Autism Awareness Month - Books

I wanted to do something different this year. Normally I share our story (and I will later), but today I am going to share some books on the subject. I have read each of these and have gleaned at least one thing that made them worthy of a recommendation. It doesn't mean I agree with everything the author said, but there were some points made that I feel can help parents and those living with people on the spectrum.

Dr. Sears is a good place to start. It's basic, but it doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is, a starter book for those new to the spectrum. I disagree with some of his thoughts, but there is some solid information there for those new to the scene. 

I could go through half of this post about this author. Let's just say, if Dr. Temple Grandin has written a book on Autism, get, read it, understand it. She IS a person with Autism, so she has an insight that so few do. If you ever get a chance to hear her speak, take it. It's wonderful to see how an adult on the spectrum interacts and communicates. Her writing will shed a bit of light on that, as well. 

Not a Temple Grandin book, but good for kids and the author was aided by Dr. Grandin. It explains some of the unwritten rules about life to kids who so often don't grasp them. 

This book is quite different as it is the first in my collection of how to help those on the spectrum. It shares about a program called "Brain Balance" and there is a lot of merit to this program. I have watched children do exceedingly well and have incredible successes after using a quality brain balance program. 

These two books are, hands down, two of the most important you will have in your Autism library. Sensory issues so often plague our littles and these two explain the why and how to help of SPD. It gives in-depth things you can do, and a LOT of them to help with the sensory side of Autism. 

I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Bock speak 2 years ago. I should just say "get this book" after hearing him. But, with you not being there, it's not enough. This gets into the meat of WHY we are seeing a rise of the 4 A's (Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies) and how to help protect and heal your kiddos. 

This book has, single handedly, changed our younger son's life. The seriousness of what allergies can do to a child's body and mind is, well, mind blowing (no pun intended). I never, ever would have believed what food, chemical, and environmental allergies could do to the brain and body if I hadn't seen it myself. I will be sharing more on this book later, but for now, I highly, highly suggest you get it and it's sister book "Is This Your Child's World". Dr. Rapp is, as far as we are concerned, a genius.