Must-read books for folks on the spectrum

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For ASD/HFA (f.k.a. Aspergers) folks like myself...I've read almost all of these, and what a difference it made!! Perhaps you have too, and perhaps you can add more to this list, but reading these and thinking about where they could apply will make your life better.

1. Aspergers Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide, by Barbara Bissonnette.

2. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

3. Thinking, Fast and Slow. By Daniel Kahneman.

4. "Blink", by Malcolm Gladwell.

5. The Gift of Fear, by Gavin de Becker.

6. Evolve your Brain: the Science of Changing your Mind, by Dr. Joe Dispenza

7. Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, by the same author.

8. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey.

9. The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg.

10. Emotional Intelligence, by Daniel Goleman

11. The Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, by Temple Grandin and Sean Barron. This is especially useful for avoiding the pitfalls of ASD like context-blindness, black-and-white thinking, avoiding the thought that "nice" people may not be your friend - the authors speak to some of our emotional buttons like the longing need for friendship which may be picked up on and abused by the wrong people (sort of like the con artist preying on the elderly widow), or the simmering anger beneath our surface due to years of injustice and maltreatment which may perpetuate a vicious cycle, i.e. subconscious hostility as the driver for inappropriate remarks or negativity, getting rejected for the nth time, and on it goes. I just gave this book a cursory read as I'm well settled in life, but I believe it could work wonders for others on this site. (I've read the 10/10 books I listed prior to that )

I am a reader, I'll add mine here

This book saved my life and sanity by helping me learn to recognize being 'guilted' manipulated, intimidated, etc. Taught me how to respond in healthy ways, how to set limits, how to be self assertive in healthy ways. It is available on resale sites, amazon, and as pdf and on youtube.

"When I say NO, I Feel Guilty" by Manuel J Smith.

Out of print now but so many have been sold you can find them very cheaply everywhere.


"A Field Guide to Earthlings" by Ian Ford /Star Ford helps understanding of NT communications and expectations.


All books by Cynthia Kim

All books by Tony Attwood

"The LIKE switch" by Jack Schaeffer

I will add "Ido in Autism Land" by Ido Keedar, first person account of a profile where the motor aspects and sensory profile made outgoing speach not possible, and
"Spectrums" editted by Maxfield Sparrow, first person accounts where the Autism spectrum and the Trans* spectrum co-exist

Oh and how could I forget one of the best books you should definitely read...

Man's Search for Meaning, by Dr. Viktor Frankl

All about emotional resilience, seeing the bigger picture, and reframing things in a more positive light.

Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults by Zosia Zaks.