15 Best Autism Books for Parents and Autistic Adults

Good books can change how you understand autism, whether you’re a parent after a new diagnosis, an educator, or an adult wondering if you might be autistic yourself. This list brings together 15 widely read books, from memoirs by autistic authors to research-based guides, plus a few picture books to share with children.

Book titles link to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Most of these books are also available free at your public library.

Why Reading About Autism Matters

Autism is common: the CDC’s most recent surveillance report estimates that about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. are autistic. Our understanding has also shifted a great deal, toward listening to autistic people themselves and focusing on support and strengths rather than “fixing” autism. The books below reflect both lived experience and professional knowledge.

Essential Classics

1. “The Reason I Jump” by Naoki Higashida: Written by a nonspeaking Japanese teenager who answered questions by pointing to letters on an alphabet board, and translated by David Mitchell and KA Yoshida. It offers a rare first-person look at sensory experiences, routines and communication.
2. “NeuroTribes” by Steve Silberman: Winner of the 2015 Samuel Johnson Prize. A deeply researched history of autism that explains how it came to be misunderstood and makes the case for neurodiversity and acceptance.
3. “Uniquely Human” by Barry M. Prizant: A speech-language pathologist with decades of experience explains autistic behaviors as ways of coping and communicating, not symptoms to eliminate. An updated edition came out in 2022. A favorite for parents and teachers.
4. “Look Me in the Eye” by John Elder Robison: A funny, honest memoir by a man diagnosed with Asperger’s at 40, covering his childhood, social struggles, and career building guitars for KISS and later repairing cars.
5. “The Autistic Brain” by Temple Grandin and Richard Panek: Grandin, an autistic scientist and advocate, combines her own experience with brain research, and argues for building on different thinking styles at school and work.

Memoirs and Guides by Autistic Authors

6. “Autism For Dummies” by John Marble and co-authors: A practical, plain-language guide covering diagnosis, support, school and adulthood. The current edition is co-written by autistic advocate John Marble.
7. “I Think I Might Be Autistic” by Cynthia Kim: A short, clear guide for adults exploring a possible diagnosis: what autism looks like in adults, self-assessment, and what to expect from an evaluation.
8. “The Electricity of Every Living Thing” by Katherine May: A memoir of a year walking England’s South West Coast Path, during which the author comes to understand she is autistic.
9. “I Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder” by Sarah Kurchak: Sharp, funny essays about growing up autistic, masking, and mental health.

Relationships and Families

10. “Asperger’s in Love” by Maxine Aston: Looks at romantic relationships where one or both partners are autistic: communication, intimacy and sensory needs. It uses older terminology (“Asperger’s”) but is still widely read.
11. “The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome” by Maxine Aston: Written for the non-autistic partner, with practical guidance on understanding each other and making the relationship work.

Mental Health and Self-Understanding

12. “Who You Were Meant to Be” by Lindsay C. Gibson: Not an autism book, but many autistic adults who have spent years masking find its focus on reconnecting with your authentic self helpful.
13. “The Highly Sensitive Person” by Elaine N. Aron: About sensory-processing sensitivity, a separate trait from autism, but its practical advice on managing overstimulation resonates with many autistic readers.
14. “Brain Lock” by Jeffrey M. Schwartz: A widely used self-help approach to OCD, which co-occurs with autism more often than in the general population. Best used alongside a therapist.
15. “Taking Charge of Adult ADHD” by Russell A. Barkley: ADHD often co-occurs with autism. Barkley, a leading ADHD researcher, gives evidence-based strategies for organization, time and focus.

Picture Books to Share With Children

These help young children understand autism, whether they are autistic themselves or have an autistic sibling or classmate:

• “All My Stripes” by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer: a zebra who worries that classmates only see his “autism stripe.”
• “A Friend for Henry” by Jenn Bailey: a gentle story about an autistic boy looking for a friend.
• “My Brother Charlie” by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete: told by a girl about her autistic twin brother.
• “Benji, the Bad Day, and Me” by Sally J. Pla: siblings, meltdowns and kindness.

How to Choose the Right Book

• Parents of a newly diagnosed child: start with “Uniquely Human,” then add “The Reason I Jump” for an autistic perspective.
• Adults exploring a diagnosis: “I Think I Might Be Autistic,” then a memoir such as “The Electricity of Every Living Thing.”
• History and advocacy: “NeuroTribes.”
• Couples: Maxine Aston’s two books.
• Short on time? Try the audiobook versions, or borrow from your library first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best autism books written by autistic authors?

Strong choices include “The Reason I Jump” by Naoki Higashida, “Look Me in the Eye” by John Elder Robison, “The Autistic Brain” by Temple Grandin, “I Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder” by Sarah Kurchak, “The Electricity of Every Living Thing” by Katherine May, “I Think I Might Be Autistic” by Cynthia Kim, and “Autism For Dummies” (co-written by autistic author John Marble).

Which autism books should parents read after their child’s diagnosis?

Many parents start with “Uniquely Human” by Barry M. Prizant for a strengths-based approach and “Autism For Dummies” for practical basics. “NeuroTribes” by Steve Silberman adds history and context, and “The Reason I Jump” offers an autistic child’s own perspective.

Are there books for adults who think they might be autistic?

Yes. “I Think I Might Be Autistic” by Cynthia Kim is written for adults exploring a possible diagnosis. Late-diagnosis memoirs such as “Look Me in the Eye” and “The Electricity of Every Living Thing” are also popular.

What autism books help with relationships and marriage?

Maxine Aston’s “Asperger’s in Love” looks at relationships where one or both partners are autistic, and “The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome” is written for the non-autistic partner. Both use older terminology but are still widely read.

Are there autism books for children?

Yes. Picture books such as “All My Stripes”, “A Friend for Henry” and “My Brother Charlie” help young children understand autism, whether they are autistic themselves or have an autistic sibling or classmate.

Do I need to buy these books?

No. Most are available at public libraries, often as audiobooks and e-books too, so you can try a book before buying it.

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