As the old adage goes: “knowledge is power.” This definitely pertains to parents of children with autism.  One of the best ways to gain that knowledge is through books. The right books can offer more than information. They can provide understanding, comfort, and a reminder that you are not alone. We’ve compiled a list of 9 essential books that we consider the most important for parents and caregivers of children with autism to read, equipping them for the years ahead. This list includes evidence-based ABA resources, parenting guides, and memoirs from autistic voices. This collection of books can provide both “how-tos” and strategies, along with encouragement during challenging moments and inspiration for the years ahead. 

1. Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals 

by Catherine Maurice, Gina Green & Stephen C. Luce

• Ideal for parents and professionals seeking to implement a structured, goal-oriented plan with specific objectives and skill-building.

Widely regarded as one of the most practical guides and reliable resources on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a scientifically supported treatment for autism, this book is tailored for both parents and professionals.

It helps readers understand some of the complex science behind ABA while acknowledging the challenges families face. The information strikes a balance between evidence-based strategy and real-world experiences.

It equips parents to evaluate treatment programs more confidently, objectively assessing their child’s needs and making informed decisions about how to move forward.

Main Points

One of the main strengths of this book is that it gives parents tools to identify scientifically supported treatments, such as ABA, from unproven, ineffective, and sometimes even harmful alternatives. 

It takes parents step by step through the process of assessing their child’s skills and needs, then shows how to design teaching programs that directly address them. It also encourages parents to work closely with professionals such as BCBAs, schools, and speech therapists to maintain consistency across daily life. 

The inclusion of personal accounts brings real caregiver experiences to life, showing how parenting challenges can be addressed with these strategies.

Its inclusion of personal accounts brings real caregiver experiences to life, illustrating how autism parenting challenges can be overcome with these strategies. 

How It Benefits Parents

This book serves as a practical manual that parents can return to whenever new challenges arise. Chapters can be read independently for quick reference—whether the focus is on therapy choices, everyday teaching strategies, or collaboration with professionals.

Importantly, the book presents expert-level concepts in parent-friendly language, making it easier to put these ideas into practice at home.

By blending clear guidance with lived experiences, it reassures parents that while every child’s journey is unique, they are not alone—and that with the right tools and mindset, real progress is possible

2. A Work in Progress: Behavior Management Strategies and a Curriculum for Intensive Behavioral Treatment of Autism 

by Ron Leaf & John McEachin

• Ideal for parents and caregivers who want a practical, structured ABA curriculum they can implement at home or in therapy.

This book serves as both a guide and a ready-to-use curriculum developed by experienced ABA practitioners. 

It focuses on breaking down complex skills into teachable, manageable steps so that parents, caregivers, and those new to the field can implement the same techniques used by seasoned providers. 

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The curriculum-based approach of this book serves as a complete guide for parents and caregivers seeking a treatment plan. 

The information is organized into modules to help children progress in academics, social interactions, self-care, and adaptive skills.

The authors explain how to break down more complex tasks into smaller, more manageable skills.  For example, instead of telling the child to brush their teeth every night, ask them to put toothpaste on their toothbrush. Then, show them how to make circles on their teeth with the toothbrush, and so on. 

The book provides practical guidance for common parenting scenarios and includes reproducible materials, such as data sheets and progress trackers, for easy implementation.

How It Benefits Parents

This book puts the parent in the driver’s seat, empowering them to carry out structured but balanced, evidence-based lessons at home with confidence. 

These strategies have the potential to build routine and predictability, anchoring daily life with clear, observable goals that reduce the stress of both parent and child. The use of tangible data and step-by-step formats enables parents and caregivers to track their child’s growth in real time. 

3. Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew 

by Ellen Notbohm

• Ideal for parents and caregivers seeking deeper emotional insight and connection with their child.

One of the most widely read books in the autism community, this award-winning classic has guided families, teachers, and professionals worldwide since its first edition in 2005. 

