In 2022, there is a wide selection of books on autism available to educate and inspire readers. Whether you are a young person with autism, a parent of a child with autism, or an adult striving to live independently with autism, many books have been written to educate and support those who are touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Reading books on autism can help anyone affected by the disorder — whether personally or as a caregiver — to better understand the condition, the daily challenges it presents, and how to recognize and develop the unique skills and strengths autism can produce.

The latest research findings, evidence-based interventions, and strategies for navigating everyday social situations are offered through autism literature. The best books on autism help to foster empathy and understanding about autism in people of all ages and backgrounds.

Books for Children With Autism

The American Psychological Association (APA) compiled a selection of books specifically for children with autism spectrum disorder. The books were written for varying age groups and provide insights about what it can be like living with ASD, as well as tips for how to feel more comfortable at school and in social situations.

APA recommends these books on autism for children and adolescents:

  • Asperger's Rules!: How to Make Sense of School and Friends : Another text aimed at helping students on the spectrum feel more comfortable at school, this book examines how common situations at school can present unique challenges to students with ASD.

  • Russell's World: A Story for Kids About Autism : Telling the true story of a boy with autism and his family, this book shares real-life experiences, surprises, and challenges that come with living with autism. Resources for parents are also included.

  • All My Stripes: A Story for Children With Autism : This story follows Zane the Zebra who feels different from his classmates due to his autism stripe. With the help of his mother, Zane comes to appreciate all of his unique strengths. Additional parent resources on autism are also included.

  • Autism, The Invisible Cord: A Sibling's Diary : This book is aimed at the siblings of children with autism. This fiction narrative was written from the perspective of Jenny, who writes in her diary about the unique challenges and blessings of living with a brother with autism.

These additional books for children with autism are highly recommended and available on Amazon:

  • Nathan's Autism Spectrum Superpowers : Nathan, the superhero of this book, teaches his friends and family about how his autism superpowers affect him and how people can help him when his superpowers get out of control.

Books for Parents of Children With Autism

The selection of books for parents of children with autism is massive. Whether you are looking for information on the history of autism, personal accounts of living with autism, tips for how to help your child with ASD, or just to gain a better understanding about the extensive impacts of the disorder, there are hundreds of titles for you to choose from.

Here is a selection of Amazon's best-selling parenting books on autism:

  • Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism : Winner of the Autism Society of America's Dr. Temple Grandin Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Autism, this book depicts autism as a unique way of being and emphasizes how special, rather than broken, children with autism really are.

  • Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew, 3rd Edition : For parents looking to gain a better understanding of their child with autism, this book explores 10 key characteristics that impact children's perceptions and reactions to their environments.

  • Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity : Written by social psychologist and autistic person, Devon Price, PhD, this explores the damage that the practice of masking can have on people with autism. Price explains the coping mechanism and how to encourage authenticity.
  • We're Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation : As a journalist and person with autism, Eric Garcia covers the challenges that face people with autism, the gaps that exist in the education and healthcare systems, and what it's really like to be a person living with autism.

Academic & Research Books on Autism

For professionals and other individuals interested in the field of autism, academic books offer information on evidence-based interventions for children and adults with autism. Here is a selection of academic and research books on the subject of autism:

  • Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity : The history of autism is explored in this book, beginning with the earliest accounts of autism research. It covers the evolution of our understanding of autism, as the disorder has become a more widely recognized condition and appreciation for neurodiversity has grown.

  • Autism: Understanding the Disorder : From the Clinical Child Psychology Library, this book provides a succinct overview of autism, including the history, known causes, neuropsychological mechanisms, and treatment options for the disorder.

In addition to the above categories of books on autism, there are many others targeted for various audiences impacted by the disorder, such as adults living with autism, and siblings and friends of children with autism. A plethora of memoirs have also been written by successful individuals living with autism who wish to share their journey with other people affected by ASD.

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