-Point Scale” by Kari Dunn Buron
- “A 5 is Against the Law! Social Boundaries: Straight Up!” by Kari Dunn Buron
- “Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes” by Jennifer Elder
- “You Are Special: Neighborly Words of Wisdom from Mister Rogers” by Fred Rogers
- “Social Rules for Kids: The Top 100 Social Rules Kids Need to Succeed” by Susan Diamond
- “The Green Zone Conversation Book: Finding Common Ground in Conversation for Children on the Autism Spectrum” by Joel Shaul
Book Recommendations for Parents and Guardians
- “Touchpoints-Birth to Three: Your Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Development” by T. Berry Brazelton, MD and Joshua D. Sparrow, MD
- “Raising Human Beings: Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child” by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
- “You Are Special: Neighborly Words of Wisdom from Mister Rogers” by Fred Rogers
- “Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs” by Bruce L. Baker and Alan J. Brightman
Books about Autism for Parents
- “What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew” by the Autism Women’s Network Inc., edited by Emily Page Ballou, Kristina Thomas, Sharon daVanport
- “The Real Experts: Readings for Parents of Autistic Children” by Michelle Sutton
- “Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking” by Julia Bascom, published by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
- “Autism: What Does It Mean to Me? A Workbook Explaining Self Awareness and Life Lessons to the Child or Youth with High Functioning Autism or Aspergers” by Catherine Faherty
- “Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism or Other Developmental Issues” by Maria Wheeler, M.ED.
- “You’re Going to Love This Kid!”: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom” by Paula Kluth, Ph.D.
- “Just Give Him the Whale!: 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism” by Paula Kluth, Ph.D. and Patrick Schwarz, Ph.D.
Books about ADHD for Parents
- “ADHD – Living without Brakes” by Martin L. Kutscher, MD
- “ADHD Book: Living Right Now!” by Martin L. Kutscher, MD
- “Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder From Childhood Through Adulthood” by Edward M. Hallowell, MD, and John J. Ratey, MD
- “Answers to Distraction” by Edward M. Hallowell, MD, and John J. Ratey, MD
Books about Behavioral Challenges for Parents and Teachers
- “The Explosive Child” by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
- “Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them” by Ross W. Green, Ph.D.
- “The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences” by Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA
- “1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12” by Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D.
Books about Communication for Parents and Teachers
- “Typed Words Loud Voices” edited by Amy Sequenzia and Elizabeth J. Grace
- “The Incredible 5-Point Scale” by Kari Dunn Buron
- “Social Rules for Kids: The Top 100 Social Rules Kids Need to Succeed” by Susan Diamond
- “It Takes Two to Talk: A Practical Guide for Parents of Children with Language Delays” by Elaine Weitzman and Jan Pepper
