The books in our library were donated by family and friends of Asperger Works. Some we love; others, not so much. We present all of them here; the rest is up to you.

If a title or topic interests you, just click it on the slider and read a short synopsis below. Or just scroll down and find a book that appeals to you. We now have 40 books to choose from in three different categories: scientific research, first-hand accounts, and fiction.

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**Have you read a book that you think we should add to our library, please contact us and let us know.**

A comprehensive review and critical evaluation of the literature on learning disabilities in adults, this book outlines a conceptual framework for diagnosis and intervention and provides detailed guidelines for practice.

Issues covered include:

• Models for service delivery
• The perceptions of employers, counselors, and consumers
• the co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders with learning disabilities and
• the role of public policy

Winner of the Gold Award in the 2006 ForeWord Book of the Year competition, this groundbreaking book describes the unique challenges of women and girls with Asperger’s Syndrome. In it, you’ll read candid stories written by the indomitable women who have lived them. You’ll also hear from experts who discuss

• whether “Aspie girls” are slipping under the radar, undiagnosed
• why many AS women feel like a minority within a minority (outnumbered by men 4:1)
• practical solutions school systems can implement for girls
• social tips for teenage girls, navigating puberty, the transition to work or university, and the importance of careers.

Michael John Carley was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at thirty-six-when his young son received the same diagnosis. This fascinating book reveals his personal experience with the confusion and trauma associated with this condition-and offers insights into living an independent and productive life.

In this book, Carley helps readers in such areas as:

• Social interactions
• Nurturing interests
• Whom to confide in and how
• Dealing with family and loved ones
• Finding work that suits your strengths and talents

Did you know that up to 85% of the Asperger’s population struggle to find full-time employment, despite their above-average intelligence? It’s a staggering statistic. But fear not, because Rudy Simone, an accomplished author, consultant, and musician with Asperger’s Syndrome, has crafted an incredible resource to help employers, educators, and therapists better understand and support this growing population.Whether you’re an employer looking to create an inclusive workplace or an individual with Asperger’s seeking gainful employment, this insightful guide has you covered.

Drawing from personal experiences and the stories of over 50 adults with Asperger’s from around the world, Rudy offers candid advice that is both practical and empathetic. You’ll find detailed lists of the unique strengths and talents individuals with Asperger’s bring to the table, along with expert guidelines for success. And that’s not all – Rudy’s Interview Tips and Personal Job Map tools will help you navigate the employment landscape and find your perfect fit. Because let’s face it, a job is much more than just a list of tasks.

From navigating social challenges to managing sensory issues and dealing with workplace bullying, Rudy presents tried-and-true solutions to help you overcome any obstacle. Get ready to be inspired, empowered, and equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the workplace.

Employment is an important part of a healthy, balanced and fulfilling life but less than 20 percent of people with Asperger Syndrome (AS) are in work at any one time. The adults with AS in this book explore the issues surrounding employment, providing advice and insights for others with AS, as well as their employers and colleagues.

Drawing on personal experience and lessons learned, Asperger Syndrome and Employment looks at:

• the transition from education to employment,
• the importance of matching skills to career choices,
• practical coping strategies for employees with AS in the workplace,
• advice for employers, including the need to make “reasonable adjustments” to avoid discrimination, and
• ways in which employment services ought to work for people with AS.

This is essential reading for adults with AS, their family and friends, employment services and career advisers, and companies needing to know how, in practical terms, to accommodate employees with AS.

This practical manual will enable people diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism to deepen their self-understanding and appreciate their value as working individuals. Through step-by-step self-assessment, the reader is encouraged to engage actively in a self-paced exploration of their employment history, and ultimately to identify the work best suited to their personal needs, talents, and strengths.

The workbook contains practical exercises, with clear explanations and examples of how to use them. The book is also an essential guide for professionals, career advisors, and vocational counselors as it provides in-depth guidance and research on fulfilling employment for adults and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and high-functioning autism.

In 2016, Garret Mathews discovered that he had Asperger’s Syndrome. Like many Aspie adults over 30 he knew that something was not quite right throughout his life, but neither he nor those who loved him knew what that something was. “It was a great relief,” says Garret, “to finally put a name on this ‘thing’ that has sat on top of my head for so long.” Mr. Matthews is a retired newspaper man and author of twelve books. He also maintains a blog An Aspie Comes Out of the Closet.

