Booklist

Here are our “Top Ten”:

Through Alien Eyes, Jasmine Lee O’Neill,
This is a rich and positive description of how it feels to be autistic and how friends, family and the professionals that work with autistic people can be more sensitive to their needs. Jasmine Lee O'Neill, autistic herself, perceives the creativity, imagination and keenly-felt sensory world of the autistic person as gifts. She argues that 'normalizing' autistic people - pushing them into behaving in a way that is alien to their true natures - is not just ineffective but wrong. In this vivid and enjoyable book, she challenges the reader to accept their difference and to celebrate their uniqueness.

Nobody Nowhere, Donna Williams,
By turns fascinating and harrowing...a riveting autobiography that describes how autism feels from the inside.

Thinking in Pictures, Temple Grandin,
A most remarkable woman, Grandin describes her deepest feelings while telling how she made herself a strong and valued individual. Autistic, she was helped by her mother, the book's dedicatee, and mentors who included a high-school science teacher, a cattle-rancher aunt in Arizona, and a Swift meatpacking plant manager. Attacks of nerves and panic nearly overwhelmed her in her teens, but carefully selected and supervised drugs eased many of those problems.

Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD, William Shaw,
There are, however, very few books-like this one-which address the practical, here-and-now biomedical treatments that can bring about dramatic improvement in many autistic individuals...The reader will quickly discover that this book is 'user-friendly'. Its purpose is to clarify, to explain, to guide, and to encourage so that at long last the parents themselves can begin to do what they have always wanted to do-have a real hand in the healing of their autistic child.

Special Diets for Special Kids, Lisa Lewis,
Understanding and implementing special diets to aid in the treatment of autism and related developmental disorders. Lisa Lewis really spells it out with great practical material. Unfortunately so many 'manuals' these days talk in generalities. Not here! This is a step by step method with lots of phone numbers, who to contact, etc. Go for it! Kids really benefit from this!

The Out-of-Synch Child, Carol Stock Kranowitz,
Kranowitz carefully details many routines and remedies that will help children--and the parents of children--who exhibit the behaviors described. This book is a must-read for all doctors, pediatricians, and (perhaps especially) childcare workers.

Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism, Catherine Maurice,

This is a manual for setting up a behavioral program for an autistic child, a passionate yet practical approach to dealing with an extremely serious problem, a place to begin *doing* something.

Labeled Autistic, Temple Grandin,
This book was unbelievable. Her acccounts of her childhood were interesting and I could not believe how much detail she remembered as a child. A must read for anyone who is interested in autism or knows someone with autism.

Somebody Somewhere, Donna Williams,
A compelling continuation of Williams's determined struggle to break free from autism. Perhaps even more than her best-selling Nobody Nowhere (1992), this journal reveals the vision and courage of the author. It picks up where the earlier volume left off, with the completion of the first manuscript and its submission to a publisher.

Let Me Hear Your Voice, Catherine Maurice, A vivid and uplifting story of how a family pulled not one but two children out of the torments of autism--and into a normal life. Maurice is the pseudonym for a mother of three whose courage and determination overrode the pessimistic prognosis that autism is incurable. Powerful in her detailing and in her intelligent, honest observations, Maurice offers new strength to parents who refuse to give up on their autistic children.

Recent Releases:

Exiting Nirvana: A Daughter's Life with Autism, Clara Claiborne Park,
Park's second book on her daughter Jessy (the first appeared in 1967, when Jessy was eight) is a perceptive, detailed, and empathetic account not of autism but of the experience of autism.

Facing Autism, Lynn M. Hamilton,
Don't Let Autism Have the Last Word in Your Child's Life. "Accurate, comprehensive, and written in a clear and engaging style. A must-read guidebook for parents of autistic children." Bernard Rimland, PH.D., director, Autism Research Institute.

Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, A Mothers's Story of Research and Recovery, Karyn Seroussi,
Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder is an inspiring and suspenseful chronicle of how one couple empowered themselves to challenge the medical establishment that promised no hope -- and found a cure for their child.

Fragile Success; Ten Autistic Children, Childhood to Adulthood, Virginia Walker Sperry,Traces the lives and educations of nine autistic people educated at the Ives School in New Haven, CT, between 1963 and 1972, from childhood to their mid-twenties, with introductory chapters on autism and related disorders and the teaching methods at the school. The case histories include a b&w photo of each child, and comments from parents on navigating the medical and educational systems. Of interest to educators, pediatricians, childcare professionals, and parents.

