Parenting

Books on Autism Spectrum Disorders

By Terri Mauro, About.com Guide

The following books on autism and related issues have been reviewed for the Harried Parent's Book Club. They are sorted by Guide Rating, with five stars being best.

1. The Child With Special Needs

The cover promises "comprehensive approach to developmental challenges including autism, PDD, language and speech problems, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADD, and other related disorders," and that's a tall order. But this book more than fills it. Just about any child would benefit from the sort of intensive parenting play described here. 5 Stars

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2. Dr. Thompson's Straight Talk on Autism

Cover image courtesy of Brookes Publishing Co.

If you're like me, you prefer your parenting books to be light on theory and heavy on practical advice for getting your child and yourself through the day. By that measure, this book's a clear winner. The author, a professor of the Autism Program at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and the grandfather of a child with autism, gives good and readable instructions for teaching skills and handling behavior problems. It may not all work for you, but there are a lot of options to try. 5 Stars

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3. Out and About

Structure and preparation are essential to successful outings for children with autism and other special needs, but it's sometimes hard for parents to know how to do that. Out and About introduces a blueprint method that lets you fill in the blanks with cool tools that will help your child before, during, and after stressful out-of-home situations. The authors know that we could use a little structure to help us, too. 5 Stars

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4. Act Early Against Autism

Cover image courtesy of Jayne Lytel

Getting a diagnosis as early as possible, and taking advantage of interventions offered by state programs and school districts (and your own pocketbook, as far as it will stretch), is good advice for parents of children with special needs, whether they're dealing with autism or not. By sharing her own story and then distilling what worked into a strong informational text, author Jayne Lytel, founder of The Early Intervention Network, provides a useful how-to and what-not-to for parents just starting out. 4.5 Stars

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5. An Anthropologist on Mars

Cover image courtesy of Random House

Sometimes, the books that have a meaningful impact on your parenting aren't parenting books at all. Sacks' essays, celebrating the way the brain works even when it works in unusual ways, can give you vital insights into your own paradoxical child. 4.5 Stars

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6. Gravity Pulls You In

Cover image courtesy of Woodbine House

In thirty-three essays and poems about the experience of parenting kids on the spectrum, this lyrical collection covers everything from early childhood to adult issues, from resilient hope to resigned acceptance, without ever giving in to anger and despair -- or maudlin heartstring-tugging, either. You'll find plenty to smile over, think about, and reflect on, and maybe some good writers to follow, too. 4.5 Stars

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7. Managing Family Meltdown: The Low Arousal Approach and Autism

Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers

The specific technique described as the "Low Arousal Approach" is only one small portion of this relaxed guide to distressed and distressing behaviors. There's great advice throughout about analyzing the reasons behind the frightening things kids with autism do, keeping our own emotions out of it, and retreating when necessary to keep a battle from becoming a war. It's worthwhile reading for anyone whose child's behavior baffles, whether autism's part of the puzzle or not. 4.5 Stars

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8. Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism

Cover image courtesy of Bloomsbury USA

Collins is the father of a child with autism, but this isn't a standard diagnosis-struggle-triumph memoir. Interspersed with scenes of his son, Morgan, is the author's research on autistic figures from the past, especially an 18th-century "wild boy." It's a fascinating mix of relatability and research. 4.5 Stars

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9. Activity Schedules for Children With Autism

The kind of independent behavior parents hope for -- doing chores, playing productively, making social contact -- doesn't just happen for kids with autism, it needs to be carefully orchestrated. If that sort of organization is something you have trouble carrying out independently, this small book will show you just how to make a picture schedule or word schedule to guide kids and adults through increasingly complex tasks. 4 Stars

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10. Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum

If there's ever a time in a child's life when parents need a guidebook, it's adolescence. Even for neurotypical kids, the teen years are a maze of emotions and changes and challenges, but when your teen is on the autism spectrum, the degree of difficulty is boosted considerably. Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum offers a friendly, non-alarmist look at the extra issues teens with ASD bring to this challenging life phase. 4 Stars

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