How to Live With Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Chris Williams and Barry Wright

Practical strategies for parents and professionals.

This accessible and valuable introduction to caring for a child with autism is an ideal resource for teachers and members of a child with autism’s immediate and extended family. In clear and simple language, with many illustrations, the authors tackle common problems experienced in everyday routines such as eating, sleeping and going to the toilet, as well as how to cope with aggression and tantrums, preoccupations and compulsions and how to enable better communication and socialising. Based on up-to-date research and using many case examples, the authors consider step-by-step why each problem may be happening and suggest a number of solutions.

A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people.  SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.

How to Live With Autism and Asperger Syndrome

How To Talk To An Autistic Kid

Daniel Stefanski

While many young people know kids with autism, they often find it hard to relate to them.

That’s because the behavior of autistic kids can seem off-putting and antisocial, even though the person with autism wants to be friends. This is frustrating for autistic kids and for their peers, and often leads to avoiding, ignoring, excluding-or bullying and teasing. In , a 14-year-old boy describes what it’s like being autistic. With frankness and optimism, author Daniel Stefanski provides personal stories, clear explanations, and supportive advice about how to get along with kids with autism. answers many questions readers might have about their autistic peers.

How To Talk To An Autistic Kid

I Have A Question About Divorce

Arlen Grad Gaines & Meredith Englander Polsky

A book for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs.

Divorce is a difficult topic for any parent or educator to explain to a child, perhaps even more so when the child has Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special needs. This book is designed specifically to help children with these additional needs to understand what divorce means.

Using a question and answer format, it explores the changes and feelings a child may experience during a divorce, and provides ideas to help cope with this life change. Illustrated with SymbolStix, which uses a symbol-based language for visual thinkers, this book explains a difficult topic to children who might otherwise struggle to understand it, and gives additional guidance for parents and carers.

I Have A Question About Divorce

Imagine Having Asperger’s Syndrome DVD

Dr Richard Eisenmajer

Using anecdotes and case studies from his clinical practice, well known Melbourne psychologist Dr Richard Eisenmajer explains the main features of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

He provides insights into how people with ASD experience the world around them and reasons why they either excel or struggle with everyday activities.

A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people.  SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.

Imagine Having Asperger’s Syndrome DVD

Individualised Autism Intervention For Young Children

Travis Thompson

Discrete trial instruction or naturalistic, incidental teaching: How do you choose which approach to use with young children with autism? Now there's no need to "pick a side"

— this groundbreaking book helps professionals skillfully blend the best of both behavioral approaches to respond to each child’s individual needs. Developed by one of the nation’s leading experts on autism, this innovative, evidence-based guidebook cuts through the chaos of conflicting information and gives readers a logical, child-centered way to plan and implement intervention. Professionals will begin with an in-depth guide to creating an autism intervention profile for each child, based on the type and severity of the child’s autism characteristics and common predictors of how the child will respond to intervention (such as anxiety level, language, and social interest). Once the profile is complete, readers will learn how to match the child’s individual characteristics and needs with a specially tailored blend of DTI and naturalistic teaching. To help them select and implement the right interventions for each child, professionals will get more than a dozen practical tools, including the Autism Intervention Responsiveness Scale, sample data collection forms, schedules, intervention plans, and progress reports. Readers will also learn from detailed before-and-after case studies of five children with very different characteristics and intervention needs. Through vivid accounts of their diverse intervention plans and first-person stories from their parents, readers will see exactly what individualized, child-centered interventions look like and how they help children make improvements in key areas. A must for early childhood educators and interventionists, this book will demystify competing autism treatments and help readers create custom-tailored interventions that really improve child outcomes.

Individualised Autism Intervention For Young Children

Inside Asperger’s Looking Out

Kathy Hoopmann

This book shows neurotypicals how Aspies see and experience the world.

Engaging text and colour photographs bring to light traits that many Aspies have in common, whilst at the same time highlighting and celebrating the unique characteristics that make those with Asperger syndrome special.

A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people.  SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.

Inside Asperger’s Looking Out

Interoception and Regulation

Emma Goodall & Charlotte Brownlow

Teaching Skills of Body Awareness and Supporting Connection with Others.

There are some things that many of us take for granted – such as knowing when we are hot or cold, feel hungry, or need to go to the toilet. But how do we know these things, and why do some people struggle to recognise them?  Interoception – the ability to identify and act on physical sensations inside the body – is crucial to human well-being. It underpins physical developmental milestones, such as toilet-training, as well emotional ones, such as the ability to self-regulate. Research shows that Autism often co-occurs with poor interoceptive sense.

This practical and informative book demystifies interoception and provides tools to help boost interoceptive abilities. It summarises the latest research, explores how interoceptive difficulties can be identified, suggests strategies to manage feelings and emotions, and explains how to support individuals in ‘tuning in’ to themselves.

Interoception and Regulation

Just Right For You

Melanie Heyworth

A story about Autism.

Just Right For You offers a warm, optimistic way of introducing Autism to your child and embracing their differences.

Just Right For You

Kids In The Syndrome Mix

Martin L Kutscher

A guide to the often co-existing neuro-behavioral disorders in children.

From attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder, to autistic spectrum disorders, and non-verbal learning disabilities. It provides information on causes, symptoms, interactions with other conditions, and treatments.

Kids In The Syndrome Mix

Martian in the Playground

Claire Sainsbury

This award winning book illuminates what it means to be a person who has Asperger's Syndrome by providing a window into a unique and particular world.

Drawing on her own experience of schooling, and that of a network of friends and correspondents who share her way of thinking and responding, Clare Sainsbury reminds us of the potential for harm which education holds for those who do not fit. This book holds insights that take us beyond the standard guidance on how to manage autistic spectrum disorder.

A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people.  SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.

Martian in the Playground

My Name Is David. I Have Autism And I Was Bullied.

Dr Claudio V. Cerullo

David is a ten year old boy that just wants to feel loved, respected and part of normal play with his friends.

Help protect children with hidden disabilities like David by understanding both the facts about bullying and the greater effects it has on special needs children.

My Name Is David. I Have Autism And I Was Bullied.

Parenting A Child With Asperger Syndrome

Brenda Boyd

For parents of children with Asperger Syndrome (AS), ordinary parenting just doesn't always do it - AS kids need a different approach.

Brenda is the mother to 13 yr old Kenneth, author of , and since his diagnosis at the age of eight she has gathered together the parenting ideas and tips that have had a positive effect on Kenneth’s life. Brenda discusses parents’ reaction to their child’s AS and gives advice on how to better understand ‘Planet Asperger’. This book helps parents respond positively to the challenges of AS & find the ‘treasure’ of their child’s way of being.

A note from SWAN: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ is no longer used as a diagnosis and the term “high-functioning” is harmful, as it minimises the varied support needs of autistic people.  SWAN does not endorse these terms, but recognises that this resource contains other useful information.

Parenting A Child With Asperger Syndrome