20 Tips for Making Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes

20 awesome tips and strategies for making autism or sensory friendly Halloween costumes for kids.

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Halloween can be an extremely overwhelming holiday for many kids, especially if they have sensory differences.

There's just so much sensory input that comes with Halloween, from the itchy costumes and sugary treats to spooky Halloween imagery and sounds and the constant ringing of doorbells. It's no wonder that so many kids experience sensory overload during Halloween.

But there are things you can do to help make the experience a bit more sensory friendly if your child is wanting to participate. And tackling any issues with costumes is the perfect first step.

So if you're looking for tips and strategies for making sensory friendly Halloween costumes, then you're in the right spot. Let's dig in!

How to Make Your Child's Halloween Costumes Sensory Friendly

Whether you are buying a costume or making your own, there are lots of things you can do to make your child's costume more sensory friendly.

As you'll soon see below, the main theme of the tips below is to personalize the costume and tailor it to the needs and comfort levels of the child.

1. Use comfortable clothes as a base layer beneath the costume

Putting a physical barrier between your child's costume and their skin is a great starting point. That might mean wearing a long sleeved shirt or leggings underneath.

The goal with this particular tip is to make your child feel more comfortable. And wearing something underneath that they're already familiar with can make a huge difference.

Using comfortable layers underneath is also a great way to avoid any itchy fabrics or scratchy tags. But be mindful that you don't make the costume feel bulkier or more restrictive. After all, adding additional layers may make the costume uncomfortable, cause your child to overheat, or make it harder to move in the costume.

2. Remove tags

Speaking of scratchy tags...I highly recommend removing all tags from the costume as many kids find them bothersome and annoying. So, cutting out the tags can be a great way to prevent scratching or itching and make the costume more comfortable.

3. Choose the fabric and materials carefully

Another way to make sure a costume is sensory friendly is to choose soft, breathable, and comfortable fabrics. You'll want to try to incorporate fabrics or materials that your child is already familiar with or prefers (e.g., cotton or fleece are great options).

Some other things to consider when it comes to the fabric and materials of the costume include:

• Visibility (e.g., costume covers the eyes)

• Elasticized bands around wrists, ankles, or waist that might feel restrictive

• Bulkiness or weight (more on that in a later tip)

• Freedom of movement (you want to make sure your child can move comfortably in it)

• Laundry instructions (i.e., it's easy to wash before wearing)

You'll also want to carefully consider the costume's accessories and/or masks, which we will discuss more below.

4. Avoid masks, hats, and/or face paint

For many kids, masks, hats, and/or face paint can be uncomfortable. For example, masks can sometimes have a weird smell. Or they can feel like they are pulling your hair or skin.

Hats, for instance, can feel restrictive or they might be too loose and constantly fall down.

As for face paint, it can feel slimy, itchy, or tight on the skin. Even the application of face paint can be a sensory nightmare for many.

So it can be best to pick costumes that don't require a mask, hat, or face paint. Instead, you could wear the costume without these extra accessories or opt for alternatives, such as a headband.

But, if your child wants to wear a mask, a hat, or face paint, definitely practice wearing it prior to Halloween. That way your child can become more familiar with how it fits or feels. See the next tip for more info.

5. Practice wearing the costume prior to Halloween

It can be helpful to have your child try on the costume several times before Halloween. Doing so is a great way to make sure it is something that they will feel comfortable wearing. 

Practicing can also help you troubleshoot any potential challenges like a scratchy tag to cut out, a seam that is less bothersome when they wear their favorite shirt underneath, or whether or not it needs to be hemmed a bit.

6. Wash or clean the costume before wearing

If you are buying a costume, then it's a good idea to wash or clean the costume before they wear it.

Especially since many store bought costumes and masks can have a weird smell to them or they might have stiff, scratchy textures. Giving them a wash before Halloween is a way to soften up the fabrics, remove funky odors, and reduce potential sensory triggers.

7. Consider the weather conditions

This tip is a big one if you live in a climate like I do where you might have to wear your winter jacket and snow pants underneath your costume (or swap that cool mask for a toque and scarf) in order to stay warm. In this case, you might have to pick a costume in a larger size to accommodate the layers you'll need underneath.

Or, if you live somewhere warm, then you might have to plan to remove parts or pieces of the costume to keep the child comfortable and to prevent overheating.

