Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

I needed this book more than I even knew. My son was diagnosed with autism on March 8th this year, and I was basically grabbing desperately for any support/information/resources I could. I was suddenly hit with the reality that all these autism support groups I joined on FB were full of people making other people feel horrible, or endlessly talking about how horrible this was going to be for us, or how the therapies we wanted to explore were a waste of our time. It was truly devastating to a mom who just had this diagnosis confirmed. I didn't believe any of what I was reading, and I refused to believe that my husband and I were the only ones who wanted to find the positive, beautiful, unique parts of autism. I am so grateful I came across this book. It literally was exactly what I needed at just the right time. I have told everyone in my family how important it is to me that they get themselves a copy and read it. I have told my son's OT, ST and ABA therapists how much this has impacted me positively and how it really helped me see things from a much needed perspective. I loved every single sentence in this and I cannot recommend this book enough to ANYONE who wants some refreshing insight into ASD. Thank you so much for writing this. This book came into my life at exactly the right moment and I will use everything I've learned in this writing as much as humanly possible.

My son was diagnosed with ASD in January 2012 and it took us 3 years to put all the "pieces" together to get where we are today. Many of that 3 years of exploration, failure and discovery could have been reduced in duration if we had access to Dr. Pizant's book. So many therapists (both in school and private operations) don't "get it". They focus on the deficits and "extinguishing behaviors" when they should be asking "why is that behavior present"? My wife and I finally figured much of it out after trying therapy after therapy and enduring years of meltdowns and stress. The "answers" for our son were 1) Our son has sensory over-responsivity. Parties, amusement parks, recess are all massively over-stimulating and stressful. We don't avoid these things but know he can handle only a few hours. 2) He has some challenges reading and absolutely hated to do it UNTIL we discovered how to use his "enthusiasms" e.g. Star Wars, Minecraft, World War 2, to get his engagement 3) He can relate better to folks if they meet him in "his world" - from there he comes to trust you and is willing to enter your world. We just finished a two-week trip to Europe where we employed lots of sensory supports (e.g. ear muffs), using a rental car rather than public transportation (which is loud, somewhat 'unpredictable' and out of our control), we alternated "big" sensory days (e.g. amusement parks) with "low" sensory days - watching TV and going to the pool. And he had NOT ONE meltdown. We had to discover all of these strategies by ourselves largely. Having more folks like Dr. Prizant we could have discovered these strategies MUCH earlier. My one suggestion is that the book seems to under-estimate the effort that comes with convincing (often intransigent and overworked) schools to try new approaches. That more than anything was the most stressful part of the journey - because that's where our son receives the most "therapy" time. And if you can't get those changes done you have to either move schools, move district or home-school. In the end, the school system we attended could not put him in a smaller classroom with peers so we had to involve a professional advocate and lawyers to get an outplacement. Sometimes you can be "positive" minded as much as you want but the school administration needs to know you will do all you can to get what your child needs. That said, I plan to buy three or four copies for many of the autism therapists in our world. If everyone could adopt Dr. Prizant's viewpoint I think special needs educators would achieve massive improvements in results and parent's lives could become much less stressed and uncertain.

Reading Barry Prizant's "Uniquely Human" was like stepping onto a sunlit balcony overlooking the ocean and breathing in an abundance of fresh, invigorating air. He gets it! Barry is one of the few neurotypicals who truly understands the autistic mind. Many, many times, as I read the book, I found myself saying "Yes!, Yes!" to his insight and his approach. Barry does not see "autistic behaviours" as aberrant, something to correct. Instead, he sees all behaviour as human behaviour. Instead of trying to fix us and our behaviours, Barry asks a very simple question: Why? Why do some of us flap our hands when excited? Why does a change in routine throw some of us for a loop? Knowing that we have many ways of coping, of communicating, of managing to survive if not thrive in this neurotypical world is essential to understanding who we are. Too many people — professionals and parents — think that autistics need to be forced into becoming as "normal" as possible."Uniquely Human" breaks that mould. Barry understands that neurotypicals and neurotypical social constructs should instead move toward inclusion of autistics just as they are. Of course, if an individual's behaviours are in some way harmful, then we would want to reduce the possibility of harm, just as we would want to do for anyone, autistic or not. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is either autistic themselves or for whom autism is a part of their lives, personally or professionally. — Robert Watkins, autistic self-advocate, Neurodiversity Ambassador, autistic.ly

A must read. I was so lost before I found this book but it's changed my perspective and I'm so thankful. I'm appreciating my son now for who he is and not worried about "fixing" or "saving" him from autism. I love his enthusiasms! This book has helped me shift my perspective to see things differently. I'm happier and more importantly, my son seems happier, since I've started reading this.

"Uniquely Human" is by far the most beautiful and sensitive book about autism I have ever read and way overdo! Hopefully more and more people will "get it" as a result of reading this book and individuals on the spectrum will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve!! Maria Teresa Guanabara (parent of Justin Canha, young adult with autism, whose journey is mentioned in this fabulous book)

"Uniquely Human" is the most influential book I have ever read, and Dr. Prizant's expertise and wisdom has completely changed my family’s lives - and nearly immediately so. Though I recognized early on that my son was differently wired and was able to get him support, I was completely unprepared for how to make his world be the way he needed it to be. Still, my lens was "off." This book gave me a new lens to view my son, our relationship, and all the subtle aspects of our interactions. It changed everything. I’ve been sharing this book with every parent and professional I interact with. At home, very slight shifts in our environment all aimed at the priority of optimizing trust and security have led to explosive growth in my son's regulation, play skills, and language. "Uniquely Human" offers a framework to understand so much of what my son's experiences are like (and he loves confirming when I get it right!). It also has very practical suggestions of how to make kids feel more comfortable in their bodies, with people, and in the environment -- for example, creating a board that tells my son where his father is has entirely eliminated his asking for him (because he feels confident that he can check at any time). I am also a family physician with the privilege of taking care of many children, both neurodiverse and neurotypical. This book also gives me a new lens to help children, parents, and families by viewing ALL behavior as communication. Dr. Prizant challenges us to ask "why?" for every behavior, until we connect and understand. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

An excellent read for anyone who has a child with Autism in their life. This book was amazing at putting into words the experiences of people with Autism and those who care for and interact with them. It is encouraging, informative, lighthearted and has a broad scope of information and practical insights. The best part of this book is helping people who do not have Autism to see the world through the eyes of people who do. My only and (MINIMAL) criticism is to say that the overarching theme is for people without Autism to change and adapt to understand and work with people who have Autism. While this is true, I think its important to stress this is a 2-way street. We all need to adapt to meet one another where we are, both people with/without Autism.

