Since both I myself and my little grand-daughter have autism diagnoses (though she is extremely outgoing) the subject of autism interests me.

Naoki has severe non-verbal autism and communicates by means of an alphabet grid.

I enjoyed this young author’s first book “The reason I jump”, since it gave me insights into autism.

In the current book Naoki continues to elucidate why he acts the way he does, though this time I personally did not find his explanations particularly relevant as far as I myself am concerned.

There are certain concepts that Naoki can’t grasp, for example, dividing a plate of food into portions.

He explains how he needs time to adapt to changes in plan.

He has a wonderful mother who “guides (his) actions, steadily and tirelessly”.

But he doesn’t master time in the way neurotypicals do. He lacks the skill of “viewing a whole day in terms of subdivisions”.

He tells us his brain “has this habit of getting lost inside things”. (I don’t really comprehend his meaning.) This applies also to time and schedules.

For Naoki seasons switch not gradually but all of a sudden within a single day. This is the same for me, in fact for me, as regards heat, there are only two seasons, summer and winter. Though I do of course observe buds appearing on trees and realize these are signs of Spring, and leaves becoming discoloured and dropping from the trees, which are a sign of Autumn.

He realizes that “life serves up hard times for everyone, not just me”. He asks that those like him with special needs be given opportunities to learn what’s happening in the wider world, and not have sheltered lives, since this will impair their personal development. A knowledge of one’s blessings is a valuable lesson about life.

Some people act as though those with severe autism don’t even exist, because they don’t react visibly to what is being said. But “we’re listening to everyone around us and we hear you, you know”.

Before he learnt to communicate via his alphabet grid, Naoki was extremely lonely. It is agony to be non-verbal in the World of the Verbal.

Apparently, he can say a few phrases but sometimes says the wrong thing. It is not easy to say “thank you”.

Naoki says some meaningful things such as that there are reasons why people with autism exit in the world. Those who live with them and don’t give up on them are deeply compassionate, and “this kind of compassion must be a key to humanity’s long-term survival” – well said!

To sum up, this is an insightful well-written book, though personally, I find it less illuminating as regards autism than his first one. ( )

As the parent of an autistic individual, this book was an enlightening read. I am always interested in finding books by autistic people, as I feel it provides much better insight than one can get from reading books written by neurotypical authors who try to "explain" autism, or, worse, offer ways to "cure" it. My son is absolutely perfect just as he is; I only seek to better understand how to communicate with him and teach him to advocate for himself. Higashida's book also a great reminder that, even though someone may be non-verbal, this in no way should be taken to mean that they are not aware, do not have wants and needs, and are not capable of expressing themselves. A great read for anyone who seeks to learn more about the world of autism. ( )

This book continues the story of a young man with autism as he grows up in a world sometimes ill suited to his unique experience. If you have read "The Reason I Jump," you will easily see the growth Naoki has made as a writer and in living in the world. This book provides further insights into living with autism and is a strong continuation of "The Reason I Jump." I'd recommend this to anyone who works with people with autism or people who are neurodiverse or anyone who wants a peek at what life is like for someone living with autism. ( )

Like his other book, Higashida gives insight to the thoughts of a 20-something Japanese youth. Some of his situations/responses seem very similar to my son's so they give me motivation to do my best for him. ( )

Of my six standing reasons to read a book, three applied to Higashida's 7/8: an informed account of something I know little about; an empathetic window into life as lived by people different than me; a glimpse of a new (to me) way of experiencing the world. If Higashida's text fulfilled even just one of these, I would understand the world --and my place in it-- a little better.

7/8 delivered on all three and rekindles my interest in Higashida's earlier book.

A question arose part-way through: how do non-verbal people gain mastery over words without the practise of speaking? I have no doubt they do attain mastery: this book is itself ample proof. What I don't have is insight into that path (and presumably it has myriad forms). Is reading the key path, or merely one among many? (How does one learn to read without first speaking: undoubtedly it happens; what is it like?) I further assume there must be some practise in place of speech: listening, certainly; reading; writing or using the alphabet board. All of this uncovered my own assumptions, perhaps speaking is less important than I thought. I wonder how much reading Higashida does, and how he learned it.

Reminiscent somehow of Jules Renard's essays in On Nature: the compactness of Higashida's observations? How he evokes an idea so economically? Sentimental without being saccharine.

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There are included a few line drawings: two of vases (accompanying the "Mothers Day" essay), one of a gate (in "The Gate"). Each section page has floral watermarks. Higashida's? ( )