Written by author and parent Ellen Notbohm, this revised and updated third edition offers a fresh perspective on ten essential truths, each one introduced from the voice of a child, revealing how autistic children perceive, process, and respond to the world around them.

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This book’s primary goal is to help adults understand that children on the spectrum want to be seen as people first and foremost, not just their diagnosis. 

Notbohm urges parents to recognize their child’s strengths first and then use patience and respect to help them through their challenges. She writes with honesty, uplifting parents who may be frustrated and fearful, providing them with compassion and hope.

How It Benefits Parents

This book provides a decisive perspective shift for parents and caregivers of children with autism, helping them move beyond surface-level behavior to understand the deeper emotional and sensory landscape of autistic children. 

Through the pages of this book, parents will learn how to see their child beyond the diagnosis and connect on a deeper level with their child’s inner world.  

This book serves as a poignant reminder that empathy and love are just as vital as structured interventions. 

4. Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Child's Life by Lynn Kern Koegel and Claire LaZebnik

• Ideal for parents looking for practical, research-backed techniques to address common behavioral challenges.

Co-authored by renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Koegel and Claire Lazebnik, the mother of a child with autism, this book balances professional guidance with personal experience. It focuses on creating meaningful, individualized supports that empower both the child and the family. 

Main Points

The book highlights the importance of both strong parent-child bonding and evidence-based interventions for children with autism.

It addresses common communication barriers and promotes language development, while also offering practical strategies for managing meltdowns, reducing self-injury or aggression, and responding to other challenging behaviors.

The book emphasizes the importance of implementing positive behavior support techniques, such as celebrating small victories and successes. 

How It Benefits Parents

Families receive actionable strategies they can begin using right away. The authors help demystify ABA-based interventions and stress the importance of hope, humor, and resilience. 

It offers a balanced approach to intervention, fostering hope and resilience in families. By providing a mix of professional and personal perspectives, parents feel more equipped and less alone on their journey. 

5. NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity 

by Steve Silberman

• Ideal for parents and caregivers interested in the history of autism and the rise of the neurodiversity movement.

Journalist Steve Silberman does a fantastic job covering the history of autism and advocating for a neurodiversity paradigm, emphasizing acceptance and inclusion.

He challenges misconceptions about autism and highlights the contributions of individuals on the spectrum.

“Required reading for every parent, teacher, therapist, and person who wants to know more about autism” –Parents.com

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This award-winning book draws on in-depth research and interviews to examine the missteps and progress in autism diagnosis and treatment, providing a historical perspective on autism and the rise of the neurodiversity movement.

It highlights the importance of societal acceptance and accommodation, while celebrating the strengths, creativity, and valuable contributions of autistic people to our society. 

How It Benefits Parents

Silberman’s work broadens the understanding of autism for neurotypical parents by moving beyond clinical definitions and exploring the broader historical and cultural context. He examines how autism has been interpreted—and often misunderstood—over time.

This book equips parents with the context they need to support their children not just in the early years, but throughout life as they grow into autistic adults navigating a complex world.

6. Different, Not Less: Inspiring Stories of Achievement and Successful Employment from Adults with Autism, Asperger's, and ADHD 

by Temple Grandin

• Ideal for families and caregivers who want to better understand how autistic strengths can be nurtured into lifelong success through support and self-advocacy. 

Written by one of the most well-known autistic voices, Temple Grandin—diagnosed with autism in childhood and later recognized for her work in psychology and animal science—this collection features the personal stories of individuals on the autism spectrum who have found success across diverse careers.

Each story includes commentary and advice from Grandin based on her personal and professional experiences.

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Along with celebrating neurodiverse talents and contributions, this book highlights the role that early intervention and supportive environments play in helping children with autism flourish. 

Grandin points out how people with autism have been able to contribute to science, art, business, and technology, not despite their autism, but because of it. 

How It Benefits Parents

The book provides reassurance that autism is not a barrier to meaningful work or relationships. These stories are not just about people who have coped with their diagnosis, but excelled. It gives parents the ability to see their child’s future with many possibilities worth celebrating. 

