RECOMMENDED READING
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Sandy Howarth's book "No Matter What" (Autism) has been honoured as an award winning finalist at the 2010 International Book Awards. Her son Steven is severely autistic and having not had the support he needed from the UK education system she learnt the subject and has written a book to help her son and all others in the same situation as herself. Her plan is to teach her son herself and she would be very grateful if you could support her by helping publicise her story to help others cope with Autism and it's true challenges. Sandy has added our link to her site as one of her preferred sites - under the heading Parent support. Visit http://www.autismguide.org/ for more information.
Click HERE to buy this book from Amazon
The list of publications below is a short list, which has been selected by professionals who have worked with families who have found these sources of information and support helpful. It is by no means exhaustive and we will be pleased to receive written comments from parents who have found particular sources helpful to them – and in what ways they have been helpful, we can up-date the list on the website. Many parents may wish to read widely and in-depth about the subject of autism and many of the books listed below contain references for those who want to follow up in more detail.
Attwood, Tony “Asperger Syndrome - Guide for Parent’s & Professionals” (Jessica Kingsley 1998)
Comment: Tony’s book is written in a clear, jargon-free style. He discusses the Problems of people with Asperger Syndrome with empathy and Understanding. He offers many practical suggestions for helping overcome or compensate for their problems.
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Attwood, Tony “Why does Chris Do That?” (National Autistic Society 1993)
Comment: This book has the virtue of being short. It is easy to find the bits you are interested in. It gives good explanations about behaviour in Autism and parents have appreciated the explanation of the difficulties they often experience. It also gives some useful practical ideas.
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Baron-Cohen, “Autism The Facts” Simon and Bolton, (Oxford Medical Publications 1994) Patrick
Comment: This book was written to try to answer the questions parents first ask. There is a very useful chapter on coping with the news and on the problems of talking with friends and relatives. It can be given to grandparents to read. Highly recommended.
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Clements, John “People with Autism behaving Badly” (Jessica Kingsley)
Comment: This book is written for the families. The book is divided into four main sections.The first section looks at identification of the problem, the second analyses the situations and triggers and provides possible solutions , the third examines underlying issues. The final section goes into more specific interventions such as medication and relationship styles. The book is practical and easy to use.
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Cumine, Val, “Autism in the Early Years” J.Leach and (David Fulton) G. Stevenson
Comment: Aimed at helping to diagnose and understand young children with Autism. Contains useful checklists. explains theories and strategies very clearly and gives lots of other ideas for managing and teaching.
Faherty, Catherine “Asperger What it Means To Me”
Comment: A workbook explaining self awareness and life lessons to the child or youth with High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome.
Flynn, Steve, “Early Intervention for Children With Socialisation and/or Jenny Tarry and Communication Difficulties” Barbara Daff, (Northamptonshire County Council)
Comment: This gives a checklist for pin pointing problems and pages of ideas focusing on difficulties.
Gerland, Gunilla “Finding Out About Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and PDD” ISBN: 18530328401
Comment: A book for an able child or sibling to learn about ASD
Grandin, Temple “Emergence Labelled Autistic” (Area press 1986)
Comment: One of the earliest and best accounts of autism from the inside. When Temple was diagnosed in 1950 very little was generally known about autism. She tells us what it is like to have the compulsions and sensory disturbances of autism and describes what she feels has been helpful in her development. Her final chapter contains her recommendations as to how to treat children with autism. Despite her autism and perhaps because of it in some respects, Temple Grandin is a high achiever in the field of animal husbandry and holds an academic professorship at Colorado State University.
Grandin, Temple “Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life With Autism” (Virago Press)
Comment: Writing from the dual perspectives of a scientist and a person with Autism, Temple tells us how autism is experienced by those who have it and how she managed to breach its boundaries to function in the outside world.
Haddon, Mark “The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night Time” ISBN 0099450259
Comment: Fiction written from an Asperger perspective.
