7 Autism Books You Should Read This Summer

The school year is winding down and you may find yourself with some time to catch up on your reading (since you're continuing education hours are all done, right??). If you work with children on the autism spectrum, there are a plethora of books that can give you insight, tools and resources to help you connect and work effectively with your young client. Here are seven highly rated books you can pick up at your local bookstore or download right onto your tablet.

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism By Naoki Higashida, Ka Yoshida and David Mitchell A 13-year-old Japanese author illuminates his autism from within, making a connection with those who find the condition frustrating, mysterious or impenetrable. Anyone struggling to understand autism will be grateful for the book and translation.

The New Social Story Book by Carol Gray Developed through years of experience, these strategically written stories explain social situations in a way children with autism understand, while teaching the social skills children need to be successful at home, at school, and in the community. Carol Gray has over twenty years of experience educating students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Carol initiated the use of Social Stories in 1991 and has written numerous articles, chapters, and books on the subject.

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm Framed with both humor and compassion, the book describes ten characteristics that help illuminate—not define—children with autism. Ellen’s personal experiences as a parent of children with autism and ADHD, a celebrated autism author, and a contributor to numerous publications, classrooms, conferences, and websites around the world coalesce to create a guide for all who come in contact with a child on the autism spectrum.

The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed By Temple Grandin and Richard Panek Temple Grandin may be the most famous person with autism, a condition that affects 1 in 88 children. Since her birth in 1947, our understanding of it has undergone a great transformation, leading to more hope than ever before that we may finally learn the causes of and treatments for autism. Weaving her own experience with remarkable new discoveries, Grandin introduces the advances in neuroimaging and genetic research that link brain science to behavior, even sharing her own brain scan to show which anomalies might explain common symptoms.

The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-so-obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens With Asperger Syndrome by Jennifer Cook O'Toole This isn't your momma's Emily Post, and there is no "don't do this" finger-wagging or patronizing "high and mighty preaching" here. Instead, the "Secret" Book gives Asperkids (aged 10-17) respectful, funny insights written "for Aspies by an Aspie."

Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Disorders by Robert Melillo Each year, an estimated 1.5 million children-one out of every six-are diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Dr. Robert Melillo brings a fundamentally new understanding to the cause of these conditions with his revolutionary Brain Balance Program(tm). It has achieved real, fully documented results that have dramatically improved the quality of life for children and their families in every aspect: behavioral, emotional, academic, and social.

1001 Great Ideas for Teaching and Raising Children with Autism or Asperger's By Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk Ellen Notbohm and Veronica Zysk present parents and educators with over 1800 ideas try-it-now tips, eye-opening advice, and grassroots strategies. This one-stop-shop of solutions, explanations, and strategies guides the reader to quickly find ideas that speak to the variety of developmental levels, learning styles, and abilities inherent in children with autism and Asperger's. Pick up one or all of these great reads and fill your summer with humor, insights and plenty of new knowledge for your autism toolbox.