I have always admired people who are able to express opposing views in ways that were both gentle yet still bold; Prizant has always had this unique ability. As a younger writer who takes on topics similar to that of Prizant, I have always been humbled by his ability to put into language what so many others struggle to do, while maintaining, unapologetically, that there are simply elements to life that are simply immeasurable and indescribable and are, because of this, perhaps the most important to keep in our sights. This becomes imperative when working with children often seen as "atypical," especially in an environment in which the success of an intervention is gauged by how close to "normal" it can make the child. Prizant has always approached this idea with caution, and never let those who listened to his talks and read his books forget just how important the "uniqueness" of a child is; perhaps even sacred. While much of the field of education continues to become enthralled by so-called "data-based decision making" and "quantitative data collection and analysis," Prizant never stops reminding us that we are, above all things, human, and our uniqueness is what makes us who we are. He does not cast the "baby out with the bathwater," so to speak, by demeaning the utility and necessity of systematic analysis of interventions in favor of haphazard interventions; rather, he reminds, as Schopler did, that while it is important that what one can measure is measured, we must never believe that we are obtaining the "whole story," nor should we ever sacrifice one's right to uniqueness in the name of "science" and believing that we "know best." A true pioneer and a legacy in the field of humanistic education.

MUST read !!!! I can’t say enough of good things about this book ! I have told all my friends and family members to get themselves a copy and read it ! If you’re raising a child with ASD or have one in your extended family/neighborhood/class you will benefit from reading this book. I have 7 year old on the “higher functioning” end of ASD and after hearing about this book went and got it at our library, however after reading couple of chapters I went and order it because I loved it so much and wanted to highlight many sentences ! It explains the disorder and the behaviors from a different angle which are 99% fitting to what is happening at our house. I’ve had SO MANY “AHA/Lightbulb goes off in my head” already and I just LOVE Dr. Prizant approach and point of view and I apply it DAILY with my daughter at home ! Again you will not be disappointed buying this book and your child will benefit from your knowledge as well ! Buy this book !

I haven’t read the book yet myself but my husband has and he said he loved it. We are both autistic. I am diagnosed; he is not. He was curious and wanted to read something so I got him this book after hearing the author speak at a conference and loving what he had to say. I did read a bit at the beginning of the book and was a bit turned off by the author wanting to use person first language (person with autism) rather than identity first language (autistic person). Most autistic people I know prefer identity first because it isn’t something separate from us; it pervades our entire being. If I hadn’t already heard him speak, that might have kept me from getting the book. He does talk about this usage at the beginning so I will give his book a chance and will add more to this review after I’ve finished the book.

I needed this book more than I even knew. My son was diagnosed with autism on March 8th this year, and I was basically grabbing desperately for any support/information/resources I could. I was suddenly hit with the reality that all these autism support groups I joined on FB were full of people making other people feel horrible, or endlessly talking about how horrible this was going to be for us, or how the therapies we wanted to explore were a waste of our time. It was truly devastating to a mom who just had this diagnosis confirmed. I didn't believe any of what I was reading, and I refused to believe that my husband and I were the only ones who wanted to find the positive, beautiful, unique parts of autism. I am so grateful I came across this book. It literally was exactly what I needed at just the right time. I have told everyone in my family how important it is to me that they get themselves a copy and read it. I have told my son's OT, ST and ABA therapists how much this has impacted me positively and how it really helped me see things from a much needed perspective. I loved every single sentence in this and I cannot recommend this book enough to ANYONE who wants some refreshing insight into ASD. Thank you so much for writing this. This book came into my life at exactly the right moment and I will use everything I've learned in this writing as much as humanly possible.

My son was diagnosed with ASD in January 2012 and it took us 3 years to put all the "pieces" together to get where we are today. Many of that 3 years of exploration, failure and discovery could have been reduced in duration if we had access to Dr. Pizant's book. So many therapists (both in school and private operations) don't "get it". They focus on the deficits and "extinguishing behaviors" when they should be asking "why is that behavior present"? My wife and I finally figured much of it out after trying therapy after therapy and enduring years of meltdowns and stress. The "answers" for our son were 1) Our son has sensory over-responsivity. Parties, amusement parks, recess are all massively over-stimulating and stressful. We don't avoid these things but know he can handle only a few hours. 2) He has some challenges reading and absolutely hated to do it UNTIL we discovered how to use his "enthusiasms" e.g. Star Wars, Minecraft, World War 2, to get his engagement 3) He can relate better to folks if they meet him in "his world" - from there he comes to trust you and is willing to enter your world. We just finished a two-week trip to Europe where we employed lots of sensory supports (e.g. ear muffs), using a rental car rather than public transportation (which is loud, somewhat 'unpredictable' and out of our control), we alternated "big" sensory days (e.g. amusement parks) with "low" sensory days - watching TV and going to the pool. And he had NOT ONE meltdown. We had to discover all of these strategies by ourselves largely. Having more folks like Dr. Prizant we could have discovered these strategies MUCH earlier. My one suggestion is that the book seems to under-estimate the effort that comes with convincing (often intransigent and overworked) schools to try new approaches. That more than anything was the most stressful part of the journey - because that's where our son receives the most "therapy" time. And if you can't get those changes done you have to either move schools, move district or home-school. In the end, the school system we attended could not put him in a smaller classroom with peers so we had to involve a professional advocate and lawyers to get an outplacement. Sometimes you can be "positive" minded as much as you want but the school administration needs to know you will do all you can to get what your child needs. That said, I plan to buy three or four copies for many of the autism therapists in our world. If everyone could adopt Dr. Prizant's viewpoint I think special needs educators would achieve massive improvements in results and parent's lives could become much less stressed and uncertain.

Reading Barry Prizant's "Uniquely Human" was like stepping onto a sunlit balcony overlooking the ocean and breathing in an abundance of fresh, invigorating air. He gets it! Barry is one of the few neurotypicals who truly understands the autistic mind. Many, many times, as I read the book, I found myself saying "Yes!, Yes!" to his insight and his approach. Barry does not see "autistic behaviours" as aberrant, something to correct. Instead, he sees all behaviour as human behaviour. Instead of trying to fix us and our behaviours, Barry asks a very simple question: Why? Why do some of us flap our hands when excited? Why does a change in routine throw some of us for a loop? Knowing that we have many ways of coping, of communicating, of managing to survive if not thrive in this neurotypical world is essential to understanding who we are. Too many people — professionals and parents — think that autistics need to be forced into becoming as "normal" as possible."Uniquely Human" breaks that mould. Barry understands that neurotypicals and neurotypical social constructs should instead move toward inclusion of autistics just as they are. Of course, if an individual's behaviours are in some way harmful, then we would want to reduce the possibility of harm, just as we would want to do for anyone, autistic or not. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is either autistic themselves or for whom autism is a part of their lives, personally or professionally. — Robert Watkins, autistic self-advocate, Neurodiversity Ambassador, autistic.ly

A must read. I was so lost before I found this book but it's changed my perspective and I'm so thankful. I'm appreciating my son now for who he is and not worried about "fixing" or "saving" him from autism. I love his enthusiasms! This book has helped me shift my perspective to see things differently. I'm happier and more importantly, my son seems happier, since I've started reading this.