Navigating the workplace can be challenging for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), often hindering their ability to tap into their full potential and find meaningful employment.This all-inclusive guide is your ultimate companion to not just survive, but thrive in the workplace when you are an Aspie.

Discover practical strategies to meet and exceed employer expectations, foster harmonious relationships with colleagues, excel as a valuable team player, effortlessly juggle multiple tasks and projects, effectively manage anxiety, and skillfully overcome any obstacles that come your way.

Drawing upon the author’s wealth of experience in coaching individuals with AS across various job levels, from entry-level to managerial and professional positions, this book brings to life the most common employment challenges and offers pragmatic recommendations to conquer them.

Whether you’re just entering the workforce, facing hurdles in maintaining employment, or aiming to enhance your performance and advance your career, this comprehensive guide has got you covered. 

Autism in Heels, an intimate memoir, unveils the true essence of Jennifer O’Toole, one of the most influential figures in the world of autism. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) at the age of thirty-five, Jennifer finally found clarity and understanding.

In her candid and powerful memoir, she delves into the constant struggle between her carefully crafted persona and her authentic self. With wit, passion, and courage, Jennifer redefines the autism narrative.

But beyond being a memoir, Autism in Heels is a heartfelt tribute to women everywhere. It ignites conversations, revolutionizes perspectives, and offers a firsthand account of what it means to walk in Jennifer’s shoes, especially those iconic red stilettos. Jennifer’s journey, encompassing challenges with self-image, sexuality, and self-esteem, is not solely a story of autism, but also a profoundly human experience.

Unfortunately, because autism “looks a bit different in pink,” many girls and women who fit the profile remain unidentified, enduring unnecessary anxiety, eating disorders, tumultuous relationships, self-harm, and limited independence. Jennifer understands these struggles firsthand. Autism in Heels aims to bring this message to the forefront.

Through her own personal growth and self-discovery, Jennifer has created a powerful movement of empowerment, inspiring women around the globe to embrace their true selves and recognize that they are not mistakes, but rather misunderstood miracles.

The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome is the definitive handbook for anyone affected by Asperger’s syndrome. It brings together a wealth of information on all aspects of the syndrome for children through adulthood. Drawing on case studies and personal accounts from Attwood’s extensive clinical experience and from his correspondence with individuals with AS, this book is both authoritative and extremely accessible. Chapters examine the following:

• causes and indications of the syndrome
• the diagnosis and its effect on the individual
• theory of mind * the perception of emotions in self and others
• social interaction, including friendships
• long-term relationships
• teasing, bullying and mental health issues
• the effect of AS on language and cognitive abilities, sensory sensitivity, movement and co-ordination skills
• career development.

There is also an invaluable frequently asked questions chapter and a section listing useful resources for anyone wishing to find further information on a particular aspect of AS, as well as literature and educational tools.

Essential reading for families and individuals affected by AS as well as teachers, professionals, and employers coming in contact with people with AS, this book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who needs to know or is interested in this complex condition.

Christopher John Francis Boone, a fifteen-year-old boy, stands beside the lifeless body of Mrs. Shears’s dog. Violently impaled by a garden fork, the ghastly discovery occurs precisely seven minutes past midnight, casting a dark cloud of suspicion upon Christopher himself.

Fueled by an insatiable thirst for the truth, each meticulous detail is etched within the pages of his investigative chronicle, as he strives to unravel the sinister mystery behind Wellington’s untimely demise. Endowed with an extraordinary intellect and unparalleled proficiency in mathematics, Christopher’s brilliance is juxtaposed with a poignant vulnerability, leaving him ill-equipped to decipher the nuances of everyday life.

Shackled by fear and restricted within the confines of his familiar street, he recoils from any form of physical contact and harbors a deep-seated distrust towards unfamiliar faces. Against the stern directive of his father, Christopher embarks upon a perilous journey through the shadows, where his clandestine detective work unravels the very fabric of his existence, turning his once-familiar world completely upside-down.

