Books, Games, Movies .....

 Home | Autism History And Statistics | Advocacy | Assessment, Individual Education Plans (IEP), Rights and more....... | Assessment, Individual Education Plans | Brain and Autism | Chelating | Chiropractic Medicine and Autism | Depression | Depression (continued) | Developmental Checklist, Milestones | Environmental Issues | Epilepsy, Puberty and Seizures | Explaining Autism | GFCF Diet, Food Issues, Etc. | Information (Autism and more......) | Mercury and Vaccination Information | Mercury and Vaccination Info (cont'd) | Myths About Autism | Neuropsychological Testing | Obtaining Your Child's School Records | PDD-NOS | Safety | Seizures | Speech, Language, Communication | State by State DOE Links; Support Information | Therapy | Videos, Links and Interesting Stuff | Vision and Autism | Vitamin Therapy | Articles, Information..... | Articles, Information...... (cont'd) | Websites Of Interest - Disorder Info | Links to Support, Info, Advocacy | Letter Writing | Autism and More Into Adulthood | Autism and More Into Adulthood (continued) | Promoting Autism Awareness | Poems, Stories ........ | Poems, Stories (cont'd) | Books, Games, Movies ..... | Books for the child/adult with ADD | Home Schooling | Home Schooling Links | Guest Book

The Autistic Spectrum

In this section you'll find a listing of books that will help/inform you, your family and educators as well as books geared toward children; games and aides for special needs children and movies that deal with autism and other disAbilities.




On this page, I've listed books that I have read and/or books that have been recommended to me.   I will update this listing as often as possible.
 
If you hear about/read a good book, please go to my guestbook and click on the url to send me an email and I will be happy to place your recommendation on this page.  :)





Daniel Isn't Talking : A Novel by Marti Leimbach
 
Go to this url at Amazon.com to order and read reviews from people who have read the book:
 
 
*******************************************

Evidence of Harm : Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy (Hardcover)
by David Kirby
 
Click here to purchase from Amazon.com:

Books that may be of interest:

Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality From Adolescence through Adulthood Isabelle Hénault - Foreword by Tony Attwood

The Autism Encyclopedia - Edited by John T. Neisworth and Pamela S. Wolfe

Making it a Success :Practical Strategies and Worksheets for Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Sue Larkey - Foreword by Tony Attwood

Mental Health Aspects of Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Mohammad Ghaziuddin

Specialist Support Approaches to Autism Spectrum Disorder Students in Mainstream Settings by Sally Hewitt

Still Learning:An Autistic Boy Inspires a Philosophy of Teaching by Olga Holland

A Strange World – Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and PDD-NOS-A Guide for Parents, Partners, Professional Carers, and People with ASDs by Martine F. Delfos - Foreword by Tony Attwood -

Teaching Children with Autism and Related Spectrum Disorders:An Art and a Science by Christy L. Magnusen
Foreword by Tony Attwood

Transfer Boy:Perspectives on Asperger Syndrome by
Ljiljana Vuletic, Michel Ferrari and Teodor Mihail

104 Activities That Build: Self-esteem, Teamwork, Communication, Anger Management, Self-discovery, and Coping Skills by Alanna E. Jones

A Treasure Chest of Behavioral Strategies For Individuals With Autism ~ Beth Fouse, Future Horizons

Activity Schedules for Children With Autism: Teaching Independent Behavior (Topics in Autism) ~ by Lynn E., Ph.D McClannahan, Patricia J., Ph.D Krantz

An Asperger Marriage by Gisela & Christopher Walker ~ Forward by Tony Attwood

Andy and His Yellow Frisbee - by Mary Thompson ~ Grades K-5

Are You Alone on Purpose? - by Nancy Werlin

Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success by Brenda Smith Myles and Diane Adreon

Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Helping Preteens and Teens Get Ready for the Real World, Dr. Teresa Bolick

Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage and Meltdowns - by Brenda Smith Myles, Jack Southwick

Asperger Syndrome and Your Child: A Parent's Guide by Dr. Michael D. Powers

Asperger Syndrome in the Family : Redefining Normal - by Liane Holliday Willey ~
 
Asperger Syndrome:The Universe and Everything - by Kenneth Hall

Asperger's Huh? - by Rosina G. Schurr, Ph.D.

Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide For Parents and Professionals - by Tony Attwood ~

Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationships by Ashley Stanford, Liane Holliday Willey

Asperger Syndrome in the Family by Liane Holliday Willey

Asperger's: What Does It Mean to Me? by Catherine Faherty, Gary B. Mesibov

Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals by Dennis Debbaudt

Autism: Facts and Strategies For parents ~ Janice E. Janzen; Therapy Skill Builders

Autism: Information and Resources For Professionals and
Parents (2nd edition) ~ Richard Simpson

Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle by Steven Gutstein

Autism through a Sister's Eyes - Eve Band, Gary Mesibov, Sue Lynn Cotton

Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals ~ Catherine Maurice

Beyond the Wall ~ Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Stephen Shore (Foreward by Temple Grandin)

Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD ~ William, Ph.D. Shaw
 
Breaking Autism's Barriers: A Father's Story ~ Bill Davis
 
Captain Tommy - by Abby Ward Messner

Character Building Activities for Kids : Ready-to-Use Character Educational Lessons & Activities for the Elementary Grades by Darlene Mannix

Children with Autism: A Parent's Guide ~ Michael D. Powers

Children With Starving Brains: A Medical Treatment Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Second Edition by Jaquelyn McCandless, MD

Dangerous Encounters: Avoiding Perilous Situations with Autism ~ Bill Davis --

Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism by Temple Grandin, Kate Duffy, Tony Attwood

Discovering My Autism ~ Edgar Schneider

Do-Watch-Listen-Say: Social and Communication Intervention for Children With Autism ~ Kathleen Ann Quill

Eating An Artichoke by Echo Fling

Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome by Valerie Paradiz

Everybody is A Person:A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Autistic Kids - by C. Bodenheimer

Everything You Need to Know When a Brother Or Sister is Autistic ~ Marsha S. Rosenberg

Exploring Feelings: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage Anxiety by Tony Attwood

Face Blind! by Bill Choisser ~- This is the world's first (and to date only) book about face blindness. It has been published on the Internet so people in all lands can have access to it readily, and so it can be continuously updated. Go to http://www.choisser.com/faceblind/ to read it.

Finding Ben: A Mother's Journey Through the Maze of Asperger by Barbara LaSalle

Finding Out About Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and PDD - by Gunilla Gerland

Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence by Luke Jackson and Tony Attwood

Getting Services for Your Child on the Autistic Spectrum by DeAnn Hyatt-Foley and Matthew G. Foley 
 
Having a Brother Like David - by Cindy Dolby Nollette

Helping A Child With Non Verbal Learning Disorder or Asperger Syndrome by Kathryn Stewart

Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children:Paths Are Made by Walking by Terri Domty and Kitt Cowlishaw

Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism - by Laurie Lears, Judith Mathews

If You Knew Nicky - by Pearl M. Wilson ~ A girl describes her autistic brother.

Incorporating Social Goals in the Classroom: A Guide for Teachers and Parents of Children with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome ~ Rebecca A. Moyes, Susan J. Moreno

In Our Own Words: Stories by Brothers and Sisters of Children with Autism/PDD - by Patricia Leonard-Toomey, ed. ~ Written by children 7-13; self published; write to P. O. Box 1151, Fall River, MA 02722

Inside Out - by Ann M. Martin

Jeffrey and the Despondent Dragon - by John Sprecher

Joey and Sam:A Heartwarming Storybook About Autism, A Family and A Brother's Love - by Iliana Katz and Edward Ritvo

I Love My Brother!: A Preschooler's View of Living With a Brother Who Has Autism by Connor Sullivan -

Keys to Parenting The Child With Autism - by Marlene Targ Brill, M. Ed.

