Books about autism

For Parents

• Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Children – by Dr Luke Beardon. This book is written primarily for parents and helps increase understanding and give some practical tips on how to support children and young people with autism related difficulties.
• What Works for Autistic Children – By Dr Luke Beardon
• Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children – by Dr Luke Beardon. An optimistic and readable guide that offers advice on how to support autistic children and young people who suffer from anxiety.
• Parenting Re-wired – How to Raise a Happy Autistic Child in a Very Neurotypical World – by Danielle Punter and Charlotte Chaney
• Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person – A parents Handbook to supporting newly diagnosed teens and pre-teens by Cathy Wassell
• The Strengths-Based Guide to Supporting Autistic Children: A Positive Psychology Approach to Parenting – by Claire O’Neill. This book introduces you to a strengths-based approach which focuses on how to identify, develop, and use your child’s strengths to support them and show you and your child that their unique character-strengths can empower them, help them thrive and shape their future. It gives instructions and tips on how to fit this approach into daily life – including school. Its format means you can dip in and out rather than having to read cover to cover. It’s written by an autistic teacher who also has autistic children.

For primary school children

• Pablo – A book series for younger children about being different. Pablo thinks differently, he is autistic and uses his creativity to understand the world around him. Pablo draws the Book Animals, and together they help each other face the world with confidence.
• The Secret Life of Rose by Rose Smitten – Written by an 11-year-old autistic person, with support from their mum. Answers all sorts of questions and helps to make sense of what it can mean to be autistic. A good book for primary age and older children who can read. Also good for parents to read with children.
• A Kind of Spark – by Elle McNicholl. A fictional book with neuro-diversity affirmative characters/storyline (for older children). Adapted to children/young people’s drama – CBBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/a-kind-of-spark
• Speak up – a comic book style novel by Rebecca Burgess – all about being 12 years old, autistic, and trying to express your true self when faced by being defined by your differences.

For young people/teens

• A Different Sort of Normal – by Abigail Balfe. An upfront and realistic personal account of being an autistic young person – with a good dose of humour, lots of fun illustrations and practical advice.
• The Spectrum Girls Survival Guide – by Seina Castellon – an autistic teenager who also has ADHD
• The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome – by Jennifer Cooke O’Toole
• Autism, Bullying and Me: The Really Useful Stuff You Need To Know About Coping with Bullying – by Emily Lovegrove
• A Kind of Spark – by Elle McNicholl. A fictional book with neuro-diversity affirmative characters/storyline (for older children). Adapted to children/young people’s drama – CBBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/a-kind-of-spark

For autistic adults (and young adults)

• Autism and Aspergers Syndrome in Adults – Dr Luke Beardon. It explains what autism is and goes on to explore how autism impacts things like relationships, education, employment, and other topics.
• Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults – Dr Luke Beardon.
• Neurotribes – The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently – Steve Silberman
• Unmasking Autism: The Power of Embracing Our Hidden Neurodiversity – Dr Devon Price
• What I Want to Talk About – How Autistic Special Interests Shape a Life – Pete Wharmby
• Untypical: How the world isn’t built for autistic people and what we should all do about it – Pete Wharmby. Pete has been a prolific support for fellow autistic people on social media for some years now and his books are proving to be just as invaluable. They are so easy to read and cover all the pertinent points in a way that makes is much easier for neurotypical people to understand the challenges faced by autistic people – and help autistic people to feel validated and understood.
• Love, Partnerships or Singleton on the Autism Spectrum (Insider Intelligence) – a book edited by Dr Luke Beardon and Dean Worton. Here autistic people share stories, insights, and guidance about relationships, including topics such as: inseparable relationships, surviving break-ups, starting new love affairs – and being contentedly single.
• Looking After Your Autistic Self – A Personalised Self-Care Approach to Managing Your Sensory and Emotional Wellbeing – Niamh Garvey. Niamh Garvey offers tips and tricks designed to reduce sensory and emotional stress and look after your autistic self.
• Sensory – Life on the Spectrum – an Autistic Comic Anthology – organised and edited by Schnumn (Bex Ollerton). Includes topics such as self-identification, conversational processing, autism as an extrovert.
• So you think you’re autistic: A Workbook for the confused person who’s just trying to figure things out. By Samantha Stein
• So, I’m autistic: An introduction to autism for young adults and late teens. By Sarah O’Brien

For teachers (and interested parents)

• Learning from Autistic Teachers: How to be a Neurodiversity Inclusive School – by Wood, Crane, Morrison and Moyse. Autistic teachers and other autistic school professionals share their stories of the challenges and successes of their careers.