Resources for Caregivers

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  The Autism Full Employment Act

  By Michael Bernick & Louis Vismara

  Impactful and integral to our economic recovery after the pandemic, The Autism Full Employment Act will rebuild and approve autism employment programs.

  Employment remains the issue today for many adults with autism. Due to the pandemic of 2020, authors Michael Bernick and Dr. Lou Vismara set out to develop an Autism Full Employment Act. At the time, the national economy was decimated, and it was clear that it would need to be rebuilt, starting in 2021 and beyond. The Act will be an attempt not only to rebuild autism employment programs, but also to address the limitations and shortcomings of the current system.

  The Autism Full Employment Act shows how there can be a place in the job world for the wide range of adults with autism, ADHD, and other learning and mental health differences-many of whom are not employed today. Bernick and Dr. Vismara review the autism employment initiatives in recent years among major employers, state and local governments, autism-focused businesses, and autism transition programs, and present strategies to build on these initiatives. They set out more fully the meanings of "autism talent advantage," "autism friendly workplace," and "employment for the more severely impacted."

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  The Autism Relationships Handbook: How to Thrive in Friendships, Dating, and Love

  By Joe Biel and Faith G. Harper, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, ACN

  Dr. Faith G. Harper joins autistic publisher and author Joe Biel to offer hard-won guidance on a wide range of topics about friendships, dating, and romance and answer a ton of questions. What do you want out of a relationship? What is the difference between flirting and harassment? How do you have a fun date and get to know someone when eye contact and prolonged conversation aren't your strengths? How do you change a casual acquaintance into friendship or dating? How do you express your needs and make sure you're hearing your partner when they express theirs? How do you maintain a healthy, happy long-term relationship? Autistic readers will find valuable answers and perspectives in this book, whether you're just getting ready to jump into dating, seeking to forge closer friendships, or looking to improve your existing partnership or marriage.

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  Autism Translated: 5 Keys to Help You Understand & Connect with Teens & Adults on the Spectrum

  By Toni Boucher

  Do you care about a teen or adult on the spectrum but have a hard time understanding why they do what they do? Do you wish you could have a better connection and feel the frustration of wanting to help but don't know how?

  Then this book is for you.

  It was created with the support of hundreds of autistic individuals and their families.

  They share their wisdom and insight about growing up autistic so you can learn from their experiences.

  This book reveals 5 little-known keys to help you build a better relationship with your autistic child, parent, partner or student. Learn to: 1- Eliminate harmful stereotypes from your thinking 2- Identify and harness autistic strengths 3- Understand what it feels like to be autistic 4- Communicate more effectively 5- Create an authentic & healthy bond.

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  Autism 2 Awesome: Allow Your Greatest Crisis to Become Your Greatest Miracle

  By Kerry L. Brooks

  In 2003, Kerry L. Brooks's son was diagnosed with autism, devastating his family. Their physician offered only two recommendations: prepare their son for a group home, and focus on having other children.

  Kerry was no medical expert, but he was a determined father and his son's biggest advocate. Refusing to follow the doctor's orders, he and his wife continued to search-not for a cure, but for strategies that would help their son reach his highest potential.

  In Autism 2 Awesome, Kerry shares these strategies and his family's journey from devastating diagnosis to high school honors graduation. No matter the challenge, every parent can benefit from looking within, trusting their instincts, and most importantly, celebrating every miracle.

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  Surviving Autism

  By Judith Gompf

  You will find tips on what to look for in your child, help with doctors and specialists, how to manage the day to day, what resources your child may need and how to get them. What agencies you may want to work with and how to get the resources. Help with the public school system, getting your child an Individual Education Plan (IEP), how to manage bad behaviors, meltdowns, schedules and finances.

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  Autism: The Gift That Needs to Be Opened

  By Newfoundland and Labrador Autism Society

  Families, world experts, and persons on the autism spectrum share their experiences in this collection of stories. With a focus on the positive aspects of autism and the importance of community involvement and early intervention, Autism: The Gift That Needs to Be Opened is a resource whose aim is to improve the lives of parents, educators, and persons who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Awareness and advocacy for early diagnosis and treatment of autism have grown substantially over the past decade. According to Stephen W. Scherer, Ph.D., D.Sc., FRSC. There are new studies that show that every child who undergoes intensive behavioural intervention therapy improves in some way. In fact, I have heard rare stories of some children having full or near-full recoveries. The most important factor leading to positive outcomes, however, is to start such interventions early and, in the best-case scenario, even before the first signs of autism appear. These stories are inspirational and informative, while also serving as a reminder-indeed, as a rallying crythat individuals who have autism can, with the proper care and attention, lead full and productive lives and change the way we see the world.