Kristy and The Secret of Susan - by Ann M. Martin ~ #32 in the Baby Sitters Club Series

Learning to Live With High Functioning Autism: A Parent's Guide for Professionals" - by Mike Stanton

Life Skills Activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs ~ Darlene Mannix ~

Life Skills Activities for Special Children ~ Darlene Mannix
 
Little Rainman - by Karen L. Simmons (also known as Karen Sicoli)

Mindblindness: An Essay on Autism and Theory of Mind - by Simon Baron-Cohen ~

Mori's Story : A Book About a Boy with Autism - by Zachary M. Gartenberg ~

My Brother Sammy - by Becky Edwards and David Armitage

My Friend with Autism: A Coloring Book for Peers and Siblings by Beverly Bishop -

Navigating the Social World: A Curriculum for Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and Related Disorders ~ Jeannie McAffee with foreward by Tony Attwood

Of Mice and Aliens: An Asperger Adventure - by Kathy Hoopman

Please Don't Say Hello - by Phyllis-Terri Gold

Power Cards by Elisa Gagnon -- From Diane Adreon, Associate Director- Center for Autism, University of Miami:

Practical Solutions to Everyday Challenges for Children with Asperger Syndrome by Haley Morgan Myles, Jeanette, Md. McAfee

Pretending to be Normal - by: Liane Holliday Willey

Right From the Start: Behavioral Intervention for Young Children With Autism: A Guide for Parents ~ Sandra Harris

Russell Is Extra Special: A Book about Autism for Children - by Charles A. Amenta, III

Set for Gold: Strategies for Life - by Josie Santomauro

Shadow Syndromes by John J. Ratey, M.D.

Siblings of Children With Autism: A Guide for Families (Topics in Autism) by Sandra L., Ph.D. Harris, Beth A., Ph.D. Glasberg

Social Skills Activities for Special Children by Darlene Mannix

Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communications Problems by Jed E. Baker,

Steps to Independence - A skills training guide for parents and Teachers of Children with Special Needs - by Bruce L. Baker and Alan J. Brightman

Taking Autism to School by Andreanna Edwards

Talking to Angels - by Esther Watson

The Autism Social Skills Picture Book by Jed Baker

The Blue Bottle Mystery: An Asperger Adventure - by Kathy Hoopman
 
The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened With Autism ~ Patricia Stacey

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
 
The Legendary Blobshocker - by Ryan Wilson

The Mystery of a Special Kid - by Josie Santomauro

The New Language of Toys : Teaching Communication Skills to Children With Special Needs : A Guide for Parents and Teachers - by Joan E. Heller

The New Social Stories - by Carol Gray

The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome by Patricia Rowanowski Bashe and Barbara L. Kirby

The Out of Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction - by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

Thinking in Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life With Autism by Temple Grandin

This is Asperger Syndrome - by Elisa Gagnon and Brenda Smith Myles

Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Teachers ~ Maria Wheeler
 
Through The Eyes Of Aliens ~ Jasmine Lee O'Neill

Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder : A Mother's Story of Research & Recovery ~ Karyn Seroussi

Views From Our Shoes:Growing Up with a Brother or Sister w/Special Needs - by Donald J. Meyer

When My Autism Gets Too Big! A Relaxation Book for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Kari Dunn Buron, Brenda Smith Myles

Why Does Chris Do That? Some Suggestions Regarding the Cause and Management of the Unusual Behavior of Children and Adults with Autism and Asperger Syndrome: REVISED 2003 by Tony Attwood

Writing Skills Activities for Special Children by Darlene Mannix

You Are Special Too - by Josie Santomauro

Books to help teach independence:
 
Beyond Behavior Management : The Six Life Skills Children Need to Thrive in Today's World by Jenna Bilmes ~ This is a strength based approach to guiding and managing your children's behavior by helping them build and use essential life skills.
 
