A groundbreaking book on autism, by one of the world’s leading experts, who portrays autism as a unique way of being human—this is “required reading.... Breathtakingly simple and profoundly positive” (Chicago Tribune).

Autism therapy typically focuses on ridding individuals of “autistic” symptoms such as difficulties interacting socially, problems in communicating, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. Now Dr. Barry M. Prizant offers a new and compelling paradigm: The most successful approaches to autism don’t aim at fixing a person by eliminating symptoms, but rather seeking to understand the individual’s experience and what underlies the behavior.

“A must-read for anyone touched by autism...Dr. Prizant’s Uniquely Human is a crucial step in promoting better understanding and a more humane approach.” (Associated Press)

Instead of classifying “autistic” behaviors as signs of pathology, Dr. Prizant sees them as part of a range of strategies to cope with a world that feels chaotic and overwhelming. Rather than curb these behaviors, it’s better to enhance abilities, build on strengths, and offer supports that will lead to more desirable behavior and a better quality of life.

“A remarkable approach to autism.... A truly impactful, necessary book” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), Uniquely Human offers inspiration and practical advice drawn from Dr. Prizant’s four-decade career. It conveys a deep respect for people with autism and their own unique qualities. Filled with humanity and wisdom, Uniquely Human “should reassure parents and caregivers of kids with autism and any other disability that their kids are not broken, but, indeed, special” (Booklist, starred review).

Listening Length

11 hours and 48 minutes
Author

Barry M. Prizant PhD, see all
Narrator

Barry M. Prizant
Audible release date

April 19, 2022
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster Audio
ASIN

B09PZG3ZFP
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 48 minutes
Author	Barry M. Prizant PhD, Tom Fields-Meyer - contributor
Narrator	Barry M. Prizant
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	April 19, 2022
Publisher	Simon & Schuster Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B09PZG3ZFP
Best Sellers Rank	#3,116 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #4 in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome #7 in Children's Health (Audible Books & Originals) #8 in Medical Developmental Psychology

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coloRADokay

Must Read for Parents!

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018

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I needed this book more than I even knew. My son was diagnosed with autism on March 8th this year, and I was basically grabbing desperately for any support/information/resources I could. I was suddenly hit with the reality that all these autism support groups I joined on FB were full of people making other people feel horrible, or endlessly talking about how horrible this was going to be for us, or how the therapies we wanted to explore were a waste of our time. It was truly devastating to a mom who just had this diagnosis confirmed. I didn't believe any of what I was reading, and I refused to believe that my husband and I were the only ones who wanted to find the positive, beautiful, unique parts of autism.
I am so grateful I came across this book. It literally was exactly what I needed at just the right time. I have told everyone in my family how important it is to me that they get themselves a copy and read it. I have told my son's OT, ST and ABA therapists how much this has impacted me positively and how it really helped me see things from a much needed perspective. I loved every single sentence in this and I cannot recommend this book enough to ANYONE who wants some refreshing insight into ASD. Thank you so much for writing this. This book came into my life at exactly the right moment and I will use everything I've learned in this writing as much as humanly possible.

201 people found this helpful

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Robert Watkins

He gets it! He gets /us/!

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

Reading Barry Prizant's "Uniquely Human" was like stepping onto a sunlit balcony overlooking the ocean and breathing in an abundance of fresh, invigorating air. He gets it! Barry is one of the few neurotypicals who truly understands the autistic mind. Many, many times, as I read the book, I found myself saying "Yes!, Yes!" to his insight and his approach. Barry does not see "autistic behaviours" as aberrant, something to correct. Instead, he sees all behaviour as human behaviour. Instead of trying to fix us and our behaviours, Barry asks a very simple question: Why? Why do some of us flap our hands when excited? Why does a change in routine throw some of us for a loop?

Knowing that we have many ways of coping, of communicating, of managing to survive if not thrive in this neurotypical world is essential to understanding who we are. Too many people — professionals and parents — think that autistics need to be forced into becoming as "normal" as possible."Uniquely Human" breaks that mould. Barry understands that neurotypicals and neurotypical social constructs should instead move toward inclusion of autistics just as they are. Of course, if an individual's behaviours are in some way harmful, then we would want to reduce the possibility of harm, just as we would want to do for anyone, autistic or not.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is either autistic themselves or for whom autism is a part of their lives, personally or professionally.

