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The Reason I Jump cover art

The Reason I Jump

By: Naoki Higashida,David Mitchell - translator,Keiko Yoshida - translator
Narrated by: David Mitchell,Thomas Judd
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Summary

Written by Naoki Higishida when he was only 13, this remarkable book explains the often baffling behaviour of autistic children and shows the way they think and feel - about the people around them, time and beauty, noise, and themselves.

Naoki abundantly proves that autistic people do possess imagination, humour and empathy, but also makes clear, with great poignancy, how badly they need our compassion, patience and understanding.

David Mitchell and his wife have translated Naoki's book so that it might help others dealing with autism, and generally illuminate a little-understood condition. Like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, it gives us an exceptional chance to enter the mind of another and see the world from a strange and fascinating perspective.

©2007 Naoki Higashida; translation © 2013 KA Yoshida and David Mitchell (P)2013 Hodder & Stoughton

What listeners say about The Reason I Jump

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    3 out of 5 stars

I really wanted to rate this higher

I didn't hesitate for a second in buying this book as soon as I heard about it. The insight that can be gained by being able to hear the words of a non verbal autistic child, is just amazing.
He gives some really useful explanations to help other people understand his behaviour and feelings, and it is worth listening to for that.

However, there are lots of times when he answers a question that explains what it is like for him, then goes on to say, autistic people like to do this, or autistic people don't like it when you do that, and that I found annoying. He is one, non-verbal autistic child. It is wonderful to hear him speaking for himself, but he cannot talk for autistic people in general. Some of the things he advised, completely contradict my own experience of raising autistic children. My children are verbal, so are able to tell me if something I am doing makes it harder for them. Naoki doesn't like visual timetables or information about places he is going to visit in advance, he says it spoils the surprise. That's fine for him, but please don't tell me that autistic people find them too stressful and enjoy surprises, my autistic children tell me otherwise.

Parents, if you listen to this book, take on board his explanations of his feelings and behaviours, but don't just blindly take all his advice. Get lots of information from lots of places and see what works with your child.

Chapter 10 - the last half an hour of the book was a complete waste to me. It's a story that he wrote about reincarnation. It's supposed to convey the difficulty in communicating when you can't be heard, but I just found it dull and irrelevant. I'm sure it's a lovely story, but I just wanted to get back to the question and answer bit, that I had bought the book for. Unfortunately, it never happened, so I did finish the book feeling flat.

In many ways this is an amazing book, but I was left feeling disappointed.

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19 people found this helpful

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  • 16-07-13

Eye Opener!!

I chose this book as I have two very close friends who have autistic children. I've never appreciated how challenging this can be for parents with an autistic child more than after listening to this book. This really opened my eyes to what autism really is and how humour crosses with what is and isn't literal. This will make you both laugh and cry. I'd recommend this book for anybody who encounters autism in their lives.

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7 people found this helpful

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all you realy need to know about autisim

Would you consider the audio edition of The Reason I Jump to be better than the print version?

67 questions you have always wanted to ask your autistic child now you have the answers brought to life in the audio form gave a very dry book feelings

What did you like best about this story?

the honesty nothing fancy just the truth

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

left me witha lump in my throat

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What an insight

Would you consider the audio edition of The Reason I Jump to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print version so am unable to comment.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Reason I Jump?

The author has such an amazing insight on why he, and other autistic children, act the way they do, and how it is perceived by others, that I was able to gain an insight to my sons behaviour.

What does David Mitchell and Thomas Judd bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The ability to "read" in my car on the 3 hour round trip journey to work

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story written by the author at the end of the book really demonstrates the authors grasp of emotions, which is something autism children are supposed to find difficult.

Any additional comments?

This is a very short book, but filled with one insight after the other. This book will not give you a blueprint of your autistic child, if that is what you are looking for, but will give you some insights on some of their traits.

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4 people found this helpful

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brilliant

a must read for neurotypicals. particularly those with asd folks in their life. it's a short read and a great explanation... from an asd kid's point of view.

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3 people found this helpful

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Breathtaking

I am highly functioning person on spectrum and I also had a privilege to work with people on spectrum in the past 4-5 years. This book not only confirms everything I knew about this condition but also puts a nice fresh spin on it at times. It's brilliant writing. I am glad that his voice has found it's way out. Sadly not many people working with people on spectrum are willing to educate themselves about this condition and often make their life harder (not only by using schedule boards of course). I hope we will hear more from this talented author! This book should be part of autism training imo.

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Thank you for the insight.

I have had a view into the inner realm of an extraordinary and intense world.

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A must listen to!

it was beautifully written AND narrated that I finished it all in one go! recommended highly

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Fascinating

Hearing from an autistic young person's perspective is fascinating, there's no other way to describe it. It sort of explains a lot, although as Naoki says not all people with autism are the same, but there are elements there that match with traits I have observed in others with autism that he explains from his perspective why he acts the way he does.

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offensive

as a mum with autistic traits but undiagnosed with autistic children I really struggled with this book. my children and I share some traits but overall we are all very different people. the book constantly refers to "people with autism" like we all share the same personality and also "special needs". I am interested to hear about other people's experiences with autism but not when it makes me feel like we should be treated differently. my children are independent young people their diagnosis does not make lthem ess able or special needs.
the terms constantly repeating throughout the book bothered me to the point I could not carry the book on. in chapter 7 I angrily shouted at alexa to stop. I understand it was written by someone on the autism spectrum but I assure you this person does not speak for people with autism!

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