Commonsense Methods for Children With Special Educational Needs: Strategies for the Regular... by Peter S Westwood
 
Independence Bound: A Mother and Her Autistic Son's Journey to Adulthood by Jacquelyn Altman Marquette  - Independence Bound is a can do story about how one mother overcame obstacles to letting go of her autistic son to live independently. The realistic guidelines, practical suggestions, and important references are excellent resources to prepare the family and the young adult for independent living.
 
Job Related Social Skills: A Curriculum for Students with Special Needs  by Marjorie Montague, Kay Lund  ~ This comprehensive curriculum manual provides you with step-by-step instructional procedures and activities for training social skills needed for all jobs. Examples of social skills include: ordering job responsibilities, asking for help, making introductions, asking questions, taking messages, offering help, apologizing, accepting criticism, responding to a complaint, etc. Each of the 20 units contains a sample instructional script, classroom activities, role play scenarios, transparency masters, student assessments, and student handouts. Monitoring forms and master class charts are also included. The curriculum was extensively field tested with students in general career and vocational programs, as well as with students with disabilities. Also appropriate for adult job training programs with minor modifications.
 
Life Skills Activities for Secondary Students With Special Needs by Darlene Mannix, Tim Mannix ~ For educators, parents, and others involved in teaching adolescents with special needs, here is a unique collection of 190 illustrated activity sheets with related exercises, discussion questions, and evaluation suggestions to help students acquire the basic skills necessary to achieve independence and success in everyday living. Each activity sheet focuses on a specific skill within the context of real-life situations and includes complete teacher directions for its effective use, from objective and introduction through optional extension activities and ways to assess students' learning. For quick access, all of these ready-to-use materials are printed in a big spiral-bound format for easy photocopying and organized into seven sections. You'll find these activities are completely flexible. You can use them in any order for a variety of purposes. Moreover, the activities can easily be modified to meet individual or group needs.

Ordinary Families, Special Children: Systems Approach to Childhood Disability, A: Second Edition  by Milton Seligman, Rosalyn Benjamin Darling 
 
Road to Independence: Independence Skills Training for Special Needs Children by Brenda M Batts ~ Brenda Batts, Behavior Consultant, and mother of Alex, an Autistic son, shares her proven behavior management and potty training techniques, through her book, "Road to Independence." She has compiled over 12 years experience in the rearing of her son and through behavior training for thousands of special needs clients (Autism, PDD, Asperbergers, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, etc.). Brenda relates to you as parent and professional of those special children as she takes you down a path, well-traveled, that is filled with innovative tips and suggestions along the way. The central focus of this writing is to help you empower your child to become more independent.

Steps to Independence: A Skills Training Guide for Parents and Teachers of Children With Special Needs by Bruce L. Baker ~ "Highly acclaimed and widely used, Steps to Independence boosts your children's self-esteem and maturity while helping them reach their full potential."  Showing kids how to do things for themselves is a nice idea, but it’s so much easier to just do it for them. This is a book that teaches parents how to teach their children well, with step-by-step instructions on how to help kids learn to do everything from shoe-tying to home repair.
 
The Survival Guide for Teenagers With Ld* (*Learning Differences) by Rhoda Woods Cummings, Gary L. Fisher, Pamela Espeland, L. K. Hanson ~ Grade 7-12-A guide to help young people with learning differences cope with the educational and social experiences they will face as they grow up. As such, it is also a useful book for any teen searching for answers about how to find a job, set goals, and make friends. The authors' School Survival Guide for Kids with LD (Free Spirit, 1991) is mainly concerned with studying and succeeding in an academic setting. Here, they continue to write in simple sentences, with good chapter summations. There is ample white space, and the print, while not overly large, is easy to read. Chapter headings are clearly delineated and cartoons help clarify the text. Definitions of LD and information about the law are included. The authors stress the rights of children and their parents in regard to school and encourage teens to participate in writing their own Individualized Education Plan (IEP). There is a chapter on sexuality. Titles for further reading on this and other related topics are suggested throughout the book. The index is excellent. This is a very positive book that will be helpful to counselors and LD teachers as well as students and their parents.