— Robert Watkins, autistic self-advocate, Neurodiversity Ambassador, autistic.ly

91 people found this helpful

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Frank J. Kelly

Too many therapists focus on behaviors they want to stop and not "Why that behavior occurs"

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2015

Verified Purchase

My son was diagnosed with ASD in January 2012 and it took us 3 years to put all the "pieces" together to get where we are today. Many of that 3 years of exploration, failure and discovery could have been reduced in duration if we had access to Dr. Pizant's book.

So many therapists (both in school and private operations) don't "get it". They focus on the deficits and "extinguishing behaviors" when they should be asking "why is that behavior present"? My wife and I finally figured much of it out after trying therapy after therapy and enduring years of meltdowns and stress.

The "answers" for our son were
1) Our son has sensory over-responsivity. Parties, amusement parks, recess are all massively over-stimulating and stressful. We don't avoid these things but know he can handle only a few hours.
2) He has some challenges reading and absolutely hated to do it UNTIL we discovered how to use his "enthusiasms" e.g. Star Wars, Minecraft, World War 2, to get his engagement
3) He can relate better to folks if they meet him in "his world" - from there he comes to trust you and is willing to enter your world.

We just finished a two-week trip to Europe where we employed lots of sensory supports (e.g. ear muffs), using a rental car rather than public transportation (which is loud, somewhat 'unpredictable' and out of our control), we alternated "big" sensory days (e.g. amusement parks) with "low" sensory days - watching TV and going to the pool. And he had NOT ONE meltdown.

We had to discover all of these strategies by ourselves largely.
Having more folks like Dr. Prizant we could have discovered these strategies MUCH earlier.

My one suggestion is that the book seems to under-estimate the effort that comes with convincing (often intransigent and overworked) schools to try new approaches. That more than anything was the most stressful part of the journey - because that's where our son receives the most "therapy" time. And if you can't get those changes done you have to either move schools, move district or home-school. In the end, the school system we attended could not put him in a smaller classroom with peers so we had to involve a professional advocate and lawyers to get an outplacement.

Sometimes you can be "positive" minded as much as you want but the school administration needs to know you will do all you can to get what your child needs.

That said, I plan to buy three or four copies for many of the autism therapists in our world. If everyone could adopt Dr. Prizant's viewpoint I think special needs educators would achieve massive improvements in results and parent's lives could become much less stressed and uncertain.

324 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

benpad

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2016

Verified Purchase

This is a brilliant book. We have muddled along doing our best for 8 years now but this book described behaviours that we have experienced and explained a lot of the reasons behind them, also reinforced what we had been doing using "gut" instinct by seeing it written down. If you are trying to "defeat" autism or feel you need a cure this is NOT the book for you, if you have accepted your child/yourself for who they /you are and are looking for help them through the challenges ( and let's be honest sometimes it's bl**dy hard) and to look forward with optimism buy this book immediately. Wish it had been around 8 yrs ago ! With thx to Steve Silverman fir recommendation

15 people found this helpful

Miss E Laver

A must read for anyone especially those caring for children with ASD

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2020

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I rarely leave reviews but felt compelled to write one after only being half way through this book in the hope that it might help reach someone in understanding their child or maybe a child they care for. I wish this book was given to me when my son was diagnosed. 7 years in and I understand my child quite well now but reading this book was a feeling of at last someone understands my child. It’s eye opening, re affirming, and helps see things from their world which can be so hard for us to understand and comprehend. It’s helped me to re think a few problems we are facing and confirmed my thought on others. Everyone should read this book especially those caring for or working with children with autism, especially if trying to understand behaviours. Highly recommend this is the best autism book I have read to date, thank you to the author!

4 people found this helpful

Parent

Strongly recommended

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2020

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Whether you are a parent of a child with autism or an aunt, nan, teacher of one, you would definitely benefit from reading this book, which is one of the best books I've read on the subject (and I have read MANY books in the last 4 years).

2 people found this helpful

Susie Cello

Exellent book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2022

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Highly recommend . Great insights. Lots of vivid descriptions of children. Lively and readable. Very helpful for understanding neurodiversity and encouraging people to react positively to children and adults, asking the "why question". Parents and teachers would find this useful, benefitting from Dr Barry's wisdom. Have bought many copies.

Hot

Brilliant insightful book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2019

Verified Purchase

Brilliant involving book with lots of examples of autistic kids and how different they are. Filled with engaging experiences the author had in his career. Helped me to understand as a parent going with your gut is often right, there is no easy answer in this book but alot of useful insights.

One person found this helpful

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Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing Autism Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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