"Uniquely Human" is by far the most beautiful and sensitive book about autism I have ever read and way overdo! Hopefully more and more people will "get it" as a result of reading this book and individuals on the spectrum will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve!! Maria Teresa Guanabara (parent of Justin Canha, young adult with autism, whose journey is mentioned in this fabulous book)

"Uniquely Human" is the most influential book I have ever read, and Dr. Prizant's expertise and wisdom has completely changed my family’s lives - and nearly immediately so. Though I recognized early on that my son was differently wired and was able to get him support, I was completely unprepared for how to make his world be the way he needed it to be. Still, my lens was "off." This book gave me a new lens to view my son, our relationship, and all the subtle aspects of our interactions. It changed everything. I’ve been sharing this book with every parent and professional I interact with. At home, very slight shifts in our environment all aimed at the priority of optimizing trust and security have led to explosive growth in my son's regulation, play skills, and language. "Uniquely Human" offers a framework to understand so much of what my son's experiences are like (and he loves confirming when I get it right!). It also has very practical suggestions of how to make kids feel more comfortable in their bodies, with people, and in the environment -- for example, creating a board that tells my son where his father is has entirely eliminated his asking for him (because he feels confident that he can check at any time). I am also a family physician with the privilege of taking care of many children, both neurodiverse and neurotypical. This book also gives me a new lens to help children, parents, and families by viewing ALL behavior as communication. Dr. Prizant challenges us to ask "why?" for every behavior, until we connect and understand. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

An excellent read for anyone who has a child with Autism in their life. This book was amazing at putting into words the experiences of people with Autism and those who care for and interact with them. It is encouraging, informative, lighthearted and has a broad scope of information and practical insights. The best part of this book is helping people who do not have Autism to see the world through the eyes of people who do. My only and (MINIMAL) criticism is to say that the overarching theme is for people without Autism to change and adapt to understand and work with people who have Autism. While this is true, I think its important to stress this is a 2-way street. We all need to adapt to meet one another where we are, both people with/without Autism.

I have always admired people who are able to express opposing views in ways that were both gentle yet still bold; Prizant has always had this unique ability. As a younger writer who takes on topics similar to that of Prizant, I have always been humbled by his ability to put into language what so many others struggle to do, while maintaining, unapologetically, that there are simply elements to life that are simply immeasurable and indescribable and are, because of this, perhaps the most important to keep in our sights. This becomes imperative when working with children often seen as "atypical," especially in an environment in which the success of an intervention is gauged by how close to "normal" it can make the child. Prizant has always approached this idea with caution, and never let those who listened to his talks and read his books forget just how important the "uniqueness" of a child is; perhaps even sacred. While much of the field of education continues to become enthralled by so-called "data-based decision making" and "quantitative data collection and analysis," Prizant never stops reminding us that we are, above all things, human, and our uniqueness is what makes us who we are. He does not cast the "baby out with the bathwater," so to speak, by demeaning the utility and necessity of systematic analysis of interventions in favor of haphazard interventions; rather, he reminds, as Schopler did, that while it is important that what one can measure is measured, we must never believe that we are obtaining the "whole story," nor should we ever sacrifice one's right to uniqueness in the name of "science" and believing that we "know best." A true pioneer and a legacy in the field of humanistic education.

MUST read !!!! I can’t say enough of good things about this book ! I have told all my friends and family members to get themselves a copy and read it ! If you’re raising a child with ASD or have one in your extended family/neighborhood/class you will benefit from reading this book. I have 7 year old on the “higher functioning” end of ASD and after hearing about this book went and got it at our library, however after reading couple of chapters I went and order it because I loved it so much and wanted to highlight many sentences ! It explains the disorder and the behaviors from a different angle which are 99% fitting to what is happening at our house. I’ve had SO MANY “AHA/Lightbulb goes off in my head” already and I just LOVE Dr. Prizant approach and point of view and I apply it DAILY with my daughter at home ! Again you will not be disappointed buying this book and your child will benefit from your knowledge as well ! Buy this book !

I haven’t read the book yet myself but my husband has and he said he loved it. We are both autistic. I am diagnosed; he is not. He was curious and wanted to read something so I got him this book after hearing the author speak at a conference and loving what he had to say. I did read a bit at the beginning of the book and was a bit turned off by the author wanting to use person first language (person with autism) rather than identity first language (autistic person). Most autistic people I know prefer identity first because it isn’t something separate from us; it pervades our entire being. If I hadn’t already heard him speak, that might have kept me from getting the book. He does talk about this usage at the beginning so I will give his book a chance and will add more to this review after I’ve finished the book.

As a parent who is waiting for the official ASD diagnosis and trying to not fall into a downward spiral of anxiety and worry for my child, all I can say is that I am so happy that I purchased this book. I've only read up to the second chapter, but I've cried happy tears twice. I'm thinking of buying a copies for my immediate family members to read to help them understand what my child is going through and how they to can understand.

My oldest was recently diagnosed with ASD and so I have been trying to research the topic a bit more to try and better understand this massive spectrum. This title was a joy to read for me. The author gave a very informative view on ASD and it was presented in a pleasant way. As a new ASD mother this was a wonderful first read and has me viewing my child, the meltdowns, the stims and his overall behavior with a different approach. It encourages asking "why?" Rather than seeing everything as odd or unusual. Since reading this book I have been tracking meltdown, possible triggers and food aversion with that in mind as I try to navigate the best way to help my child navigate the world. Overall it has been a pleasant experience since reading this title and trying to implement what I took away from the reading.

Uniquely Human; A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry Prizant is a remarkable, compassionate, and insightful book. Prizant offers a refreshingly different understanding of autism; one that doesn’t seek to pathologize but rather celebrate the differences we observe in individuals with autism. In doing so, Prizant offers us many new and alternative ways of supporting and educating individuals with autism. There has never been a more critical time for a book like Uniquely Human. By humanizing and not pathologizing people with autism, we are much better equipped to develop effective strategies to help people with autism feel calm, connected, and confident in their abilities to learn and progress. Prizant is a co-author of the SCERTS model which stands for Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support. This model is “an evidence-based, comprehensive intervention model for children and older individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families” (p. 243). I have found the SCERTS construct remarkably helpful in shaping the approaches I use to support all students with autism and their families too. I highly recommend Uniquely Human to all parents, educators, and clinicians.

