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

Thirteen-year-old Naoki Higashida uses a handmade alphabet grid to communicate his internal reality as a non-verbal person with autism. He structures his memoir through a series of fifty-eight questions, addressing common external observations about his behavior, such as hand-flapping, repeating questions, or avoiding eye contact. Higashida explains how sensory overload distorts his perception of time and space, causing his body to react independently of his conscious will. He details his preference for visual details over whole objects and describes jumping as a physical release that helps his soul connect with the sky.

This book serves parents, educators, and social workers who interact with non-verbal individuals and seek an inside perspective on neurodiversity. Readers gain a direct explanation for behaviors that often appear nonsensical or disruptive to neurotypical observers. The text provides a framework for understanding that a lack of speech does not indicate a lack of complex thought or emotional depth. By the end, a reader understands the immense physical effort required for an autistic person to synchronize their movements with their intentions while navigating a chaotic sensory environment.

Inward-looking, contemplative and clear-cut; an easy read.

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