October is National Book Month, and it’s also (through October 15) National Hispanic Heritage Month (proper care and diagnosis is a significant challenge for neurodiverse Latinas and Latinos). Plus, we recently launched our first book – Rocket Around Washington DC, so there are three great reason for us to focus on inclusive books.
What is an inclusive book? A clear definition is hard to come by, but this quote sums it up beautifully:
“When kids can see themselves in books that they read about, and they read about characters who look like them and have families like them and live like them, they feel that they’re a valuable member of a community and a society.” –Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of middle-grade novels “Finding Langston” and “Leaving Lymon”
There are so many wonderful books focused on neurodiversity – I was reminded of this when I listened into a recent inclusive Facebook live event – An Evening with Inclusive Children’s Authors (recording here) – hosted by Tom Tracy, author of Scoochie and Skiddles inclusive books for kids, and featuring other wonderful inclusive children’s book authors such as Lisa Jocovsky, author of Let’s talk! A story of Autism and Friendship and other amazing inclusive books. For years, we’ve turned to inclusive books to help meet our kids’ needs and arm ourselves with vital information to support our kids on their journeys through life and into the future.
We’ve offered some suggestions of inclusive books to consider bringing on your family adventures (Best Books for Family Travels), but inclusive books relating to neurodiversity really deserve their own dedicated blog, so here it is. Below are inclusive books to consider purchasing or checking out from the library, and asking your local school or public library to carry if they don’t already. Many of the below books are also carried in independent bookstores around the country.
What inclusive books would you suggest? We’re always on the lookout for new ones and greatly appreciate your recommendations. Happy inclusive book reading to you and yours.
For younger kids:
- You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion
- Too Much!: An Overwhelming Day
- Celebrate Our Differences: A Dragon’s Story About Different Abilities, Special Needs, and Inclusion (My Dragon Books Book 50)
For Spanish-speaking kids:
- Mi vida con autismo (Spanish Edition)
- Escuchando a Mi Cuerpo: Una guía para ayudar a los niños entender la conexión entre las sensaciones físicas y sus sentimientos (Listening to my Body)
For teens:
- Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express
- Marcelo in the Real World
- Debating Darcy
- Additional inclusive books for teens can be found in this list: https://adayinourshoes.com/kids-books-inclusion/
For adults:
- Anything by author and advocate Michael John Carly
- Neurotribes
- Be Different: Adventur
es of a Free-Range Aspergian with Practical Advice for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers - Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse (also, see our book review)
- Anything by author and advocate Temple Grandin
- Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising
- My autistic fight song: My battle into adulthood and the workplace
- Autism Equality in the Workplace: Removing Barriers and Challenging Discrimination
- Other inclusive books on neurodiversity for adults can be found in these lists: 7 Must-Read Books to Understand More about Neurodiversity, 15 Best Diversity and Inclusion Books for 2023, and 50 Must-Read Books about Neurodiversity