19 Best Books on Autism You Should Read – Fiction and Non-Fiction Picks for Every Reader

We recently asked in our book community: “What are the most insightful books on autism, both fiction and non-fiction?” The responses were thoughtful, moving, and incredibly diverse. So we compiled the ultimate list—from memoirs by autistic voices to novels featuring neurodivergent characters.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• What books best explain autism?

• Are there any novels with autistic characters?

• What should I read to understand autism better?

…then this is the article for you. Read on for 20 of the most recommended, eye-opening books on autism for all ages.

🧠 Q: The best non-fiction books to learn about autism?

• NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman
  A comprehensive history of autism and the neurodiversity movement.

• Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant
  Offers a compassionate perspective on understanding autistic behaviors.

• The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida
  Insights into the mind of a non-verbal autistic teenager.

• Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
  A memoir detailing life with undiagnosed Asperger's.

• Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin
  Explores visual thinking and its impact on Grandin's life.

• Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew by Ellen Notbohm
  A guide for parents and educators to better understand autistic children.

• An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales by Oliver Sacks
  Case studies exploring various neurological conditions, including autism.

• In a Different Key: The Story of Autism by John Donvan & Caren Zucker
  Chronicles the history and evolution of autism understanding.

• A Parent's Guide to High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder by Sally Ozonoff, Geraldine Dawson, and James McPartland
  Practical advice for raising children on the autism spectrum.

📖 Q: Best Fiction Books Featuring Autistic Characters

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
  A mystery novel narrated by a boy with autism.

• Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
  A teenager with autism navigates the complexities of the real world.

• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
  A romantic comedy featuring a protagonist with social challenges.

• A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
  A young boy on the spectrum forms a bond with a baby skunk.

• The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla
  A road trip story from the perspective of an autistic boy.

• On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis
  A sci-fi novel featuring an autistic protagonist during an apocalyptic event.

• Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz
  A teenage boy with autism solves a high school mystery.

• How to Speak Dolphin by Ginny Rorby
  A girl seeks connection with her autistic brother through a dolphin.

• Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
  A story told from the perspective of an autistic boy navigating social interactions.

• Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
  An autistic girl seeks closure after a family tragedy.

Each of these books can help us understand different perspectives, especially those we don’t experience firsthand. They build compassion, reduce stigma, and promote inclusion. Many of these titles are also written by autistic individuals, giving you direct insight into their lived experiences.