One sentence summary
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism, written by Naoki Higashida, is a moving and eye-opening exploration of the interior world of autism.
Book genre
Non-fiction, Memoir, Self-Help, Inspirational
Main topic of the book
The Reason I Jump is an autobiographical exploration of the interior world of autism. It is written by Naoki Higashida, a thirteen-year-old Japanese boy living with severe autism.
Key ideas
- The Reality of Living with Autism: The book provides a firsthand account of what it’s like to live with autism and how people with autism experience the world differently.
- Validity of Experiences: Readers are able to explore and understand the inner lives of individuals with autism, and gain insight into how they think, feel, and communicate.
- Humane Understanding: The Reason I Jump encourages readers to recognize the value of every person, no matter their disability, and to build a society of empathy and acceptance.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Part 1: Introducing Autism: This section opens with a description of what it’s like to live with autism. Naoki Higashida explores how he experiences the world differently than other people, and begins to answer frequently asked questions about living with autism.
- Part 2: Digging Deeper: In this section Higashida begins to answer more complex questions about autism. He looks at issues such as the reasons for different behaviors, communication difficulties, and the autism spectrum.
- Part 3: Reflections: In this section Higashida considers how to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for people with autism, and how to embrace them as part of the human family. He also talks about his hope for the future for himself and other people with autism.
Key takeaways
- People with autism experience the world differently than others.
- It is important to recognize the value of every individual, no matter their disability.
- Having a humane understanding of people with autism is key to fostering empathy and acceptance.
- Creating an empathetic and inclusive environment for people with autism can help them to reach their potential.
Author’s background and qualifications
Naoki Higashida was born in Japan in 1993. He was diagnosed with autism when he was five and is non-verbal. He wrote his first book about autism at the age of 13, and went on to write several other books. He has since become a leading advocate for individuals with autism, writing articles, giving lectures, and appearing in various interviews.
Target audience
This book is intended for anyone interested in learning more about autism. It is particularly useful for parents, teachers, professionals in health and social care, or anyone striving to understand and accept individuals with autism.
Publisher and first publication date
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism was published in the US by Henry Holt and Co. in August 2013.