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

I looked forward to reading this as a fellow autistic person. I felt uncomfortable reading it and couldn't finish it because - I know the author is young - but he speaks for all autistic people when many of us are not the same as he is. If you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person. Not everyone functions as he does.It is a nice jumping off point for abled people who don't know much about being autistic I guess, but it shouldn't be taken as the be all end all of what it is like to be autistic, and I am afraid it will be.

It would be great if these words were the thoughts of an autistic savant trapped in a body that didn't respond the way he wanted. It would be wonderful if a 12 year old boy with such a disability had such self-awareness and mature understanding of the social struggle that neurotypical and non neurotypicals face when interacting with one another. It would be such an enlightening message if someone with severe autism could break through and give all those parents out there hope that within the mind of their child there is reasoning and reflection that explains the flapping, jumping, and eloping. Sadly, I feel that all these wishes and hopes of desparate parents who seek social connection and communication with their autistic child are preyed upon in this work. Some may say that there is no real harm done here, but i wholly disagree. Not recommended.

Dear,Naoki HigashidaI bought your book originally for a college class and began reading for pleasure after a long day at work. I knew Autism was a disability that most people look down on because I live with a younger brother on the spectrum. I was prepared to read the same information I’d seen in books my parents had purchased in the past to help them raise him to be a person who could survive in modern day society. I soon found out that I was completely wrong about this. “The Reason I Jump” was nothing compared to those books. Unlike my parent’s books, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this through every page turn. Print media written by someone that has Autism, seems more helpful in comparison to something written about Autism by someone who has never lived a day in a person with Autism’s shoes. In a media course I am currently taking at Corban University in Oregon, I have learned that the society in the United States has a transmission of culture with the media. We tend to pay attention to things that capture our attention at that very moment, instead of focusing on what is right in front of us. Our societies’ greatest concern is not helping people with Autism live to the fullest of their abilities, but to be how great can we make the next smartphone or tablet so we can live in a more lavish lifestyle. We should be living a lifestyle that is not conformed. Romans 12: 2 tells us, “And not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” This is a passage that speaks the truth about how we should live, which is that we must learn our priorities and help others in need, instead of helping ourselves, therefore, not being conformists to the media around us.Your amazing book helped opened my eyes in such a way that it has helped me form a better relationship with my brother. I can now understand why he does certain things throughout the day that naturally make other people confused. He and I can share moments and live lives fuller since I have read your book.God Bless,Crystal

I had great expectations for this book. Like all of us who love someone with Autism, I often wonder, "What is going on in his brain?' What could he be thinking? " Rather than give any real insight this book presented several questions, "Why do you ... ?" The answers were all very short variations on "It's not something I can control", followed by heartbreaking descriptions of the authors despair and self-loathing. I hope and pray that we can create a compassionate world where NO ONE has to feel what this author has experienced.I wish him nothing but the best. But i am burning this book.

Good book. Upon further research into the book, I do see he wrote this via facilitated hand movements (essentially hand over hand) via his mom. This is a pseudoscientific practice with little to no research backing it’s accuracy. I’m sad as I thought this was a thoughtfully written piece. Unfortunately, as an occupational therapist, I’m not able to take these insights and apply them in my practice because of that fact.

If I could give this book more stars i really would. I have learnt more about autism an learnt ways to understand my son more than I did on the many courses I went on. Amazing book made me very tearful I cried for days after and changed my whole mindset. I have made so many people read the book an they have learnt so much. I even had to order more copies because so many people wanted to read it. Defiantly buy it u won't regret it.

I work with Autistic students and have read many book about Autism. This was an eye-opener for me. I have promoted the book amongst my colleagues... it is unlike any other book that I have read. I Highly recommend it.

As a mum to a little boy who is non verbal and has autism this book was just so enlightening for me to understand what could be going through my little boys mind. I’ve cried happy and sad tears reading this book. If you have just had an autism diagnosis for your child this makes you really think of the struggles your child faces and gives you a wonderful insight to what may be going through your child’s head. Just a beautiful thought provoking book.

As an Autistic adult who works with children, I'm always looking for different books about Autism. I had this recommended to me, so thought I'd give it a try. I have probably read a dozen books, either about Autism or with an Autistic character, & by far this is the worst I've read. Some parts were relatable, but I found some parts uneasy to read.The author consistently comments that "Us people with Autism", & this fails to get across to the reader that Autism is a Spectrum, with different 'challenges' (for want of a better word) across the levels of it. The description on here simply refers to it being written by a child with Autism. It is only when you find a section about the author that you realise the author has severe Autism. While it might be useful for those who either live with or work with someone with this kind of Autism, it isn't especially helpful for many others.The author constantly says things like 'My guess is that lots of Autistic people...", "All people with Autism feel the same about...", "People with Autism always..." - it really isn't helpful to the reader trying to get an insight into people with Autism as it portrays us all the same. There are so many things that he says do this or do that & in actual fact, for many people with Autism, it has the opposite affect on them. This generalisation could come across as having a negative affect, especially if being read by someone on the Spectrum,While I'm aware the book was written a few years ago, the constant use of the word 'normal' when referring to those who don't have Autism made me feel uncomfortable, as what is normal? The number of times it describes Autistic people as being forgetful is rather unusual as so often Autistic people have exceptional memories.There are some stories randomly inserted between some of the chapters, which don't really add to the book - in fact, they don't fit into the book in the slightest. The book ends with a story which I honestly don't understand the inclusion of it. It talks about the afterlife - it's just so randomly put in & doesn't fit in with the themes of the book. To me, the story isn't pleasant in large parts. For me, the author would have been better publishing a book with these stories in it, rather than randomly slot them inside a book about Autism.Overall, I found the book difficult to read & it came across more as a book written by a family member of an Autistic person that by an Autistic person themself. Sadly, I found it a disappointing read.

I am so impressed by the common sense and straightforwardness of its young author at the time..only 13 but yet he is able to invite his readers to have a glimpse of the autistic mind, leaving his own ajar for a while to be a bridge between us and the neurotypical world on behalf of so many. I have read a few books written by a few specialists in autism, the one talking the talk and walking the walk but this one is particularly emotional for me and went straight to my soul. I hope this book will dismantle a few preconceived ideas people take for certain and allow the people of good will to see for the time of the reading the colours of our world, its sensitivity, its emotions too raw too often and realise we too are alive in these society, craving to be heard and acknowledged but too often dismissed before being given a chance. I hope this book gives you the same immense and emotional pleasure that I have experienced reading it.