20 Books and Supports to Help with This Discussion

4-9 years

I am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and high-functioning Autism (2006)

Elaine Larson | ISBN – 978-1-93128-289-5
This book details the many unique qualities of children with Asperger Syndrome and high-functioning autism in an A-Z format.

I Have Autism… What’s That? (2000)

Kate Doherty | ISBN – 1-899280-79-0
This cheerful book helps children with autism discover ways in which they may be different from others and explores approaches to talking, playing, learning, and coping.

Point to Happy: For Children on the Autism Spectrum (2011)

Miriam Smith and Afton Fraser | ISBN – 978-0-76115-715-1
A pointer device allows children to point to “happy”, “sad”, “hug”, etc. This is a highly interactive story for parents to read with their children.

Russell’s World: A Story for Kids about Autism (2011)

Charles Amenta | ISBN – 978-1-43380-976-7
By looking inside Russell’s real-life family, children will get an idea of how others who are on the autism spectrum deal with real-life situations.

Do You Understand Me? (2006)

Sofie Koborg Bronsen | ISBN – 978-1-84310-464-3
Sofie is an eleven-year-old girl who is on the autism spectrum. This story is told from her point of view and details her experience being in a mainstream school and being a bit different from those around her.

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism (2015)

Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer and illustrated by: Jennifer Zivoin | ISBN: 978-1433819162
This book is about Zane the Zebra who worries that his differences will make him stand out from his peers. He learns that his autism is just one of the many qualities that makes him special.

Uniquely Wired: A Story about Autism and Its Gifts (2018)

Julia Cook and illustrated Anita DuFalla |ISBN: 978-1944882198
Zak is a young boy who is on the autism spectrum and loves watches. This story is told from his point of view and is great from children with ASD, as well as siblings and peers.

8-14 years

Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes (2006)

Jennifer Elder | ISBN – 978-1-84310-815-3
This book is about famous people who may have had ASD. It talks about the achievements of people such as Einstein, Kandinsky, etc.

I am Special: Introducing Children and Young People to Their Autistic Spectrum (2000)

Peter Vermeulen | ISBN – 978-1-85302-916-5
Aimed at young people over the age of ten with ASD, this workbook is designed to be worked through with an adult, parent, teacher, or other professional. The content and layout is devised especially for children who process information differently.

Finding out About Asperger Syndrome, High-functioning Autism and PDD (2000)

Gunilla Gerland | ISBN – 978-1-85302-840-3
Gerland’s book can be helpful to all young people who receive a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, PDD, or high-functioning autism. It will also be of interest to their peers in school, siblings, and other children.

Asperger’s…What does it Mean to Me? (2000)

Catherine Faherty | ISBN – 978-1-88547-759-0
This workbook explains self-awareness and life lessons to children with high functioning autism or Asperger’s.

14+ years

Buster and the Amazing Daisy (2008)

Nancy Ogaz | ISBN – 978-1-84310-721-7
This story provides an awareness of the hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations of any individuals with autism.

Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure (2001)

Kathy Hoopman | ISBN – 978-1-85302-978-3
In this mystery book the hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger Syndrome. The story follows him as he goes on his many adventures and provides insights to how this child and children like him may respond to the many joys and challenges that come his way.

Of Mice and Aliens: An Asperger Adventure (2001)

Kathy Hoopman | ISBN – 978-1-84310-007-2
This book is a sequel to the one listed above and follows the same child, Ben, as he goes on adventures and both teaches and learns about himself as an individual with Asperger Syndrome along the way.

Lisa and the Lacemaker: An Asperger Adventure (2002)

Kathy Hoopman | ISBN – 978-1-84310-071-3
Lisa, a friend of Ben from the books listed above, gains an understanding of her diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome as she goes on a mysterious adventure.

Be Different: My Adventures with Asperger’s and My Advice for Fellow Aspergians, Misfits, Families, and Teachers (2012)

John Elder Robinson | ISBN – 978-0-30788-482-4
The author of this book was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome as a child and tells stories about his experience growing up. He encourages readers to “be different” and empowers them through emphasizing the strengths of individuals with an Asperger diagnosis.

Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence (2002)

Luke Jackson | ISBN – 978-1-84310-098-0
Luke has Asperger Syndrome. He was aware how little information there was for teenagers like him, so, with the help of his teenage brothers and sisters, he wrote this honest and witty book when he was thirteen. It covers a host of tricky teenage topics including bullying and dating.