Autism Portage Lending Library
There are now thousands of books, magazines and films about autism spectrum disorder. All this information is wonderful, but it can be overwhelming to try and sift through what is helpful and what is not. Certainly, buying all these books can get very very expensive! We can help each other by sharing the resources we have.
If you have resources that you would be willing to lend to other people in the Portage area, please consider listing that resource here. This could include books, other printed materials (magazines or articles), or even toys you have used in therapy. Click the links below to add your stuff to the library, request something from the library, or ask for something that isn’t listed (yet!).
Featured Books:
Autism: Journeys with Dianne
By Dianne McCullough
The Autistic Spectrum Parents' Daily Helper
The Autistic Spectrum Parents' Daily Helper is a pracitical, wonderful, and loving guide and workbook for parents guiding their children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder through daily tasks and enriched and empowered lives.
This workbook is simple, attractive, and engaging. It is full of love and good humor - The writers reach out to parents facing the, at times, daunting task of helping their children learn the necessary skills, like getting dressed, telling time, and navigating daily schedules, that will help lead them to independent lives and communicative relationships within the range of their own abilities.
There are loads of strategies, games, and visual aids in this workbook. Many of the sheets are designed to be torn out or cut up so you can adapt them to your own or your child's specific needs. There are plenty of games and fun ways to attack simple tasks.
What struck me most of all was the palpable sense of love and fun that permeated this workbook. It is a rare and fine example of how simple and good it is to reach out to those you love and how powerful it is when you empower your children to order their own reality.
Fighting Invisible Tigers
Stress is something we all experience, but research suggests that adolescents are affected in unique ways that can lead to increases in impulsive and risky behaviour. While eliminating stress completely isn't realistic, young people can learn to control how they respond to it."Fighting Invisible Tigers" offers proven techniques that teens can use to deal with stressful situations in any environment - in school, at home, even among friends. It also includes fully up-to-date information on how stress affects health and decision making, as well as the latest stress management skills.Filled with interesting facts, real life stories, and fun activities, this is a great resource for teens everywhere.
This book was recommended by Christine Longford, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Worker in Central RHA, for teens with Asperger's and high-functioning autism.
Just Give Him the Whale: 15 ways to use fascinations, areas of expertise, and strengths to support 
students with autism
Using case stories and recommendations based on the authors' research, this book helps teachers to think differently about the so-called "unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests" (Autism Fact Sheet, 2007) of children with autism.Many individuals with autism have deep interest in one or a variety of topics. Some interests are commonly seen across individuals with autism, others seem more unique to an individual person. While conducting their research in schools, the authors observed that plans and goals for students with autism are developed for the purpose of 'extinguishing' or severely limiting these areas of interest.From their observations, the authors concluded that if educators could reframe 'obsessions' as fascinations, passions, interests, or 'enthusiasms' and see these areas as potential tools for teaching and supporting, educators and their students with autism may potentially be more satisfied, calm, and successful. "Just Give Him the Whale!" was written to help teachers and others working with children with autism understand and work with children's fascinations instead of trying to change them.
If you are looking for something please contact us via email
Current Lending Library:
Books - Listed alphabetically by author
Links to Amazon.com or other sources are provided to give you book descriptions and reviews
The Autistic Spectrum Parents' Daily Helper: A workbook for you and your child (designed for high-functioning children) 2004, Abrams, Philip and Leslie Henriques
Autism – P.D.D.: More Creative Ideas From Age Eight to Early Adulthood, 1997, Adams, Janice I
Autism – P.D.D. – Introducing Strategies for parents and Professionals, 1992, Adams, Janice I
Dietary Interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Why they work when they do, why they don't when they don't, 2009, Aitken, Kenneth J.
A Family Guide to Options: Learning your child has a disability - Messages FROM families TO families, Association for Community Living - Manitoba
A Family Guide to the Vulnerable Persons Act, 2003, Association for Community Living - Manitoba
A Parent's Guide to Inclusive Education, 2008, Association for Community Living - Manitoba
The Verbal Behaviour Approach: How to teach children with autism and related disorders, 2007, Barbera, Mary Lynch
Kids are Worth it!: Giving your child the gift of inner discipline, 1995, Coloroso, Barbara
Personal Hygiene? what's that got to do with me? 2005, Crissey, Pat
Helpful Responses to Some of the Behaviors of Individuals with Autism , 1992, Dalrymple, Nancy
Different Like Me: My book of Autism Heroes, 2006, Elder, Jennifer
Understanding Sensory Dysfunction , 2005, Emmons, Polly Godwin and Liz McKendry Anderson
Improving Speech and Eating Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An oral-motor program for home and school, 2008, Flanagan, Maureen A.
