Autism Readings & Resources

Support from Your Local Authority

• Every Local Authority has a Local Offer webpage or website, which we strongly advise you have a look at for your local area. The information includes local services for autism, independent advocacy services and SEND services. 

  For example, in North London:

  • Camden - https://sendiasscamden.co.uk/

  • Haringey - https://haringey.gov.uk/children-young-people-families/send-local-offer/education/specialist-teams/language-autism-support-team and https://haringey.gov.uk/send-directory/actuallyharingey-autism-hub

  • Islington - https://findyour.islington.gov.uk/kb5/islington/directory/service.page?id=vwE8vDdY6Dc

  • Barnet - https://www.barnetlocaloffer.org.uk/autistic_children_and_young_people

  • Brent - https://www.brent.gov.uk/localoffer

  • Enfield - https://www.enfieldasa.org.uk/

• Information on Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help

For Children & Young People

• Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome? A guide for friends and family. Jude Welton, illustrated by Jane Telford

• Freaks, Geeks and Asperger’s syndrome by Luke Jackson. Written by the then 13-year-old Luke Jackson, who has Asperger’s Syndrome himself. Luke wrote the book because he thought that there were not enough useful things on the internet about the subject (for teenagers).

• Visit Tony Attwood’s website: https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/

• Autism Understood - https://autismunderstood.co.uk/

• Spectrum Gaming - https://www.spectrumgaming.net/

• Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals by Tony Attwood

• The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome by Tony Attwood

• Social Skills for Teenagers with Developmental and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Elizabeth Laugeson and Fred Frankel.

• Making friends: A guide to getting along with people- Andrew Matthews (for higher functioning adolescents).

• Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Transition into Secondary School. A Handbook for Implementing Strategies in the Mainstream School Setting by Marianna Murin, Josselyn Hellriegel and Will Mandy.

For Girls

• Different, Not Less by Chloé Hayden

• Aspergirls by Rudy Simone

• I am Autistic: An interactive and informative guide to autism (by someone diagnosed with it) by Chanelle Moriah

• The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide: How to Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon

• The Growing Up Guide for Girls: What Girls on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know by Davida Hartman

• https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/

• The Secret Life of Rosie: Inside an autistic head by Rosie Smitten

• Autist Girls Association online

• Can You See Me? Written by Libby Scott (age 11 and based on her own experience of autism) & Rebecca Westcott (author)

For Parents and Children of Different Ages

• All Cats are on the Spectrum: An affirming introduction to autism by Kathy Hoopmann (2020).

•  The Secrets of my Spectrum by Callum Knight (2019).

• When my Brain is Messy by Tania Wieclaw and Rahul Chakraborty (2023).

• The abilities in me by Gemma Keir (2019).

• Can you see me?: A powerful story autism, empathy and kindness by Libby Scott (2019).

• Ice Cream Sundae Guide to Autism by Debby Elley (2020).

• Awesome Autism Go to Guide by Yenn Purkis, Tanya Masterman, et all (2020).

• The Reason I Jump: one boy’s voice from the silence of autism by Naoki Higashida, David Mitchell, et al (2013).

• https://naomifisher.co.uk

• https://icannetwork.online/talking-about-autism/

YouTube Videos:

• TedB Talk 'What it means to be autistic' or 'understanding autism' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHe7nOIeKpE

• Autism Acceptance 2022 The Neuro Bears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_490q6LaHIY

• Autistic Children Explain Autism in 60 seconds! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8xEH5yRnA

• Learn From Us (Movie) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooKVxwVt8iI

Short Videos

• Describing Autism to a Non-Autistic Person - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15HPZf13zX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Conversations with Neurotypical Person - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EgQyrurdq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• What I think I’m Doing VS What I’m Actually Doing - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FWkvwzMkA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• What It Was Like To Grow Up with Autism - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Awq2nwFx7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• What Causes Autism - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EEGAx9UzE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Living with My Autistic Kid - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1As2KzqQDX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• 5 Hidden Signs of Autism - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ABY9mV3tG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• There’s No Such Thing as ‘Autistic Behaviour’ - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17KQWQRuTQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Finally Gets Diagnosed with Autism - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HfichG6Xb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• What Does a Meltdown Look Like For You? - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14kjekdpaf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Why Are Autism Rates Climbing? - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15SyudKaNB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• “Everyone is a little bit Autistic” - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1YcSpFT7nQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Yes, Autism is a Spectrum - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EeDJDRzzh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Tell Me You’re Autistic without Telling Me You’re Autistic - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DmEU47hbh/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• What Happens BEFORE an Autistic Meltdown - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B7bU6oinW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• Things You Didn’t Realise Were Autistic Traits - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15zxJKxuvt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Other Autism Resources

• National Autistic Society (www.autism.org.uk ): The leading UK charity for people with autism and their families. They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. Tel: 0845 070 4004.

• The AUTISM EDUCATION TRUST provides a list of useful information for schools and professionals that you may find helpful.

• Resources for autism Centre (www.resourcesforautism.org.uk) aims to improve the lives of children and adults who are diagnosed with autism. Has a library of books and DVDs about Autism and sensory equipment. Address: 858 Finchley Road, London NW11 6AB; Tel: 020 8458 3259.

• SENDIASS (formerly Parent Partnership) on 0208 359 7637 or email SendIASS@barnet.gov.uk

• TED talks on YouTube in relation to ASD. These are videos by people with ASD. They offer insight into what it’s like to have a diagnosis of ASD