20 Best Books For Parents With Autistic Child (Jan 2023 Update)

This was literally of the most inspiring books I have ever read. It’s honestly astonishing to me how strong Kate and her family is. This book kind of hits close to home since my older is pretty sure she has Asperger’s, and she’s just now realizing how it’s affected her life and her relationships. It’s also taught me to have more compassion towards any person with disabilities, even if they look completely fine. It was so inspiring to read about how Cooper was able to get past a lot of difficulties and even start speaking a little bit. This book was so easy to read because I wanted to know more about Kate and her journey with Cooper. There were many times in the book I almost cried cause I could feel her pain even though I’m not even a mother myself. I also wanted to cry many times for Cooper and how unjust this world is for people with severe autism. Overall I think this book did a fantastic job spreading awareness about autism and disabilities in general. I personally think everyone should read it.Emily

If you are looking to a book that will resonate with you as a person with a disability or a caregiver of a person with a disability, this is the one! I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed by this book, regardless of whether you are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder or another disability (or not affected by a disability at all but just want to gain more knowledge about the everyday life of a family affected by a disability). Since I am a young woman affected by a visual and medical disability (without a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder) and I do not have children of my own, I was a bit hesitant going into reading this book that I would struggle to relate to the challenges that Kate's son Cooper faces, the obstacles that Kate would have to overcome raising a young boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the grief that one experiences when their son struggles with verbal communication, etc. I was wrong, and I'm so glad that I persisted and chose to read this book because it spoke to me as a reader with a disability in a way that no other book has or ever could. In the book Forever Boy, Kate has such a unique ability to bring you into the world of the huge amount of individuals affected by disability in some way. This book focuses on several topics that I could easily relate to: acceptance of a lifelong diagnosis, facing discrimination, the differences in opinion from others about the best options available for people with disabilities, the lack of much-needed knowledge and support that many professionals provide to newly-diagnosed families, the many systemic flaws that exist and prevent people from receiving the support that they need to overcome the many challenges they face, etc. The list is endless, however this guarantees that you will be able to find something in this book that will be relatable to you and make you feel less alone in navigating the obstacles that a disability can present. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would!Kaylene S

Kate has written a beautiful memoir. This is an honest and raw look into the secret world of parenting a nonverbal child with severe autism. Kate’s honesty and transparency is both heartbreaking and triumphant. We are invited to come alongside her as she journeys through unbelievable hardship and grows to love and appreciate a life she never thought she’d have. Kate’s story embodies all that motherhood requires – sacrifice, tenacity, resilience, and unconditional love.Stom0027

Reading only the first 3 chapters have been incredibly empowering. I am so happy it was delivered. For anyone who feels alone, confused, stressed and just incredibly scared for your child GET THIS BOOK! It is a game changer you will not regret it!!!leah

This book had a great insight into parenting a child in the Autism spectrum very friendly reading with lots of tips and tricks into their world to engage and know how to best support those on the Autism spectrumMelissa

This book does not teach autism acceptance. It teaches your Autistic child to mask. It teaches them how to act more like their neurotypical peers, which leads to serious mental health issues. It teaches them that their Autistic behaviours are an issue that should be controlled and reduced for the comfort of everyone around them. It is an absolutely horrible resource that no one should ever read, let alone an Autistic child or parent of an Autistic child. If you want to create permanent damage to your Autistic child, give them this book. If you want to learn how to support your Autistic child, please seek resources that are written by and approved by actually Autistic authors. I can't believe the flaming garbage that was this book.Em

My kids like this book. They like the case stories. They like how they are not the only ones who feel the way they do. They enjoyed listening and comparing when I read pages from this book. Thank you for making this book. I don't usually pay this much for a book but it is worth it!*princess-sami*

It's written in laymans terms and covers all the difficulties that autistic children experience. It explains the reasons for the child's behaviour and gives advice on how to cope with problems. It's a very optimistic book and I found it both interesting and helpful.rei-423989

It's a fantastic book if you are looking for some help. and Getting from Book grocer was really easy and cheap! Thanks guys!Ankit L.

My child is autistic, just waiting for her to be diagnosed. I could have done with this when she was 2 years old, she's 5 years old. This book has opened my eyes up, really helped me to help me understand my daughter.customer

Highly recommend this book for anyone that has an autistic person in their company be it own child, school environment or any social group. In fact if more of the public read this then their might be a greater understanding of the many many sides of autism.barbaralynn13

