Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
1,500 global ratings
5 star
88%
4 star
8%
3 star
3%
2 star 0% (0%)
0%
1 star 0% (0%)
0%
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review this product

Customer images

Customer image
Customer image
Customer image
Customer image
See all customer images
Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

coloRADokay
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Parents!
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
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.
Read more
Frank J. Kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Too many therapists focus on behaviors they want to stop and not "Why that behavior occurs"
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
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.
Read more
Robert Watkins
5.0 out of 5 stars He gets it! He gets /us/!
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
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
Read more
millerr22
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is life changing
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
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.
Read more
Maria Teresa Guanabara
5.0 out of 5 stars "Uniquely Human" is by far the most beautiful and sensitive book about autism I have ever read ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
"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)
Read more
review image
See all reviews

Top reviews from other countries

benpad
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a brilliant book. We have muddled along doing our best for 8 years now but this book described behaviours that we have experienced and explained a lot of the reasons behind them, also reinforced what we had been doing using "gut" instinct by seeing it written down. If you are trying to "defeat" autism or feel you need a cure this is NOT the book for you, if you have accepted your child/yourself for who they /you are and are looking for help them through the challenges ( and let's be honest sometimes it's bl**dy hard) and to look forward with optimism buy this book immediately. Wish it had been around 8 yrs ago ! With thx to Steve Silverman fir recommendation
Read more
semiquaver
5.0 out of 5 stars This book was recommended to me by a colleague
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book was recommended to me by a colleague. It's very easy to read, with lots of examples of how Barry has implemented his ideas in very practical situations. Already I am finding that I am using it at work in conversations with parents.
Read more
Miss E Laver
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone especially those caring for children with ASD
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
I rarely leave reviews but felt compelled to write one after only being half way through this book in the hope that it might help reach someone in understanding their child or maybe a child they care for. I wish this book was given to me when my son was diagnosed. 7 years in and I understand my child quite well now but reading this book was a feeling of at last someone understands my child. It’s eye opening, re affirming, and helps see things from their world which can be so hard for us to understand and comprehend. It’s helped me to re think a few problems we are facing and confirmed my thought on others. Everyone should read this book especially those caring for or working with children with autism, especially if trying to understand behaviours. Highly recommend this is the best autism book I have read to date, thank you to the author!
Read more
Olga Efremova
5.0 out of 5 stars especially HFA - you need a book like that to get your head together
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
Must read for every parents of a child with ASD, for every school teacher and for every specialist who works with children. There are so many myths and misunderstanding about autism, especially HFA - you need a book like that to get your head together. Read it before you read anything else on the subject.
Read more
Parent
5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly recommended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Whether you are a parent of a child with autism or an aunt, nan, teacher of one, you would definitely benefit from reading this book, which is one of the best books I've read on the subject (and I have read MANY books in the last 4 years).
Read more
See all reviews