Hart, Charles A “A Parent’s Guide to Autism” (Pocket book1993)
Comment: Charles Hart has had much family experience of autism, firstly as a brother and then a generation later as the parent of his own son. He has taken great care to present accurate and important information about autism in a readable and realistic way. He discusses the condition of autism and its causes in a straightforward way, he covers the pros and cons of medication, diet and various therapies. He also covers educational approaches and questions of schooling. The author is American and his experiences are in an American context.
Harris, Sandra “Siblings of Children with Autism a Guide for Families” (Woodbine House 1994)
Comment: This book was written by a practitioner who is very experienced in autism and in helping families. In her work with families Dr Harris realised that there is also a need to think about the brothers and sisters of the child with autism. She includes chapters on explaining autism to children, on helping children share their thoughts and feelings, on balancing time for everybody and on helping children play together.
Howley, Marie “Revealing the Hidden Social Code” and Eileen Arnold ( Jessica Kingsley)
Comment: The authors explain the key elements of Social Stories TM, review the guidelines for writing them and help writers to structure and develop their own stories, they provide detailed guidance and encouragement for the different stages of what is often a challenging process, offering advice on presentation and suggestions for using the approach to enhance other strategies.
Jackson, Luke “Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome”, A user Guide to Adolescence
Comment: This gifted young man provides good insight into Asperger Syndrome and offers information regarding nutrition and Asperger Syndrome.
Joliffe, Therese, “Autism: A Personal Account” (National Autistic Society)
Comment Within the span of eight double-column pages Therese Joliffe assisted by two other people, has produced an extraordinary account of the experiences of a highly intelligent woman who also has autism. She speaks very movingly of the confusions of autism and of the actions of other people, which have been helpful to her as well as those which have terrified and confused her.
Jordan, Rita “Meeting the Needs of Autistic Children” (re-education) and Glenys Jones
Lawson, Wendy “Understanding and working With The Spectrum of Autism: An Insider’s View” ISBN 1853029718
Mesibov, Gary: “Autism Understanding the Disorder” Adams, Lynn and (Plenum Press 1997) Klinger,Laura
Comment: An overview of autism for parents and professionals. This slim volume summarises current information in a comprehensive and easy to read format.
Mesibov, Gary “Accessing the Curriculum for Pupils with and Marie Howley Autistic Spectrum Disorders Using the TEACCH Programme to Help Inclusion” (David Fulton)
Comment: This book explains the TEACCH Approach and how it relates to delivery of the National Curriculum with practical and case study illustration.
Park, Clara “The Siege” Claiborne: (Harcourt Brace 1967)
Comment: Probably the first book by a parent and, despite being written some years ago, is still considered to be a classic on the subject. It focuses mainly on the first eight years of her daughter’s development and on her search for answers. A later edition (1982) includes as epilogue covering a time span of fifteen years to adulthood.
Park, Clara Claiborne “Exiting Nirvana- A daughter’s Life With Autism”
Comment: Written some years later as Jessie experiences adulthood
Sainsbury, Claire; “A Martian in the Playground” (Lucky Duck Publishers)
Comment: An extremely readable autobiography which also reflects on the experience of others with Asperger syndrome and gives much insight
Schopler , Eric “Parent Survival Manual” (Plenum Press)
Comment: A practical guide by the founder of Division TEACCH. Dr Schopler draws on over 30 years experience in helping families help their children. Practical suggestions are made in chapters covering repetitive behaviour, special interests, play and leisure, communication, toileting and hygiene, eating, sleeping and behaviour management.
Whitaker, Philip “Challenging Behaviour and Autism: Making Sense- Making Progress” ISBN 193128072
Comment: A Guide to Preventing and Managing Challenging Behaviour for Parents and Teachers
Whitaker, Philip, “Challenging Behaviour and Autism” David Edwards, ISBN 1899280510 Helen Joy, Jane Harley.
Willey, Liane “Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal” Holliday ISBN 1853028738
Wing, Lorna: “The Autistic Spectrum: a guide for parents & professionals” (Constable 1996)
Comment: Lorna Wing’s book describes what autism is and gives advice and guidance on how to help. It is recommended by the National Autistic Society
