The World of Autism

The book's primary theme is its topic -- a glimpse into the world of a person with autism. One of the most frustrating things faced by both those with autism and those who care for and about them is the inability of the caregiver to understand what is going on in the autistic person's mind, but Higashida provides thoughtful explanations about a wide range of topics. Although he has difficulty with appropriate verbal communication, the author has developed the ability to write fluidly and he uses this ability to open up his mind and heart, giving honest and insightful answers to even the most delicate questions such as why he speaks so loudly and why he does not make eye contact with others.

Higashida sometimes speaks for himself and sometimes for others with autism, enabling readers to understand the complexities of a mind that might...