Most individuals with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NLD) and Asperger Syndrome (AS) often find themselves being underemployed. This book aims to break this pattern and chart a new path. Packed with practical and technical advice on various aspects such as job hunting, interview techniques, workplace integration, and whether or not to disclose a diagnosis, this resource serves as a trusty guide through the complex world of employment for people with NLD amd AS.

The book also delves into the perspective of employers, agencies, and career counselors, shedding light on AS and NLD as ‘invisible’ disabilities. It offers a detailed analysis of the unique strengths that individuals with NLD and AS possess and how these qualities can be harnessed positively within the workplace.

Alongside practical information and lists of valuable career resources, you’ll find a wealth of inspiring case studies that provide guidance and motivation. This invaluable resource is a must-have for individuals with NLD and AS who are seeking employment or are already employed, as well as for their current or prospective employers.

Samantha Craft presents the life and the everyday adventures of a woman with Asperger’s Syndrome. Ms. Craft is a former teacher, is married, and is the mother of three boys. She doesn’t experience ordinary everyday happenings like most neurotypicals (a term widely used in the Autistic community as a label for people who are not on the Autism Spectrum). In her world, nothing is simple and everything appears pertinent.

From being a dyslexic cheerleader with dysgraphia going the wrong direction, to bathroom stalking, to figuring out if she can wear that panty-free dress, Craft explores the profoundness of daily living through hilarious anecdotes and heartwarming childhood memories.

This is a remarkable memoir about communication breakthroughs between a mother and her autistic daughter. Born with nonverbal autism, Emily Grodin finally found her voice after two decades, sharing her rich and creative interior life. Through insights and poetry, Valerie, Emily’s mother, tells their story while providing valuable knowledge as a legal advocate for families affected by autism. Experience the unconditional love, faith, and acceptance in this evocative mother-daughter memoir, I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust.

Owen, a young boy with autism, found solace and connection in the magical realm of Disney. Unable to speak for years, he transformed countless Disney films into a unique language of love, loss, and the bonds of family. The Suskind family, living as animated characters themselves, communicated with Owen through Disney dialogue and song, unravelling the profound truth that amidst darkness, we all rely on stories to navigate our journey.

Owen, a young boy with autism, found solace and connection in the magical realm of Disney. Unable to speak for years, he transformed countless Disney films into a unique language of love, loss, and the bonds of family. The Suskind family, living as animated characters themselves, communicated with Owen through Disney dialogue and song, unravelling the profound truth that amidst darkness, we all rely on stories to navigate our journey.

The ‘Deathmobile’ transforms into their ‘Lifemobile,’ leading both father and son to uncover Benjy’s own uniquely fulfilling place in this world – a place where he truly belongs.

With Navigating Career Crossroads as your trusted companion, you’ll be supported every step of the way towards achieving your professional goals!

The book includes the daughter of the founder of Autism Speaks, who claims to have changed her son’s diet and improved his autism despite conspiratorial resistance from the organization, which, the book claims, until recently, rejected research into biomedical treatments; a mother who claims to have “healed” her son of his autism while taking on breast cancer; a father whose son was officially undiagnosed after allegedly undergoing treatment for a laundry list of debilitating autism symptoms and regressions; and a sixty-year-old woman who made attempts to fight to save her son (now thirty) in the 1980s. The book claims that she paved the way for the parents of today.

The book also features a list of controversial autism resources and a directory of DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) doctors who are sympathetic to the widely discredited theory that autism is caused by mercury in vaccines.

With Navigating Career Crossroads as your trusted companion, you’ll be supported every step of the way towards achieving your professional goals!

What is autism? A lifelong disability, or a naturally occurring form of cognitive difference akin to certain forms of genius? In truth, it is all of these things and more—and the future of our society depends on our understanding it. Wired reporter Steve Silberman unearths the secret history of autism, long suppressed by the same clinicians who became famous for discovering it, and finds surprising answers to the crucial question of why the number of diagnoses has soared in recent years.  Going back to the earliest days of autism research, Silberman offers a gripping narrative of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, the research pioneers who defined the scope of Autism in profoundly different ways; he then goes on to explore the game-changing concept of neurodiversity. NeuroTribes considers the idea that neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD are not errors of nature or products of the toxic modern world, but the result of natural variations in the human genome. This groundbreaking book will reshape our understanding of the history, meaning, function, and implications of neurodiversity in our world.

