Great Summer Reading for ASD

July 19, 2016

Summer is one of the only times of year that I seem to get to catch up on all the wonderful books that may help organize my life as a mom of a special needs child.  I usually keep a running list of books that I would love to get to read but never have the time between driving to therapies and keeping my family running on a day-to-day basis. My list usually grows after each annual celebration of Autism Awareness Month every April.  Here are a few books that I have found that come highly recommended from various sources such as: Scholastic, Autism Speaks, and New Horizons Professional ABA Services.

  • Roar the Little Dinosaur Series by Hazel Reeves – This series is meant for children with autism. The author, a mom with a daughter who has autism, wants children to know it’s okay to do things differently.
  • Understanding Samantha: A Sibling’s Perspective of Autism by Dustin Daniel is a great book geared toward siblings especially older children who are trying to deal with and understand their sibling’s sensory issues.
  • Leah’s Voice by Lori DeMoniais another great find for siblings to deal with understanding certain common behaviors of siblings with autism as well as a wonderful resource for teaching siblings and friends about inclusion and acceptance.
  • The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth Reeve The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents)M.D. is a friendly, thorough handbook for children on the autism spectrum, plus their parents. This book addresses the big questions kids ask and provides strategies for communicating, making friends, and succeeding in school. It includes sections on brain and body basics, symptom management, exercise, diet, hygiene, relaxation, sleep, toileting, and “stims.”
  • Autism Answer Book: More Than 300 of the Top Questions Parents Ask
    by William Stillman is a comprehensive guide to autism and all the questions friends and relatives will have once a diagnosis has been given.
  • Essential First Steps for Parents of Children with Autism: Helping the Littlest Learners
    by Lara Delmolino, Ph.D., BCBA-D and Sandra L. Harris, Ph.D. is a great resources for parents beginning the journey of diagnosis and treatment for their child.
  • 1001 Great Ideas for Teaching & Raising Children with Autism or Asperger’s: Expanded 2nd Edition This book should be required reading for all those who love, work, live, and care for children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  • The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism Edited by Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Liz Ditz, Emily Willingham and Carol Greenburg. Fifty-five essays written by  contributors from the autism community in all walks of life. This collection of stories was written by autism parents  about the ups and downs they experience every day. Some are written by professionals who care for and counsel autistic children and others are by autistics themselves who bared their souls so others will understand.