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  How to Start Looking at Autism

  By Greg Stucky

  Have you heard about autism but don't know what it is? Does your child exhibit signs of autism, but you're not sure what to believe? Do you have a hard time around friends, coworkers or family that you suspect might be on the spectrum?  This quick guide to autism is written with you in mind.  After reading this book you'll not only understand how autistics think, but also how to engage with and succeed with them.

Resources for Teens

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  Handling Autism

  By Racquel Foran

  This book explores autism and how people diagnosed with the disorder manage it. It examines how autism affects daily life, work, and education, and it explains the latest interventions and therapies available. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

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  The Aspie Teen’s Survival Guide: Candid Advice for Teens, Tweens, and Parents, from a Young Man with Asperger’s Syndrome

  By J.D. Kraus

  The teenage years are a time when being social is the #1 priority for kids. But for kids with Asperger's, who have acute social challenges, these years can be the most difficult, confusing time in their lives. Enter J. D. Kraus, a young man who has been there, done that! He offers practical advice to his peers so they can get the most out of middle school and high school, both academically and socially. Parents and teachers will love seeing life through J.D.'s eyes, plus "Notes to Parents" sections offer great advice for caregivers and educators alike.

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  The Autism Playbook for Teens: Imagination-Based Mindfulness Activities to Calm Yourself, Build Independence, and Connect with Others

  By Irene McHenry & Carol Moog

  This book offers a unique, strengths-based approach to help teens with autism spectrum (including Asperger's Syndrome) develop social skills, strengthen communication, and thrive. The activities contained in each chapter are custom-designed to work with the unique perspectives, sensory processing, neurological strengths and challenges that teens with autism bring to their encounters with the social world. This is the only book available for teens with autism that specifically integrates mindfulness skills and imaginative scripted roleplaying activities for building authentic social experiences.

Resources for Children

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  Maybe Autism is My Superpower

  By Ben Blanchet

  After seeing a superhero movie, Ben Blanchet, a thirteen-year-old boy who has autism, claims that maybe autism is his superpower. This book details a fascinating conversation between Ben and his mom. Ben describes the unique ways he hears, sees, and thinks about the world around him. His amazing narrative of his special gifts will also have you wondering if autism really is a superpower. The commentary throughout the book is by his mom, Angela Blanchet.

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  Roaring for Autism Presents: K-Rex

  By Tyeisha Brown

  This book is about a big-hearted dinosaur named K-Rex. He is a kind dinosaur with many friends who go on many adventures. He also happens to be on the autism spectrum. Come with us on a journey as K-Rex takes you into his daily life on the spectrum.

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  Autism Doesn't Stop Me

  By Gabby Duran

  Gabby knows how hard it is to be different from others in the school. Sometimes her own experiences were painful and lonely. She was told she was autistic, and she felt very alone. Gabby rode a special bus to school and went to classrooms where there were few students. Other kids on the playground didn't include her. Even most adults didn't understand her. She wanted friends so badly, and she wanted to be included in schoolyard games! But things got better for her and it will get better for you too!

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  Understanding Autism

  By Jessica Rusick

  In this title, readers learn common symptoms and behaviors of autism and how it affects kids at school and in relationships. Text includes suggestions on how to be a kind and respectful friend to someone with autism and appropriate activities kids can enjoy together. A famous person who has overcome the challenges of autism is highlighted. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Resources for Educators, Health Professionals, and Therapists

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  Autism and Asperger’s Conditions: A Practical Guide for Nurses

  By Christopher Barber

  Autism and Asperger's Conditions covers a wide range of issues relating to the care and support of those with autism and Asperger's syndrome. This book aims to improve nurses' professional interactions with those with autism spectrum disorders through improved awareness, knowledge and understanding of what these conditions are and what they are not, possible causes, diagnostic issues, nursing interventions, the history of autism, and issues that affect children, adolescents and adults with these conditions and their families. A highly practical and accessible text, autism spectrum conditions are covered from a variety of perspectives, both within and outside of a learning disability setting.

