Thought I’d share some books that I have read and some my daughter has read.

When our son was a little over 2 years old we received his official diagnosis of autism. I spent hours online reading every article I could find. Everything was so technical and while it explained the diagnosis and presented me with options and advice it didn’t help that lost feeling.

Here are a few books I read. These are books written by mothers of children diagnosed with autism.

Across the Spectrum by Eileen Lamb : I actually stumbled upon Eileen because of her photography. Her images of her son were featured on a photography IG profile I follow and I loved her photos. Once I started following her and reading her captions I became aware of her son being diagnosed with severe autism. Eileen herself was diagnosed with autism as an adult after her son had his diagnosis. This book is a must read and I encourage you to follow Eileen! Her IG is @theautismcafe.

Forever Boy: A Mother’s Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy by Kate Swenson : You know how IG suggests accounts for you to follow and has reels randomly pop up? Well that’s how I came upon Kate. Her IG @findingcoopersvoice, also the name of her blog she started after her son Cooper’s diagnosis, follows her journey with her son and his siblings. She is so honest and open in her posts and the book was no different. Her real and vulnerable writing brought me to tears. Knowing I wasn’t the only one with these fears and this anger truly helped. It gives insight to how autism affects a family and the things you don’t always see from the outside looking in.

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm : In my many google searches looking for answers, Ellen’s book came up many times. This book has been revised serval times and has been a best selling book since 2005. Ellen writes this book as a mother of a child with autism and ADHD diagnosis. The chapters are filled with stories as well as medical details that help you understand what life is like for a child with this diagnosis. The stimulation, eloping, stemming, digestion issues, communication, and so much more. You need to read this book.

Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism by Mary Lynch Barbera Ph.D: Mary, again, is the mother of a son with autism. After the diagnosis she decided she wanted to do more for her son and became a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). She has worked with many parents and children over the last two decades using the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Her approach is positive, child-friendly methodology that any parent can use at home to teach communication skills, socialization strategies, as well as tackle sleep, eating, potty training, and behavior challenges in a positive, effective, and lasting way. Some parents and individuals with autism are against ABA therapy. I personally am so thankful we were able to get our son into ABA and have seen such a change in how we are able to communicate with him and it has improved our family’s lives.

Something else I googled was how to help our daughter understand autism and how our family would move forward. It was hard for her when her brother didn’t want to sit and let her read him a story. He wasn’t interested in playing together like she had been hoping when she found out she’d be a big sister.

Siblings of children with disabilities can be overlooked. This isn’t intentional, no parent wants this to happen. When you are in the thick of it and trying to figure things out sometimes you slip. This little child needs so much attention and you become exhausted. We are so lucky our children have such amazing grandparents and extended family. Our daughter gets to go do all the things e en if sometimes we can’t be there because it’s too much for her brother.

Here are some the books she read that she enjoyed and helped her understand this new life we were living.

What About Me?: A Book By and For An Autism Sibling by Brennan Farmer : This is for kids 4-8 years old.

My Brother with Autism: A Story book to celebrate differences by S. Nadia : This is for kids 4-8 years old.

Everybody Is Different: A Book for Young People Who Have Brothers or Sisters With Autism by Fiona Bleach : For ages 9 and up.

Siblings: The Autism Spectrum Through Our Eyes by Jane Johnson : For ages 8 and up

Even if you just read one of these books, it will make an impact on your life. Honestly, you don’t even have to read a book. Take minute and find these amazing individuals online.