“We recently read this book and we have been highly recommending it to practically every person that we know. We think it is especially useful for parents, teachers,and family members of anyone with ASD to read. It’s full of profound wisdom, takes a very positive approach, shatters long standing myths and misconceptions, empowers children and their families to have the courage and conviction to do what’s right by them, provides several excellent and illustrative case study examples throughout, is written in such a friendly, engaging, and very readable manner (i.e. avoids dominating the conversation with clinical tech talk), and provides much needed support, insight, and practical advice for anyone seeking to know more about ASD from the most directly involved (parents like us) to even the casual observer who wishes to learn more. Get this book, you’ll be glad you did!

I love this book! As a parent of an autistic child, it’s a breath of fresh air when someone sees your child and not their diagnosis or various diagnoses. I find myself quoting this book to friends, family and my sons therapists. I’ve actually teared up a few times. I feel that anyone who loves someone who is autistic or even those who work in the field NEED to read this. I love that this is written from a place of acceptance and understanding and not in a way to change our kids to fit some ridiculous mold. I plan on gifting them to several people.

I have an autistic son and was searching for a book that would help me understand what goes on in his head a little bit better. This book accomplished that in a very real way. It provides great insights. Some for the methods I don't agree with and are "new age" liberal philosophies of parenting, but you have to take the good with the bad. Get what you can out of the book and move past the stuff you don't like. Overall, I was very pleased with my purchase.

I am only halfway through this book, but it is by far the most enlightening and encouraging I've read. My son, 12 with autism, got diagnosed at age 3. I read everything there was to read, and then for the last few years, i've not read must of anything on autism. Picked this up recently and I'm so glad I did. I recommend this to anyone who has a child, family member or friend on the spectrum. Truly a great resource.

I want to talk about how much I love Dr. Prizant's perspective in reminding us that autistics are, first of all, uniquely human. I developed a nonprofit for many decades that provided early intervention in an inclusive setting... and this also provided childcare, as well as OT, PT, and SLT , and eventually Head Start and Early Head Start. So I worked with many people who provided care for children. There are so many times in this book that i am reminded of training with staff to learn ways to step away from the ways we may have been raised or even ways we had been taught (such as behavior management. ) and to seek to understand what the child is communicating, to treat the child with respect. It's not that i think all children have the same challenges. It's that i think we're would be a lot closer to treating autistics supportively if we did a better job of treating all children supportively... focusing on what they are "saying" rather than enforcing compliance, assisting them to regulate themselves in their own way for their own needs. I love this book! I hope everyone who cares about children reads it!

This is a wonderful work and should be required reading. Too many people, whether themselves parents of autistic children, teachers and other education professionals, even within the autism community, continue to misunderstand these human beings who happen to have autism. I loved it.

Dr. Prizant has always been an inspiration to families and professionals who have been touched by the challenges and triumphs of loved ones with autism. He has a remarkable ability to put into words what so many of us blessed with years of gratifying work in supporting individuals with autism feel and have learned. Communication and connection are what make us all human, and approaches which convey respect and nurturance of spirit, as described by Dr. Prizant, foster a sense of belonging, participation, and relationship for all involved. Thank you for a marvelous read that I have shared with families and colleagues with rave reviews. - Lisa Chew, SLP

An excellent book, and one that discusses the very real problem of the way society tries to beat and change the Square Pegs and force them into the regular round holes. Gives a much better perspective and offers hope for mainstreaming without doing violence to or destroying the Spectrum child's uniqueness. Has many good suggestions. Presents the view of Spectrum people as different, not disabled, and human, not inferior or exclusion worthy. A very worthwhile perspective.

We recently found out that my girlfriend's daughter is on the spectrum. We knew something was amiss but not exactly what until we were finally able to get through the waiting lists and have the testing done. even when you know what's wrong, it is sometimes hard to make sense of how it makes you feel or what the next step is. Prizant's perspective was just what I was looking for. and really for with what we are dealing with in our child's case. and I think the same can hold true for others as well.

I have a four year old son with autism and I’ve been having problems with his school and his IEP. This book makes you think. It also has a different perspective on autism than I’ve been encountering with therapists and teachers. I found it refreshing. It helped me voice some things about my son that I’ve been trying to explain but just didn’t have the words for and no one was listening.

I looooovvvveeee this book! I have a son with Autism and this book helps me look at things differently! I take my hate off to the author. Very good read!

I just purchased this and read the first chapter. This is such an amazing book! This is a great book for any parent trying to navigate a new diagnosis or anyone who simply wants to know more about ASD. I enjoy how the author describes working with various children of all ages, and how simply by trying to understand them and empathizing with them, it made all the difference in the world. The world needs more books like this!

I love this book and Dr. Prizant's approach. This book is so validating and such an easy read for anyone who wants to better understand a child with Autism. It is a delight to see words on a page that actually resonate with our experience and reinforce our natural gut feelings that are all too often denied because we are too busy being told by old-school behavioral therapists and the school district that we need to fit a round peg into a square hole.

My little dude is going through some things right now (SPD, sleep disorder, possibly ASD) but he's smart as hell. We have therapy a few times a week but otherwise I'm home with him working on him using this in conjunction with ABA. Also for any parents out their going through this as well the apps from Kindle FreeTime have been SUCH a huge help. These are a GREAT tool to add into our therapy & homeschooling curriculum that I'm also doing with him.

This book is blowing my mind. As a special needs parent this alternate way of viewing my child is sanity saving and life changing.

This is a really practical book about how looking at autism in a different way can make life better for autistic people and their families, teachers, and community. It has clear, concrete true-life examples that can help pretty much anyone who has connections to someone with autism learn to communicate better with them and help them to function in a self-helping way. I would give it about a zillion more stars if I could!

I have run the gamut. From neurodiversity to treatment, to cure, and back to neurodiversity. 10 years ago the conversation seemed to be just getting started. I feel like this book is the culmination of where that conversation has led those who have been willing to listen more than they speak; and listen to the right voices -- the Autistic ones.

This is an amazing book - I enjoyed listening to the audio version in my car (made it easy to fit in my busy life). I wish I would have had this when my son was first diagnosed (at 22 mos). He's now 13 years old and it still very eye opening and is a WONDERFUL, organized, thorough look at our special kids. I wish ALL people would give it a listen - to foster understanding, compassion and realism about this all too common thing we're seeing in our time - (ASD). I wish the educational community would make it required reading :-)

This book truly does speak of embracing autism as I have not seen the world as a whole do. The author offers insight for building relationships that allow individuals to be themselves while encouraging them to bring understanding to how they can and do contribute to society in meaningful ways. It is an easy read with valuable information. Love it and it is already a favorite.

As a teacher of students with autism and behaviors, I LOVED this book. Not every book applies to my line of work or type of students, but I really loved how the author focused on the WHY? of behaviors instead of sticking with the stigma of trying to change a behavior. I also enjoyed the information on echolalia.

Having studied the subject of autism in depth I can say this Is the best book on autism I have read. The author proposes a compassionate and realistic view of this diagnosis. His view is fresh and encouraging.

