Books

Developing Motor Skills for Autism Using Rapid Prompting Method

This is our favorite book by Soma Mukhopadhyay, the creator of the Rapid Prompting Method.  Parts of this book could be utilized by family members, therapists, and aides who have not been trained to use letterboard. 

Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism’s Silent Prison

This nonfiction book is required reading for anyone who works with Mitchell.  It is excellent.

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

This is a memoir written about a Japanese boy who spells to communicate. A movie based on this book and of the same name was shown at the 2020 Sundance to much acclaim. We look forward to seeing the movie once it is available.

Life in Letters: A Book About Autism

This book is written by a journalism student and sister of teen who uses a letterboard. Her brother’s journey and the journeys of other young people are presented with care. A good read.

Growing Sensory Tolerance Using Rapid Prompting Method

I wish this book was out when Mitchell was younger as it would have been such a help.  We figured some of what she writes about about on our own through trial and error, but it would have been such a help years ago.

Leaders Around Me: Autobiographies of Autistics who Type, Point, and Spell to Communicate

This is a collection of short autobiographical essays of 45 spellers of all ages with excellent reflection questions at the end of each essay.  We know a few of these spellers.

In Two Worlds

A good fiction book where the protagonist is nonspeaking.

Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8: A Young Man’s Voice from the Silence of Autism

A follow-up to The Reason I Jump with Naoki as a young adult. It is a positive, inspiring book.

Communication Alternatives in Autism: Perspectives on Typing and Spelling Approaches for the Nonspeaking

This book s a compilation of long essays from spellers of different ages and backgrounds that has been edited by Edlyn Vallejo Pena, Phd.– a parent of a young speller as well as an associate professor who runs the Autism and Communication Center at California Lutheran University.  This center promotes practices that support inclusive schools and communities based on the notion of presumed competence for individuals with autism.