Structure

The body of The Reason I Jump is divided into a series of very short chapters, most of them less than 200 words. The majority are titled with a sequentially-numbered question -- Q5 Why do you do things you shouldn't even when you've been told a million times not to? -- followed by the author's response. Sprinkled throughout the book are other short bits of insight, sometimes using a parable to make a point. The final chapter is more lengthy and consists of a short story written by the author to illustrate the frustrations people with autism feel when they are unable to express themselves to the people they care about.

In addition to the book's primary text, there is an introduction by David Mitchell, an author and the father of a son with autism, a brief preface and an afterword.

Perspective

Tone