Considering that around one in 59 children across the US is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is an understandable need and demand for resources that can help parents navigate raising neurodivergent kids.
After all, while raising children with autism is just as rewarding and warm as with any other child, it can pose its own undeniable challenges. For instance, a report on how autism diagnoses affect families from PsychCentral notes that most parents feel a sense of overwhelming expectation following a proper medical identification. If said family is also located in an area that may not be as tolerant or flush with the necessary social, educational, and medical professionals, parents can easily feel underprepared and overwhelmed.
Thankfully, this is where audiobooks come in handy. As accessible and diverse digital resources, they can easily provide a wealth of relevant knowledge and guidance. Since audiobooks can also be enjoyed hands-free, they are easy to consume, even for parents who are busy caring for their autistic kids. In light of this, here are some of the best audiobooks to help raise autism awareness and understanding for parents with newly diagnosed kids and where to get them.
Where you can get your audiobooks
Because audiobooks are purely digital, they’re very easy to find and access via apps, subscriptions, and memberships. Among the engaging audiobooks on Everand, parents can find a slew of titles including works by fellow neurodivergent authors like Jenara Nerenberg’s Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn’t Designed For You and Daniel Bowman Jr.’s On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity. Through this same subscription-based platform, parents can download countless audiobooks for online and offline listening. This means even if you’re somewhere with poor connectivity, you can still enjoy your titles without having to resort to cumbersome physical copies. Additionally, audiobooks are usually more economical. Aside from subscription-based audiobook providers whose monthly fees are comparable to a single paperback book, there are also platforms that offer these resources for free, although in a limited quantity. For instance, the Libby app’s audiobooks are free and accessible so long as you have a valid and recognized library card. In many cases, local libraries shoulder any subsequent licensing fees, so you can keep borrowing to your heart’s content.
Best audiobooks on autism
Half My Sky by Carrie Cariello
Known online for her honest recollections of her daily life as a mom to an adult son with autism, Cariello’s audiobook Half My Sky talks about how it’s also important to give your child independence. While it’s natural for parents to want to keep their children close, especially if they require special aid, Cariello’s memoir explains that it’s just as important to let your child grow as their own person. Similarly, it’s essential that parents not lose themselves completely and honor themselves as individuals, too. By the end of the book, you may find that you’re just a little more ready to let your child transition into whatever phase they’re about to tackle next.
Defining Autism From The Heart by Kerry Magro
Far too often, neurotypical people are the primary voices in autism despite clearly not having any first-hand experience of what it means to see the world this way. As a parent who may be neurotypical yourself, it’s thus important to hear straight from people who have been in a similar position as your child. Although every experience and diagnosis is unique, doing so can help provide some clarity that your child may not yet know how to articulate themselves. A great audiobook that can do precisely this is Defining Autism From The Heart. Written by Magro, who was diagnosed with ASD as a young child and only started being verbal by age 7, this audiobook details his struggles and achievements in crisp detail. Describing how he, his family, and his community shaped his journey to thriving adult, this title can serve as your own clan’s inspiration.
Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by
Barry M. Prizant and Tom Fields-Meyer
Among the general public, people tend to generalize ASD. In truth, it’s a highly nuanced disorder that merits a tailored approach each time. For example, this is why in our previous article What Is the Difference Between Developmental & Chronological Age? we noted that it was extremely helpful for teachers to recognize that a child’s needs may not match what society says. This same line of thinking is what authors Prizant and Fields-Meyer discuss in detail in their audiobook. This title aims to move people away from believing that autism treatment should rid people of their symptoms. Rather, it encourages neurotypicals to seek understanding and appreciation instead.