Paid $16.99 Available:common With the Light is the story of Sachiko Azuma, her low functioning autistic son, Hikaru, and those around them. This award-winning series's format in storytelling is like For Better or Worse with the characters growing up, comedy situations, and facing serious issues such as child abuse and mental disorder discrimination. Story for Vol.1-The story begins with the birth of Hikaru by Sachiko and her husband, Mastaro. The Azumas are like any normal and to the standards Japanese family. Mastaro is a rising corp. executive while Sachiko is the faithful and peeky housewife to him. But Hikaru breaks the mold and problems within the marriage start to show. Mastaro is really a work-alcholic husband who gives little time or care to his wife or son. Sachiko becomes unhappy and depressed over the situation of her son. Declining that there were problems with her son and husband for a time, she finally seeks help after an embarrassing incident. Though she gets help, problems with the marriage continue. After Sachiko gets impatient with Hikaru and slaps him to calm him, Mastaro and her get into a fight over how the problem could be handled. Sachiko decides to leave her husband, believing that he is not helping with the welfare of their son. Mastaro finally collapses from his work and realizes his mistake. WTL does this scenario several times throughout the series. Character does not understand what autism is, and does something hurtful to the Azuma family or someone else. Then the character reforms. That might not be good for the average manga reader. For those who have autism, people who work or know them, this is a good book to have. It gives situations and solutions to problems on how to handle problems with living with someone with autism. For example, showing them cards with pictures and asking what they want from them to give them a freedom of choice. It is very simple though it should be remember that Tobe is not a professional physician or doctor, and should be handled carefully. Another positive with the story is that it clearly defines what a lower-autism is and what are the syptoms of the disorder. There is even charts for such help in the book. Besides the story, Tobe provides testimony of real doctors, parents with autistic children, and autistics themselves. This is what makes up for the fact that people don't take the story seriously. Art is average for the book. There are not alot of tones or fancifulness to the drawings. Overall, With the Light is a good guide to autism but not a solid story with it predictness. It also one of those stories where it is hard to see how the average audience of manga (teens to 20s) will react to it. I haven't heard alot among American otakus, but it seems to be popular in Japan and critically-acclaim with winning awards and being adopted for a T.V. series. So, check out WTL and have fun with it. Update not: The author, Keiko Tobe, haves passed away recently (Jan 2010). WTL was on hitabus when the author told sick leave. I have heard nothing so far if the story will be continued in her absence or not. The manga (the present edition-Yen Press will be 7 volumescalizookeeper

I couldn't believe there was a manga about autism. It's like a true story in cartoon about a couple who just had a baby. At first they thought he was deaf because it would not turn to sounds. Later on, after the mother realizes he can hear, he was diagnosed Autistic. She learns about autistic, and learns to deal with it. The every day life they go through with him has alot of struggles and happiness. She learns the ups and downs of dealing with his autistic world. This is an excellent read whether you have an autistic child or are interested in autistic in general like I am. Autistic is an mysterious disability. People have misconceptions about it. In the book, she faced with people thinking she must not be raising her child right or abused her child because of the way he is acting. There is a part two already out and part three is due out during the summer. All the volumes are thick of over 400 pages long!chickensouplover

Beautifully illustrated, easy to read, and wonderfully organizedIt helped us understand so much about our boy's behavior and language skills. Better than the Speech Therapy we had.ilovewns

I got this book for my daughter…it arrived today. I've started reading it before I see her. I am quite amazed at what's in here …already. So glad I got this…I'm sure it's going to help us. Thank you Annieannierb53

The content of the book is very interesting and informative about the authors recovery from Autism. i work with children on the autism spectrum and I am both intrigued and and in awe of the author and what his parents and he have achieved just by the continual progression of a unique concept to bring about recovering from autism.karenh640

Book is written by someone with ASD and now a founder of a organisation helping families with ASD diagnosed children. It gives real steps to take to help build relationships and overcome barriers. Borrowed it first from the library and had to buy one of my own I thought it was that valuable!Loz

Super helpful resource for parents or for anyone working with a person who has been diagnosed with having autism. A wonderful, helpful, and practical book! I definitely recommend this book!smileandbepositive

this is one of my holy grails when it comes to autistic behaviors. I exhaust all of these options first. it is user friendly and has wonderful anecdotes.stephanie.t

VERY HELPFUL BOOK. First sections talks about whatparents may feel and they go through personal case studies etc, which kinda made me related with my own child. Then there are lots of tips etc. This isn't an instruction manual its more of this is what these parents did and what worked and what didnt depending upon the childs personality. For those searching answers your not going to get direct instructions so this is next best thing.hayley2504

I borrowed this book at our local library. After reading I decided I couldn't be without it. It not only educated me but I've used it to educate family and teachers at my boys school who thought "they knew it all". They didn't! It's beautifully written, very easy reading & has what every adult needs to know & understand about a child with Asperger's Syndrome in their care. I wouldn't be without it, I've read it twice, and can see myself reading it many more times. Plus I intend to continue to loan it to my boys teachers every year of his educational life.bestie

This book is wonderful for learning more about Asperger's Syndrome. I highly recommend this book to research symptoms and resources. Very thorough book, but it is easy to follow and written in layman's terms. I checked this book out with the library and liked it so much, I had to get a hard copy to keep for myself.shel269