There are many excellent books out there that can help autistic support teachers. Those considering a career in this area should already be aware of the complexity of this role and the demands they will face each day while on the job. There is a great need for professionals in education who have a good understanding of autism as they can help today’s educators learn about new teaching methods and the many different aspects of this disorder.
Since we are all still learning about autism, its causes, and how it affects those who are diagnosed, it is a good idea for anyone training to be an autistic support teacher to stay up to date on the latest methods and studies, according to Autism Speaks. The following books can be a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about working with autistic children.
1. Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew: Updated and Expanded Edition
By Ellen Notbohm
The best way to learn about such a complex condition is from someone who’s had plenty of experience. This book is written by a mother of sons with autism and ADHD. She writes from her own experiences and includes positive messages for families of children with special needs as well as those who work with them each day. Many of her suggestions may seem like common sense, however, there are so many people who should read this book to understand that common sense methods work.
The book includes plenty of advice on how to help young people living with autism transition into adulthood. This is one highly-detailed book that you are sure to go back to throughout your career.
2. Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
Edited by Shannon Des Roches Rosa, Jennifer Byde Myers, Liz Ditz, Emiliy Willingham and Carol Greenburg.
This book contains 55 essays that were written by contributors from the autism community. These entries come from writers of all levels of society who have been touched by someone with autism or who has lived with it themselves. Some were composed by professionals who counsel autistic children which can be extremely helpful to autistic support teachers, however as you read this book you will find that the excerpts written by those with autism are some of the most touching and informative. Once you have read this book, you will want to keep it on hand to reread when times get tough.
It also features a comprehensive index so that you can locate important details as needed.
3. Behavior Solutions for the Inclusive Classroom: A Handy Reference Guide that Explains Behaviors Associated with Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and other Special Needs
By Beth Aune, OTR/L, Beth Burt and Peter Gennaro
While it may seem like a textbook for special education professionals, this book is written in a way that we can all understand. It’s not filled with technical jargon and medical theories that would go over our heads. Instead it is a great resource tool for parents and teachers to use that helps them gain a better understanding of what is going on with their child or student.
The authors came up with an effective format that explains the behavior and the possible cause of the behavior which is explained clearly. There is a detailed table of contents and a handy index that helps you find exactly what you need when you need it.
4. Look Me In the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s
By John Elder Robison
This book was on the New York Times best-selling list and for good reason. The memoir offers a mixture of comical and heartbreaking text that shows the reader what it was like to live with Asperger’s Syndrome during a time when there was very little knowledge out there about it. The author’s stories can provide educators with some understanding of what their current students may be facing and it could help you to open the lines of communication with them much easier. This brilliant and heartwarming book is one that can be enjoyed by anyone who has been touched by an individual with autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
5. The Way I See It
By Dr. Temple Grandin
No list of books referring to autism is complete without this revolutionary book written by Dr. Temple Grandin. The professor of animal science at Colorado State University was one of the first people to speak out about living with autism as an adult. The book provides the reader with a look into her own world and allows you to understand more about your students and how they process information much differently from you. This is another exceptional book that provides the rest of us with a better insight of how children, and adults, with autism, view the world around them.
Related Resource: What is a Behavioral Support Teacher?
These five are just a few of the great books for autistic support teachers. By adding these to your collection you will have a good personal library of helpful resources to turn to on a daily basis as you work with all types of children and young adults on the spectrum.
