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Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism
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Autism is usually portrayed as a checklist of deficits, including difficulties interacting socially, problems in communicating, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. This perspective leads to therapies focused on ridding individuals of autistic symptoms. In Uniquely Human, Dr. Barry M. Prizant suggests a major shift in understanding autism: Instead of class
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Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
August 4th 2015
by Simon Schuster
(first published August 1st 2015)
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This book had One Good Idea and exploited it from every angle. Maybe that works for a text book and maybe it reads well as positive enforcement for someone dealing with a child with autism but it didn't work for me.
The One Good Idea was that obsessions should be viewed as Enthusiasms. Encouraging these enthusiasms, such as being obsessive about train timetables can be used as behaviour modifiers both by bribery, 'if you don't talk to anyone about trains but go along with them for the next hour w ...more
The One Good Idea was that obsessions should be viewed as Enthusiasms. Encouraging these enthusiasms, such as being obsessive about train timetables can be used as behaviour modifiers both by bribery, 'if you don't talk to anyone about trains but go along with them for the next hour w ...more
If I could give this book six stars, I would. Every parent of a newly diagnosed child should be given this book to read. This book is wonderful and I wish I had it to read nine years ago, when my son was diagnosed as autistic.
I love how the author delves into the reasons why people with autism do some of the things that they do- echolalia, "stims", having a "fidget" object they carry around with them, or needing to stick to a routine, and having what to us NT's seem like unusual or illogical fea ...more
I love how the author delves into the reasons why people with autism do some of the things that they do- echolalia, "stims", having a "fidget" object they carry around with them, or needing to stick to a routine, and having what to us NT's seem like unusual or illogical fea ...more
If you could only read one book about Autism this is the one.
Definitely one of the best books I've read on Autism and Asperger's. Prizant takes a very inclusive, whole-child approach. He emphasizes observation and listening in order to understand individuals with autism. I love his focus on asking "why" in the face of puzzling behaviors. He looks for underlying stressors and is always searching for ways to communicate and help. A very positive approach.
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I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for providing me with a free ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an open and honest review.
If you haven’t guessed from my rating – this is a fantastic book! Everyone – and I do mean EVERYONE – who interacts with children and teens on the spectrum should have a copy of (and read) this book.
How wonderful to see such an excellent mind set about how to approach and interact with those on the spectrum. As a mum to a newly diagnosed HFASD son I have ap ...more
If you haven’t guessed from my rating – this is a fantastic book! Everyone – and I do mean EVERYONE – who interacts with children and teens on the spectrum should have a copy of (and read) this book.
How wonderful to see such an excellent mind set about how to approach and interact with those on the spectrum. As a mum to a newly diagnosed HFASD son I have ap ...more
Finally, we have a truly humanistic perspective on autism. If everyone read this book, there would be a lot more tolerance and understanding of neurodiversity in the world. Prizant provides readers with a deep understanding of the strengths, challenges, and coping efforts of individuals with autism. He carefully balances an understanding of autism as a difference in neurological wiring with an understanding that the word autism does not limit or wholly define an individual. All autistic behavior
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Everyone that lives or works with a person with ASD has to read this 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 acce ...more
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 acce ...more
There were a lot of good thoughts and good advice in this book but I was put off by some of the language and Prizant's surprising lack of familiarity with autistic culture - specifically that he is either not aware or doesn't respect that autistic people have reclaimed words like "autistic" and "stimming." I think it is still an excellent read for professionals, parents, teachers, and anyone else who needs to have explained to them that autistic people have thoughts and feelings just like any ot
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Absolutely wonderful book about being a positive influence in an autistic child's life. I found myself marking and highlighting so many passages. The stories shared cover all age ranges- Into adulthood- and I found that particularly helpful. Mostly this book is an affirmation that as a parent I have a say in my child's life and I can trust my instincts. Prizant must be a deeply empathetic human being and his philosophy on autism can be applied and used to better parent and teach all human beings
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Necessary book offering alternative philosophies to ABA and other rigid ASD therapies. Stresses the importance of imprinting positive emotional memories and fostering general happiness in kids to both enrich their lives and - incidentally - promote learning growth. Well-written and structured by someone with over forty years of field work. Recommended for parents, therapists, and teachers.
Quick, brilliant read for ANYONE... everyone.... all of you. :-)
I read Uniquely Human, and I went through it chapter by chapter, plus all that material that's not in a chapter. At the end of it all, here are my thoughts:
This book is still pathology paradigm/behaviorist model. It's just considering that there is, in fact, some rhyme or reason to the behavior and focusing on the cause of the behavior as a way to reduce it. (Same bad model, just using it to say better things.)
The descriptions of how and why we act are definitely behaviorizing, or at best partia ...more
This book is still pathology paradigm/behaviorist model. It's just considering that there is, in fact, some rhyme or reason to the behavior and focusing on the cause of the behavior as a way to reduce it. (Same bad model, just using it to say better things.)