It’s a phenomenal book! I’m an autistic adult and also raising a child on the spectrum and this book couldn’t be more accurate of my/our daily life! I often found myself putting the book down to cry because the writer literally captured all that I’ve ever felt or wanted to say but didn’t know how to.

This book should be read by all parents and people working with children as it helps to make one aware each one of us is unique and to not feel or think something is wrong when a child is different in some way but rather s/he is unique.

This book exceeded my expectations. It really helped me gain an understanding of how my son thinks and feels like nothing I’ve read before. This should be mandatory reading for teachers or anyone that works with Autistic children but doesn’t have a formal background in it so that they may learn what life is like from the child’s perspective. I especially like the chapter on emotional memory, that very much applies to my son and this book explained it in a way Ive never thought of before. I just wish Dr. Barry could come work with my son or at least someone that has the skills and knowledge of autism that he does.

I bought this as a gift for a teacher who just started working with children with Autism. She said it is a great book to help her understand the minds of her students. She is able to use the information in the book to teach to the child rather than teach to "curriculum". She suggested this for every teacher, parent or anyone who would like to learn more about autism.

Beautifully written, wonderful resource for professionals, families, experts and those new to the field; full of practical advice and well researched scientific information to guide readers in developing relationships based on kindness and compassion! The descriptions of communication strategies are particularly helpful. This book enables Dr. Prizant to reach those families and professionals that have not had the pleasure of working with him directly!

I love this book, it has really helped me with my 2 and a half year daughter who is on the spectrum. I read this book from start to finish in 2 days because it was that engrossing! It has provided me with valuable insights! I would recommend this book 100%

Finally, a perspective on autism which does not immediately assume non-speaking people are intellectually impaired based on their inability to speak. Barry Prizant is knowledgeable and refreshing. He respects the people with whom he works, and this shines through in his approaches to helping people on the spectrum make gains in independence.

This book is brilliant, insightful, compassonate, and should be read by parents, professionals and indiviuals with autism. Barry Prizant continues to be a leader in completing the puzzle that is NOT people with autism, but the services and supports they need to succeed and be happy.

I love this book! Love how it’s written ( very easy read) I had the suspicion that autism ( asbergers) was what’s going on with my husband and son. This book confirmed it for me. Since reading this I’ve now gotten help for my family and everything is making since in our home now which was so frustrating

As an educator and someone directly involved in the life of my boyfriend's autistic son, I am truly grateful for the content in this book. The insight the author's work provides and the stories of people with autism are enlightening. I took notes and reread parts that I thought were most applicable/ relatable. I've been compelled to share a lot of this information with others around me in order to spread awareness, understanding, and compassion. I highly recommend this book, whether it's specifically to gain knowledge about a person with autism in your life or simply seeking a growth opportunity.

This enlightened me and help me see different ASD attributes and made me come to terms with the fact that my son was on the spectrum. I wish I bought it a year earlier. It gave many examples of interventions and how to look at autism in a new way.

This book is wonderful and is a must read for everyone. I have a 12 year son with autism and I'm still learning new things. This book is a great help with our journey. Thank you.

I wish this book had been available years ago. It is one of the most intuitive books I have read about autism. I work in the field of education and it has helped me refine my way of thinking!! Truly amazing book!!

If you have a child on the spectrum, this book will change your life. It literally explains “why” our kids do what they do. More importantly, it leans far away from the behaviorist approach, which has been proven to cause PTSD in autistics. Once you understand, it is easy to support and love your child and find the proper accommodations. Move away from ABA !!

My 3 year old son was diagnosed with ASD 10 months ago. I wish I would have found this book then. So many of my unanswered questions were answered by reading this and it gave me so much comfort for my sons future. I found myself laughing and crying throughout the book. If you have a newly diagnosed child - don’t wait buy the book.

For anyone working or being the parent of a non-verbal child, this is a great book to add to your library. It actually challenged some of the beliefs I had about autism and forced me to look at it different. It's already dog eared from being read so much. This is a good author to listen to on Youtube.

This book offers a whole new way of looking at autism. I now understand why my family member exhibits certain behaviors. I realize it's not about changing someone else's behaviors; it's about learning what the behaviors mean and how we can help people we love.

What I love most about this book, is that I was able to connect with the author. His terminology and way of explaining things was very down to earth. A lot of books related to discussing Autism tend to get very medical and scientific and this book keeps it relatable. Highly recommend!

I haven't read the entire book yet, but I love how the author reminds us of something that should be obvious but is so easy to forget! These children are just like all kids. Sure they may not communicate as easily, but everything they do Is a typical human behavior. We spend so much time trying to understand Autism instead of focusing on what this specific child is trying to tell us through a specific behavior. I look forward to obtaining even more wisdom from this experienced Dr.

This book should be read by everyone on this planet. It is centered around autism but speaks to all of us understanding each others diversity. If you know or love someone with autism this book will change your life!!!!!

From the minute I opened this book, I could tell it was special. The author has such a positive way of seeing and explaining autism that I can’t put it down! I have cried reading his encouraging words. Before even finishing the first chapter, I had to order a second copy for my husband because I kept stopping to read him a paragraph or discuss what I was feeling. Now we are both going to get to read it together.

I'm using it in a graduate level licensing course in Autism Spectrum Disorders and the student's papers are amazing. Veteran teachers express many a-ha moments and nearly every student formulates a new plan to change the manner in which they interact with students. In addition, many students are recommending this book for staff development in their schools.

As a speech language pathologist, I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave me more insight about individuals with Autism. This would be a great read for parents, therapists, teachers, paraprofessional, or anyone working with children or adults on the spectrum. I really enjoyed all of the author’s personal stories.

This book is beautifully written by someone who knows what he’s talking about. It helped me so much in coming to terms with my son’s diagnosis, and I attribute a lot of my positive attitude for having read this book early on. I’m very grateful to Mr. Prizant for having wrote this book and shared his outlook and experience.

This is a expertly written, positive and constructive book about supporting kids with autism without limitations on their potential. Must read for teachers and parents alike!

This book addresses the need to consider the individual child, as a whole, not just as a child with a label. It offers practical, useful information about how to reach children who have autism ... providing them understanding and support and focusing on communication. It addresses the family and how to cope with the challenges while finding joy in the journey.

Exceptional book about how to view autism. Very grounded, in-tune, and caring approach. One of the main points of paying attention and asking why instead of just summing it up to bad behavior is simple yet revolutionary in my opinion.

This book is a must for anyone who knows someone on the autism spectrum. Honestly I wish everyone would read it though!! So insightful and has really helped me understand my beautiful daughter even more!

I love this book! he has puts all his experiences into such a telling and loving story. I am a BCBA, and have enjoyed reading this book in order to better help the clients i work with.

