Amazon told me to...

A message appeared yesterday, inviting bloggers to include links to products we mention on Amazon. It feels weird but at the same time, there have been a bunch of things (books especially) that have been incredibly useful on this rolllercoaster ride.

So... what follows is my favourite ASD related books, and a bit of info about why I like them.

The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder, Revised Edition and its friendly companion The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder
These books are truly, magical and yet practical friends that have taken us from true darkness and fear into the light. When the doctors were busy telling me I had post-natal depression and an attachment disorder, our wonderful OT encouraged us to buy these books. While she started work with Billy, we got our heads around what turned out to be the core of his challenges. OK, we were lucky. We hit on truly effective and useful therapy early on. Even so, whenever we lose our way, or see the emergence of unusual behaviours... Carol Stock Kranowitz comes to our rescue.

Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
Also good for life with a sensory kid.

Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues
This one too. Can you tell my kid has sensory issues?

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
Lovely book to give to family, new teachers, interested neighbours... simply and honestly written, full of generalisations (but useful ones), easy to read (for the intolerant and uninitiated).

I Am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism
We gave this book to Billy's class when he started primary school, and it's still a favourite. It goes through the alphabet singling out personality traits and skills common to ASD people (C is 'I am a collossal collector' etc). The kids, at that stage, didn't know it was about autism, they just thought it was about being a really interesting person. A lovely positive statement.

Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes
Same function 'I Am Utterly Unique' but for older kids. Lovely, positively written profiles of achievers in history who have autism.

Quirky, Yes---Hopeless, No: Practical Tips to Help Your Child with Asperger's Syndrome Be More Socially Accepted
One for all the teachers out there. Plain and simple. Awesome.

The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
Tony Attwood's book is the one you buy if you only have $20 to spare and a kid with a HFA/AS diagnosis.

A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World
If you have a spare weekend (OK, more likely if you have the flu and are bed ridden... who has spare weekends?) and a HUGE box of tissues, just read this book. It is beautifully written, and inspirational without selling itself, or any of the rest of us, short.

We are not an ABA family, but if you are, it can't hurt to read Let Me Hear Your Voice and this one (though because it's an Australian book it's listed at $60 on Amazon) The other country: a father's journey with autism. I LOVE this book because it's written from a Dad's POV, it's recent and it's heart-wrenchingly good.

For great memoirs by autistic people, I'd add anything by Temple Grandin (eg. The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's), anything by Donna Williams (eg. Nobody Nowhere: The Remarkable Autobiography of an Autistic Girl), anything by Wendy Lawson (eg. Friendships: The Aspie Way and anything by Luke Jackson (eg. Freaks, Geeks & Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence) and anything by John Elder Robison (eg. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's)

That should take... the rest of your life...

Don't be overwhelmed, though, think of these books as friends... buddies to give you good advice at 3am when your other buddies are sleeping and can't answer your questions.