Autism
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse and other sources. Contact us via online form or by phone (1-877-275-3227) to request a resource listed below (or ask your local public librarian). Note that some videos may be viewed online, and journal titles will take you to the publisher’s homepage.
Table of Contents

EIC Resources
Books
Presents, from a child’s perspective, the typical traits that many people with autism share.
This book provides an alphabetical categorization of the possible issues a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may encounter.
This book covers the historical and current understanding of autism spectrum disorders. The author also refers to the importance of screening and early intervention as well as areas of research.
This book helps parents understand how ASDs are defined and diagnosed and offers an overview of the most current behavioral and developmental therapies.
This book contains information on research issues and approaches to assessing social, cognitive, adaptive, communication, and sensory-motor impairments in the first two years of life. The book also addresses ways to support families in coping with an early ASD diagnosis and in making informed decisions on the use of controversial treatments.
Hall discusses the causes and characteristics of ASDs as well as best practices for increasing academic achievement for students with autism. The text includes the use of practices mandated by IDEA 2004 and NCLB.
This book provides step-by-step advice on toilet training, behavior, feeding, and more for children with autism
The authors include information to help parents recognize the warning signs of developmental delays and begin treatment as early as possible.
Drawing on his own lived experience of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the author provides guidance on how to take advantage of the supposed disadvantage. Filled with often hilarious anecdotes, spanning the confusion of his early diagnosis, to his marriage and life with his four children, he proffers his advice on how to cope with everything from school work to flirting.
This 300-page online book includes information related to early intervention, preschool, and school programs designed for children with autism from birth to age 8. Issues examined relate to the education of children with autism: early intervention, diagnosis and classification, inclusion, assistive technology, and the rights of children with autism under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Available free online.
The authors describe the Floortime approach and show how to enter a child’s world and bring her or him into a shared world of relating, communicating, and thinking.
This is an accessible guide for all trainees and teachers, providing practical, evidence-informed ways to support neurodivergent learners that will also benefit all pupils.
This is the story of the discovery of autism, and the first child diagnosed with the disorder, as well as a history of the last eighty years of progress in understanding what autism is.
The book aids parents in understanding the basics of ASD, the roles of various professionals who address communication problems, as well as the treatment delivery systems and critical target skills (e.g., motor imitation, joint attention, play, spontaneous communication) for improving communication for children with ASD.
This book present nine strength-based mindsets necessary to successfully work with young people on the autism spectrum.
Part memoir, part guide, and part love letter, this book is an indispensable collection that invites parents and allies into the unique and often unheard experiences of autistic children and teens.
This guide details the major characteristics associated with autism. It suggests how teachers and parents can connect with children in meaningful ways to encourage those with autism to learn and grow.
The authors provide a reference guide to this condition. Entries include the different types of autism, treatments, social impact, possible causes, and more.
This text gives professionals the foundation they need to evaluate and compare today’s widely used interventions and determine which ones will promote the best outcomes. It combines the expertise of more than 30 top autism authorities across multiple disciplines and specialties. Readers will get a thorough introduction to 14-evidence-based interventions.
This book tackles new language such as shifting from “person-first language” to “identity-first language” diversity of identity in the autism sphere, and the future of autistic advocacy by amplifying the voices of autistic and neurodivergent individuals.
Videos and Media
This presentation suggests practical approaches to help families and educators support children who have behavior or self-management challenges.
This manual was made to assist parents in making decisions about how to help their children with autism spectrum disorders reach their full potential.
Temple Grandin, Jonathan Chase, and Steven Shore explore how Autism affects their lives, the benefits and drawbacks to being diagnosed, and how society can help those afflicted lead more fulfilling and productive lives.
This is a documentary about the screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. It provides useful information for the early recognition and possible treatments of autism and related disorders
This lecture discusses assessment tools to identify the early and subtle signs of autism and offers treatment techniques that effectively interrupt and replace the development of many “coping behaviors” exhibited by children with autism (ages 0-5).
This DVD describes behavioral markers and developmental trajectories observed early in life in infants who have subsequently been diagnosed with ASD. Video clips illustrate these.
This program is for all ages and abilities. A multimedia program that transforms the mind and body through interactive “body puzzles,” this system was designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, providing participants with tool for self regulation in only a few minutes. A surprisingly simple, yet powerful combination of music, movements. The movements in MeMoves are designed to integrate the brain and body by creating new connections and strengthening those that already exist. Organized into three categories; Joy, Focus and Calm, users select one of 13 video sequences and follow along (imitate) the actions on the screen.
