The Reason I Jump

The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

By: Naoki Higashida, David Mitchell - Introduction, Ka Yoshida - Translator, David Mitchell - Translator

Narrated by: Tom Picasso

You've never listened to a book like The Reason I Jump. Written by Naoki Higashida, a very smart, very self-aware, and very charming thirteen-year-old boy with autism, it is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives, and responds in ways few of us can imagine. Parents and family members who never thought they could get inside the head of their autistic loved one at last have a way to break through to the curious, subtle, and complex life within. Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, sentences, and thoughts that he is unable to speak out loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions that people want to know. Questions such as: "Why do people with autism talk so loudly and weirdly?" "Why do you line up your toy cars and blocks?" "Why don't you make eye contact when you're talking?" and "What's the reason you jump?" (Naoki's answer: "When I'm jumping, it's as if my feelings are going upward to the sky.")

With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. His insights - into the mystery of words, the wonders of laughter, and the elusiveness of memory - are so startling, so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the world the same way again.

©2007 Naoki Higashida (P)2013 Recorded Books

View into a locked room

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Hearing the voice escape from the prison of autism.

Could you see The Reason I Jump being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe, it could be a vehicle for building sympathy and understanding of this terrible infliction.

Insightful

The title says it all, it was a very enjoyable listen and parts of it made me emotional.
The author, Naoki did an awesome job putting words to feelings and actions that are otherwise unexplainable - imagine having to explain why you twirl your hair, whistle in the shower or tap your feet.
I'd recommend this to anyone seeking insight to the beautiful world of autism.

Autism FAQs answered by an autistic teen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is definitely worth listening to, even if it is just to understand that there is so much more going on under the surface of an autistic person than they show. The author points out several times how non-autistic people assume the childish reactions often exhibited by autistic people reflects a childish intellect, and that is not true.

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

There wasn't really a memorable "moment" but I really appreciated the Q and A format of this book, and I think it is a good approach. The narrator addresses 60 questions people tend/want to ask an autistic child but can't because the child can't adequately respond.

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

There are several points in the book where the author reveals that autistic children are very aware of how uncomfortable they make non-autistic people. It is really heart-wrenching to hear that they often stand off by themselves not because they prefer to be alone but to spare other people from having to feel uncomfortable.

Many reasons make this a great booj

I BOUGHT THIS BOOK BECAUSE I CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISIM. I WA ABLE TO CONNECT THE DOTS AND RELATE THE BEHAVIOUR OF MY CLIENTS TO WHAT IS NARRATED IN THIS BOOK. It sent shivers down my spine at some points and gave me eye openers, and at some other points it was lost in translation because of the fact that it is the literal translation of the original Japanese book. THE DESCRIPTION CLAIMS THAT THE BOOK IS WRITTEN BY A PERSON WITH AUTISIM. I can see how that is at least partially true. OVER ALL I WAs LEFT WITH A STRONG SENSE OF EMPATHY and love toward my clients. Whoever wrote it did a very good job to fight the stigma attached to the disorder.

AUTISM

Autism is a disorder of the brain that creates disconnect between thought and action. Autism exhibits in different ways that range from disassociate behavior to extraordinary music, math, and art skill. Naoki Higashida, at age 13, wrote a book about his autism to explain what it is like to be autistic. Higashida excels in the art of storytelling and writing.

Many have heard of Temple Grandin; in part because of a movie of her life, but also because of her extraordinary insight to animal behavior. Grandin is an American doctor of animal science, a professor, an author, and an animal behavior consultant for wildlife preserves and the livestock industry. Grandin is autistic. In reflecting on Higashida’s story, one is struck by how complicated life is for Higashida; and likely complicated for every person afflicted with autism.

Hasgashida is saying I am in this body; I am what I am and I want to be a part of everything around me; I, like every moral human being, desire attention, respect, and love for who I am. Keep me safe from harm. I want to grow up. I want to be everything I can be; just like you.