Fans pick 100 books like Autism Breakthrough

I was so deeply moved and inspired by reading this book that, even as a young student in college, I almost hoped I would have a child with autism so that I could have the experience of running a Son-Rise Program. I loved how Bears and Samahria charted their own course when there were no mapped parenting paths that appealed to them. I loved their optimism, love, joy, and determination.

They decided not to stop Raun’s repetitive behaviors but used those behaviors as the bridge to connection, whereas the professionals seeing Raun at the time wanted to stop the behaviors so that they could force Raun to connect. The forcing didn’t work, but joining the behaviors brought miraculous changes.

What moved me the most was how much Raun changed and grew in response to the internal work Bears and Samahria did to be clear and present. They invited Raun to… show more.

I love how Kate makes working on any skill or situation seem doable. Kate was one of my teachers when I was training to run a Son-Rise Program, and it is so helpful to have her words on my bookshelf for when I get frustrated or forget my best intentions.

This book came out after my daughter was potty trained and after she was sleeping through the night in her own room, so those sections of the book were enjoyable to read as a reminder of where we had been. The sections on what to do what your child is upset have been particularly helpful as my daughter and I sometimes have big emotional clashes, especially now that we are in sync with our periods.

I appreciate having Kate’s suggestions so that I don’t feel trapped or alone in any difficult situation. 

I read this in the early days following Sarah’s medical diagnosis when she was one year old. It felt like finding water in a desert. It was the first time I came across any acknowledgment that parents of kids with special needs go through the grieving process.

I liked the explanation of why I was probably having a hard time: not only was I grieving, but I was, of course, also still navigating how to care for my child, who needed even more care than the typical child. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like a terrible person for having the feelings I was having.

When I let myself grieve without judgment, then, I moved through those difficult feelings more easily and could find some breathing room, which helped me be more available to take care of my daughter.

I always find it helpful to express my feelings, and I love that this book addresses the need for children to do so, too. Whenever I feel tight and anxious in my parenting and realize I’m trying to control my children's emotional experiences, this is a helpful reminder to be with them and listen.

That always makes a difference. I remember that I don’t have to solve my kids’ problems; I can just show up and listen. I can trust that when they get sad and mad, they will be sparkly again, just as I am when I move through my feelings.

The most helpful section of the book for me was about when kids show anger. My daughter often has angry outbursts, and I liked that this book reminded me that she might be having underlying feelings of fear and anxiety. It helped me get to the root of… show more.

As a clinician and researcher, I’ve come to appreciate neurodivergent people’s boundless capacity for innovation and creativity. This book by Simon Baron-Cohen argues that these strengths that I’ve observed over the everyday course of my work have helped to advance humanity’s progress for tens of thousands of years.

Autistic people, Baron-Cohen argues, have a distinct ability to identify and manipulate “if-then” patterns, leading to advancements in everything from agricultural and hunting practices to musical instruments and modern digital technology. I share his belief that we must do more to nurture autistic people’s innate abilities, recognize their talents, and advocate for an inclusive world that allows them to share their gifts far and wide.

M. is an autistic teen girl who desperately wants to be just like everyone else. Who longs to know the proper things to say and do.

And this was me. I was an undiagnosed autistic girl who longed to know the “right” ways to be/talk/act/feel, who never could quite de-code social situations or feel like I fit in.

Written collaboratively with the autistic girls who attend the Limpsfield-Grange School and their teacher, Vicky Martin, this book captured something special about the tricky social dilemmas of young teendom, something that resonated so deeply in me – I loved its truth-telling, and how funny and sad it was in turns – that’s how I write, too.

Stanley Greenspan was a phenomenal insightful physician who started “floor time” to connect with and support children with special needs. This book lays out the general technique with case studies as example. Most importantly, the method is not rigid but guides parents on how to be uniquely sensitive to their child.

I am absolutely enamored with the illustrations by Janan Cain in this book. They give me the same whimsical feeling I would get as a child reading A Bad Case of the Stripes. There is a softness in the colors and visual elements that really lends itself to the content of the book. Each emotion is touched on without judgment, just presenting its qualities. It is almost like a dictionary of feelings, which can be helpful for parents starting discussions around emotions. I could also see this book being so helpful for neuro-divergent children in acting out and identifying their feelings and the way other feelings present in others. 

I was awe-struck by author Daniel Tammet’s first-person account of his experience as both an autistic savant and a synesthete!

He can do complex mathematical calculations in his head, thanks to his ability to “see’ numbers as three-dimensional colored objects. Tammet describes his amazing ability to “see” and recite mathematical pi to 22,514 decimal places!

What’s more, he experiences words and days of the week as colors, which helps him visualize periods of time and learn different languages (Tammet knows 11, including Icelandic, learned in one week).

As a person on the autism spectrum, the book also tells of the author’s social and emotional struggles to relate to other people. A moving and inspiring personal story.

I was absolutely hooked by the theme of chaotic teenage girldom and hilariously relatable characters, but the thoughtful discussions centering on disability and identity were simply fabulous!

I greatly enjoyed the portrayal of universal feelings of youth—confusion, longing for adventure, and a quest for meaning. The protagonist, who is autistic and Palestinian, highlights representation the world desperately needs more of.