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The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism | Naoki Higashida
119 posts | 158 read | 150 to read
A story never before told and a memoir to help change our understanding of the world around us, 13-year-old Naoki Higashida's astonishing, empathetic book takes us into the mind of a boy with severe autism. With an introduction by David Mitchell, author of the global phenomenon, Cloud Atlas, and translated by his wife, KA Yoshida. Naoki Higashida was only a middle-schooler when he began to write The Reason I Jump. Autistic and with very low verbal fluency, Naoki used an alphabet grid to painstakingly spell out his answers to the questions he imagines others most often wonder about him: why do you talk so loud? Is it true you hate being touched? Would you like to be normal? The result is an inspiring, attitude-transforming book that will be embraced by anyone interested in understanding their fellow human beings, and by parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends of autistic children. Naoki examines issues as diverse and complex as self-harm, perceptions of time and beauty, and the challenges of communication, and in doing so, discredits the popular belief that autistic people are anti-social loners who lack empathy. This book is mesmerizing proof that inside an autistic body is a mind as subtle, curious, and caring as anyone else's.
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Smarkies
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Pickpick

An interesting read from a boy living with autism. However, it is a bit repetitive, especially towards the end of the book. There is controversy around the book... but maybe shedding additional light on autism helps the general awareness about it.

GatheringBooks Do share what the controversy is about! Love book 🍵🫖 11mo
Smarkies @GatheringBooks there is chatter that the mother helped write the book and therefore it is not the boy's experience but rather the mother's viewpoint on his experience. 11mo
GatheringBooks @Smarkies Hmm. Interesting. 💕 11mo
rwmg @GatheringBooks @Smarkies I hadn't heard about a controversy over his mother's involvement, but I did wonder when I read it how much of the sophistication of the language was due to David Mitchell, the co-translator with his Japanese wife. 11mo
33 likes4 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a powerful, valuable insight into the reality of living with autism. It's a remarkable achievement, given that Naoki Higashida used an alphabet grid to respond to the questions, and some of the phrasing is strikingly beautiful - "When I‘m jumping, it‘s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”

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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a powerful, valuable insight into the reality of living with autism. It's a remarkable achievement, given that Naoki Higashida used an alphabet grid to respond to the questions, and some of the phrasing is strikingly beautiful - "When I‘m jumping, it‘s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”

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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a powerful, valuable insight into the reality of living with autism. It's a remarkable achievement, given that Naoki Higashida used an alphabet grid to respond to the questions, and some of the phrasing is strikingly beautiful - "When I‘m jumping, it‘s as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.”

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arlenefinnigan
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Next up

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rwmg
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚 2y
22 likes1 comment
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Eggs
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Naoki Higashida is a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, and this is his one-of-a-kind memoir…🦋🦋

#JumpDay #JulyJam @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Vansa I love this book and as @AllDebooks has said above, the sequel. So deeply moving,and insightful. 2y
Eggs I‘ll have to read the 2nd book! @AllDebooks @Vansa 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds good 💙 2y
60 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Magpiegem
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Pickpick

31/22 As the mum of an autistic son I have been hearing the echos of this book in my head all week. Higashida beautifully answers questions he has set himself. I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the autistic experience. I‘m grateful not only for this but for all the books written by autistic people that are helping me gain a deeper understanding. It is such a generous gift.

Smartypants @Magpiegem I‘m the mom of an autistic son too. All these books are so helpful for us to understand how best to communicate and support our kiddos. ♥️ 2y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

I‘ve been starting at the bottom of my tbr list—some books have been on there too long. A short audiobook, this was pretty good if you want to understand autism better. #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick #wintergames 16 pts

31 likes1 stack add
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Lissy1
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great quick read that has really helped me to understand myself a little better. I really respect the author for being so open and honest. I really suggest reading this book if you have a loved one with autism as it‘s a great way of understanding autism better. Much better than google. Just remember that every autistic persons traits are slightly different
4 Stars ✨

#book #books #review #bookreview #read

18 likes1 stack add
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Lissy1
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I can‘t believe I‘ve finished a book! That‘s 2 in one day! This was a nice quick read which helped me to learn a lot more about myself and I really have a lot of respect for the author for being so open and honest
Review on the following post

#book #books #bookshelf #read #reading #biography #diary #autism #bookly #nonfiction

