Why Everyone Should Read Books by Autistic Authors | Organization for Autism Research

I see it every year.

Each April, dozens of well-intentioned booksellers, librarians, and other professionals compile lists of books on autism. they create “autism awareness” book displays and social media posts, and encourage everyone to read their recommendations to learn more about autism.

You are reading: Books by autistic authors

which is great!

but many of those lists do not include any autistic authors. too often these lists are filled with stories about the effect autism has on other (non-autistic) people. And while there’s certainly a time and place for those kinds of stories, they definitely shouldn’t be the only stories we share about autism!

Autistic children and adults need to see themselves in stories. we deserve to be seen as more than an annoying sibling or a stoic, uncaring adult. non-autistic readers also need to see authentic representations of autism. it is one of the best ways to generate empathy and compassion. so we all benefit when stories focus on autistic characters. stories that don’t just focus on autism being a tragedy or a burden. we need more stories of autistic joy, stories of autistic children going on adventures, and stories of young autistic people discovering who they are.

autistic authors, with their lived experience of autism, have written amazing books, including some that feature complete and fascinating autistic characters. As an autistic librarian, I try to promote and support as many of these authors as I can. because I believe in the power of their stories. I have seen parts of myself in his books, a feeling that is sadly too rare. and I want my students to be able to see themselves in our library collection. I want them to know that there is a place on our shelves for stories about children like them. that belong. that matter.

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then if you want to read some of these books, the following list is a great place to start. it is by no means exhaustive! it focuses mainly on us, but includes some international authors. there are more children’s books, because that’s my personal area of ​​expertise. I also tend to favor more recent titles.

Illustrated books & medium grade

1. jennifer malia – too sticky! sensory issues with autism
2. sally j. pla
   1. picture book: benji, me and the bad day
   2. middle grade books: stanley will probably be fine; the birds of someday

   young adult

   1. corinne duyvis – the art of saving the world; on the verge of disappearing
   2. marieke nijkamp – even if we break up
   3. jen wilde – queens of the geeks
   4. chris bonnello – underdogs
   5. Anna Whateley – Peta Lyre Rating Normal

   adult

   1. solomon rivers – the cruelty of ghosts
   2. ada hoffman – the outside
   3. kaia sønderby – miscommunication
   4. talia hibbert – acting however you want age, eve brown
   5. helen hoang – the kissing quotient

   non-fiction

   1. sarah kurchak: I got over my autism and all I got was this lousy anxiety disorder: a memory
   2. tanya masterman & yenn purkis – the amazing autistic guide: a practical handbook for autistic teens and tweens
   3. siena castellon – the ghost girl survival guide: how to grow up amazing and autistic
   4. autistic network From Women & Non-Binary: Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People On The Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growth, Acceptance, And Identity (edited by emily paige ballou, sharon davenport, and morénike giwa onaiwu)
   5. naoki higashida – the reason i jump: the inner voice of a thirteen year old boy with autism

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   Next April, I hope to see these names, and more, on the autism acceptance book lists.

   We all have important stories to tell, and the stories of autistic authors have gone unnoticed for far too long. I hope this list helps amplify the voices of these authors and others like them. they all have stories worth celebrating.

   Do you want to know more?

   If you’d like more information on books by autistic authors, there are some excellent resources available online. I recommend:

   • a new mind
   • geek club books
   • not a mother with autism

   Adriana White is an autistic librarian, former special education teacher, and writer. After being diagnosed with autism in her 30s, she now advocates for inclusive schools and libraries. She writes about neurodiversity and mental health in children’s books, and speaks to educators about the importance of these books. Adriana has a Master’s in Education with a specialization in Special Education, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science with a certificate in Storytelling. She is a staff editor for the website A Novel Mind, and writes a column for Geek Club Books. Visit her website at https://bit.ly/AdrianaLW.

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