Having been on this Autism journey for only one year I am constantly trying to educate myself. My daughter who is now 3 is on the spectrum and this book opened my eyes. It encouraged me to look from her perspective, to look beyond the behavior and ask why? Does the behavior serve a purpose? I recommend to any Autism Mom buy this book! It will encourage you!

My son was diagnosed last year and I find myself searching every corner of the world wanting to understand more about him. This book was amazing!! I could not read it fast enough and now I’m sad it’s done! Really well written.

This book is an incredibly insightful view into autism that fosters respect and compassion from caregivers. Looking at behavior as communication first and foremost, Dr. Prizant offers helpful solutions to any situation. He is respectful of both actually autistic individuals and parents alike. Everyone can gain something from this book.

As a sibling of a person with autism, I really enjoyed reading Uniquely Human - the combination of firsthand experiences, stories, and Dr. Prizant’s earnest enthusiasm for individuals with autism allowed me to connect deeply with the book. “Autism isn’t an illness. It’s a different way of being human.” One of the central themes of the book is the importance of perspective. I really appreciated the author’s emphasis on listening, asking “Why?”, and trusting one’s gut instinct.

G-son diagnosed on spectrum. This book is a real "how to", teaching by example/case study method. Allows you to pick your condition from the many offered. Best addition to my understanding of the spectrum.

A must read for anyone who works with children or adults with autism! I am a special education teacher and this book has helped me to understand the world my students with autism live in and how I can help support them. Easy to read and understand, I will be reccomending this book to my peers.

This book was ok. Very hard to get through. Took me longer than expected to read the whole book. Not a memorable one compared to the other great books out there focusing on ASD.

This is a must read for anyone who works with or has a family member with ASD. Dr. Prizant does a wonderful job of intertwining true stories and personal experiences throughout the book to help readers better understand life from the perspective of someone with ASD. As a special education teacher, this book helps me to continually look at the world through the eyes of my students and find creative ways to reach them.

A wonderful book needs to be read by every clinician.Dr. prizant writes with immense compassion and insight into the autistic mind He is truly a master clinician. Parents of children with autism would also benefit greatly from reading this text. Dr. Prizant , using many examples,takes autism out of the realm of pathology and allows the reader to see the logic underlying autistic behavior .

This book not only helped me to communicate better with my grandson, it also gave me the insight to communicate in my own profession.

Our daughter is 9 and has autism. This book opened my eyes to a new way of understanding and appreciating her. I wish I had found this book much sooner. If you have a relative or close friend with autism, you simply must read this book. I listened to the audiobook and then bought the actual book so I can refer to it regularly. Thank you, Dr. Prizant for sharing your compassion and wisdom. You hit a grand slam, sir!

All teachers and therapists should be required to read this book!! I am a teacher and would have never known about this wonderful information if it was not for my boy. It is an alternative and brilliant way to understand autism. In the last 2 years I have read countless articles, studies, books, and posts about autism and non of that information has been as helpful as this book. Worth every penny and I will be buying more copies to give as gifts.

One of the best books I've ever read. As a mother of a child with autism, I can relate so well and I have purchased copies as gifts for family members and friends.

Of all the books and resources I've read this book is my favorite and most recommended. Prizant's compassion and explanations of behaviors make you rethink your actions and reactions. Anyone who interacts with individuals on the spectrum should definitely read it - it will helpyou to build trust, support, and have more positive experiences with them.

This book is a MUST for families with people who have Autism. Very readable. Great advice and insight--not clinical. Professionals can definitely benefit from this book as well. BEST book I have ever read on Autism. Buying for my whole family.

Wonderful book for any family members who have a child diagnosed with Autism. Gave me so much information

Wonderfully fresh and human look at autism. Those with autism are uniquely human, and they must be treated accordingly and not simply people to be "fixed."

Excellent discussion with kind and thoughtful humane strategies for living and working with individuals with ASD. This author sees people with autism as people first instead of as behaviors to be dealt with. Refreshing and so needed.

GREAT BOOK! As a parent of a 20-something year old on the spectrum, I appreciated the author's insights and suggestions as well as his reminders to professionals about treating parents with respect.. As a person who works with preschoolers on the spectrum, I loved his reminders of the many challenges these individuals face and how we can best support them.

This book was not only very informative, but it was well-written and an enjoyable read.

I'm loving this information. Its helpful and easy to understand. I totally recommend!

A great book written in such heart warming and hopeful yet very practical and empowering way!

I’m only 2 chapters into this book and already feel compelled to write a review - this book provides such a helpful insight into the world of autism. The author is so respectful and, as he talks about his research, clearly has hands-on, real-world experience about the subject. This is a MUST-read for any parent of an autistic kiddo.

This book was so enlightening. I learned so much from reading it. A definite read for any family that is lucky enough to have a unique person in their lives.

Stumbled on this book at a discount store, but it was extremely helpful to me in understanding autism. Highly recommend the read as you’ll discover gentle, warm, human ways of responding to other people and even yourself!

Please buy this book if you are a parent or grand parent of a newly diagnosed child. Very well written with solid examples and well reasoned explanations of what you and your child could experience. I wish this book was available 12 years ago.

This is an amazing book ... A must read ! I have an autistic grandson & I enjoy reading about things that show a positive light on autism.

This is a must read. Whether you are a parent, family member, caregiver or teacher of children on the spectrum you will gain a new, in-depth understanding.

Barry Prizant has made a fantastic contribution to the literature. Reading this book feels like having a wise and compassionate world-class therapist speaking right into your life. Having read hundreds of autism books from parents, researchers, teachers, therapists, and people with autism, and having written a few myself, I would have to say "Uniquely Human" is ground-breaking and one of the best yet. As a parent, I wish I had it 30 years ago when my son was 5. As a psychologist, it is now the first book I recommend to parents when they have a child diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Likewise for students and therapists who want to understand autism better. With countless and nuanced clinical vignettes, Prizant guides readers to the vital insights regarding child development and emotional regulation so necessary for understanding the “why's” of the spectrum of autism.

As a parent of children diagnosed with autism, this book genuinely touched my heart and enlarged my sense of empathy. It offers a way of looking at autism that feels hopeful, creative, and compassionate. This is a must read.

This book had a monumental impact for me after our son was diagnosed. It completely altered my way of thinking about autism and gave great tips to make life a little easier on our little one. HIGHLY recommend!

Amazing book. Recently diagnosed high functioning autistic granddaughter. Reallyvdelves deep into the lives and perspectives of the unique individuals

Please please please if you have a child or relative with autism or just want to know more about autism, read this book. I have literally never wrote a review about anything in my life but this one deserves it. It was truly an amazing book and worth a read if you are touched by autism. It really looks at autism from a whole other perspective.

Great book!!!!!! Awesome in bringing peace, understanding, and that Autism is just a different way of being human. Really a blessing!

It gives you a better understanding of different kids and parents dealing with them.