8. Aim for costumes that are easy to get on or off by themselves

You want to make sure costumes are easy to put on and take off. That way if your child needs a quick break or has to go to the bathroom, it's easy to change out of.

So, opt for costumes that can slide off or on really quick. Look for costumes that use zippers, Velcro, or elastic waistbands instead of buttons or ties.

9. Consider the accessories carefully

It's always best to keep things, such as accessories, simple and minimal. For instance, you could try to reduce the number of accessories or choose ones that are easy to handle. Doing so is a great way to reduce sensory overload or reduce the risk of losing or misplacing an accessory.

For example, some costumes come with things that make noise or light up. So, if your child is easily overwhelmed or bothered by lights and sounds, then you might want to avoid those kinds of accessories.

Some other types of accessories you might want to avoid: capes, bow ties, wigs, hats, masks, jewelry, or weapons.

10. Consider the length of the costume

Since most store-bought costumes are generic sizes, they often don't fit well or are they are completely shapeless. As a result, it's important to consider the length of the costume. These questions might help:

• Will it be a tripping hazard?

• Will it get caught on something?

• Is the hood too large? Does it end up sliding down and covering their eyes?

• Can they wear their regular shoes with it?

You can always do a quick hem on the costume if needed, but it is definitely important to make sure the costume fits your child well. Speaking of fit...

11. Go up or down a size based on sensory preferences

If your child finds tight clothing comfortable and calming, then consider buying a smaller size costume so it fits a little snugger.

Or, if they hate the feel of tight clothing, then go up a size. By the way, you might also have to go up a size or two to accommodate additional layers and/or depending on the weather, as was discussed earlier.

The point here, though, is to choose a costume that allows for freedom of movement and feels comfortable to your child.

12. Wear a compression vest or weighted vest underneath

Similar to the point above, if you buy a larger costume size, then your child could wear a compression vest or weighted vest underneath, if that is something that your child finds comforting and regulating.

13. Use ear protection or headphones as part of the costume

If your child is sensitive to noises and sounds, then you might find it helpful to incorporate ear protectors into the costume.

For example, your child could wear them underneath the hood of a costume. Or you could turn the band of the ear muffs into cat ears or a unicorn horn. You could also cover the ear muffs with fabric to make long dog ears or cover them with elephant ears made from poster board. The possibilities are endless!

14. Provide other sensory tools like chewelry or fidgets

You can also incorporate other sensory tools into your child's costume. For instance, if your child's costume has a zipper up the front, then you could attach a chewable toy to the zipper pull for your child to chew on.

Get creative and try to think of ways to incorporate some sensory toys or tools like plush toys, fidget rings, chewelry, and so on.

15. Look for costumes that have built-in stimming or fidgeting components

Some costumes already have features that provide opportunities to stim or fidget. For example, reversible sequin fabric (or mermaid fabric) is awesome for stimming with. But maybe the costume has some zippers to fidget with or buttons to press as well. Maybe it includes a light saber that is great for visual stimming.

16. Make a costume from regular clothes or incorporate their regular clothes

You can buy all sorts of onesie pajamas or even regular two piece pajamas these days that can double up as a Halloween costume. These options are usually made from soft, comfortable fabrics and make great alternatives to traditional costumes.

You can also build a costume around items your child already wears or feels comfortable in. For instance, their favorite black pants and a striped shirt could make for an easy mime costume. Or you could make a cardboard costume that can slide on over top of their regular clothes.

17. Line plastic helmets with fabric

If your child wants to be an astronaut or fire fighter, for instance, then they might want to wear a helmet. The problem is those helmets are often hard, cold, ill-fitting, and uncomfortable to wear.

However, you can make them more comfortable for your child by hot gluing strips of fabric inside the helmet where the helmet would rest on your child's skin.

Alternatively, if your child likes to wear anything with a hood, then they could wear their favorite hooded sweater (with the hood up) underneath the helmet. Or skip the helmet entirely (see the previous tips about accessories).

18. Keep the weight of the costume in mind

Your child might feel more comfortable in a costume that is lightweight and barely noticeable (cue the classic white sheet as a ghost costume).

Or maybe your child likes the deep pressure that comes from heavier costumes.

Regardless, it's important to keep the weight of the costume in mind when picking the costume out with your child. You want something that feels comfortable, allows for movement, and doesn't feel too restrictive.

19. Have a backup plan & offer sensory breaks

Kids change their minds all the time so it's good to have a backup costume just in case. That might mean a different costume, removing certain elements of the costume or wearing only a certain part of the costume, opting for a fun Halloween themed shirt, or skipping the costume entirely (see the next tip).