The descriptions of how and why we act are definitely behaviorizing, or at best partia ...more
In addition to giving fantastic information on Autism, this author gives first hand knowledge of how to handle different situations that might occur with a child. He has gone into homes, schools, institutions and after studying different children in their environment, has discovered some unique ways to empower the child and enlighten the teachers. Teachers who have studied these behaviors need to listen to the child and then be able to access the situation based on the childs needs/experiences/l
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MUST-READ! Absolutely a must read for every parent, family member, educator, provider of care, and even those who want educate themselves with Autism. Finally a book 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.
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One of my favorite books for helping families and staff to understand and truly support children and adults on the spectrum. Very respectful, full of appreciation for the beauty of diversity, and a fairly easy read. Recommend for anyone new to autism, especially, but really anyone who has someone with autism in their life.
This book is truly groundbreaking. I work with kids on the spectrum (and have one of my own) and read tons about autism, and I learned new things from this book. It's definitely one of the best books of the year.
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As an autistic individual, this book cannot be more amazing! Every parent, teacher, relative, and professional must read this book! Dr. Barry Prizant finally puts into words what I and many others as autistic individuals already knew but could not say.
The best book I have read on autism. Truly allows you to move into the mind of a person with autism and try to understand.
Really fantastic book that taught me a lot about ASD. I reference this book often and highly recommend the audio.
Sep 24, 2019
James Klagge
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
psychology,
children
A great book. If your life is touched by someone who lives with autistic characteristics, this will help you find a positive perspective on and positive responses towards that person. Well worth reading.
At points I found this too positive, viewing autism’s difficulties primarily through a social lens, avoiding the inherent neurological differences
BEST book I’ve read about ASD and I’ve read a lot of books about ASD:)
I've been wanting to continue my education about and understanding of autism for some time. This became especially important when my career took an unexpected turn and ended up with my working with students with autism and emotional disabilities in self-contained special education classes. I selected three books on autism representing different viewpoints from my public library, and this was the first I've read. I really like the approach Dr. Prizant takes with the focus on strengths and identif
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What a phenomenal book! As a parent of 2 children on the spectrum, I received a wealth of knowledge from Barry Prizant and found myself regularly highlighting passages to share with my husband. Prizant has such a wonderful, respectful approach to understanding autism. It was very refreshing to read! One thing that stuck in my head is his use of the term "Enthusiasms" to replace the oft-used negative term "Obsessions" to refer to current interests of an individual on the spectrum. I will definite
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This is the book I wish I could have read when my son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS almost 6 years ago (of course, it wasn't written then). While I did not find many answers in this book, I found a whole lot of hope, and a wonderfully person-centered approach to dealing with behavior issues. I highly recommend this book not only for parents, teachers, and caregivers, but also for grandparents and others who might not understand that the autistic child's behaviors are not the result of stubbornness
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This is a nonpathologizing, normalizing look at autism that explores the reasons that people who are autistic behave the way that they do. And when explained through their eyes, a lot of the behavior that seems so baffling starts to make sense. This book is easy to read, and is good for parents, teachers, and anyone who interacts with someone who is on the spectrum. I was really touched by the empathy that Dr. Prizant showed to people who are different. I had a few quibbles, but overall this is
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Absolutely outstanding! A must read for parents, teachers, therapists, and anyone else that knows and loves an individual with autism.
Yes, yes, yes! As a person with Autism I highly recommend this book to all parents and educators, even if you don't have a special needs kid. This man gets it.
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This is a must read book for those that are curious about Autism to those that come into contact with Autistic individuals whether they be doctors, teachers, parents or siblings.
This book goes behind the behaviors that define the autistic person and explain very well the need to understand the causes of those behaviors and the benefit in doing so.
Just the introduction alone was worth getting the book for. The part that stands out is:
"Autism isn't an illness. It's a different way of being human ...more
This book goes behind the behaviors that define the autistic person and explain very well the need to understand the causes of those behaviors and the benefit in doing so.
Just the introduction alone was worth getting the book for. The part that stands out is:
"Autism isn't an illness. It's a different way of being human ...more
Uniquely Human is filled with the genuine appreciation Prizant has for the humanity of the children he's supported. The focus of the piece covers families, schooling, friendships, healthcare, careers, etc., and all the struggles, happiness, and stimming that occur amongst them. Throughout, the central theme always remains helping through understanding. He fleshes out how there is no one way for someone to be an autistic person* (my preferred phrasing, not his) and uses his personal interactions
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Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, is among the world’s leading authorities on autism, with more than forty years of experience as a scholar, researcher, and international consultant. He is an adjunct professor at Brown University and coauthor of The SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach, now being implemented in more than a dozen countries. Dr. Prizant has published more than 120 articl
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“Consider Ricky, a teenage boy with autism who was a talented pianist. Ricky once volunteered to entertain the residents of an assisted-living center. He had never visited such a facility, but his parents told him what a lovely, caring gesture it would be. They also informed him that some of the elderly people he would see had terminal illnesses and other challenges, so surely his music would help to lift their spirits. On the day of his performance, a few dozen residents gathered in a recreation room to listen. Before he sat down to play, Ricky introduced himself, said how happy he was to be there, and added this: “I’m very sorry that some of you are going to die soon.”
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“While a 2013 study found that, over time, a very small percentage of children experienced such improvements in symptoms that they no longer fit the DSM autism diagnosis, the study found no way to predict which children would show such gains, or why.”
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