How libraries can support people with autism

Our Libraries have many books which may help you or your family support people on the autism spectrum. These books which have been chosen and recommended by professionals.

Supporting children

Titles:

• Martian in the playground: Understanding the schoolchild with Asperger's Syndrome
• The Asperkid’s (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome
• The Red Beast: Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
• Understanding autism : the essential guide for parents
• Autism: I See Things Differently

Supporting teens

Titles:

• Parenting a Teen or Young Adult with Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): 325 Ideas, Insights, Tips and Strategies
• Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome
• The Growing Up Book for Boys: What Boys on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know!
• The Growing Up Guide for Girls: What Girls on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know!
• What’s Happening to Ellie? : A Book About Puberty for Girls and Young Women with Autism and Related Conditions
• Autism and Preparing for Adulthood

Supporting women

Titles:

• Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome
• The Independent Woman’s Handbook for Super Safe Living on the Autistic Spectrum

Supporting adults

Titles:

• Helping Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome Get and Stay Hired
• Older Adults and Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Introduction and Guide
• Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Management
• The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome
• Getting to Grips with Asperger Syndrome

Guides

Titles:

• Asperger’s Syndrome: the Essential Guide
• Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide
• The Autistic Spectrum: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
• The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome
• Been There. Done That. Try This: An Aspie’s Guide to Life on Earth
• It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: An Autism Spectrum Guide to the Confusing World of Idioms, Metaphors and Everyday Expressions
• The Incredible 5-Point Scale

Sensory

Titles:

• The Autistic Brain
• Living Sensationally
• Thinking in Pictures
• All Cats have Asperger Syndrome

Diet

Titles:

• What to Feed an Asperger
• Autism: Exploring the Benefits of a Gluten and Casein Free Diet: A Practical Guide for Families and Professionals

Biography

Titles:

• The Reason I Jump
• Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable
• Nerdy, Shy, and Socially Inappropriate: A User Guide to an Asperger Life
• Do Lemons Have Feathers?: More to Autism than Meets the Eye
• The Obsessive Joy of Autism
• Switched On: My Journey from Asperger’s to Emotional Awakening

How libraries can help

There are a range of resources available in libraries to help support people with autism:

• a picture journey to show you what to expect when visiting the library for the first time
• visual tours of the library
• library floor plans

Autism friendly meeting rooms are available at the Dorchester Library and Learning Centre and Gillingham Library. Talk to library staff to book.

A printable version

Download a printable version of the selection of books on autism that have been chosen and recommended by professionals. 

Contact dlslibrarians@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk if you need this information in a different format.