Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Popular Literature

This is Temple Grandin's story of what it is like to live with autism. She is a renowned livestock scientist and an advocate for embracing her autistic ways of thinking as a gift instead of a hindrance.

Autism therapy typically focuses on ridding individuals of "autistic" symptoms such as difficulties interacting socially, problems in communicating, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. Dr. Barry M. Prizant offers a new and compelling paradigm: the most successful approaches to autism don't aim at fixing a person by eliminating symptoms, but rather seeking to understand the individual's experience and what underlies the behavior.

Girls with Asperger's Syndrome are less likely to be diagnosed than boys and by the time they are diagnosed help is not as available. Many believe that this is due to the fact that girls are pressured to be more social and, as a result, spend more time attempting to pass as neurotypical. Simone discusses her experiences as a girl with Asperger's and the loneliness and challenges that come with the disorder.

This memoir is written by 13-year-old Naoki Higashida, who has autism and is non-verbal. Higashida helps us to understand how the autistic mind is complex and nuanced by taking us through his experience with autism and his life in general.

How do you know which college is right for you? What happens if you don't get on with your roommate? And what on earth is the Greek system all about? As a university student with High-Functioning Autism, Haley Moss offers essential tips and advice in this insider's guide to surviving the Freshman year of college.

Haddon's award winning novel tells the story of 15 year old Christopher who is trying to solve the mystery of a dead neighborhood dog. Christopher's autism helps him excel in math, but he has a hard time with everyday life.

Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old. It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan.

Three friends, two love stories, one convention: this fun, feminist love letter to geek culture is all about fandom, friendship, and finding the courage to be yourself.

Moon tells the story of an autistic man who is offered the chance to be cured by science. Lou must make the decision to continue to be himself, or completely change the way he thinks.

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that.

In Classroom Six, second left down the hall, Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend who shares. A friend who listens. Maybe even a friend who likes things to stay the same and all in order, as Henry does. But on a day full of too close and too loud, when nothing seems to go right, will Henry ever find a friend--or will a friend find him?

Jason doesn't fit in in his school, but finds an online community called Storyboard where he can express himself. His participation and relationships in the Storyboard community helps him gain self-worth and discover his identity.

Ten-year-old Caitlyn has Asperger's syndrome. She grapples with the trauma of her mother dying from cancer and her older brother being killed in a school shooting. She struggles to understand emotions and make friends at school, while at home she seeks closure by working on a project with her father.