A Treasure Chest of Behavioral Strategies for Individuals with Autism , 1997, Fouse, Beth
This is Asperger Syndrome, 1999, Gagnon, Elisa and Brenda Smith Myles, illustrated by Sachi Tahara (single-frame cartoons)
Autism - Handle with Care! Understanding and Managing Behavior of Children’s & Adults with Autism , 1995, Gillingham, Gail
Developing Talents – Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome , 2004, Grandin, Temple and Kate Duffy
The New Social Story Book , 1994, Gray, Carol
Children and Babies with Mood Swings: New insights for parents and professionals , 2007, Greenspan, Stanley I and Ira Glovinsky
The Affect-Based Language Curriculum (ABLC) , 2002, Greenspan, Stanley I, and Diane Lewis
The Child with Special Needs ,1998 , Greenspan, Stanley I, and Serena Weider
Engaging Autism , 2006, Greenspan, Stanley I, and Serena Weider
Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children, 2002, Gutstein, Steven E and Rachelle K. Sheely
Solving the Relationship Puzzle: A new developmental program that opens the door to lifelong social and emotional growth, 2000, Gutstein, Steven E.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time , 2003, Haddon, Mark
It's Perfectly Normal: Changing bodies, growing up, sex and sexual health, 2009, Robie Harris and Michael Emberley
Siblings of Children with Autism: A guide for families , 2003, Harris, Sandra
A Parent's Guide to Autism , 1993, Hart, Charles A
Revealing the Hidden Social Code: Social Stories for People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders , 2005, Howley, Marie, and Eileen Arnold
Understanding the Nature of Autism , 1996, Janzen, Janice
Just Give Him the Whale: 20 ways to use fascinations, areas of expertise and strengths to support students with autism, 2008, Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz
A Work in Progress: Behavior Management Strategies & A Curriculum for Intensive Behavioral Treatment of Autism , 1999, Leaf, Ron et al.
Rules, 2008, Cynthia Lord (junior fiction book)
Teaching First Words to Children with Autism and Communication Delays using Pivotal Response Training , 2002, Koegel, Lynn et al.
Overcoming Autism: Finding the answers, strategies and hope that can transform a child's life, 2004, Koegel, Lynn Kern and Claire LaZebnik
The Natural Medicine Guide to Autism , 2002, Marohn, Stephanie
Behaviour Modification: What it is and how to do it (seventh edition) , 2003, Martin, Garry and Joseph Pear
Let me Hear Your Voice – A Family’s Triumph over Autism , 1993, Maurice, Catherine
Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism , 1996, Maurice, Catherine
Activity Schedules for Children with Autism – Teaching Independent Behavior , 1999, McClannahan, Lynn E, and Patrician J. Krantz
Autism Spectrum Disorder Seminar Workbook (school) - Neurodevelopmental Services, Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre (MATC)
Graduated Applied Behaviour Analysis , 2002, Newman, Bobby
1001 Great Ideas for teaching and raising children with autism spectrum disorders, 2004, Notbohm, Ellen, and Veronica Zysk
Brothers and Sisters: A special part of exceptional families , 1993, Powell, Thomas H, and Peggy Ahrenhold Gallagher
Children with Autism – Second Edition , 2000, Powers, Michael D (Ed.)
Teaching Children with Autism: Strategies to Enhance Communication and Socialization , 1995, Quill, Katherine Ann
The A.D.D. Book , 1998, Sears, William and Lynda Thompson
The Autism Mom's Survival Guide (for Dads, too!): Creating a balanced and happy life while raising a child with autism, 2010, Senator, Susan
A Real Boy: How autism shattered our lives and made a family from the pieces, 2008, Christopher and Nicola Stevens.
Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders – A comprehensive Guide for Parents and Teachers , 1998, Wheeler, Maria
Other resources:
The Autism Perspective (TAP) Magazine , Spring 2006
Video Shows/segments
We Have Autism - CNN special featuring families from all over the world who are affected by autism
Finding Amanda - CNN special about adults with autism
Autism and the Vaccine Debate - CNN/Larry King Live special
Beautiful Son - PBS special about a family’s struggle to help their son with autism
Understanding Brothers and Sisters with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Made by Coulter Videos, features 4 segments designed for siblings aged 4 to 7, siblings aged 8 to 12, siblings aged 12 to adult, and parents.
Understanding Brothers and Sisters with Aspergers - Made by Coulter Videos, features 4 segments designed for siblings aged 4 to 7, siblings aged 8 to 12, siblings aged 12 to adult, and parents.