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  Educating Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors, and Psychologists

  By Erin E. Barton & Beth Harn

  Educating Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders is aimed at providing strategies for teachers, school counselors, and psychologists to help address the needs of children on the spectrum, as well as their families. Including forms, charts, and a range of classroom activities, this is a great resource you will need to gain the insight and tools for making a difference in the educational lives of young children with autism.

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  Decoding Autism and Leading the Way to Successful Inclusion

  By Barbara Boronson

  More students on the autism spectrum are taught in general education settings today than ever before, bringing an array of notable strengths and skills that add intriguing new dimensions to educational programs. But these students also present challenges that are broader, deeper, and more intractable than those of their typically developing peers. Because reaching and teaching students on the autism spectrum in an inclusive environment complicates the work of teachers, school and district administrators must be prepared to provide knowledgeable, mindful leadership.

  Decoding Autism and Leading the Way to Successful Inclusion empowers school and district leaders to ensure that students on the spectrum are welcome, supported, understood, and set up for success. It's an essential resource for any education leader committed to achieving a differentiated, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for all students in their care.

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  Applied Behavior Analysis of Language and Cognition: Core Concepts & Principles for Practioners

  By Mitch Fryling, PhD

  Written by leading experts in language and cognition, this groundbreaking behavior analysis textbook brings the study of verbal behavior into the 21st century with cutting-edge research. Students and clinicians in the burgeoning field of applied behavior analysis will find the theoretical foundation they need to effectively help the increasingly diverse clients seeking their services.

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  Teaching Adolescents with Autism: Practical Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom

  By Walter Kaweski

  Award-winning educator Walter Kaweski offers secondary teachers practical strategies and heartfelt insights based on his extensive experience as an autism specialist, inclusion coordinator, and father of a son with Asperger syndrome. Teaching Adolescents with Autism offers hundreds of valuable ideas to help teachers. This unique book takes the mystery out of teaching adolescents with autism and inspires teachers to appreciate the individuality of each student.

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  Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum

  By Michael McCreary

  Like many others on the autism spectrum, stand-up comic Michael McCreary has been told that he doesn't look autistic. As he's quick to point out in this memoir, autism looks different for everyone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

   

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  The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-year-old Boy with Autism

  By Naoki Higashida

  A journey into the mind of a remarkable thirteen-year-old boy with severe autism, this book offers insight into what it is like to have the disorder.

   

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  Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8: A Young Man’s Voice from the Silence of Autism

  By Naoki Higashida

  In this book, Naoki Higashida shares his thoughts and experiences as a 24-year old man with severe autism. In short, powerful chapters, he explores education, identity, family, society and personal growth.

   

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  A Boy Called Bat

  By Elana Arnold

  For Bat, life tends to be full of surprises. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk which she needs to take care of. He has one month to show his mom that a baby skunk might just make a terrific pet.

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  Since We’re Friends

  By Celeste Shally

  The narrator of this children’s book describes his friendship with Matt, an autistic boy.

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  Counting by 7s

  By Holly Goldberg Sloan

  Willow is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by sevens.  Suddenly Willow's world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world.

   

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  In a Different Key: The Story of Autism

  By John Donvan

  Nearly seventy-five years ago, Donald Triplett of Forest, Mississippi became the first child diagnosed with autism.  In A Different Key tells the extraordinary story of this often misunderstood condition, and of the civil rights battles waged by the families of those children who have it.

   

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  Rain Reign

  By Ann M. Martin

  Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger's syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms. She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms. Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search.

   

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  Rules

  By Cynthia Lord

  Frustrated by life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence.  Her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic.

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  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

  By Mark Haddon

  Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.

   

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  My Brother Charlie

  By Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete

  A young girl describes what it is like to have a twin brother who has autism and sometimes finds it hard to communicate with words, but who, in most ways, is just like any other boy.

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  Thinking in Pictures: and Other Reports from My Life with Autism

  By Temple Grandin

  Grandin writes from the dual perspectives of a scientist and an autistic person.  Grandin charts the differences between her life and the lives of those who think in words.

   

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  The Kiss Quotient

  By Helen Hoang

  Stella has less dating experience than most thirty-year-olds because she has Asperger's. She decides to hire a professional escort to practice being in love.