Working Towards Independence: A Practical Guide to Teaching People With Learning Disabilities by Janet Carr, Suzanne Collins  

**************************************************
TOYS, BOOKS, AIDES, ETC.
 

http://www.eparent.com/toys/choose_toy_autism.htm

http://autism.about.com/cs/productreviews/l/aatptoysa.htm

http://www.brighttots.com/Myths.html 

(Use recommendations from these articles)

 

http://www.ozmofun.com/

Created by parents of an adult with autism and OCD to encourage easy, safe, wonderful fun with toys, posters, books, novelties, puzzles, jokes and other interesting stuff

 

http://www.creativityinstitute.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=31

At The Creativity Institute, we handpick each toy, every play item, each piece of furniture and every musical instrument based on its potential for developing vital creative resources in your child.

 

http://www.stars4kidz.com/

We Believe that play is an essential part of every child's life. That's why at Stars4kidz we have selected for parents, educators and professionals a wide variety of highly motivating toys and reinforcers to improve the learning experience of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

 

http://www.tfhusa.com/products.asp

http://brighterstarts.com/ 

All kinds of toys for all ages!

 

https://www.schoolspecialtyonline.net/browseProducts.jsp;jsessionid=BF5C1F96AF72EAF31D10D42EFF0A6AA8?categoryID=0 

For children with sensory and learning differences.

 

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009SZYX/autismspectrd-20/104-2846485-2491153

Age range starts at six. However, magnetic balls are a choking hazard so don't buy these for a young child.

 

http://www.epartyunlimited.com/eparty/hoberman-mini-rainbow-sphere.html

Learning values are mathematical, visual and helps motor skills. Open the Hoberman Mini Sphere by pulling on any hub. The system of polymer links transforms from 5 1/2" to 12" in diameter, expanding 10 times in volume! This unique system is based on a methematical principle that allows a structure to mechanixally expand while keeping its shape. Recommended for 4 years and older.

 

http://www.coolstuffcheap.com/wowo3dwoodenpuzzles.html

3-D Puzzles -  The Wonders of the World 3D Wooden Puzzles have received the "Best Toys of the Year Award" from Parents Magazine.Build and re-build these 3D Wooden Puzzles for hours of creative fun! Inter-locking assembly...no tools or glue needed. Fact file stimulates creative learning.

 

http://www.tangletoys.com/

There are many color options with a junior size available for the smaller child. Check website for different items, shapes and prices. 

 

Friendzee: A Social Skills Game

http://www.linguisystems.com/itemdetail.php?id=150

 

Memory Matching Games 

http://www.intplay.com/educa.htm

 

Music CDs, Stories and Books, Skill Modeling Posters, CD-Rom Flashcards and more! 

http://www.special-kids.com/

 

Flip-Flash Signing: Basic Vocabulary 

http://www.enasco.com/specialeducation/ProductDetail.do?sku=SN00356CQ

 

Inside Out Super Mondo Balls -  New, attention-getting, stretchy ball turns inside out for an amazing visual and tactile sensation. The ball has a squishy texture that's cool to the touch. Ideal for hand exercises and much more engaging than regular squeeze balls.

http://shopping.discovery.com/product-59528.html?jzid=40587878-5-0

 

Challenging puzzle to help develop children's sequencing, logical thinking skills, eye-hand coordination and motor skills. The puzzle includes four interlocking layers and is washable.

http://www.insectlore-europe.com/butwoodlaypu.html

 

Click Clack Molecule Ball - From the manufacturer: After one squeeze...you're hooked!  We challenge anyone to put this one down.  Not only do you get the smoothest feeling, the inner spheres click and clack as you squeeze. Auditory, tactile and visual stimulation!

http://www.toys2wish4.com/hyflnobaclcl.html

 

 

Self-Help Warehouse

 

"Welcome to the leading on-line self help source for adults and children. We offer you the most extensive variety of self help and educational tools available anywhere!"