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Lissy1
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Erin.Elizabeth10
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Mehso-so

I‘m glad I read this book, the mix of Q&A, short story, and art was interesting. Although I do have some reservations about it... the language was very generalized, and I could see this book being critiqued for its generalizations and other things. EDIT: I just did a bit of research, and it seems there is some concern about how much the adults influenced this book with moralizing and platitudes. I can definitely see that.

rwmg The "moralizing and platitudes" didn't strike me, it was the overall use of language which made me wonder how much of the style owed to David Mitchell and how much to Naoki Higashida. 3y
Erin.Elizabeth10 @rwmg Yes, I saw that too. 3y
6 likes2 comments
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Ksvz
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Mehso-so

March 2021 - NF / autism awareness / Japanese - amazing and perception changing - moving and eloquent

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cant_i'm_booked
Pickpick

Interesting peek into the mind of a young Japanese boy with autism. There's some controversy surrounding this book regarding to what extent the words are the author's own (some believe the alphabet grid he uses to construct sentences, along with translators, take too much away from any original thought). But if the critics are to be disbelieved, then it is indeed wondrous to hear a take on the world from a consciousness very different from my own.

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MoMogrl
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Pickpick

Just finished this on audio. I will admit it didn't hold my attention at times, but I enjoyed learning the perspective of a nonverbal autistic person. I don't think it not holding my attention had anything to do with the narrator or topic, but more when I was listening to it. #nonfictionnerds

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jen_hayes7
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Took a couple years off of reading challenges and am excited to do the #readharderchallenge again. The prompts are fantastic, as usual. I‘m looking forward to picking up some books I may not have grabbed on my own. This one‘s been on my nook for awhile, happy to finally be reading it. And with that, we‘re off!! #lennox #catsoflitsy

rwmg Did you see that it has been filmed https://youtu.be/J9ZxvR_cm94 3y
jen_hayes7 @rwmg I had not seen that!! Thank you for sharing!! 3y
23 likes2 comments
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dariazeoli
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I wonder how much of the “finessing” David Mitchell may have done with the translation is his voice instead of Higashida‘s. The use of “we” and “us” when describing the autistic experience (instead of “I” and “me”) is really sticking out to me.

That aside, I‘m a fan of personal stories and I appreciated the chance to learn about the perspective of a nonverbal autistic person.

#NonfictionNerds

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Karisa
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Gorgeous! Spent this Saturday morning crying while watching this beautiful film adaptation of a book about how the world looks through the eyes of an author who is nonverbally autistic. It features Higashida's words and 5 real people from around the world (and their families). Time well spent.

Watch it here: https://kinomarquee.com/film/the-reason-i-jump/5f18b849fc3a940001d483d8

TheBookHippie I‘m reading this right now! 3y
Lauram I just read an article about this when I was awake early this morning. I work with autistic individuals and do loads of educating about sensory processing. I can‘t wait to watch! 3y
Karisa @Lauram I have been wondering this morning how those who work in the field would recieve the film. I read in The Guardian article that to some the spelling cards two of the people in the film use are controversial. Would love to read your response/review if you do end up watching it💗 3y
60 likes1 stack add4 comments
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dariazeoli
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#NonfictionNerds is reading the tagged book in January! Come join us. The audiobook is under 3 hours and available on Hoopla.

EDIT: I forgot that we had a tie and there‘s a second book this month, The Great Pretender! Hurray for choices!

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1061034-nonfiction-nerds

Amiable I‘m already on hold for the e-book version at my library (wait time: circa 2 weeks), but maybe I‘ll see about the audiobook. I don‘t normally like doing audio—it is better for this book? 3y
dariazeoli @Amiable I don‘t know, as it will be my first read. I just know that Hoopla is a good alternative if others aren‘t immediately available. 3y
TheBookHippie Started today! 3y
33 likes3 comments
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Mccall0113
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Finishing this one today while we take a home school lunch break. :)

britt_brooke Cute photo! 3y
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Eggs
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4 favorite memoirs #memoir #thankfulthoughts

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Eggs
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One of the most powerful books I‘ve read about life in the autism spectrum #sensoryoverload #septembersenses

JenReadsAlot Great book! 4y
Eggs Agreed! Thanks! @JenReadsAlot 4y
55 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Becca.in.a.book
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Pickpick

This book has opened my eyes to realize that I honestly had no idea of how much I didn‘t know and didn‘t understand. Through this read, I hope to change my perspective and grow into a better supporter and advocate for people with autism.

violabrain This book is great! It was very eye-opening for me as well! 4y
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Eggbeater
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Panpan

Unpopular opinion: I've been able to work alongside many students who had ASD, and I really felt this book had too much generalization and adult influence. It didn't feel like it was written by a child, it felt contrived like facilitated communication to me. I could be terribly wrong, but the suspicion kept me from enjoying the book.