A great book for understanding the autistic mind.

I work as a Home School Teacher for a child with special needs. This book has helped me tremendously.

This book is absolutely incredible! I highly recommend to anyone who wants to better understand autistic individuals in your life. Best resource I have found thus far. My autistic daughter and I had many good conversations about topics covered in this book.

Wonderful book. Recommend it to every one. Whether you have a special child, know a special child or just want to be aware. This book is an excellent source of enlightment.

This is an upbeat, instructive and helpful book for anyone who knows, works with or parents someone on the autism spectrum. It is a wonderful resource as well.

Bought as a gift to my friend. I think she really liked the information in this book.

Finally a book about with such deep understanding of Autism Spectrum for what it is: ..."Autism isn't an illness. It's a different way of being human..." Indeed! Truer words have never been written. Highly recommend reading this wonderful, compassionate book.

Beautifully written. My son has Autism and this book helped me understand my son better. This is not one of those books that claim it can "fix" a child with Autism. This is a book that makes you stop and understand the world as your child with Autism sees it.

Good baseline understanding. Wish I had read it sooner.

In a field where many of the books on autism are written by outsiders who perpetuate myths, stereotypes, and negative images of autism - or at best, that autistic individuals deserve respect despite their wildly different and often bizarre behavior - Dr. Prizant's take on autism as a unique way of being human is refreshing. Through explanation of concepts and theories, backed by real life examples throughout his extensive career, Prizant highlights the universally human underpinnings of behaviors in autistic individuals that many might not understand. An autistic person who repeats the same question over and over despite being answered the first time? How many neurotypical kids ask "are we there yet" ad nauseum on long car trips? An autistic person flicking their fingers repeatedly? How many neurotypical people twirl their hair to help focus or chew gum to calm their nerves? The perspective shift in "Uniquely Human" is one sorely needed in the world and Prizant writes in a way that is accessible by anyone and very easy to read. With a blend of stories and concepts, the book never gets boring or drags, but rather keeps a comfortable pace. Anyone with a loved one with autism would benefit from reading this book as would every professional who does or might work with an autistic individual. After reading "Uniquely Human", I told a friend of mine who is a principal that *this* would be the book her teachers and staff should read for ongoing autism education. Not only does the book provide an excellent perspective shift, it does so in a way that addresses how to tackle many of the struggles that caregivers, educators, and others have in understanding and supporting autistic individuals. To be honest, I had avoided this book for several months because I thought the title would be an exercise in trite condescension of the autistic community, but I found it to be genuine and respectful of the dignity of everyone. For those who are somewhat familiar with the neurodiversity community, the one caveat you should know is that Prizant acknowledges that many adult autistics prefer an identity first language (autistic person) as opposed to a person first language (person with autism), but chooses to use a person first language without much explanation as to why. Aside from that, which I realize can be very significant for many, I found "Uniquely Human" to be the perfect introduction to autism book in terms of hands-on application. If you are looking for a good understanding of the historical development and story of autism as a diagnosis and the emergence of the neurodiversity movement, I highly recommend "NeuroTribes" by Steve Silberman. If you are a parent, grandparent, caregiver, teacher, administrator, etc., please read this book.

Excellent book that gives a fantastic and needed perspective for our world.

Excellent source of well documented & researched information that can apply to ANY person dealing with the Autism Spectrum as well as anyone with Sensory Motor issues!

Such a positive and love filled book! So happy to have stumbled upon it!

Incredible book. Really goes much deeper than service level when it comes to autism. A must-read for anyone who knows/works with anyone with autism.

Very human indeed, and still unbiased and balanced, what makes it a great read on this complex subject.

Very well written book that will appeal to and educate both laypeople and educators in empathy and creating a bond of trust in autism community.

As a dad of an autistic son, and a high school teacher this book is an absolute must read. It literally changed my life. There is not a day that goes by where I do not think about a certain message or part of this book. Thank you Dr. Barry Prizant!!

Great book deff a good read !!!

Great book to have in my therapist's library.

So happy I read this book. It is amazing! Definitely a must read especially if you have just received the diagnosis.

Such a great and easy read! I highly recommend it if you are a professional who does work with individuals on the spectrum. Also a great read for parents, family members, or friends with someone on the spectrum

good book, well informative, inspiring

One of the best books I have ever read on autism and speak professionally on autism. Great insight a must read for any parent with a child on the spectrum or professional working with individuals with autism. Dr. Prizant shares his years of experience in the field plus the latest research. Teaches how to use the special interest to develop relationship and communication skills. Ron Sandison

Great book! I have given probably a dozen of these books out to my son's teachers and special ed team.

Good read! It's like reading a novel. It has helped me to understand autism a lot better.

Gift.

this is a great read for anyone wanting to understand more about autism.

Excellent book. Important information about people with autism. A must-read for all teachers.

Amazing! A must read for anyone who has an autistic family member! But I believe Everyone should read this book to gain understanding of autism.

A beautiful read! Not a lot of medical jargon, real life stories and hopeful. It’s also a easy read. I sent a book to my mom, who is only familiar with Autism because of my son. Thank you Dr. Barry for writing this book!

A eye opening read! The author’s anecdotes gave concrete examples to better help understanding. I was inspired and encouraged by this book.

This book is an easy read but full of a lot of good information and helps a wide audience view autism differently

Wonderful perspective. I thought Dr. Prizant was very insightful and a great advocate for autism awareness and understanding. I loved this book.

Very good read, and so worth it. I have a son on the spectrum and this come just brings you a little closer to autism.

Refreshing and positive. I loved this book ❤️

Ithe author helped me to think of a person with autism as a person who doesn’t need to be fix d but needs to be acknowledged and supported. I like Ged this perspective and he’s s vast experience makes his observations very credible.

This book is AMAZING!!! I have worked with individuals on the spectrum for 20 years and really appreciate Dr. Prizant's outlook. I feel validated.

I was so excited to receive this book. I can't wait to finish reading it and letting my co workers read it as well.

well written

Thank you to Barry Prizant for this wonderful book! It provides insight into autism that is easy to read and accessible.

Good book and an awesome read

I recommend everyone should read this book. It’s eye opening and makes you aware of so many things about those who have autism.

Fantastic read! I approach my son with more compassion and understanding after reading this book. I wish I read it sooner.

With more than 30 years in education and a parent of a spectrum child this book resonates deeply with me. Everyone should read it.

Beautifully written and very relevant. This book affirms that communication comes in many ways. It helps expand the lens of observation by reminding us to look for the "why" which in turn reminds us that all people have the right to communicate.

Great book, good price, fast shipping.

I as a speech language pathologist have already recommended this book of Prizant to parents, friends, other speech pathologists for his transdisciinary perspective backed up with real stories of success and failure. honest and persuasive. Must have with references!