 

Categories (Children and Teens)

 

Play Therapy Equipment
Therapeutic Games
Sandtrays & Miniatures
Dollhouses & Accessories
Posters/Wallhangings
Puppets & Theaters
Professional Resources
Easels/Arts & Crafts
Sensory Activities/Toys
Blocks/Block Play
Left-Handed Products
Safety Products
Children's Tests
Teddy Bears With A Purpose
Rewards & Giveaways
Waiting Room/Playroom
Therapist Gift Ideas
Spanish Resources
New Products
A.D.D./A.D.H.D.
Feelings
Anger/Behavior
Fears/Anxiety
Grief/Loss
Self-Esteem
Social Skills
Stress
Sleep
Potty Training
School Success/Motivation
Asthma/Allergies
Early Childhood Development

 

 

Categories (18+)

 

Stress Reduction/Relaxation
Fears and Phobias
Depression/Grief
Self-Hypnosis/Visualization
Smoking/Addictions
Weight Control/Issues
Self-Confidence/Self-Esteem
Goals/Motivation
A.D.D.
Sleep/Dreams
Personal Growth
Careers
Relationships/Communication
Dating and the Single Life
Romance
Gay and Lesbian Interest
Parenting/Families
Memory Improvement
Professional Resources
Tests (Teens & Adults)
Games
Left-Handed Products
Safety Products
Therapist Gift Ideas

 

Source url: http://www.selfhelpwarehouse.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CGA140&Category_Code=NEW&Product_Count=7

 


************************************************************
Movies dealing with Autism/Disabilities
[Please note that I am in no way recommending or endorsing these films - just passing on information.]
 
A Beautiful Mind
True story of John Nash, a brilliant but self-absorbed mathematician and his beautiful wife try to figure out if he's delusional or really is working on a dangerous, top-secret government case.
Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Ed Harris, Jud Hirsch,  2001, Rated PG-13 for language

Backstreet Dreams
Gangster ends up having to care for his autistic son. Brooke Shields, Sherilyn Fenn, Tony Fields, Burt Young, Anthony Franciosa 1990

Being There
A naive and possibly mentally challenged gardener (with autistic tendencies) finds himself thrown into the real world. Peter Sellers, Shirley McLaine 1979
 
Bless the Child
Story of a single nurse who works in a New York-based psychiatric hospital. Her well-ordered life is suddenly disrupted when her estranged sister, a heroin addict, unexpectedly drops by and then leaves her week-old infant girl there. Not knowing what else to do, Maggie raises the girl as her own, loving her like the daughter she never had, despite the girl presumably suffering from autism, a mistaken diagnosis for her supernatural powers.
Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, 2000, Rated R

Change of Habit
Elvis plays a doctor who cares for an autistic patient. Elvis Presley, Mary Tyler Moore (who plays a nun!?) 1969

Digging to China
A developmentally delayed young man befriends a little girl after her Mom's car breaks down. Kevin Bacon, Mary Stuart Masterson 1998

Down in the Delta
Alfre Woodward plays a drug-addicted alcoholic with 2 children (one has autism) living in a Ghetto in Chicago. Woodward goes to live with a relative in Mississippi to get her life together. Wesley Snipes, Alfre Woodard, Esther Rolle. 1998 

A new video, titled Encountering Autism, seeks to prepare emergency responders for encounters involving individuals with autism. In it Bill Davis informally reviews autism awareness. Using illustrative stories Bill provides valuable insight into the minds and lives of people struck with the affliction. He addresses the challenges that emergency responders might encounter when they arrive on the scene and provides guidance on how to communicate and interact with individuals who have autism.  Available in VHS and DVD-R, is crucial training for anybody who works with or may encounter individuals with autism.

Forrest Gump
Not about autism, but an excellent movie about a differently abled man and the fantastic life he leads. Tom Hanks, Sally Field, Robin Wright-Penn. 1996?