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beautifulcrevice
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Pickpick

one of my families recommended this book to me. I work with individuals with developmental disabilities, many of whom are diagnosed with Autism. the spectrum is vast and fascinating. reading this book gave me the opportunity to get a glimpse into their brains, behavior, reasoning, and communication styles. quick & interesting read! 💙 #thereasonijump #autism #autismawareness #kindle

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for what you do 💙 4y
8 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Come-read-with-me
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Pickpick

Another shout out to Autusm Awareness Month. This is a beautifully heartfelt story that goes a long way in describing the importance of sensory functions in individuals with ASD. Written by a man affected by ASD, it is a true look into what a”disorganized” life can be like. A HUGE 5 🌟 rating!

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Centique
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The thing that is amazing about this book is that it has been written at all. For Naoki Higashida to answer these questions about autism has taken enormous effort and will power. Putting his experience of the world into language and concepts the non-autistic can understand is an incredible feat - it must have been like scaling a mountain. If you‘ve ever wanted insight into the world of autism this little book is unmissable.

75 likes2 stack adds
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Pickpick

A fascinating glimpse of the autistic mind of a 13-year-old boy. It contains a series of questions which many people want to know about someone on the autism spectrum & Naoki provides simple, honest answers using an alphabet grid developed by his mother. It was heartfelt to read in the introduction how this book has changed the way David Mitchell sees his autistic son. A well worth read for a better understanding of someone with autism.
#NFNov

Reviewsbylola I enjoyed this one. It has a permanent spot in my collection. 4y
rsteve388 6 pts 4y
69 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Q: What causes panic attacks and meltdowns? ☝️

..(continues) “When this is happening to us, just let us cry, or yell, and get it all out. Stay close by and keep a gentle eye on us, and while we‘re swept up in our torment, please stop us hurting ourselves and others.”

#NFNov #TIL

rsteve388 4 pt 4y
50 likes1 comment
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erzascarletbookgasm
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Clwojick 4 pt. 4y
Texreader That is so interesting 4y
youneverarrived @Libby1 this book might interest you? 4y
Libby1 @erzascarletbookgasm - thanks so much for thinking of me. I‘m really touched. I‘ve read this before and found it fascinating! 4y
54 likes4 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
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When asked ‘Why are your facial expressions so limited?‘ to a 13-year old boy on the autism spectrum.

#NFV

Clwojick 1 pt 4y
56 likes1 comment
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MolliesaurusRex
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Pickpick

It‘s been a while since I participated in a #24b4Monday readathon, so I figured I‘d see what I can do with the long weekend. This book is amazing, and gives me a lot of insight on how the brains of people with autism work. I‘m also submitting this as the book that reminds me of my happy place for #booked2019 because I really and truly love working with the kiddos I work with.❤️

Cinfhen This was an interesting insight into the mind of someone who is usually more closed off. 4y
rwmg He's great. His later book was very good as well, though both are perhapsnot generalisable. 4y
MolliesaurusRex @Cinfhen @rwmg it was recommended to me by a coworker (I teach in a school that strictly serves students with autism) and while I know it isn‘t applicable to every one of my students (“Once you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism.”) I feel like it‘s given me a better understanding of some of the things they do. I feel like it should be required reading in my school! 4y
MrBook Awesome!!! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
12 likes4 comments
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MolliesaurusRex
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My boyfriend thinks I‘m extra because I bought a PopSocket for my Kindle. But like, I read one-handed all the time (usually because I have at least one cat laying on my face), & I accidentally drop it all the time (usually on said cat‘s face), so it just makes sense to have a grip. What do you think? #kindlereader #kindlereads #kindle #kindleprobs #layoffmypopsocket #yesmyhairisgreennow #littenquestions

Hestapleton OMG THAT IS AN AMAZING IDEA. 4y
MolliesaurusRex @Hestapleton girl my local Target had a whole butt-ton on clearance - go see if you can get you one! It‘s seriously so much easier to hold onto with it! (edited) 4y
9 likes2 comments
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Nu-Bibliophile
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This is an interesting read. It goes inside the head of a young boy who has autism and his goal is to share and explain the minds of people who has autism.

