To all the parents out there who are trying their hardest to give their children the best life possible despite the circumstances, you are amazing. We know that representation matters, so here is a list of resources to encourage Autism inclusivity and help your child always see themselves in a positive light, whether it be in a bedtime storybook or their TV screen. May they generate confidence and hope, for both you and your child, and bring a multitude of quality moments. Sharing these resources should be helpful in explaining Autism to loved ones, especially children, and can also help bring more understanding of how Autism might affect children, as well as create stimulating and educating conversations.  We encourage you to look at IMDB’s parent’s guide and commonsensemedia.com for each movie/tv series to confirm if it is appropriate for viewing for your individual child/family.

Resources compiled by Radiyah Sobhan, BA.  For a printable pdf of the resources below, please reach out to daniellebentz@socialbridges.com. 

BOOKS


Title

Description

Read aloud/Purchase Link

Autism is…? By Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Logan has Autism and asks his grandmother what it means. Logan’s grandmother offers the best explanation. Read aloud: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l55N8AcvpcA

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Autism-Books-Ymkje-Wideman-van-Laan/dp/1475102712/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph & Danielle Royer
Zane the Zebra has autism and worries that his friends and classmates with make fun of his different stripes. But Zane learns that his different stripes are exactly what makes him special. Read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gaLxpifMcQ

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/All-My-Stripes-Children-Autism/dp/1433819171/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

A Friend Like Simon by Kate Gaynor
A story about an autistic child who joins the classroom and the challenges he faces with his peers. A book about patience and being mindful. Read aloud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiHVabACUSM&t=182s

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Friend-Like-Simon-Moonbeam-childrens/dp/0956175120/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete & Ryan Elizabeth Peete
An insightful book about 10-year-old Charlie who has Autism from the point of view of his sister.  Read aloud: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrLqEcPS-bc

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Charlie-Holly-Robinson-Peete/dp/0545094666/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Since We’re Friends by Celeste Shally & David Harrington
Matt has autism but his friend does not. Together, they find out how to overcome challenges together by doing things like playing soccer, watching TV, and being the best of friends. Read aloud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Sy3FT82fg

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Since-Were-Friends-Autism-Picture/dp/1616086564/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

My Mouth is Volcano by Julia Cook
Louis just can’t help it, he needs to say everything that’s on his mind. It just comes out like a volcano! Read aloud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EonL6t439Nw&t=29s

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/My-Mouth-Volcano-Julia-Cook/dp/1931636850/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Why Does Izzy Cover Her Ears? By Jennifer Veenendall
Izzy’s behavior is often misunderstood. But that’s only because she has a sensory overload! A great book about acceptance and patience Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Does-Cover-Dealing-Sensory-Overload/dp/1934575461

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin (Amazing Scientists) By Julia Finley Mosca
When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcruLjS0PJY

Amazon purchase link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Thought-Pictures-Scientists/dp/1943147612/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Dragon and His Friend: A Dragon Book About Autism By Steve Herman
Having a pet dragon is so much fun! You can teach him many things such as sit, roll over, and play…But what if your dragon has a new friend who has autism?How do you explain autism to your dragon? Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpzHwIduXcE

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-His-Friend-Autism-Children/dp/195028008X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Ethan’s Story: My Life With Autism By Ethan Rice
A children’s book written by eight year old Ethan Rice who happens to be autistic. Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethans-Story-My-Life-Autism/dp/098553852X

The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone With Autism by Ellen Sabin
The Autism Acceptance Book is an activity book, a conversation-starter, and an educational tool that engages children in learning to embrace people’s differences and treat others with respect, compassion, and kindness. Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Autism-Acceptance-Book-Friend-Someone/dp/0975986821

Nathan’s Autism Spectrum Superpowers by Lori Yarborough
The superhero of this book, Nathan, explains his Autism Spectrum superpowers, how they affect him, and ways his friends can help out when his superpowers spiral out of control. Read Aloud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dVyvcr_2fc

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Nathans-Autism-Spectrum-Superpowers-Inspired/dp/1732638101/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

A friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey
Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend who shares. A friend who listens. Maybe even a friend who likes things to stay the same and all in order, as Henry does. But on a day full of too close and too loud, when nothing seems to go right, will Henry ever find a friend—or will a friend find him? Read Aloud:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf6aGlSxzfA

Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Friend-Henry-Jenn-Bailey/dp/1452167915

Everybody is Different by Fiona Bleach
Many brothers and sisters of young people have a hard time understanding what autism is and why their siblings with autism spectrum disorder do what they do. This book gives answers to the many questions brothers and sisters have about their siblings Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Different-People-Brothers-Sisters/dp/1931282064

Rules by Cynthia Lord
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Scholastic-Gold-Cynthia-Lord/dp/0439443830

Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Jason is an autistic 12 year old living in a neurotypical world. Most days it’s just a matter of time before something goes wrong. But Jason finds a glimmer of understanding when he comes across PhoenixBird, who posts stories to the same online site as he does. Amazon purchase link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Anything-Typical-Nora-Raleigh-Baskin-ebook/dp/B001ULOPSQ

A Boy Called Bat (Series) by Elana K. Arnold 
A third-grader becomes fascinated with an orphaned skunk kit and wages a campaign to convince his veterinarian mom that their family should care for the animal until it can be released to the wild Amazon purchase link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Called-Bat-Elana-Arnold/dp/0062445820

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Caitlin has Asperger’s. The world according to her is black and white; anything in between is confusing. Before, when things got confusing, Caitlin went to her older brother, Devon, for help. But Devon was killed in a school shooting, and Caitlin’s world is turned upside down Amazon purchase link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Mockingbird-Kathryn-Erskine/dp/0142417750

Autism, the Invisible Cord: A Sibling’s Diary by Barbara Cain
follows 14-year-old Jenny as she describes her day-to-day life with her younger autistic brother, Ezra.  Amazon purchase link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Autism-Invisible-Cord-Siblings-Diary/dp/1433811928

Can You See Me? By Libby Scott
Tally is just like her friends. Well, sometimes she is. If she tries really hard to be. Because there’s something that makes Tally not the same as her friends. Something she can’t cover up, no matter how hard she tries: Tally is autistic. Amazon purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Can-You-See-Libby-Scott/dp/1407195670

Slug Days (Series) by Sara Leach
Lauren, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder navigates the ups and downs of school and home life. School friendships have always been a challenge, but Lauren finds she is exactly the friend a brand new classmate needs Amazon purchase link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Slug-Days-Sara-Leach/dp/1772780227

 

MOVIES/TV SERIES


Title/Rated/Genre

Description

Where to watch/purchase

A Mile in His Shoes (PG)
Drama/Sports
Mickey Tussler, an autistic pitcher, joins a minor-league baseball team and has a profound effect on the team and manager Arthur “Murph” Murphy over the course of a season. Stream: Pluto TV, Tubi, Peacock, Vudu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube

Temple Grandin (PG)
Biography/Drama
A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry. Stream: Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime

 Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Vudu

Please Stand By (PG-13)
Drama/Comedy
A young autistic woman runs away from her caregiver in an attempt to submit her 500-page manuscript to a “Star Trek” writing competition at Paramount Pictures. Stream on: Hulu

Purchase:  Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime

The Square Root of 2 (PG)
Drama
When a young girl challenged with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome, leaves her overprotective parents for the freedom of college at aprestigious University, her hopes for a future in the field of mathematics are high. Instead, her college life is turned upside down by the maze of complex student regulations and federal laws. Purchase/Stream: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sr2movie
Miracle Run (PG)
Biography/Drama
A mom is alone with her fraternal twin sons after they’re diagnosed with autism. She tries to give them a normal childhood. Stream: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime

Fly Away (G)
Drama
The poignant yet humor filled story about a single mother of a teenager severely impacted by autism, forced to reckon with her daughter’s future. Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu
The Boy Who could Fly (PG)
Drama/Fantasy/Romance
An autistic boy who dreams of flying touches everyone he meets, including a new family who has moved in after their father dies. Purchase:  Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu
A Boy Called Po (PG)
Drama/Fantasy
After his wife dies of cancer, an overworked engineer struggles to care for his son with autism. His son in response to bullying regresses into a fantasy world escape. Stream: Amazon Prime Video

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu

Jack of the Red Hearts (PG)
Drama/Family
A teenage con artist tricks a desperate mother into hiring her as a live-in companion for her autistic daughter. Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu
I am Sam (PG-13) 
Drama
A mentally handicapped man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter and in the process teaches his cold-hearted lawyer the value of love and family. Stream: HBO Max, Tubi

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (PG-13)
Adventure/Drama/Mystery
A nine-year-old amateur inventor, Francophile, and pacifist searches New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Stream: Tubi

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu

Pablo (G) (TV Series)
Animation, Comedy, Family
An autistic boy called Pablo draws animal friends to help him get through the challenges of daily life. Stream: Netflix
Touch (PG) (TV Series)
Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A widower struggling to raise his emotionally challenged son discovers that he can predict events before they happen. Stream: Hulu

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (G) (TV Series)
Character with Autism: Max
The adventures of the children of the characters of Fred Rogers‘ Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Stream: PBS Kids, Amazon Prime Video, Youtube TV

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu

Episodes with Max: https://youtu.be/PaIm3f5Jkrg

Sesame Street (G) (TV Series)
Character with Autism: Julia
On a special inner city street, the inhabitants, human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs. Stream: PBS Kids, HBO Max, Youtube TV

Purchase: Google Play, Apple TV, Itunes, Youtube, Amazon Prime, Vudu

Episodes with Julia: https://youtu.be/dcrrbmILhdc

Written by Radiyah Sobhan, BA

Edited by Danielle Bentz, MA