Recommended reading for brothers and sisters of people with autism.

For younger brothers and sisters

  • Everybody is different: a book for young people who have brothers or sisters with autism, by Fiona Bleach. Published by The National Autistic Society.

This book is different! The author, Fiona, has worked in a National Autistic Society School and she explores the characteristics of autism, and what it feels like to be a brother or sister of someone with an ASD.

  • Able autistic children children with Asperger syndrome: a booklet for brothers and sisters, by Julie Davies. Published by The Early Years Diagnostic Centre.

This booklet focuses on people with Asperger syndrome and their brothers and sisters.

My special brother Rory, by Ellie Fairfoot and Jenny Mayne. Published by The National Autistic Society.

Ellie is six-and-a-half and has a brother with autism. This is her cheerful and positive book about life with her brother." 

My brother is different, by Louise Gorrod. Published by The National Autistic Society.

"A beautifully illustrated colour book which helpfully explains the behaviour of a child with autism for brothers and sisters."

My sister is different, by Sarah Tamsin Hunter. Published by The National Autistic Society.

"The ups and downs of life with a sister who has autism, written and illustrated by ten-year-old Tamsin, whose sister has an ASD."

What about me? The autism survival guide for kids, by A. Koutsis. Published by The Wantirna Heights School

"It can be really tough living with a brother or sister who has autism. Join Spike the dog as he looks at autism and check out his survival tips to help make life a little easier."

Can I tell you about Asperger syndrome?: A guide for family and friends, by Jude Welton. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers

"Adam is a nine-year-old boy with Asperger syndrome. Here, he explains his talents and the difficulties he has. Jane Telford's cheerful pictures bring Adam's words to life."

For adolescent brother and sisters

Blue bottle mystery, by Kathy Hoopman. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

"This warm, fun-filled fantasy story has a hero with Asperger syndrome. Tied up with the exciting mystery is the story of how Ben is diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and how he and his family deal with the problems and the joys that come with this."

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time, by Mark Haddon. Published by David Fickling Books

"A really good read for readers old and young. The hero, Christopher Boone, is a teenager with Asperger syndrome. Contains some strong language. Winner of the 2003 Guardian Children's Fiction Award and the Whitbread Book of the Year award."

Freaks, geeks and Asperger syndrome, by Luke Jackson. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

"Luke has Asperger syndrome and wrote this book when he was 13. It is honest and witty and covers a host of tricky teenage topics, including bullying and dating."

For adult brothers and sisters

Asperger's syndrome: a guide for parents and professionals, by Tony Attwood. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

"This accessible and readable book aims to assist carers, parents and professionals in the identification and treatment of children and adults with Asperger syndrome. It is based on extensive review of the literature and his experience as a specialist in this area over the past the past 25 years."

Why does Chris do that? by Tony Attwood. Pubished by The National Autistic Society.

"Tony Attwood offers a better understanding of the unique difficulties associated with autism and Asperger syndrome. This is a really practical book, full of useful advice."