I'm not sure how accurate it is because I've never studied autism before, but the book is moving and an eye-opener.

ShyBookOwl I'm glad you mentioned the questionable accuracy. It's been kind of controversial but I'm still interested in the book's sentiment 5y
28 likes1 comment
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magicalshelves
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Pickpick

Fact about me, I am a special education teacher who works with kids with autism. I picked up this book for a class I‘m taking & it was such an insightful read. It was really interesting to hear about life with autism from an autistic person. My book currently has many colorful tabs in it marking thoughtful passages & quotes. I plan to keep this book handy, especially when reflecting on tough days, to remind me to have patience and understanding.

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jmtrivera
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Pickpick

I'd expected a memoir, but it turned out to be more a series of essays. Higashida answered questions about life w/autism in general & his perceptions specifically. I wouldn't want to generalize to all people with autism from this book, but much of this made me think hard about my students, past & present, and how they might see the world. Many of his descriptions are really beautiful too. I would definitely recommend.

Aimeesue "When you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism." Dr. Steven Shore, who has Autism himself. ? Excellent read! 5y
jmtrivera @Aimeesue Exactly. So many people forget that. 5y
22 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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amywithbooks
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Today is World Autism Awareness Day! Here are some book recommendations if you are interested in learning more about Autism. The more we learn, understand, and become accepting of the autism community the better we can support those individuals and families who live autism awareness day every single day!

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magicalshelves
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Starting my “spring break” off with some required reading for my professional development course. This actually sounds like a great book and as a teacher who works with kiddos with ASD I‘m eager to hear from a kid‘s perspective.

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j.rye
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Pickpick

💙 this book offers incredible insight into the mind of a child with Autism. After 10 years of muddling through it all, I thought I had all the answers; but Naoki made the everything fit in place a little better. Sometimes it‘s easy to forget your child‘s struggle and focus only on your own strife. I plan on asking everyone close to us to read this book in hopes of understanding my boys just a little bit better.

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j.rye
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I‘ve never cried four pages into a book before. As a mom of two kids on two different points on the spectrum, I am constantly scared by all they‘re up against and utterly amazed by the strength they have to overcome it.

The intro to this book gives me all the feels. I see a lot of sobbing happening tonight. 🧩💙

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Jee_HookedOnBookz
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vkois88 Some great choices! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks We chose two of the same books!! Great minds think alike!! ❤️😘 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks woot woot!! And I agree! 😘❤️ 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz @vkois88 thank you Tori! 5y
51 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Eggs
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#disabilityreads #literaryluck @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
To be fair, we are all disabled in one way or another, just as we are all enabled in our own ways. The key is to uncover the gifts and interests of the ‘disabled‘ and help them pursue those.🧩 Unforgettable book!

kspenmoll ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
tammysue ❤️ 5y
j.rye 😍 #mustread. Both of my sons have ASD. I cannot wait to read this book. 🧩💙 5y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💙💙💙 5y
tracey38 So very true! 💙 5y
vkois88 Love this caption 5y
88 likes7 stack adds6 comments
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Siri_reads
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Next up!

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jmtrivera
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It's #BookBingo day over here! First book down. Some good quotes which I'll share later at Toddlersaurus naptime!
#HalfBloodBingo #ProtagonistwithaDisability

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LittleMummyMe
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Pickpick

What a wonderful book.
This book gives insight into the world of an autistic boy 💙
It is very easy and quick to read. I'd recommend everyone reads it at least once.

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SkeletonKey
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When you go away for three days and you have to be extra prepared.

I‘m in West Virginia visiting family and the hotel we stay in is a refurbished hospital. It‘s kind of fun because we get to have our group gatherings in the morgue.

What‘s everyone else up to?

#thanksgiving #family

crazyspine 🤣 5y
Clare-Dragonfly I want to stay there! How fun! 5y
SkeletonKey @Clare-Dragonfly - It‘s definitely got character! 5y
42 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LittleMummyMe
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From the introduction og The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida.

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