Here are others, loosely grouped in the following categories:

Therapy related:

The Me Book, O Ivar Lovaas,
This book needs an update that is true. However, it is the seminal work in the field, extremely important and very influential in the area of treating autism.

The Challenging Child, Stanley I Greenspan, M.D.
The Challenging Child offers calm, reassuring advice to parents. Stanley I. Greenspan is a practicing child psychiatrist and helps parents dealing with all types of difficult children.

The Child With Special Needs, Stanley I Greenspan
Covering all kinds of disabilities--including cerebral palsy, autism, retardation, ADD, and language problems--this comprehensive guide offers parents specific ways of helping all special needs children reach their full intellectual and emotional potential.

Activity Schedules for Children with Autism, Lynn E. McClannahan, Patricia J. Kran
Their book is a thorough introduction to autism, covering diagnosis, assessments, history, prognosis, and methods of education. Still, while the background and history are helpful, the intended readership is British. Sections on educational alternatives, British sign language, British education acts, and therapy options in Britain will be of little use to U.S. readers.

PECS, The Picture Exchange Communication System Training Manual, Lori A. Frost, Andrew S. Bondy

The Picture Exchange Communication System( PECS) is a unique augmentative/ alternative communication training package developed for use with young children with autism and other social- communication deficits. It has been used with hundreds of young children with autism and other disabilities around the United States and in several other countries. It is a system that does not require complex materials or highly technical training.

Teach Me Language, A Language Manual for Children with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Related Developmental Disorders, Sabrina Freeman, Lorelei Dake
This book is an excellent resource for parents and therapists who teach language to children with autism, Asperger's syndrome, and other related developmental disorders. Instructional friendly explanations, games, and cards teach language skills used in school and in life.

Sleep Better, V. Mark Durand
Durand's book is completely unique - there are no other books specifically on coping with sleep problems in children with special needs, even though they are unusually prone to developing sleep problems (which are also not always susceptible to the methods designed for "normal" children). Durand's advice is built on a solid foundation of research, but written clearly and without jargon. He's also not out to "sell" a particular method or program as the cure-all: he describes a number of different methods, giving the pros and cons of each, so that parents can make an informed decision about what is likely to work with their child

A Work in Progress; Behavior Management Strategies and a Curriculum for Intensive Behavioral treatment of Autism, Ron Leaf, John McEachin
Finally a book that takes the mystery out of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Many practical examples including an excellant progression for teaching various skills to an autistic child. Emphasis on the need to be flexible to child's skill levels and abilities. Great in-depth descriptions of differential reinforcement and managing difficult behaviors.

A Miracle to Believe in, (Son Rise), Barry Neil Kaufman
The secret of this book is not in it's method of guiding special children, but in it's effect on the parents of that special child. When you are finished, you truly understand how "special" your child is and how with each new challenge, new wonderful doors open in your life. This book is essential for any parent dealing with the issues of raising a special child no matter what philosophy is being used in the child's development.

Understanding Autism:

Confronting Autism: The Aurora on the Dark Side of Venus, Victoria A. Beck
(No review available)

Facing Autism: Giving Parents Reasons for Hope and Guidance for Help, Lynn M. Hamilton
Don't Let Autism Have the Last Word in Your Child's Life. "Accurate, comprehensive, and written in a clear and engaging style. A must-read guidebook for parents of autistic children." Bernard Rimland, PH.D., director, Autism Research Institute

Autism: An Inside-Out Approach, Donna Williams
Donna is intelligently critical of the popular and professional stereotypes of autism. She demands an end to the professional exclusivism and arrogance of so many proponents of therapies for autism. Donna proposes a "supermarket" approach, where the different therapies work together under the one roof to meet the unique set of problems of each autistic individual they serve.

Autism and Sensing: The Unlost Instinct, Donna Williams
The author, herself autistic, expands on themes of her previous book, , explaining how the senses of a person with autism work, suggesting that they are stuck at an early development stage common to everyone. Williams claims that most people move on from a system of sensing to a system of interpretation to make sense of the world; in doing so, they gain the means to cope with the world but lose various abilities which people with autism retain.

Free Flight, Barbara Meister Vitale

Unicorns are Real, Approaches to right-brained learning; Barbara Meister Vitale

General Information About Nutrition and Health:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, James F Balch, M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Is This Your Child?  Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults, Doris Rapp, M.D.

The Complete Guide to Health and Nutrition, Gary Null

Feeding the Brain, How Foods Affect Children, C. Keith Conners

The Second Brain, Michael D. Gershon, M.D.

