The reason I jump.
Posted on: October 11, 2013
The reason I jump : one boys voice from the silence of autism.
By Naoki Higashida , translated by David Mitchell
There is a whole array of books about autism available.
I’ve found that most of them are either written by experts. Very heavy in theory. And often quite difficult to read. Or they are written by parents who although they can give a great insight into what it’s like for the patents and can give lots of advice they can’t of course talk for their children.
This book was written by a 13 year old with autism.
It’s written in the form of questions and answers.
It’s written in a very clear open honest way. I found the book informative and moving.
It doesn’t answer all questions. There are things that are true of Naoki , but not true of O. But it really did give a helpful , educating insight into autism through the mind of a child that lives with it.
I knew just a few pages in that I would love this book.
There was a paragraph that really struck a chord with me. Naoki says ” the voice I can’t control is different , this one blurts out , not because I want it to , it’s more like a reflex. ” he goes on to say ” even if we’re ordered to keep our mouths shut or to be quiet we simply don’t know how , our voices are like our breathing. I feel , just coming out of our mouths unconsciously ”
This describes O so well. And it’s something I so wish I could make people understand.
I wish everybody would read this book. At least anybody with autism in their lives or anyone who wants to educate themselves to better understand autism.
this is an important book.
Another must read book , in my opinion is freaks geeks and aspergers. Also written by a child with aspergers.
Again a great , informative insight.
butterfly minds 
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