Books For Children With Autism And Complex Needs

Books are very important for developing a child’s literacy competence. It helps build their IQs in early stages and broadens their scope of knowledge. 

With children on the autistic spectrum, this may be particularly valid. Since issues like connecting to others, experiencing feelings, and managing friendships are very common by children with autism, having autistic characters as protagonists in stories can go a long way in serving as an inspiration and a wonderful learning experience to finding their way in the world. 

For some of us who have raised autistic children, the belief we hold dearly is one that says, “a child with autism is just like any other child with a particular way of interacting with their environment.”  

Though we are never prepared for it, it is imperative that parents understand this and appreciate their children, doing everything possible to ease their transition in life. 

Best books and stories for children with autism and complex needs 

It is vital that we find reading and academic material tailor-made to our special needs children. These books should offer a peek into their thought processes and, perhaps most importantly help their friends to understand them better. 

What better way then, than through the time tested method of storytelling. 

Few things depict imagery and paint pictures quite as well as stories do. What books out there can help our special needs children? 

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My Friend with Autism

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This wonderful children’s book has a coloring book section, which is really good and perfect even for the pre-school level. What makes this book unique is that it is geared towards describing children with high-functioning “classic” autism, which tends to be an underrepresented yet burgeoning population.

Many of our kids are being mainstreamed/fully included in regular classrooms, yet stand out as “different.” This book is perfect in helping to shed light on how we are all different, yet the same. It encourages the inclusion and acceptance of others. And it is done with sensitivity and with a light touch. 

An added bonus is the appendix at the tail end, which explains and describes key aspects of autism in language well understood by the layperson. 

Ian’s Walk: A Story about Autism 

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ian wants to join Julie and their big sister as they go to the park to feed ducks. He, however, doesn’t have the same reactions to all the sights and sounds that his sisters have, and Julie thinks he looks silly.

This story looks not from the perspective of Ian but rather Julie and gives insight to the thought process most children have towards those with autism.

Ian’s Walk is written through a sibling’s eyes about their Autistic brother, how it affects him and the family as a whole. 

Listen and Learn

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This book is written with special attention to detail and helps children (not just autistic ones) develop skills for listening, understand why it’s important to listen, and recognize the positive results of listening.

It is filled with inviting illustrations of life-like cartoonish characters and also offers insight into how to approach setting boundaries and rules for kids with severe ADHD.

It is for parents and guardians of children with relatively slow learning and listening skills ‘a magic cure.’ 

Leah’s Voice

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Leah’s Voice is a wonderfully crafted and character-driven story that is sure to keep readers hooked as they are exposed to autism, it explains what autism is and even to the uninformed offers insight into the spectrum.

This book tells the story of two sisters, it illustrates the difficulty most siblings face in explaining to their friends the autistic nature of a loved one and the disappointments they feel when most outside the immediate family fail to see beyond the physical while ignoring the person within. 

The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone With Autism 

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Autism Acceptance Book is one in a refreshing and unique series by author Ellen Sabin. It empowers children by helping them understand the power of their actions and how the perceived little things they do can have a positive impact.

It uses engaging activities to help them develop understanding, compassion, and appreciation for people different from themselves.

It lets them use their imagination and journal exercises to more fully comprehend some of the challenges people with autism might face and how such challenges can be approached helpfully. 

Playing by the Rules: A Story about Autism 

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When a long-distance relative comes for a visit, Jody and her brother Josh, who has autism, find themselves teaching Great Aunt Tilda the rules of the games they like to play.

Josh loves Animal Sounds Bingo, but not with new people. Jody’s delighted to have an adult to herself and gets out a game of her own, but Josh keeps interrupting. Will Jody never win? 

This lovely book illustrates how autistic children communicate and act in certain situations and also highlights the important roles siblings play in helping others understand their brother or sister who has autism.

It is a wonderful read and is a great resource for anyone touched by autism. 

In My Mind: The World through the Eyes of Autism 

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

In My Mind, by Adonya Wong, this a children’s book that explores the inner world of an autistic child, the world that no one else can see.

From exciting adventures to silly games and conversations with friends, look closely and see how a child with autism sees the world and how the world sees him.

It sheds light on the musings of children with autism and gives a sneak-peek into their minds and thought processes.

All About My Brother 

Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sarah seeks encourages others to approach autism without fear or pity. We look through her lens as she depicts the everyday behavior of her brother Evans.

This book is written from a child’s point of view and is thus especially relevant and impactful to children. Sarah invites her young readers to share ideas on how to live with siblings or classmates who have autism spectrum disorders.

The book is a heart-warming and introspective piece.