Recommended books
Fling, Echo. E (2000) Eating an Artichoke: A Mother's Perspective on Asperger Syndrome, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
So there is “Echofling”, [um] “Eating an Artichoke” I think
it is called. And I read that in one sitting because that was about a mum
and that was brilliant
Blastland, M (2007) Joe: The Only Boy in the World, Profile Books Ltd
I think the one that I can recommend is by Michael Blastland, it is called ‘Joe the Only Boy in the World’ which is again, it is a parental insight into dealing with autistic children, his son, which again from a parent perspective it is quite theoretical but it has got humour and things that ourselves as parents we have been, we have seen there, yes, we have done it. It is a common ground.
Grinker, R.R. (2008) Unstrange Minds: a father remaps the world of autism, Icon Books Ltd
Jackson, J. (2003) Multicoloured Mayhem: Parenting the Many Shades of Adolescents and Children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome and ADHD, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
I prefer to read about other parents. I find, you know, reading about other families that have gone through the same thing, is, is sort of rings true. I mean there are some great books by professionals and there is lots of information but you know a book about a family, like the book Jackie Jackson wrote about her family, you know lots of parts of it you think, yes, it is not just us and you know, it feels you know more like, well yes, there is other people out there going through exactly the same things. You know as we are, you know, and they are getting through it.
Moore, C (2005) George and Sam, Penguin Books
I personally not enjoy, that is the wrong word, but get more insight into the biographical pieces. The autobiographical pieces not so much so, because I think it is too close personally, but those written by parents so is it Charlotte Moore who wrote ‘Sam and George’ as a parent to parent perspective I thought was a cracking… a really good book because it offered a parents insight into bringing up autistic children.
Osteen, M (2010) One of Us: A Family’s life with autism. University of Missouri Press
Rowe, S (2004) Surviving the Special Educational Needs System: How to Be a Velvet Bulldozer, Jessica Kingsley Press.
Right there is a particular book that I have read. It is ‘How to be a Velvet Bulldozer by Sandy Rowe. Now that is one of the most fascinating and interesting and factual books, because this woman actually adopts four children [um] and they are all on the autistic spectrum different levels and she talks about her experiences of trying to get them through [er] mainstream education. But at the back of the book there are also references to various organisations that she turned to within education and you know things like the National Autistic Society. They are all signposted in this book and it is written in such a way that it just is such an excellent book.
Books for children
Hoopman, K (2006) All Cats Have Asperger's Syndrome, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
And then there is the one about all cats have Asperger's. Oh my goodness Charlie is hysterical on that book he thinks that book’s, well because obviously the cats, thinks it is great and Jack has taken that book to heart as well. To the point where he has had a friend over and I found them reading it. I was like this is great, you know, I can’t get any better than this.
Hoopman, K, The Bluebottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure, Jessica Kingsley Publishers
I bought, “Thomas the Blue Bottle Mysteries” which is about a boy with Asperger's trying to come to terms with life and his life and it is written from his point of view. And they are …Thomas liked those books.
there was a book I gave him very quickly after that, The Bluebottle Mystery which is about a child with Asperger's and a friend in school and then I was reading the first page to him, I didn’t even get to the end of the first page and he said, “Has that boy got Asperger's?” And, I said, “Yes.”
