Background Reading: Autism

American Psychiatric Association, (2013). Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V). Washington, DC: Author.  The latest edition of the diagnostic manual.

Attwood, A. (1998). Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  Excellent, easy to read introduction to Asperger’s or High Functioning Autism for parents and professionals.

Attwood, A,(Ed) (2014) Been There. Done That. Try This! An Aspie’s Guide to Life on Earth. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  Personal guidance on how to cope with the daily stresses of living with Asperger’s Syndrome from a number of individuals on the Autism spectrum, with additional professional analysis and recommendations from Tony Attwood.

Baron-Cohen, S. (2008). Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The facts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  An introduction to Autism for professionals and families.

Bogdashina, O. (2003). Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Different perceptual Experiences, Different Perceptual Worlds. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  This book tries to defines the role of sensory perceptual differences in Autism as identified by autistic individuals themselves.  A practical, clear and concise book.

Bogdashina, O. (2005). Communication Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome: Do we speak the same language? London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  A clearly written book that provides a theoretical foundation for understanding communication and language differences specific to Autism.  Includes practical recommendations - suitable for professionals and parents alike.

Bogdashina, O. (2006). Theory of Mind and the Triad of Perspectives on Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A View from the Bridge. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing. Inspired by the often uncomfortable interplay between autistic individuals, parents and professionals, Bogdashina uses the concept of Theory of Mind to consider these groups’ different perspectives.

Boucher, J. (2009). The Autistic Spectrum: Characteristics, Causes and Practical Issues. London: Sage.  A complete and factual overview of Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Used as a core textbook on university courses/modules.

Buron, Kari Dunn. (2012).The Incredible Five Point Scale. Kansas: AAPC.  An excellent and practical book for anyone working with children/YP who are struggling to manage their emotions.

Fleming, B., Hurley, E. & the Goth (2015) Choosing Autism Interventions. Hove: Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd.  An accessible evidence-based overview of the most commonly interventions for children and adults on the Autism spectrum.

Frith, U. (Ed.) (1991). Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Includes Uta Frith’s first-ever translation into English of Asperger’s original paper, as well as narrative accounts of the syndrome and its varied presentations.

Grey, C (2010). The New Social Story Book. Arlington: Future Horizons.  Social Stories are designed to give relevant information about different social situations, thereby decreasing anxiety.  This book offers ready-to-use social stories as well as advice on how to effectively use and apply the stories with young children, teenagers and adults.

Gray, C (1994) Comic Strip Conversations: Illustrated interactions that teach conversation skills to students with Autism and related disorders. Arlington: Future Horizons Inc.  This book shows how to write a Comic Strip Conversation.  A Comic Strip Conversation uses simple drawings to  visually outline a conversation between two or more people and serves to help develop social understanding of that particular social situation.  Practical and helpful.

Happé, F. (1996). Autism. London: UCL Press.  Used as a core textbook on university courses/modules.  An informative, well written and highly readable book which is organised into three levels of explanation - biological, behavioural and cognitive, and which attempts to explain the differences in these three domains.

Hoopmann, K. (2021) All Cats Are On The Autism Spectrum. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  An updated version of the original book All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, this beautiful photo book takes a sensitive look at autism, drawing from the feline world which will strike a chord with all those familiar with autism.

Hoopmann, K (2013). Inside Asperger’s Looking Out. London: Jessica Kingsley. Following on from her original book All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, Kathy Hoopmann’s book uses engaging text and full-colour photographs to show how neurotypical people with Asperger’s see and experience the world.

Howley, M & Arnold, E (2005) Revealing the Hidden Social Code: Social Stories for People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  This book  offers clear and comprehensive advice for professionals, parents and carers on how to write successful and targeted Social Stories.

Jackson, L. (2002). Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  An enlightening, honest and witty book which addresses difficult topics such as bullying, friendships, when and how to tell others about having Asperger’s Syndrome, school problems and dating.  Written by 13 year old Luke Jackson who has Asperger’s Syndrome - this is an excellent personal account.

Lawson, W. (2001). Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism: An Insider’s View. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  Written based on personal experience,  Lawson’s book is an essential introduction to Autism for all professionals working in the field.

