These children’s books are Recommended Reading For Children with Autism from the National Autism Resources website are designed to aid children with autism in understanding and coping with their condition. Those children who are on the spectrum often face many challenges and these stories can provide information that empowers, strategies that equip, and hope that builds up confidence and self-esteem.
With simple storylines and great quality pictures these books are the perfect resource when wanting to spend some quality time with your child.
When My Worries Get Too Big! – Kari Dunn Buron
Filled with opportunities for children to participate in developing their own self-calming strategies and a special section on evidence-based teaching activities for parents and teachers alike, this bestselling children’s classic will allow children to relax and be ready to focus on work or play
When My Worries Get Too Big! US
When My Worries Get Too Big! UK
Friends Learn About Tobin – Diane Murrell
This is the second Tobin novel, with the first being “Tobin Learns to Make Friends” where he made special changes in himself in order to be more friendly towards his playmates. In this, the second books,Tobin’s friends meet him halfway and they learn about acceptance and understanding of Tobin’s differences.
Different Like Me – Jennifer Elder
Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes is aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 12 and introduces them to historical figures who also had great difficulty in ‘fitting in’. Albert Einstein, Dian Fossey and Wassily Kandinsky, Lewis Carroll, Benjamin Banneker and Julia Bowman Robinson are just some of the characters that feature in this book, told from the perspective of 8 year old Quinn who is a young boy with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Arnie and His School Tools – Jennifer Veenendall
An illustrated children’s book about an exuberant little boy who had difficulty paying attention in class and doing his school work until he was equipped with the tools to accommodate his sensory needs. Written from Arnie’s point of view, this book uses simple language to describe some of the sensory tools and strategies he uses at school and home to help him achieve a more optimal level of alertness and performance.
Additional resources are provided at the end of the book, including definitions of sensory processing and sensory modulation disorder, suggested discussion questions, and lists of related books and websites.
Hands Are Not for Hitting – Martine Agassi
It’s never too soon for children to learn that violence is never okay. Simple words and pictures teach this important concept in a way even the very young can grasp.
Made to be read aloud, Hands Are Not for Hitting also includes a special section for adults, with ideas for things to talk about and activities to do together.
How Rude! – Alex J
Explaining etiquette from A ( Applause ) to Z ( Zits ) this fun social skills book covers a variety of daily life topics, allowing readers to implement each strategy right away. Each topic is covered extensively in a lighthearted, easy to understand manner. it teaches social skills, manners, school skills, dating conventions, eating politely, good etiquette at celebrations, netiquette (on-line etiquette), keeping up your appearance, hygiene essentials and so much more!
Who Feels Scared? – Sue Graves
By reading about a variety of children just like them facing their fears, kids will learn that everyone feels afraid from time to time and that it is not wrong to feel that way. Children will also learn it’s healthy to face their fears rather than letting it control them as they learn to be brave. A discussion section at the back of the book includes helpful tips for adults that will help you to guide your children through talking about and dealing with their fears in a sensitive, effective way.
Having a child on the Autism spectrum can be both the most trying, and the most rewarding thing in the world. Everything is so overwhelming and each achievement is so momentous that life with a child who is on the Autistic spectrum is never dull.
There is a full list of recommended reading on the National Autism Resources webpage which can be accessed here.
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