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| Photo from Penguin Random House |
“We get swallowed up by the illusion that unless we can find a place to belong, we are going to be all alone in the world.” ― Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
Naoki Higashida is a Japanese author and advocate born in 1992. Diagnosed with severe autism at the age of five, Higashida didn't falter as he found his way of expressing his ideas through the usage of an alphabet grid and a computer keyboard. To date, he has published more than 20 books in Japanese; his works range from storybooks to personal accounts about autism.
People with autism have long been subjected to ceaseless discrimination and prejudice because of their unique characteristics. In his writing, Higashida portrays the world from a first-person point of view, creating a safe space for understanding people with autism.
His most well-known work is titled “The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism” written by Higashida at the age of 13. It contains a series of questions and answers about autism, as well as short stories that render themes of belonging, losing one’s way, and freedom. In 2020, the book was soon adapted into a film that tells the story of five people diagnosed with autism.
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| Photo from Penguin Random House |
A second volume followed named “Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8: A Young Man’s Voice from the Silence of Autism,” which was published in 2015. In this book, Higashida narrates his personal experiences, frustrations, and feelings regarding his condition through poems, anecdotes, and inspirational messages.
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| Photo from Penguin Random House |
With April also being World Autism Month, these two titles may help you gain a deeper sense of understanding and empathy towards people who have the condition. Naoki Higashida reminds us that anyone, regardless of one’s condition, background, or capabilities, deserves to be treated with the same kindness and respect as everyone else.
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