Meanwhile, Amy, the devoted mother of an autistic son, grapples with the fear of potential consequences. Despite her apprehension, she joins Matt on his relentless quest for justice, knowing that their journey may ultimately consume them both.

The Outside In View of Uncommon Bostonian: What an Autistic Black Woman Sees is a captivating book by Yvonne Christian, showcasing her writings and art. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2002, Yvonne volunteered as a blogger for a daily newspaper, which published her posts. When the newspaper closed, she compiled her blog posts, essays, and paintings into this remarkable book. Explore her journey through work challenges, emotional abuse, and her passion for pop culture.

Growing up with autism, Jeannie’s unique journey remained hidden from those around her. Step into her world through Twirling Naked in the Streets, a memoir that delves into the mind of a child on the autism spectrum. From adolescence to adulthood, Jeannie emerges as a wife, mother, student, and writer, all while navigating the challenges of autism.

Discover the captivating story of a gifted yet peculiar child who never quite found her place in the world. It took 38 years for Jeannie to unravel the mysteries of her experiences, finally understanding that she had Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), a high-functioning form of autism.

Starting at the tender age of three, the narrative carries you through her remarkable journey towards diagnosis. Along the way, Jeannie offers a profound glimpse into the world of autism, evoking tears of joy and understanding from fellow Aspies and deepening the comprehension of neurotypical individuals regarding the daily struggles faced by autistic individuals.

Brace yourself for an extraordinary tale that challenges perceptions and embraces the power of acceptance.

We must emphasize that this is not meant just for people with Autism or Asperger’s. This is a course for all of us.

In this book, Ruthsatz and her daughter and coauthor, Kimberly Stephens, propose the possibility the abilities of child prodigies may stem from a genetic link with autism. And she asks the question — could the children who have many of the strengths of autism but few of the challenges be the key to a long-awaited autism breakthrough?

Jeannie grew up with autism, but no one around her knew it. Twirling Naked in the Streets will take you on a journey into the mind of a child on the autism spectrum; a child who grows into an adolescent, an adult, and becomes a wife, mother, student, and writer with autism. This is a gripping memoir of a quirky, weird, but gifted child who grows up never quite finding her niche. It took 38 years to discover that all the issues, problems, and weirdness she experienced were because she had Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), a form of high-functioning autism. The tale begins at age three and takes us all the way through her diagnosis. Along the way she explains autism in a way that will have fellow “Aspies” crying tears of joy at being understood, and “neuro-typical” people really starting to grasp the challenges that autistic people face every moment of every day.

This book “offers inspiration and practical advice drawn from Dr. Prizant’s four-decade career. It conveys a deep respect for people with autism and their own unique qualities. Filled with humanity and wisdom, Uniquely Human ‘should reassure parents and caregivers of kids with autism and any other disability that their kids are not broken, but, indeed, special'” (Booklist, starred review).

We must emphasize that this is not meant only for people with Autism or Asperger’s. This is a course meant for all of us.

In 1994, Peter J. Hotez’s daughter, Rachel, was diagnosed with autism. As a pediatrician-scientist, Dr. Hotez was deeply troubled by the influential anti-vaccine community’s narrative linking childhood vaccines to autism.

In his book, “Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism,” he draws on his experiences and expertise to present the scientific evidence refuting these concerns. Dr. Hotez also debunks conspiracy theories, criticizes the scientific community’s communication failures, and shares his journey of raising an autistic child.

This critical book convincingly highlights the genetic basis of autism and the early neurodevelopmental pathways. While celebrating the triumphs of vaccines against diseases, Dr. Hotez warns about the growing dangers posed by the anti-vaccine movement, particularly in the United States and Europe. With the reenergized anti-vaccine movement in our current COVID-19 era, this timely book is a must-read for various stakeholders, including parent groups, child advocates, teachers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and anyone supporting individuals with autism.

Combining practical guidance with advice from personal experience and interviews and correspondence with specialists in the field, the book discusses if and when to disclose to family, friends, and employers, how to seek appropriate support services, and how to use the self-knowledge gained through diagnosis to live well in the future.