House of Cards
A girl takes on autistic like symptoms after the death of her Father. Tommy Lee Jones, Kathleen Turner. 1993


I Am Sam
Featuring the tale of a mentally challenged, single father who loses custody of his young daughter when she finally surpasses him on an intellectual level.
Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeifer, Dakota Fanning, 2001 (Rated PG-13 for language)
 
Isn't She Great
Comedy/Drama about author Jacqueline Susann ~ her life, success and her autistic child.
Bette Midler, Stockard Channing, Nathan Lane, 2000, Rated R
 
Lorenzo's Oil
Parents of a boy with ALD search for treatment not accepted by professionals. Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson. Not sure of the year produced.

Mercury Rising
An autistic boy cracks a secret code which almost gets him killed. Bruce Willis. 1998
Mollie
True story of a woman with autism who goes through brain surgery;she is released from an institution; her brother takes custody of her. Elizabeth Shue, Aaron Eckhart. 1999

Nell
Movie about a woman who's lived alone in the mountains since childhood.Character shows autistic characteristics. Jody Foster Not sure of the year produced.

Rain Man
Portrayal of an autistic man. Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise. 1988

Silent Fall
Autistic boy is only witness to murder; psychologist tries to figure out a way the boy can report what he saw. John Lithgow, Richard Drefus, Linda Hamilton. 1994

The Boy Who Could Fly
Main character (due to trauma and shock) won't speak to anyone and just sits on the top of his roof pretending he is flying. Autism is not mentioned. Fred Savage, Colleen Dewhurst, Fred Gwinne, Louise Fletcher, Jay Underwood. 1986

The Other Sister
Not about autism, but the movie's main characters (the 'other' sister and the man she loves) show autistic characteristics. Diane Keaton, Tom Skerritt, Juliette Lewis, Giovanni Ribisi. 1999

Tim
Romance between younger man (possibly Asperger's?) and an older woman. Mel Gibson, Piper Laurie. Not sure of year produced.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio plays (brilliantly) a teenager with an unspecified disAbility who exhibits behaviors familiar to those with autistic children and family members. Autism isn't mentioned but ........ Leonard di Caprio, Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis. 1993

************************************************************

** Famous people with autistic traits **

Fictional, real, historical and contemporary celebrities
Only a person's close friends or relatives, or doctors, are likely to be able to judge whether he or she can be diagnosed with autism or Asperger's syndrome (AS). But it is illuminating to learn of people with similar characteristics to ourselves, especially when those people are successful or well-known.

Here are some well-known people who have shown some autistic or AS traits. Some may have autism or AS, in their mild or severe forms. Others may be elsewhere on the autistic continuum. And others listed may just be unusual individuals.

Fictional characters:

Television
.Mr. Spock (of Star Trek, US TV and films)
.Data (and up to six other characters, from Star Trek Voyager, US TV)
.Dick, Sally, Tommy and Harry Solomon (from Third Rock from the Sun, US TV)
.The Doctor (of Dr Who, BBC TV)
.The Daleks (from Dr Who)
.The Cybermen (from Dr Who)
.Mork (of Mork and Mindy, US TV)
.Jim Dial (of Murphy Brown, US TV)
.Moe Szyslak (of Moe's Tavern, voiced by Hank Azaria in The Simpsons, US TV)
.Steven Quincy "Steve" Urkel / Myrtle Urkel / Stephan Urquell (played by Jaleel White in Family Matters, US TV)
.Basil Fawlty (played by John Cleese in Fawlty Towers, BBC TV)
.Mr. Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson in the UK TV series and film)
.Doctor Victor Ehrlich and Doctor Mark Craig (played by Ed Begley Jr and William Daniels in Saint Elsewhere, US TV)
.Daria Morgendorffer, MTV cartoon character (voiced by Tracy Grandstaff in Daria, US TV)

