Our Favorite Books and Resources for Parents
These are our five favorite books and resources for parents of children with autism.
1) Spectacular Bond: Reaching the Child with Autism
by Dr. Marion Blank, PhD, Dr. Suzanne Goh, MD, and Susan Deland
Look inside the book. The Spectacular Bond program is a unique home-based, parent-led behavioral intervention designed for children with autism spectrum disorders. The program is aimed at fostering:
More meaningful social interaction
Diminished temper tantrums and reductions in stimming
Greater capacity for self-control and improved attention
"This is the first book I have ever read that specifically addresses the critical need to create an inner calmness and self-control in kids diagnosed with autism to maximize learning."
-Alyssa Davi, Mom and Special Education Teacher
2) ASD Unlocking Language
by Dr. Marion Blank, PhD, and Dr. Suzanne Goh, MD
ASD Unlocking Language is a program that teaches meaningful language and communication to individuals with autism and other conditions that impact language development. Through this program, children gain the ability to understand what others are saying in everyday conversation and learn how to clearly express ideas. Download a complete description of ASD Unlocking Language.
3) The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome
by Tony Attwood, PhD
A detailed guide for those with Asperger's Syndrome and their family members, this book provides insight into the unique way in which those with Asperger's experience the world. Look inside this book.
4) The Autism Revolution: Whole Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be
by Martha Herbert, MD
Dr. Herbert is a pediatric neurologist at Harvard Medical School and a neuroimaging researcher. This book provides a thorough overview of biomedical research and treatment for autism. Look inside this book.
5) Headspace - Meditation Made Simple
This app provides an easy way to reduce stress and increase a sense of calm and well-being in your life, which translates into a more calm and regulated state for your child.
From Headspace.com: "People have been meditating for thousands of years. While the practice isn’t new, science is just catching up to its benefits. At Headspace, our in-house science team is dedicated to understanding the benefits of meditation as measured and understood by modern medicine. They leverage existing and ongoing research of in-person mindfulness training while pioneering new research on the delivery of digital mindfulness training.
The techniques used within the Headspace app have been refined and developed over many centuries, passed down from teacher to student. The intention of these techniques is to cultivate awareness and compassion so that we might better understand the mind, as well as our relationship with the world around us. With this as our focus, we view any kind of health benefit beyond the development of awareness and compassion as a helpful byproduct or positive side-effect of regular meditation."
