The very first books I started out with were, What to Expect When Expecting, The First Year, and The Toddler years. These got me through many fears and challenges. When I was concerned about development it served me as a guide, and offered reassurance that he would be okay if he was a little later than the average child; and that he was. 'D' hit every milestone on at the end of the expected timespan, sometimes a little past. He suffered from digestive troubles and many sensitivities. His sensory issues showed within a few months life. Progressively more so depending on his consumption habits.
Next was a few Chicken Soup for the Soul books (a habit I picked up in high school).
An amazing start to any journey into home therapy for autism, Temple Grandin's book was motivating and encouraging in a very deliberate fashion. A disciplinarian and empathic heart, it was like having a parent looking over your shoulder, but being able to put the book down at will.
This book, although I found it to be a bit of a hit and miss at times, was a great (although heavy) paperback to keep at hand during rough times. When a crisis was unfolding, I'd turn to it, hoping for an answer and often finding an answer but to a different question. This reminded me to look past the moment, accept it for what it was, remember what set it off.. and move on to the next moment, one of peace and cheer.
Soon after, I began looking for more books, if these were inspiring and brought warmth to me in the cold, then maybe these others would too. One after another, testimonials, mothers' accounts of their paths to discovery and coping, what they were willing to go through and what worked best for them, not to mention views and opinions for others on a similar path, or even those who are not. That was enough.
I read, more and more, compulsively turning to this computer and knowing that Google would turn up what I needed to know at that moment, if I only had the right question, keyword, or phrase. We spent many months turning into years having to rely on our own research so that our children would still receive treatment for health issues (even matters as simple as strep throat) instead of being passed of as autistic.
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