Children and adults alike on the autism spectrum communicate and learn differently than others. Their social skills and method of comprehension makes it so important to find the tools and resources your child needs to thrive. There are dozens upon thousands of books that are designed to provide children with autism a stimulating sensory activity that can make it easier for them to express their emotions and achieve new milestones.
On the other hand, there are other books that can be useful for both children and parents; children’s storybooks that celebrate healthy relationships, encourage kids to express themselves creatively and teach them it’s fun to be different.
With so many diverse books about children on the spectrum and why they react in very specific ways, you can better understand where your little one is coming from and create a happy and cohesive living environment.
Here are five of our favorite children’s books about autism:
1. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
“If you’ve ever felt different, if you’ve ever been low,
if you don’t quite fit in, there’s a name you should know…
Meet Dr. Temple Grandin—one of the world’s quirkiest science heroes!”
This tale takes us on a journey through life with Temple Grandin, a determined young girl diagnosed with autism. Instead of using her voice to make a difference, her visual mind allowed her to connect with animals, help improve farmlife around the world, and eventually become an animal science public figure.
Reading age: 4 to 9 years old
2. Me and My Sister by Rose Robbins
“Getting along with your sister is never easy—especially if your brains work in different ways! Based on the author’s childhood, Me and My Sister is a gentle exploration of growing up with an autistic sibling.”
Growing up with siblings can be a rollercoaster, and it’s no different when someone is living on the spectrum. This story shows us how simple it can be to accept others by embracing their differences. Consider this autism children’s book if you have more than one little one running around the house.
Reading age: 3 to 7 years old
3. A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song
“In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend who shares. A friend who listens. Maybe even a friend who likes things to stay the same and all in order, as Henry does.
But on a day full of too close and too loud, when nothing seems to go right, will Henry ever find a friend—or will a friend find him?”
Henry’s story is all about what the magic of friendship can entail for a little boy living on the spectrum. While making friends can be difficult and full of challenges, Henry preserves and finds himself a friend. This story is an excellent example of faith, hope, and determination.
Reading age: 5 to 8 years old
4. Benji, the Bad Day, and Me
“Nothing seems to be going right for Sammy today. At school, he got in trouble for kicking a fence, then the cafeteria ran out of pizza for lunch. After he walks home in the pouring rain, he finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a bad day too.”
In this story, we learn about a young boy named Sammy who’s having a rotten day. When his autistic brother Benji also has a bad day, Sammy is convinced that Benji gets all of the attention to cope with the stress of a bad day. Soon enough, Sammy finds out that someone is in fact ready to help and does so with open arms.
Reading age: 4 to 8 years old
5. A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold and Charles Santoso
“For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter.”
A powerful story, “A Boy Called Bat,” is the first book in a series about a middle schooler on the spectrum. When Bat’s mom asks him to take care of the skunk, he makes it his mission to prove he’s perfectly capable of caring for the skunk and keeping him as a pet.
Continue Learning with Applied Behavioral Analysis
Taking the time to learn more about autism is a simple way to help your child work through their developmental conditions. Beyond finding kids books about autism to add to your collection, you can work directly with experienced professionals who can help young readers recognize autism spectrum disorder. At Blossom, we provide Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to help children understand the kind of impact that behavior plays in life.
Supervised under the Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), the APA therapy team consists of Behavior Technicians, Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and ABA Fieldwork Students who are well suited to assist your child in development language, communication, motor, and social skills.
Learn more about our APA program or reach out to us directly today.
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