This DVD may be used by both parents and professionals to support preschool children with social and communication challenges, such as autism spectrum disorder. The DVD includes the research-based strategies parents can use in everyday activities to foster their children’s communication skills.
This seminar recording looks at the underlying factors of poor self-regulation and how they affect the child. Practical interventions are emphasized.
Siblings of kids who have autism have unique perspectives on Autistic Spectrum Disorder. These wise siblings ages four to eighteen tell us about their frustration, their pain, and their growth to acceptance and their exceptional loyalty to their siblings.
This DVD features interviews with children with autism and their parents. Issues discussed include the difficulty of getting an accurate diagnosis, parental acceptance of the diagnosis, communication, and beginning school.
This video shows parents and professionals several behaviorally based interventions including verbal behavior, pivotal response, natural environment teaching, and the picture exchange communication system (PECS).
The implementation of visual supports can significantly improve a child’s independence, interaction with others and participation in the early childhood years. This program will address the use of schedules, mini-schedules, calendars, transition tools, choice boards, social stories and picture cues to enhance communication and structure the learning environment.
Organizations
Autism Speaks is both an advocacy and support organization. Its Web site includes a definition of autism along with family resources, science news, and local chapters. You can find links to articles, tool kits, worksheets and other resources for caregivers of young children with autism., such as resource for Young Children (0-3).
A site specifically designed and created to support military families that have children with autism.
The Autism Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an affiliate of The Autism Program of Illinois, provides a resource & referral center, library, learning aids, and more.
Articles
Early intervention may be delayed for autism spectrum disorders because children have not received a formal diagnosis. Parents often notice the features of ASD from an early age. Speech and communication difficulties and behavior problems were the most often reported. This study was designed to document how parents described the features that caused them to be concerned.
The authors studied families of children with autism spectrum disorders who were using early intervention and early childhood services to examine the perceived effectiveness of the services and service delivery methods. Parents reported that parent training was most effective in contributing to their child’s development.
Web Resources
The Autism Speaks kit was created for families to use following their child’s diagnosis of autism. It can be downloaded for free.
AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an evidence-based practice (EBP) with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age. Each module includes key components of an EBP including the various approaches that can be used with learners with ASD, behaviors, and skills that can be addressed using the practice, a step-by-step process for applying the practice, and specific resources that you can download and customize for your own use. The AFIRM for Toddlers is a set a of modules developed for early interventionists working with toddlers, families, and early care providers.
The author of this article suggests 10 helpful steps for parents when a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
This 2-page PDF offers families and professionals a brief description of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, some behavioral symptoms that a child with autism could exhibit and some strategies for overcoming challenges that may be associated with autism. More guides can be found on their Disability Guides page.
EITP offers a variety of national and regional resources related to Autism.
This is a database of resources in local communities. It includes contact information for ASA chapters and other local supports.
This collection of timely articles is divided into different categories including, key findings, feature articles and easy reading. Additionally, it has a list of recommended articles listed by year of publication.
Each child is unique. Infants reach such milestones as waving bye-bye or smiling in response to a smile at different ages. Discuss any concerns with a doctor so the child can be screened. A child who is identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can begin getting special help. This may limit the symptoms and help the child lead a fuller life. Available in multiple languages.
Developed with input from parents, people who serve the autism community, and people with autism, See Amazing in All Children offers families ways to manage common challenges, to simplify everyday activities, and to grow connections and support from family, friends, and community.
On this page, you will find several free resources about safety, research, transition, assessment, etc. for families
This interactive, mobile-friendly, video-based resource for families in the autism community is divided into six simple sections filled with videos and tools to guide you in the right direction as you navigate the IEP journey and the school system with your child. Sections include IEP basics, getting an IEP, developing an IEP, changing an IEP, changing an IEP, disputing an IEP, and important things to remember.
There are many things you can do to help a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) overcome their challenges. These parenting tips, treatments, and services can help.
This page has tools and information about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) for educators. It includes a childcare provider resource kit.
This blog discusses factors of resilience in families with autism.
Illinois Early Learning (IEL) staff prepare and regularly update resource lists related to popular topics (many addressed by guest experts). These Resource Lists contain a wealth of information on early care and education, including Web materials, IEL resources, and listings of relevant articles and books.
This toolkit provides seven strategies that are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during the COVID-19 outbreak and other uncertain times. In addition, examples and ready-made resources are included to help caregivers implement these strategies quickly and easily.
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up™ developed by Diana Robins, PhD, is a tool used to detect Autism Spectrum Disorders in young children.
These infographics provide tips on preventing challenging behavior and using visual cues and prompts with young children.