Children with autism may enjoy sensory books or books that will work on social skills. This list of 19 book recommendations includes everything from colorful picture books to repetitive songbooks. Browse through and see which books you may enjoy sharing with your student or other kids with autism. Many of these books would be perfect choices for any children!
1. My Brother Charlie
Written by the popular actress, Holly Robinson Peete, and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, this sweet story is told from the point of view of the big sister. Her brother has autism and she does a great job of helping everyone realize how many amazing things her brother can do. This book about siblings is great for bringing awareness about autism and is relatable for young children.
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2. Never Touch A Monster
This book is full of textures and tactile experiences for students who may be on the autism spectrum or have sensory overload. Full of rhyme and opportunity to touch the book, this board book is great for young ones.
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3. Touch! My Big Touch-and-Feel Word Book
Toddlers are always learning vocabulary and language development. Help students learn new words, as they experience the touch-and-feel process of many new textures. From everyday life objects, like clothing to foods to eat, they will feel different textures within this book.
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4. Touch and Explore the Ocean
As little ones learn about ocean animals in this board book, they will enjoy delightful illustrations that will highlight textures for them to explore with their fingers. This is a great book for a child with autism, as they explore the sensory elements.
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5. Little Monkey, Calm Down
This bright board book is an adorable book about a little monkey who is having a hard time. He is able to use some techniques to calm down and get back in control of himself. This book gives concrete ideas for helping toddlers learn to cope and calm themselves, whether they are on the autism spectrum or not.
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6. This is Me!
Written by the mother of a boy with autism, this beautiful book is a great way to learn about the perception of autism from a character who is on the autism spectrum. What makes this book special is that it was created by, written, and illustrated by a family together.
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7. Headphones
A picture book that helps others understand more about communication skills, social life, and the sensory issues that some who experience life with autism may have. This is a great way to use a story to help kids with an autism spectrum disorder to learn more about how to use headphones and when to wear them.
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8. When Things Get Too Loud
Bo, the character in the story, has a lot of feelings. He registers them on a meter. This book is a cute, little story about him and how he meets a friend and learns more about what to do to learn to live life with autism and all the things that come with that.
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9. Silly Sea Creatures
Another fun touch and feel book, this one offers a silicon touchpad with many opportunities for little ones to touch and feel. Beautiful illustrations and full of color, these playful animals will hook young readers. All toddlers, including autistic readers, will enjoy this book.
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10. Poke-A-Dot 10 Little Monkeys
Interactive and playful, this board book allows the chance for toddlers to count and push the pops as they read this book. Written as the repetitive song goes, this book includes adorable illustrations of the monkeys in the story.
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11. Catty the Cat
Part of a series of books, this one is an autism social story that helps by providing expressive illustrations to help understand social situations and how to behave and cope when needed. The animals in the story make it relatable and child friendly for impactful and important content.
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12. See, Touch, Feel
This incredible sensory book is perfect for little hands! There is a chance to touch different types of materials on each spread. From musical instruments to paint samples, this book is perfect for toddler hands and a good choice for sensory issues or for toddlers with an autism spectrum disorder.
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13. Touch and Trace Farm
Colorful illustrations bring the farm to the hands of the toddlers reading the book. Complete with tactile touch sections and lift the flaps, this book is great for toddlers who love farm animals. Children with autism will likely enjoy the sensory component of this book.
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14. Point to Happy
This interactive book is perfect for parents to read and toddlers to point. Helping to teach simple commands, your toddler will enjoy being part of the interactive movements. This book is good for helping children with autism interact and practice simple commands.
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15. The Color Monster
The color monster is the character in the book and he wakes up, not sure what is wrong. His emotions are a bit out of control. These beautiful illustrations are good for providing visuals that match the story being told. A girl helps the color monster understand how each color relates to a certain emotion.
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16. Off to School!
Perfect for when toddlers start preschool or begin a playgroup, this book is good for helping little ones learn how to experience life with anxiety. It includes interactives and the familiar character, Elmo, to help ease fears about worries little ones may have.
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17. Everybody is Different
Helping us learn that everyone is different, this book also shows us that there is so much value in each one of us! This is a great book for helping others understand the common challenges that someone with autism may experience.
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18. My First Books of Emotions for Toddlers
A great book for any toddler, this book may be especially helpful for a toddler with an autism spectrum disorder. It is full of beautiful illustrations, complete with children with matching facial expressions for each emotion written about.
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19. My Awesome Autism
Eddie is the perfect character to help children with autism spectrum disorder learn how to love themselves, just as they are! This boy with autism brings the message about how we are all very different and that is special. He shares about social skills and environments and helps others see the value in themselves!
Learn more: Amazon
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