Film
.Raymond Babbitt (played by Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, US film)
.Jeremy Reeves, alias "Powder" (played by Sean Patrick Flanery in Powder, US film)
.Frankenstein's Monster (from Frankenstein, book by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
.Edward Scissorhands (played by Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands, US film)
.Juniper Pearl, alias "Joon" (played by Mary Stuart Masterson in Benny & Joon, US film)
.Simon Lynch, "nine-year-old autistic boy" (played by Miko Hughes in Mercury Rising, US film)
.Chance the Gardener, alias "Chauncy Gardener" (played by Peter Sellers in Being There, US film)

Cartoon

.Dilbert (engineer, created by Scott Adams)
.Gerald McBoing-Boing (created by "Dr. Seuss"/Theodore Seuss Geisel, US books/films/TV)

Literature

.Pippi Longstocking or Pippi Langstrump (from the children's stories written by Astrid Lingren, 1907-, of Sweden)
.Sherlock Homes (from the detective stories by English-Scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1859-1930, who himself may have had some autistic traits)
.Mary Bennet, Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins (from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, see below)
.Catweazle the wizard (from children's stories by Richard Carpenter, played by Geoffrey Bayldon in the UK TV series)
.Monsieur Hercule Poirot, Belgian private detective (from the books of Agatha Christie, 1890-1976, of England)
.Harry Potter, from the books and forthcoming film (by English author J K Rowling, 1965-)

Contemporary famous people

.Bill Gates or William Henry Gates III (1955-, US global monopolist)
.Michael Palin (1943-, English comedian and presenter)
.Tony Benn (1925-, English Labour politician)
.Joseph Erber (1985-, young English composer/musician who has Asperger's Syndrome, subject of a BBC TV documentary)
.Oliver Sacks (1933-, UK/US neurologist, author of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Awakenings)
.Woody Allen (1935-, US comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, jazz clarinetist)
.Garrison Keillor (1942-, US writer, humorist and host of Prairie Home Companion)
.Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets (1936-1990, US puppeteer, writer, producer, director, composer)
.James Taylor (1948-, US singer-songwriter)
.Bobby Fischer (1943-, US chess champion)
.Bob Dylan (1941-, US singer-songwriter)
.David Helfgott (1947-, Australian pianist, subject of the film Shine)

Writers on autism

Temple Grandin (1947?-, US)
Gunilla Gerland (1963?-, Swedish)
Donna Williams (1963-, Australian/English)
Wendy Lawson (1952-, English/Australian)
Edgar Schneider (1932-, US)

Historical famous people

.Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922, Scottish-American inventor of the telephone)
.Albert Einstein (1879-1955, German-American theoretical physicist)
.Jane Austen (1775-1817, English novelist)
.Nikola Tesla (1856-1943, Croatian-American scientist, engineer, inventor of electric motors)
.L S Lowry (1887-1976, English painter of "matchstick men")
.Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827, German-Viennese composer)
.Glenn Gould (1932-1982, Canadian pianist)
.Henry Cavendish (1731-1810, English-French scientist, discovered the composition of air and water)
.Wasily Kandinsky (also known as Vasily Vasilyevich, 1866-1944,Russian-French painter)
.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791, Austrian composer)
.Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951, Viennese-English logician and philosopher)
.Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980, English-American film director)
.Hans Asperger (1906-1980, Austrian paediatric doctor after whom Asperger's Syndrom is named)
.Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890, Dutch painter)
.Henry Ford (1863-1947, US industrialist)
.Mark Twain (1835-1910, US humorist)
.Thomas Edison (1847-1931, US inventor)
.Charles Schulz (1922-2000, US cartoonist and creator of Peanuts and Charlie Brown)
.Isaac Newton (1642-1727, English mathematician and physicist)
.Andy Warhol (1928-1987, US artist)
.Isaac Asimov (1920-1992, Russian/US writer on science and of science fiction)
.Andy Kaufman (1949-1984, US comedian, subject of the film Man on the Moon)

* * * * * * * * * *

Author unknown