The Road to Immunity, Kenneth Bock, M.D., Nellie Sabin

Working with Your Doctor: Getting the Health Care You Deserve,  Nancy Keene

Detecting Your Hidden Allergies, William Crook

The Four Pillars of Healing, Leo Galland
 
Special Diets and Cooking:

See Special Diets for Special Kids on “Top Ten” List

The ADD and ADHD Diet, Rachel Bell, Howard Peiper

The Gluten-Free Gourmet, Living Well Without Wheat, Bette Hagman

Allergy Cooking with Ease, Nicolette M. Dumke

The Yeast Connection Cookbook, A Guide to Good Nutrition and Better Health, William G. Crook, M.D.

Feeding Your Allergic Child, Elisa Meyer

Easy Bread Making for Special Diets, Nicolette M. Dumke

Breaking the Vicious Cycle, Intestinal Health Through Diet, Elaine Gottschall

The Complete Food Allergy Cookbook, Marilyn Gioannini

Raising Your Child Without Milk, Jane Zukin

Digestive Wellness, Elizabeth Lipski
 
Vaccine Books

The Red Book (AAP)-Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics

The Vaccine Guide-Making an Informed Choice, Randall Neustaedter, OMD

A Shot in the Dark, Harris L. Coulter, Barbara Loe Fisher

What Every Parent Should Know About Childhood Immunization. Jamie Murphy

Immunization Theory vs. Reality, Neil Z. Miller

Other Misc. Books and Autism and Asperger's

Getting Your Child with Autism What They are Entitled to Under Federal Laws, Martin, Reed, J.D.

Visual Strategies for Improving Communication, Linda Hodgdon

Autism Treatment Guide, Elizabeth Gerlach

Music Therapy: Another Path to Learning and Communication for Children in the Autism Spectrum, Betsey King Brunk

Learning Through Music, Volume 1 (The Pink Book), Debra Dacus, Kathleen Coleman

Learning Through Music, Volume 2 (The Purple Book), Debra Dacus, Kathleen Coleman

Learning Through Music, Volume 3 (The Yellow Book), Debra Dacus, Kathleen Coleman

Gather Stars for Your Children, Jeanne Lyons

Soon Will Come the Light, "A View from Inside the Autism Puzzle", Thomas A. McKean

Laughing & Loving with Autism, A Collection of "Real Life" Stories, Wayne Gilpin

More Laughing and Loving with Autism, Wayne Gilpin

The Legendary Blobshocker, Ryan Wilson

A Parent's Introduction to Behavior Modification, Jim Wilson

A Treasure Chest of Behavioral Strategies for Individuals with Autism, Dr. Beth Fouse, Maria Wheeler

Reaching the Child with Autism Through Art, Toni Flowers

Picture the Progress, Drawings of Positive student Behavior for Behavior Cards, Discussion Cards, and Rule Charts, Annabelle Street, Robert Cattoche

Working Together for a Brighter Future: A Unique Approach for Educating High-Functioning Autistic Students, Marilyn Hays

Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders, Maria Wheeler

Flying by the Seat of Your Pants, Michael Giangreco

Ants in His Pants, Michael Giangreco

Autism-PDD, More Creative Ideas from, from Age 8 to Early Adulthood, Janice Adams

Making Sense of Sensory Integration, Jane Koomar, Stacey Szklut

Unlocking the Mysteries of Sensory Dysfunction, Elizabeth Anderson, Pauline Emmons

Point, Click and Learn, Camilla Hileman

Special Education Law in America; The Rights of the Student and the Reponsibilities of those who Serve, Reed Martin, JD

Creating a "Win-Win IEP" for Students with Autism, Dr. Beth Fouse

Little Rainman, Karen Simmons

What's Next?...Preparing for the Real World, Carol Gray

Taming the Recess Jungle, Carol Gray

Comic Strip Conversations, Carol Gray

Social Stories... All New Stories Teaching Social Skills, Carol Gray

The Original Social Story Book, A Collection of Real Life Stories, Carol Gray

Without Reason, A Family Copes with Two Generations of Autism, Charles Hart

Educating Children With Autism by National Research Council

Breaking Autism's Barriers : A Father's Story by Bill Davis, Wendy Goldband

High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Roadmap by Linda Andron

Making a Difference : Behavioral Intervention for Autism by Catherine Maurice,

Incorporating Social Goals in the Classrooms: A Guide for Teachers and Parents with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Rebecca A. Moyes

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All of the Above Category of Books May be Ordered from Future Horizons

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Amazon.com can find almost all of these books. 

Greenhouse Publications

Here is another "Top Ten" list:
DDR (Developmental Delay Resources) Booklist

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