Top 10 Autism Books For Parents

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If you are a parent, teacher, friend, or professional of a special needs child, you know how important it is to keep learning as much as you can about neurological disorders. Even if you take just 10 minutes every couple of days to educate yourself. I’ve curated this list of the top 10 autism books for parents that I believe are the most credible and educational to share with you to add to your study arsenal. 

As a mom of a son with multiple neuro disorders, I am always trying to educate myself and learn everything I can about Autism, ADHD, mood disorders, etc. I’ve learned along the way, that the more knowledge you have, the easier it is to live with Autism. 

This list is an easy skim with links so you can glance quickly and grab a copy of the book that reaches out to you the most.

My goal is to help you find the best knowledge you can to keep yourself up to date and ready to handle your days as you interact with a child who has a disorder.

The Top 10 Autism Books For Parents Complete List

Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry Prizant

In this book you will learn:

• “Autistic behaviors” and how they are used as coping strategies
• How to eliminate negative “autistic behaviors” that could interfere with development
• Inspiring stories and practical advice from a world-renouned Doctor
• Understanding Autism
• Living with Autism

Dr. Prizant offers an insightful perspective as a physician who works with families privately as well as schools and more. This book is REQUIRED reading for anyone who is remotely related to someone on the spectrum. This is the first book you should read when you first learn your child has been diagnosed. 

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Rice Krispies With Ketchup by Kirk Smith 

In this book you will learn:

• How laughter and tears go together
• An honest and painful, yet heart-warming story of a regular family
• Lessons they have learned and advice for every family

This book is written by a regular dad with a child on the spectrum. He writes this book in a comedic light from the laughter and tears as a way to come to peace with his son’s limitations. He really motivates you to live in the moment and enjoy your challenges for what they are. 

The Survival Guide For Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorders (and their Parents) by Elizabeth Verdick and Elizabeth Reeve

In this book you and your child will learn:

• How to stand up for yourself if you are being bullied
• How to make and keep friends
• How your IEP will help you school
• How to handle your feelings
• All about your “stims”
• The role your medication plays in your everyday life
• How to relax or settle down
• Healthy eating 

I bought this book specifically for my ASD boy to have and read for himself. This book is written by kids for kids with Autism. It provides you and your child the facts and history of autism in a fun educational way through graphics and real life stories of other ASD kids. This is more like a handbook for your child so he can read for himself what is going on with his mind and body as he faces his challenges.

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Siberman

In this book you will learn:

• The history of Autism
• Neurodiversity in humans
• Earliest days of autism research

This book takes you back to the beginning. An explanation of Autism History and how it the result of natural variations in the human genome. 

This book goes into depth of neurodiversity. If you want to get your basics down of where Austim really came from and how, this is the book! 

I highly recommend this book to educate yourself about the history of autism so you have more of a grip on the reality of it.

The Autistic Brain by Temple Grandin

In this book you will learn:

• The meaning of autism
• Inside the autistic brain
• How to handle being labeled
• Finding your inner strengths

A MUST read for your Autsim Education.

Temple Grandin is the most famous person with Autism. She has written so many books! In this  book, she shares her very own brain scan so you can see exactly what is inside a brain with Autsim. She brings her own persepctive of living with Autism into her book. She focuses on how to best raise ASD children through using their strenghts. 

The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel

In this book you will learn:

• The 12 Strategies of raising an autistic child
• Parenting an autistic brain
• Learning how to engage with an Autistic Mind
• Teaching memory for growth and healing
• Integrating body parts and feelings that come and go
• Teaching how to have fun with the family and how to connect through conflict

This book was written by a neuropsychiatrist and parenting expert. You will learn about the brain of a child as a whole, Autsim or not. In this book, you will read all about the new science that has discovered exactly how a child’s brain is wired. Because of the way the brain is wired, the author offer a whole new outlook on parenting. He offers 12 key age appropriate strategies for dady to day struggles parenting your child.

The Difficult Child by Dr. Stanley Turecki

In this book you will learn:

• Learning how to accept your child with limitations
• An in-depth parenting program to create a brand new way of parenting your child
• How to identify your child’s temperament with a 10 point test
• How to manage uncontrollable situations
• How to make discipline more effective
• How to get support from schools and doctors

Dr. Turecki is considered one of the most respected mood disorder experts in children. His book goes into the latest medications for childhood disorders and offers the latest info on ADHD. He also discusses his approach on all childhood disorders as he developed the Difficult Child Program. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism by Chantel Sicile-Kirq

In this book you will learn:

• The causes of ASD
• How to get a Diagnoses
• Treatments
• Coping for families
• And more!

This book was written for parents! Everything in this book has the latest research and criteria of the DSM-V.

The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene

In this book you will learn:

• How to look at behavior as a communication
• How to use collaborative problem solving
• How to use the Problem Solving Model
• How to understand the different approach of parenting your child rather than the traditional parenting styles

Differently Wired by Deborah Reber

In this book you will learn:

• How to let go and accept
• A parenting strategy
• How to show up and live in the present
• How to align with your partner
• How to teach your child to embrace self-discovery
• How to get out of isolation and connect with others

The “tilt” idea that offers a “how-to” companion for parents. There are 18 paradigm-shifting ideas in this book that offers you a way to stay open, pay attention, and become a better parent to your child than you ever thought you could be. A manifesto for parents of atypical children.

Related: Personal Growth Books Everyone Should Devour

More Autism Books For Parents

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a 13-year-old boy with Autism by David Mitchell

The Obsessive Joy of Autism by Julia Bascom

M is For Autism by The Students of Limpsfield Grange School

Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8: A Young Mans Voice from the Silence fo Autism by David Mitchell

Born on a Blue Day: Inside The Autistic Mind of an Autistic Savant by Daniel Tammet

Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Children For Parents Of The Newly Diagnosed by Dr. Luke Beardon

The Anti-Romantic Child: A Memoir of Unexpected Joy by Priscilla Gilman

When Love is Not Enough: A Guide to Parenting with RAD by Nancy Thomas

Redirecting Children’s Behavior by Kathryn Kvols

Your Six Year Old: Loving and Defiant by Louise Ames and Frances Ilg

Please comment below some of your favorite books that I may have missed. I am always interested in learning about more reading material to add to my list. I’d love to get your suggestions!

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