7. The Reason I Jump 

by Naoki Higashida

• Ideal for parents who want a unique look into the mind of a non-verbal child with autism

Written by a 13-year-old boy using an alphabet grid, this book offers remarkable insight into the thoughts, motivations, and sensory experiences of a young person with autism who does not use spoken language.

Naoki Higashida answers questions about how he sees the world with vulnerability and authenticity. 

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Higashida explains the challenges of sensory overload and why autistic individuals respond the way they do.

Presented in a question-and-answer format, he shares his deep longing for connection and understanding, capturing emotional depth, curiosity, and intelligence often overlooked in non-speaking individuals.

Through his words, we can see a rare glimpse into the emotional depth and empathy of people with autism.

How It Benefits Parents

This book deepens empathy and challenges assumptions, offering a raw, first-person perspective that encourages parents and caregivers to see behaviors as meaningful attempts at communication.

It provides a rare window into a child’s inner world, guiding more compassionate and effective support strategies grounded in understanding rather than correction.

8. Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant

• Ideal for parents and caregivers seeking insight into the emotional complexities of raising an autistic child with a respectful, person-centered approach.

Barry Prizant, a leading autism researcher, challenges deficit-based thinking and emphasizes understanding autism as part of human diversity.

Uniquely Human offers a paradigm-shifting understanding of autism. Instead of trying to "fix" behaviors, Dr. Prizant emphasizes the importance of listening, respect, and relationship-building. 

The book focuses on the context of behaviors and their relationship to communication and emotional needs. He encourages parents to build connection, trust, and safety with their child so they have an environment that is prime for growth and learning. 

Main Points

One of the main points that Prizant emphasizes is that what some would call defiant behaviors are actually unmet needs, and the child’s reaction stems from their frustration and lack of communication skills. 

This book intentionally avoids terms like “change” or “fix,” as Dr. Prizant views many behaviors as coping strategies that are integral to a child’s identity. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships and building meaningful connections.

How It Benefits Parents

This book validates the intuition many parents already have—that empathy, flexibility, and connection are key. It helps shift focus from compliance to collaboration, empowering families to support their child in a more compassionate and individualized way.

The book also offers practical tools for parents to build strong, trusting relationships with their child and encourages compassion and advocacy rooted in acceptance.

9. A Parent's Guide to High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder 

by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson & James C. McPartland

• Ideal for parents of children with Level 1 autism who want clear, practical guidance—offering both confidence and support when feeling overwhelmed.

Written by three leading experts in autism research and clinical practice, this guide provides science-based, highly practical strategies for addressing everyday parenting challenges.

Although research-intensive, it is highly informative, providing parents with up-to-date scientific insights while remaining reassuring and accessible.

Main Points

The evidence-based strategies presented in this book support the development of communication, social skills, and behavior in children with autism, striking a thoughtful balance between structured interventions and moments of play and connection.

It serves as a practical guide for navigating therapies, educational systems, and everyday family life.

The authors also encourage parents to recognize and channel their child’s strengths, such as focused interests or exceptional memory, into meaningful opportunities in education, relationships, or future careers.

How It Benefits Parents

For families who may feel uncertain or overwhelmed, this book offers a clear, research-backed toolkit that empowers them to make informed, confident choices in their daily lives.

Most of all, it fosters a hopeful outlook—reminding readers that with the right supports, children with Level 1 autism can grow into happy, independent adults.

For parents and caregivers of autistic children, building a strong foundation of knowledge is one of the most powerful ways to support their journey.

These nine books offer practical strategies, emotional insight, and real-world perspectives that can help you better understand your child and advocate with confidence. Even reading just one of these titles can spark more informed, collaborative conversations with your child’s therapists, educators, and care team.

Ready to partner with a team that’s committed to your child’s growth and happiness? Contact BehaviorSpan today or call 720-206-9644.