Excellent work

Bought this for my wife. She really liked the book

I bought this for a class, and I have really enjoyed it! I love the perspective Prizant has on ASD. This book has really opened my eyes to ASD and individuals who are on the spectrum. I see things differently, and I'm so glad.

Greatbread. Very realistic and informational.

As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum I have purchased many autism books ( well over 100) over the past nine years and I consider this book the most important in my library! I have purchased several copies for my son's therapists and teachers as well. Dr. Prizant's insight and commitment in detailing the reason's WHY individuals act and react in certain ways is invaluable. I am in the process of extracting excerpts from the book that so perfectly reflect some of the key reasons for my son's actions and reactions and will most definitely be insightful for those people that interact with my son . Hopefully the compilation of this insightful document will enable them to better understand the communicative intent behind my son's language and/or actions. My words cannot express how thankful I am for this book!

I loved this book. It’s more for toddlers on the spectrum than older children.

I purchased this book as a gift for a dear friend whose grandchild is autistic. She read it, said she loved it and it gave her some great ideas when interacting with her grandson.

A great book for parents/families with autistic children.

Easy to read, very insightful.

This book is simply the best. It explains everything in detail and gives plenty of examples for the reader to fully grasp the ideas.

Great product!

Amazing book I love it thus far. The book came In impeccable condition and was shipped fast Thank you

Best book I'll ever read. Perfect read for a future special education teacher.

Great info

Fantastic book. Very informative and gave me hope for my ASD daughter. Dr. Prizant gave so many incredible examples and explained so much.

AMAZING READ. Was given this as an assigned reading for my summer class.....can't put it down. A wonderful way to look at autism and very useful to put into practice!

i love this book. It is really beautiful and a nice way to understand those with special needs.

I read this for a class and it was such a good book. I'd definitely recommend it.

The author gives multiple encounters of people with autism from mild to extreme. Easy read and very enlightening. He gets down to the directness of WHY people with autism do what they do. Highly recommended.

Great book, providing great insights into the mind of an autistic child.

Wonderful book!!!!!

our grandson is autistic. This book was so helpful and so uplifting. Highly recommended to anyone who deals with autism either directly or indirectly.

an interesting way of looking at a growing problem

This book helped me see autism and the autism community through a whole new lens. I can't recommend it enough.

Great book

Our son was recently diagnosed with ASD and this book has given us so much hope and insight. Highly recommend.

A great read!! Definitely a must for people working with people living with ASD

It gave me a lot of information to handle a family problem. Well written on the topic.

I liked how the author was able to keep the focus on the whole person and his strength based approach -- lots of good, practical info backed up by experience !

This was a great read and a very insightful look at autism and how someone might interact with a person that has autism.

I have been looking for a book to open certain people eyes and in some cases even mine. Great book!

A different and much needed way of looking at Autism.A great addition to my Library of over 250 "Spectrum" related books.....

One of the best books on autism I've read. Very accessible, current, and informative.

Currently reading. So far so good!! :)

I have a husband and son with Aspergers and a daughter with Down Syndrome and who is autistic and this book completely supports the way I have chosen to support them. Its nice to finally have validation on my methods.

Delivery as expected. Great book to gain a deeper understanding for people on the autism spectrum with an approach that views them as valuable members of our society that have plenty to teach us. As a family member of a person with autism it provides me with tools and awareness to interact with my brother in a, for both of us, beneficial way!

Fabulous book!

As a professional working in various educational programs for students with ASD, I often felt as if there was something more we can be doing to benefit these kids. Dr. Prizant has given a voice to the various strategies, thoughts and responses I've used in my career I just viewed as gut reactions while working in the field. There are times I have felt criticized by colleagues in the field for not following a popularly accepted approach as closely as I should, it is nice to know there is a niche for me out there and my thoughts are validated by research in child development and in the field of autism. Thank you for sharing your approach Dr. Prizant, this is a resource I will refer to a hundred times over.

Author provides reader with a great amount of academic experience along with a compassionate understanding of autism. I have read numerous books on this topic, and this book is among the very best.

I wish this book was available 15 years ago. A good intro into autism for anyone and good tool for parents of autistic children.

If anyone needs to be educated about autism and the approaches for dealing with the disorder, this is THE book to read. I have been a school counselor for many years and have worked with autistic children and their families. I am also the grandmother of an autistic child. Dr. Prizant covers the disorder of autism with an unmatched thoroughness and over forty years of personal experience working with autistic children, teenagers, adults and their families. It is a must read for any professional or family dealing with anyone on the autism spectrum. He approaches dealing with autism in new and creative ways. A great piece of work! A.A.

Just began reading Dr. Prizant's book, but am already finding it very helpful in understanding my grandson. Wonderful book

This could be the most important book on education ever written. It reveals the folly of experts who think they know best on how to parent a child, when it is the parents themselves who know best. Every child is different, Prizant says. We are shuffling them through a system, forcing them to adapt to structured teaching methods rather than us adapting to their individuality. And, while that is especially true of us who are autistic, it is also true of every child. Teachers force children to behave. Parents are advised to medicate those that cannot. Then we pass them through whether they learn or not. And then we wonder why the system is failing. It's a mess. Prizant presents us with a new way of thinking about the problem. We should take his advice and create individualized learning plans for every child, find out his or her strengths and weaknesses at an early age, determine how they learn, determine the appropriate environment, and so on. The problem with experts, however, is that they cannot be wrong, for to admit they are wrong is to admit their life has been a waste. As Prizant says, there is no magic bullet, no one size fits all. Yet, it is the nature of experts to pontificate from above, issuing edicts on the proper way to do this or that as if it were that simple. Every child deserves love, just as every child deserves an opportunity to learn on his or her own terms. It is high time that our education system adapted to the child rather than the reverse. Thank you Barry Prizant for explaining that fact in a way that even the most educated of educators can understand.

Amazing book for parents, educators, and administrators! I buy extra copies to hand out to the various people who work with my son who has an ASD diagnosis! :)

Such a great book!

BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ ON AUTISM - and I've read many many books, almost like an autism manual.

Best book on autism I have read to date. Very good for grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc.to read in order to understand and to learn how to relate to the child in a constructive and positive manner. Uplifting and hopeful.

loved the book learned a lot

Fantastic book

Fabulous gift for a new RBT

Loved it! Such a great perspective on Autism.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s recently received an ASD diagnosis for their child. I was lost and incredibly scared of the unknown when we were told our 3 year old son is on the Spectrum. I went to the internet and I was met with fear mongering and people trying to make a buck off of people who were in my shoes. I found this book on amazon and it has changed my entire life. All I wanted was a positive perspective- that this wasn’t a death sentence and to notice all the beauty instead of the stigma this world places with the term Autism. I’m forever grateful.

Excellent and thought provoking. It's good to look at the challenges--in a wholly different light!

amazing book must read and fast delivery