Top 23 Books About Autism For Parents Updated 04 /2024

Regardless of how long a parent has been dealing with their child's autism spectrum illness or how recently they were diagnosed, it can be tough to comprehend and cope with the disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "An autism spectrum condition (ASD) can cause severe difficulties in social, communication, and behavioral development. People with ASD may not seem different from the rest of us, but they may behave, communicate, connect, and learn in ways that are unusual for most people. Asperger's Syndrome (ASD) can affect a person's ability to learn, understand and solve problems in a variety of ways. The level of assistance required by individuals with ASD varies widely."

Autism treatment relies heavily on parental involvement, and parents can do a variety of things to aid their children.

There are a plethora of parent-friendly books about autism, but not all of them are created equal. Finding a book that is both trustworthy and comfortable can be tough. The best books on autism will be discussed in this blog post, which includes 13 of the most popular titles.

Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

by Barry M. Prizant, PhD

"Required reading....Breathtakingly simple and deeply positive" is how one reviewer describes this pioneering book on autism by one of the world's leading experts (Chicago Tribune).

Autistic symptoms, such as difficulties in social interaction, communication issues, sensory challenges and repetitive behavior patterns are often addressed in autism therapy. "The most successful methods to autism don't strive to repair a person by eliminating symptoms but rather seek to understand the individual's perspective and what underpins their behavior," says Dr. Barry M. Prizant.

For everyone affected by autism, this book is a must-read. Uniquely Human by Dr. Prizant is an important step toward improved knowledge and a more humanitarian attitude to the human condition" (Associated Press). Dr. Prizant regards "autistic" behaviors as part of a range of tactics for dealing with a world that feels chaotic and overwhelming, rather than a symptom of disease. Instead of trying to control these habits, it's better to develop their abilities, build on their strengths, and provide assistance that will lead to better conduct and a higher quality of life.

As a result of Dr. Prizant's four decades of experience, Uniquely Human is "a stunning approach to autism...a profoundly impactful, vital book" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). For persons on the autistic spectrum, it shows a great regard for their uniqueness. "Uniquely Human should reassure parents and caregivers of kids with autism and any other condition that their kids are not damaged, but, indeed, remarkable," says the book's author.

It Takes a Village: How to Build a Support System for Your Exceptional Needs Family

by Amy Nielsen

Learn how to create a village for your Special Needs child and how to nurture them in a loving, accepting environment.

It Takes a Village is an uplifting book that aims to illuminate the difficulties that parents of children with ADHD or Autism encounter, providing a wealth of practical methods and information to assist you negotiate your position as a caregiver to neurodivergent kids.

To assist parents understand the importance of having a strong network of friends, family, coworkers, and non-profit organizations to lean on, this inspiring book offers practical advice on how to build a strong support network for their children. A collection of exercises and prompts will help you keep track of your parenting experience and see how you're doing.

The following is a taste of what you'll find:

Tips to Help You Build a Strong Foundation for Your Family's Success

A Support System Can Help You Manage the Challenges of Parenthood More Efficiently

In order to connect with people outside of the special needs community, one must know how to do so.

Your child can benefit greatly from the help of professionals and non-profit organizations.

To Help You Keep Track of Your Progress.

And There's a Lot More!

It takes a village to raise a child with autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and this book is a must-read for every parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to learn more about how to care for these children.

A Parent's Guide to High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition

by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, James C. McPartland

This comprehensive resource has been used by more than 100,000 parents to learn all they wanted to know about ASD, including Asperger syndrome. Prominent professionals explain how you can work with your child's individual disabilities and maximize their potential. Stories and examples from the real world can help children with ASD better interact with peers, understand the principles of proper behavior and succeed in school. How ASD is diagnosed and what treatments work best will be discussed. The new DSM-5 diagnostic revisions are fully explained in the second edition, which incorporates the most recent research and resources.

High-Functioning Autism and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Reducing Meltdowns

by Brenda Smith Myles, Ruth Aspy

A meltdown can be prevented!

As a guide for parents and caregivers, this book provides tried-and-true methods for minimizing and avoiding the frequently frightening situations that surround the cycle of meltdowns.

Three stages of a meltdown cycle are described in High-Functioning Autism and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Meltdowns (3rd edition). Evidence-based methods are identified for each step in this highly practical and user-friendly resource. In addition, this book explains how to avoid meltdowns by teaching, interpreting, and guiding children.

As a result, the book's writers walk the reader through each stage of the cycle, emphasizing the necessity of methodical training and teachable moments both before and after a breakdown. The book highlights that (a) meltdowns are not intentional and (b) instruction is needed in order to stop them and provides practical methods to effectively accomplish this trip.

Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism

by Mary Lynch Barbera, PhD., Temple Grandin, PhD

What parents can do to influence their child's development is highlighted in this book, and this is the first book of its sort to make this point. Autism and other developmental impairments in young children can be remedied and in some cases eliminated with the use of Dr. Barbera's toolkit, which can be used by parents for as little as 15 minutes a day.

Early indications of autism can be seen as early as 18 months, although many children are not diagnosed until they are four or five years old. As Dr. Mary Barbera says in Turn Autism Around, parents cannot afford to fret and wait in long lines for examinations and treatment when they are unsure of how to help their children. Her straightforward techniques for improving outcomes for their children provide parents, caregivers, and early intervention professionals renewed hope and a sense of control.

For parents of children with or without developmental delays, Dr. Barbera's new approach to teaching children with delays incorporates ABA research with a child-friendly methodology to help parents teach their children communication skills and socialization strategies, as well as how sleep, eating, potty training and other behavioral challenges can be dealt with in a positive, effective and lasting manner.

Parents can have a significant impact on their child's development by teaching behavioral behaviors at home, even for as little as 15 minutes each day, as detailed in the groundbreaking book Turn Autism Around. According to her research, parents may help their children with autism and developmental impairments get back on track if they act early enough.

Those who care about their child's well-being and want to learn how to influence the trajectory of their child's and family's life should read this book.

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