You should also plan for sensory breaks during Halloween events at school or in the community as a way to prevent sensory overload and reduce the likelihood of experiencing a meltdown.

20. Skip the costume completely and opt for a fun themed t-shirt instead (aka keep it simple!)

Finally, feel free to skip the costume completely and keep it simple. Remember, your child doesn't have to wear a costume to participate in Halloween events.

Instead, they could simple dress in orange and black, wear a Halloween themed shirt, or even wear clothing with their favorite characters on it.

Tips & Strategies for Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes: A Quick Recap

Whew, that was a lot! Here's a quick recap for the skim readers (yes, I'm looking at you):

• Use comfortable clothes as a base layer beneath the costume

• Remove tags

• Choose the fabric and materials carefully

• Avoid masks, hats, and/or face paint

• Practice wearing the costume prior to Halloween

• Wash or clean the costume before wearing

• Consider the weather conditions

• Aim for costumes that are easy to get on or off by themselves

• Consider the accessories carefully

• Consider the length of the costume

• Go up or down a size based on sensory preferences

• Wear a compression vest or weighted vest underneath

• Use ear protection or headphones as part of the costume

• Provide other sensory tools like chewelry or fidgets

• Look for costumes that have built-in stimming or fidgeting components

• Make a costume from regular clothes or incorporate their regular clothes

• Line plastic helmets with fabric

• Keep the weight of the costume in mind

• Have a backup plan & offer sensory breaks

• Skip the costume completely and opt for a fun themed t-shirt instead (aka keep it simple!)

I hope you found these tips and strategies for making sensory friendly Halloween costumes helpful!

And, speaking of helpful, be sure to grab one of these free Halloween social stories or these free trick-or-treating social scripts to prepare them further for the upcoming Halloween events.

The Best Books with Autistic Characters for Kids & Teens

Looking for autism fiction books or autism novels? Then look no further than this awesome list of books with autistic characters for kids and teens.

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Everyone should feel represented in literature in some way, regardless of race, religion, background, family composition, disability, neurotype, gender, age...you name it. 

However, it's a big challenge trying to find good quality books with authentic representations. And I find this especially so for fiction books about autism.

I mean there are so many duds out there when it comes to autism books, both fiction and non-fiction alike.

And, too often, most book lists showcasing novels with autistic main characters miss the mark in big ways, including titles that are problematic and/or have not-so-great or down-right awful descriptions of autistic traits. That's why I screen a lot of these novels and chapter books myself before offering them to my kids.

See, my hope is to compile an amazing list of books with autistic characters for kids and teens. Autism fiction books that feel authentic and realistic. Books that really capture a variety of autistic traits and perspectives and show what it's really like to be autistic and to grow up autistic.

And that's what you'll find below.

This book list was updated on September 26, 2024 to include new book suggestions and reviews. I constantly share and review books in my Instagram stories so be sure to follow along there for even more book suggestions.

The Best Autism Fiction Books with Autistic Characters for Kids & Teens

Below you will find a variety of chapter books and novels that feature an autistic or neurodivergent main character, are written by autistic and neurodivergent authors, and/or sometimes even both!

The focus here is on autism novels and chapter books that have strong authentic and realistic representations, as well as positive narratives about autism. If you were hoping for picture book recommendations, you'll find that list of books here instead.

Please note that I have personally read and reviewed all of the following books unless otherwise stated. The list will also be updated as I find new titles to share.

1. A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

This book features an 11 year old autistic girl who loves sharks and witches. It is so positive and neurodiversity-affirming. It's also probably one of the best autism novels I've ever read! Recently, I excitedly picked up a copy of this book for $1 from my local library from its section of withdrawn items. 

2. Speak Up! by Rebecca Burgess

This graphic novel features an autistic girl as the main character. The story is great and the illustrations are lovely. It touches on topics like bullying as well. It's a really great book!

3. Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt

I loved this middle grade novel. It is written in verse and is so authentic and realistic in terms of autistic representation. I honestly feel like so many autistic teens and tweens would be able to relate to the character in this book.

4. Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

I may or may not have binge read this book in a day...It features a nonspeaking autistic girl named Nova who's passionate about outer space. It's so good, but the ending just gutted me. Ugh...So. Many. Emotions. Anyway, I highly recommend this book! I also managed to pick up a copy of this book for $1 from my local library from its section of withdrawn items (scored it on the same day as A Kind of Spark). 

5. Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll

The main message of this novel is beautiful! I quite enjoyed the story and the friendship between the two characters (one is autistic and the other is an ADHDer). I also loved one part where the main character said, "You're not a ridiculous person. You're just a person with...ridiculousness." I laughed so hard at that.

6. Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll

I really enjoyed this fantasy novel. It features a character who has dyspraxia and the story is quite lovely, especially if you like books with magic. Honestly, every book I've read by Elle McNicoll is great. There is a sequel coming out soon called Like a Curse.

7. Real by Carol Cujec & Peyton Goddard

This book is based on Peyton's own experiences and features a 13 year old non-speaking autistic girl named Charity who learns how to type to communicate. I was instantly hooked right from the first sentence and couldn't put it down so I ended up binge reading it in a day. And, goodness, this book had me feeling all the feels. It is fantastic and I can't recommend it enough. It's easily one of the best autism books I've read.

8. The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews

Here's another book that I couldn't put down and ended up reading in a day. It features two brothers, one of which is autistic. The book is fantastic and has such a positive portrayal of autism in it. I seriously loved this book so much, even if the ending absolutely gutted me.

9. Can You See Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

This book is excellent for so many reasons. First things first, it is co-written by an autistic kid (she was probably 10 or 11 at the time of publishing, not sure) based on her own experiences. That means you end up with a pretty authentic portrayal of an autistic experience.

But what I love the most about this book are the diary entries that are spread throughout the book. Most of the diary entries discuss topics such as demand avoidance, masking, anxiety, and so much more. What an awesome way to educate people on autism while tying it into a story!

There are additional books in this series, but I've only personally read this one and the second one, which is the next one on this list.

10. Do You Know Me? by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott

A sequel to Can You See Me?, this book follows Tally as goes on a week-long school camping trip. The story is really good, but the book as a whole doesn't quite have the same power as the original book that had journal entries to explain various autistic traits. It is worth noting that this book features two solid autistic characters.

11. Not if I Can Help it by Carolyn Mackler

While the main character isn't directly mentioned as being autistic, she does have sensory processing disorder so I think it's still worth including this particular book on this book list. After all, I think the author does a great job of providing a realistic and accurate presentation of what it's like to deal with sensory issues on a daily basis.

12. On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis

Okay, I couldn't put this book down. It was SO good! It's set in the future and features a lot of diverse characters, from the autistic protagonist Denise to a transgender character and everything in between. Denise's character was so authentic and realistic, yet well-developed and likeable. I really loved this book.

13. The State of Grace by Rachael Lucas

This novel is about an autistic teenager named Grace and it features a male character diagnosed with ADHD too. It felt incredibly authentic in terms of representation. I thought it was a really great book, which is perhaps why I binge read it.

14. Underdogs by Chris Bonnello

This book features a whole group of neurodivergent characters from Kate who's autistic and has severe anxiety to Ewan who has PDA. This group of kids and teens are fighting to save Britain from millions of cloned soldiers. I could not put this book down. It was so so good that I binge read it. It's well-written and fast-paced.

There are four books in this series, but I've only read the first book so far. I'm hoping my library will eventually get the rest of the books in the series!

15. Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn

I stumbled upon this book when I was placing a Scholastic book order and decided to give it a read. It was a really sweet book. This book is about a girl named Cat and her younger brother Chicken, who is presumably autistic. He's also passionate about sharks. I instantly fell in love with both Cat and Chicken. And, honestly, it's so nice to see an autistic person of color represented for a change too. I also thought the portrayal of autistic traits was well done.

16. A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

I cannot say enough positive things about this book. I personally loved seeing Bat's insights into how he interpreted the world around him. I also appreciate the portrayal of Bat's divorced parents in a positive light, making this book a great read for kids who have divorced parents. I also enjoyed how Bat's relationship with his sister was pretty realistic with its ups and downs.

There are three books in this series. I've read the first two, but not the last one.

17. Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold

I think I enjoyed this book even more so than the first book in the series. It really focuses on Bat's developing friendship with a classmate named Israel. Just an overall great book!

18. Bat and the End of Everything by Elana K. Arnold

Okay, I haven't had a chance to read this book quite yet, but if it's anything like the first two, it will be just as good. The reviews are really great for it too so I suspect it might be the best book in the series.