Lawson, W. (2011). The Passionate Mind: How People with Autism Learn. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.  Lawson examines traditional theories of Autism and reveals their gaps and shortcomings.  A new theory of Single Attention and Associated Cognition in Autism (SAACA) is introduced.  From this new perspective practical suggestions are made for individuals, families and professionals.  An essential and accessible book.

LeGoff, D.B., Gomez de la Cuesta, G, Krauss, G.W. & Baron-Cohen, S. (2014) Lego- Based Therapy: How to Build Social Competence through Lego- Based Clubs for Children with autism and related conditions. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing. A complete guide to setting up and running a Lego club for children on the autism spectrum or related social communication difficulties and anxiety conditions. By providing a joint interest and goal, Lego building can become a medium for social development such as sharing, turn-taking and following social rules.

Mahler, K. (2017) Interoception: The Eighth Sensory System. Kansas: AAPC Publishing One of the most important skills we have is being able to understand signals from our body. How do you know if you are hungry, thirsty, tired etc? Those on the autism spectrum tend to lack these skills – this book offers new ways of teaching these skills to individuals with ASD.

McAlinden, D. M (2017) Downloading Grey Thinking. CreateSpace: Independent Publishing Platform.  A book/programme to help develop emotional intelligence, build resilience and enable greater self awareness in individuals with Autism.

Sainsbury, C. (2000). Martian in the Playground: Understanding the schoolchild with Asperger’s Syndrome. London: Sage Publications Ltd.  This book explores what it means to have Asperger’s Syndrome by providing a window into a unique world. Drawing on her own school experiences and that of a network of friends and correspondents who share her way of thinking, Sainsbury reminds us of the potential for harm which education holds for those who do not fit.  Essential reading for all teachers.

Sher, B (2009) Early Intervention Games. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.  A resource of fun games for parents and teachers to help children learn social and motor skills.  The games are designed to help children feel comfortable in social situations and teach other lessons such as beginning and end, spatial relationships, hand-eye coordination and more.  Written by an Occupational Therapist.

Sherratt, D (2005) How to Support and Teach Children on the Autism Spectrum. Cambridge: LDA.  An excellent starting point for a teacher or teaching assistant who has has a child in their class with no prior experience.  Clear and concise information delivered in an easy to read way.

Silberman, S (2015). Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently. London: Allen & Unwin ℅ Atlantic Books.  A book about Autism but also a journey through the history of cognitive difference and our attitudes towards it.  Highly recommended.

Smith Myles, B, Trautman, M. L, & Schelvan, R. L. (2004) The Hidden Curriculum: Practical solutions for Understanding Unstated Rules in Social Situations. Kansas: Autism Asperger Publishing Co.  A book which offers practical suggestions and advice for how to teach and learn those subtle messages that most people can pick up on almost automatically but that have to be taught directly to individuals with Autism.

Vermeulen, P. (2012). Autism as Context Blindness. Kansas: AAPC Publishing. A groundbreaking book, based on the ideas of Uta Frith. Vermeulen explains in everyday terms how the Autistic brain functions with a particular emphasis on an apparent lack of sensitivity to and awareness of context.  Full of examples, often humourous, the book examines ‘context’ as it relates to observation, social interaction, communication and knowledge.  This book is a must for anyone working or living with someone on the Autism spectrum.

Whitaker, P (2001) Challenging behaviour and Autism: making sense – making progress. A guide to preventing and managing challenging behaviour for parents and children. London: The National Autistic Society.  This book is for teachers and parents of children with Autism.  Clearly written, it offers practical strategies for preventing or managing the commonest sorts of challenging behaviour.

Wing, L. (1996). The Autistic Spectrum. London: Constable & Robinson Ltd.  An authoritative and  compassionate guide to Autism written by world renowned Lorna Wing.  This is a sensitive and thorough introduction to understanding and living with Autism.  Highly recommended.

World Health Organisation (1992). ICD-10 : Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines. World Health Organisation. Geneva: WHO.  The latest edition of the diagnostic manual