April is Autism Acceptance Month. In celebration, we have made a list of books and podcasts for children and parents featuring autistic characters or discussing life with autism.
Picture Books
A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey
This picture book follows an autistic boy named Henry who is trying to make new friends. This book features beautiful pictures and a happy story encouraging acceptance and friendship. Jenn Bailey also wrote an early chapter book called Henry, Like Always for young readers who related to Henry.
I Am Odd I Am New by Benjamin Giroux
This book is a poem written by ten-year-old Benjamin Giroux for a homework assignment. In the book, the young, autistic author is working through his emotions and feels like an outsider.
Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally Pla
This heartwarming picture book depicts a day in the life of a family, following two brothers, one of whom is autistic, and their mother. The story discusses how a sibling can feel overlooked when another requires special attention. In the end, a powerful brotherly connection is able to turn a bad day around.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: the story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca
This book told in rhyming prose tells the story of Temple Grandin, an autistic girl who struggled to fit in at school but found her place in science. The rhythmic text captures readers' attentions while telling an empowering story encouraging people who might feel different not to doubt themselves and, instead, to reach for their goals.
Too Sticky: Sensory Issues with Autism - Jen Malia
This own voices picture book follows Holly, a young autistic girl who is nervous about today's science experiment: making slime. This book explores Holly's emotions and the tools she uses to help her with her sensory issues.
Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming by Steve Asbell
The Right Move by Jason Powe
This book follows Braden, an autistic boy who recently moved to a new school. This book discusses the difficulties Braden faces in the change to his routine, and in the end, Braden makes new friends and finds an amazing new routine.
Non Fiction:
Being Autistic: (And What That Actually Means) by Niamh Garvey
This is a graphic guide to what it means to be autistic, explaining complexities such as sensory seeking and sensory avoidance with clarity and humor.
The Ice-Cream Sundae Guide to Autism: an Interactive Kids' Book for Understanding Autism by Debby Elley and Tori Houghton
This book explains autism to kids using an extended metaphor comparing autism to ice cream sundaes. The book also includes tools that people can use to become better allies to the autistic community.
Middle Grade Fiction
The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit
This book stars two autistic sisters, Lara and Caroline. When Lara forms Finkel Investigation Agency Solving Consequential Crimes Only, otherwise known as FIASCCO, she does not want her sister involved. This book follows FIASCCO's investigations while Lara and Caroline are struggling to get along.
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
Told in verse, this book follows Selah, an autistic 12-year-old girl, as she faces the challenges of middle school, finds her own voice, and learns to advocate for herself.
Parenting books
Uniquely human : a different way of seeing autism by Barry M Prizant, PhD
This effective and impactful text uses Positive Psychology and Behavioral Psychology backed by case studies and experience to preach acceptance without lowered expectations. The book emphasizes the importance of listening and communicating about feelings and behaviors with respect and empathy.
Magnificent minds: the New Whole-Child Approach to Autism by Suzanne Goh, MD
Written by a pediatric neurologist, this book provides a sensitive and holistic approach to parenting autistic children. It focuses on five elements: brain-body health, development, behavior, family, and community.
Podcasts:
Moms Talk Autism Podcast
This podcast is hosted by four mothers to autistic children. These mothers discuss diagnoses, therapies, family balance and more and sometimes include and interview specialists such as behavioral therapists in their episodes. This podcast serves as a safe and casual setting where the hosts can share and discuss the complexities of raising autistic children.
The Autism Dad Podcast
Rob Gorski, a single father to three autistic children and author of the award-winning blog The Autism Dad, hosts this podcast as a way to reach parents of neurodivergent children. This podcast features personal stories, expert interviews, actionable advice, and community support.
Two Sides of the Spectrum
Host Meg Proctor talks with neurodivergent adults and explores new research about autism. Meg Proctor is an occupational therapist and founder of Learn Play Thrive, a company offering continuing education that promotes neurodiversity-affirming practices. Her podcast challenges the way people think about neurodiversity.
-Alyssa