19. The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit

This book features two sisters, who are both autistic and Jewish, as they start a detective agency. One of the girls is non-speaking and uses a tablet to communicate with. Overall, the book was fine and the representation of autistic traits was quite good.

20. Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse by Susan Vaught

This one is about an autistic girl and her friend trying to solve a theft that her dad has been charged with. I found the beginning kind of slow and scattered. I don't know if it was her writing style or if it was the way the story jumps back and forth between two different weeks that made it kind of hard to get into. However, what I really liked about this book was the friendship between the main character Jesse and her friend Springer.

I also thought that the portrayal of autism in this book was really quite good. I even kind of wondered if Jesse might have been hyperlexic or hypernumeric as well. There was something at the beginning of the book that mentioned reading early and she was gifted with math, much like my own son, so I did wonder if she might be.

21. Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit

This novel is about an 11 year old autistic girl who wants to play baseball. It is written as a series of letters and emails between Vivy and a major league pitcher. Overall, the book was fine, nothing too exciting or memorable, to be honest. I also didn't like Vivy's mom at all. She was just an awful/frustrating character.

22. The Real Boy by Anne Ursu

I loved the main character Oscar, who is clearly autistic, even if it's not labelled as such in the text. And I thought that the author did a great job at capturing and describing autistic traits. It seemed like a pretty authentic account of autism, in my opinion.

The book was good, especially if you are into fantasy or fairy tale style books, but I must admit, the genre really wasn't my cup of tea. Midway though I got mad at the plot (I won't give spoilers!), but then it resolved itself, thank goodness! So, overall, it's a good book if you like this type of genre.

23. The Space We're In by Katya Balen

This book was pretty good. It's about 10 year old Frank and his relationship with his non-speaking brother Max who communicates by flapping hands, using some sign language, and pictures. I thought the book did a decent job of capturing Max's autistic traits.

More Autism Book Recommendations...

While there are certainly some great books with autistic characters for kids and teens on the above list, that's not all you'll find around here. For instance, you might also be interested in these other book lists:

• Best Autism Books

• Books About Autism for Autistic Teens

• Autism Picture Books for Kids

The Best Autism Books for Autistic Teens & Tweens

Looking for autism books for autistic teenagers and tweens? Then, look no further than this list of non-fiction books that help autistic teens better understand their autistic identity, explain what autism is, and address common teen issues/concerns.

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I've already compiled lists of autism books for adults and parents and autism picture books for kids, but I have yet to compile a list of books about autism that are specifically geared towards autistic teens and tweens. Until now, of course.

We're currently in the tween/teen stage ourselves so I've been on the hunt for autism books that I feel good about sharing with my own autistic son.

Even if we've been having lots of open conversations about autism and neurodiversity in our house for years, it's still nice to have books written by actually autistic authors available for him to reference as well.

The result is this list of non-fiction autism books for autistic teens and tweens. (Psst...If you're looking for autism fiction books or novels, then click here to see that list instead.)

This book list was updated on September 25, 2024 to include new book suggestions and reviews. I constantly share and review books in my Instagram stories so be sure to follow along there for even more book suggestions.

Autism Books for Autistic Teens & Tweens

Below, you will find non-fiction books, anthologies, and memoirs that are geared towards autistic teenagers and tweens. Some focus on describing what it means to be autistic, while others focus on specific topics such as puberty and periods, trying new sports or activities, bullying and relationships, and so much more.

Please note that I have personally read and reviewed all of the following books unless otherwise stated. The list will also be updated as I find new titles to share.

1. Being Autistic by Niamh Garvey

This book is excellent. It's well written, has great illustrations, and is super informative and engaging. It's a fantastic book for autistic kids and teens who want to learn more about what it means to be autistic and covers a wide variety of topics. I seriously can't recommend this book enough!

2. A Different Kind of Normal by Abigail Balfe

Here's an amazing book for autistic tweens and teens. Seriously, this book is such an incredibly authentic, colorful, and inviting book. Sure, it wandered off quite often, but I think that is what made it so authentic (that and it's a memoir). But the book as a whole is wonderful. It's especially perfect for those who prefer lots of color and enjoy illustrations over huge blocks of text.

3. The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide by Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman

A short book at only 100ish pages, this book is incredibly powerful. It is written by autistics and helps autistic tweens and teens better understand what autism is, identify their strengths, help them understand their stims, identify their own sensory triggers, name their favorite calm down strategies, and more. It has lots of sections for teens to fill in, making it a bit like a workbook or journal. Overall, the book is excellent and a must-read for all autistic teens and tweens.

