Books that I love

These books have all changed me and my way of looking at autism and Asperger's with new eyes. There are so many books out there and I have read maybe 50, and these are the ones that stood out for me.

This one is for my son.
I Am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism
http://www.amazon.com/Utterly-Unique-Celebrating-Strengths-High-Functioning/dp/1931282897/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209926406&sr=1-24

Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism
http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Pictures-Expanded-Life-Autism/dp/0307275655/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209926600&sr=1-44

This is one my son's school uses with him successfully
When My Worries Get Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live with Anxiety
http://www.amazon.com/When-Worries-Relaxation-Children-Anxiety/dp/1931282927/ref=sr_1_61_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=books&s9r=8a1080b6124c47ff0112b405bc170f8a&itemPosition=61&qid=1209926716&sr=1-61

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs: Stories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities
http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Understanding-Disabilities/dp/0757306209/ref=sr_1_81?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209926806&sr=1-81

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's
http://www.amazon.com/Look-Me-Eye-Life-Aspergers/dp/0307395987/ref=sr_1_84?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209926806&sr=1-84

Another one for my son - this was sent to me by a very lovely friend.
All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome
http://www.amazon.com/All-Cats-Have-Asperger-Syndrome/dp/1843104814/ref=sr_1_91?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209926961&sr=1-91

Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People With Autism, And Professionals Share Their Wisdom
http://www.amazon.com/Voices-Spectrum-Grandparents-Siblings-Professionals/dp/1843107864/ref=sr_1_95_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=books&s9r=8a02b54114f36e0501155121ee7a0c4b&itemPosition=95&qid=1209926961&sr=1-95

Another wonderful book Monster's school is using with him
Incredible 5-Point Scale ¿ Assisting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Understanding Social Interactions and Controlling Their Emotional Responses
http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Assisting-Understanding-Interactions-Controlling/dp/1931282528/ref=sr_1_134?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209927194&sr=1-134

I highly recommend this one - it gave me a whole new mindset about autism
Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism
http://www.amazon.com/Unstrange-Minds-Remapping-World-Autism/dp/0465027644/ref=sr_1_140?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209927194&sr=1-140

The Elephant in the Playroom: Ordinary Parents Write Intimately and Honestly About the Extraordinary Highs and Heartbreaking Lows of Raising Kids with Special Needs
http://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Playroom-Intimately-Extraordinary-Heartbreaking/dp/B00149NX8C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209927525&sr=1-1

Another life-changing book for me
Not Even Wrong: A Father's Journey into the Lost History of Autism
http://www.amazon.com/Not-Even-Wrong-Fathers-Journey/dp/1582344787/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209927617&sr=1-2

The only fiction book on this list
Daniel Isn't Talking
http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Isnt-Talking-Marti-Leimbach/dp/0307275728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209927688&sr=1-1

Martian in the Playground: Understanding the Schoolchild with Asperger's Syndrome
http://www.amazon.com/Martian-Playground-Understanding-Schoolchild-Aspergers/dp/1873942087/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209927764&sr=1-1


To note: None of these books are how-to books for parents. Not that they are all bad, only that I have run into the same problem with these books as I have with regular parenting books - these books for the most part do not apply to my son. ASD is so diverse, and even Asperger's children are such completely unique individuals regardless of this shared label, that these books feel like they don't "get" my kid.

All of the above books are real stories from real parents "in the trenches", except "Daniel Isn't Talking" which feels as if the writer has actually experienced autism enough in her life that her accounts are accurate.

The two I mention as "life-changing" for me were ones that remapped the way I saw autism. They gave me understanding of the history of autism and the types of people over time who were autistic and how it affected their lives. I was amazed by both of these books. Both authors did so much research, simply out of a love for their own autistic children and their own needs to research its history, and share it in such a way that is almost mermerizing.

The Elephant in the Playroom is an amazing books for parents with a new diagnosis. The need to feel understood and not alone is a huge one for us parents of special needs kids. This book will give the reader the knowledge that not only is she not alone, but she will survive this all and will not only survive but triumph. Very uplifting.

Anyhow, that's my list. I'll add to it as I read more. If you are interested in reading about Asperger's and ASD I would highly recommend any of the above books. Don't worry so much about the ones that promise to cure your child or help you fix their behavior. If your child is like mine, his behavior needs to be fixed in school (where the misbehaving happens) and not so much at home, where usually he is simply being a snotty 6-year-old with an attitude.

Happy reading!!