Supporting Students With Disabilities: How To Help Your Child With Autism

What Can You Do To Ensure Your Child's Academic Success
-Lean about autism
-Become an expert on your child
-Be consistent
-Stick to a schedule
-Attend all IEP meetings
-Stay up to date on current educational laws (know your child's rights)
-Learn your child's method of communication
-Reward good behavior
-Pay attention to your child's sensory sensitivities
-Find support groups

Book List:

Nobody Nowhere: The Extrodinary Autobiography of An Autistic By: Donna Williams

Grade level: 9th and up

Gist of The Text: This autobiography book describes the hardship of a female with autism. It discusses her struggles to communicate and live with others. She provides explanations for common autistic behaviors. She also offers advice on how to communicate with an autistic person with respect and without overwhelming them.

Somebody Somewhere: Breaking Free From The World of Autism By: Donna Williams

Grade Level: 9th and up

Gist of The Text: This is the follow up book to Nobody Nowhere: The Extrodinary Autobiography of An Autistic. It recounts memories from her day to day life.

There's A Boy In Here: Emerging From The Bonds of Autism By: Judy and Sean Barron

Grade Level: 8th and up

Gist of The Text: The book is told from both the mother and son's perspectives. It discusses the difficulties the boy had in school, but their persistance to ensure he lived a normal lifestyle.

Poems And Short Stories About My Brother Kevin Who Has Autism By: Richard W. Carlson Jr.
Grade Level: First through third grade
Gist Of The Text: Through the use of pictures, poems, and short stories the author is able to depict life with his brother Kevin who suffers from autism. This book can help parents understand personal experiences of the "neuro-typical" sibling living with another sibling who has autism.

Thinking In Pictures And Other Reports From My Life With Autism By: Temple Grandin

Grade Level: 8th Grade and up

Gist Of The Text: The book tells the life story of the author and her struggles with autism. She provides commentary on animal and human relations. She discusses ways people with autism can be integrated into society through families, friendships, other relationships, schools, and jobs.

Born On A Blue Day: Inside The Extraordinary Mind Of An Autistic Savant By Daniel Tammet

Grade Level: 9th Grade and up

Gist Of The Text: The story describes the life of the 27 year old male savant (good memorization and mental calculation skills). Told from his point of view, the book describes his ability to think abstractly, deviate from routine, empathize, interact, and communicate with others is impaired.

The Mind Tree: A Miraculous Child Breaks The Silence of Autism By: Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay

Grade Level: Fifth Grade and up

Gist Of The Text: Written from the perspective of the author who has autism. It retells stories about his life between the ages of eight to eleven years old. It illustrates his mother's push to educated him and challenge him to become a writer.

Interview:
Jason McElwain's Story:
This video shows interviews with Jason, Jason's family and basketball coach describing his life with autism and the time he was finally able to play in a basketball game for his school during his senior year of high school.