4. The Awesome Autistic Guide to Being Proud by Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman

The focus for this book is autistic identity and finding your own community. I really loved this book and it's probably one of my favorites in the whole Awesome Autistic Guides series. Especially since it even mentions hyperlexia. Similar to the other books in this series, it's nice and short, under 100 pages in length.

5. Autism, Bullying and Me By Emily Lovegrove

This helpful little book is just over 100 pages and is written by an autistic adult. It explains bullying in such an easy to understand way and is geared towards autistic tweens and teens (although it could be helpful for some adults or younger kids as well). Of course the book also offers lots of great practical tips and strategies for dealing with bullying. The writing style is so positive, friendly, and easy to read. It explains concepts so well without the jargon.

6. Sensory: Life on the Spectrum by Bex Ollerton

For those who get overwhelmed by a lot of text and/or prefer comics or graphic novels, then this anthology might be a perfect fit. It's a wonderful anthology of comics and is so beautiful and colorful inside. It also covers a wide variety of topics such as masking, burnout, and autistic joy. I would recommend this for teens and young adults in particular.

7. The Awesome Autistic Guide to Feelings & Emotions by Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman

For this Awesome Autistic Guide, the focus is obviously feelings and emotions. It does a great job describing feelings, discussing how to find your comfort zone, talking about anxiety and sensory scares, and so much more. For such a short book (again, under 100 pages), it sure covers a lot. It's well-written and informative.

8. The Awesome Autistic Guide to Other Humans by Yenn Purkis & Tanya Masterman

This book talks about various aspects of friendships and family relationships, including topics like toxic friendships, what makes a good friend, managing conflicts with friends, and sibling relationships. It's short (under 100 pages) and well-written, using clear, concise language.

9. The Autistic Guide to Adventure by Allie Mason

Here's a short and quick read geared towards autistic teens and tweens who might want to try a new sport or activity. It covers a wide range of activities from cycling and LARPing to geocaching and sailing.

I particularly loved the format of the book as it breaks down each activity into digestible chunks, covering background information, reasons to try the activity, possible sensory considerations, gear that might be required (complete with visuals), and tips for how to get started.

I also loved that it included lots of interviews with autistic role models throughout.

10. The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens by Yenn Purkis & Sam Rose

While I haven't read this particular book (it's not relevant for us), I am so glad that it exists for those who need it. Since I'm a huge fan of the other Awesome Autistic Guides, I can safely bet that this book will be extremely helpful for autistic trans teens to read as a way explore their intersectional identity.

11. The Spectrum Girl's Survival Guide by Siena Castellon

I'll be upfront and tell you that I haven't personally read this book as I don't have an autistic daughter (i.e., it's not relevant for my situation), but it is written by an autistic teenager and has really great reviews. This book covers a wide range of topics from sensory overload, puberty and personal hygiene, dating, gender identity, school, bullying, and social media. It also uses cartoon illustrations and comics throughout to support the text.

12. The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward

Okay, obviously this book isn't about autism itself, but it's a topic that is highly relevant to autistic teenage girls. Again, I haven't read this book because of the same reasons as above. But again, the reviews for it are fantastic. I often see this book recommended in autistic led Facebook groups too. Plus, it's written by an autistic author.

From what I've seen of the interior, it looks really colorful and well thought out. It even has a section dedicated to photos and step-by-step guides that would be immensely helpful for so many girls, autistic or not. I also like that it discusses other period supplies such as menstrual cups and period underwear, showing options beyond pads and tampons, which I think is fantastic.

13. The Autism Handbook for Kids! by Andi Putt

This ebook is a great resource for introducing autism and neurodiversity to kids and teens. It covers a lot of important topics, ranging from ableism and sensory processing to masking and stimming. There are also lots of illustrations and comic strips included throughout. It's a fantastic resource!

By the way, you can use coupon code ANDNEXTCOMESL to save 10% on this handbook.

Looking for More Autism Books for Teens?

I wanted the focus of this list to be on books that help autistic teens better understand their autistic identity. That's why I've only included non-fiction titles on the above list of autism books for autistic teens and tweens.

However, if you are looking for some recommendations for chapter books and novels that feature autistic or neurodivergent characters, then you might be interested in this autism fiction book list.