Uniquely Human

A REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION Winner of the Autism Society of America's Dr Temple Grandin Award Autism is a different way of being human. By understanding autistic behaviours as strategies to cope with a world that feels chaotic and overwhelming, Barry Prizant seeks to enhance abilities, to teach new skills, help individuals build on their strengths and develop coping strategies to achieve a better quality of life. Revised and updated with new material on identity and intersectionality and a chapter on autistic advocacy, Uniquely Human offers a compassionate and insightful perspective that could be life-changing. With a wealth of inspiring stories and practical advice from thousands of autistic people and their families this is a ground-breaking book by one of the world's leading experts - essential reading for anyone who cares for people on the autism spectrum. 'Common sense practical advice based on a forty-year career' Temple Grandin, author of The Autistic Brain 'Will change our perception and understanding of autism ... I strongly recommend this book to parents and professionals' Tony Attwood, author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

A REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION Winner of the Autism Society of America's Dr Temple Grandin Award Autism is a different way of being human. By understanding autistic behaviours as strategies to cope with a world that feels chaotic and overwhelming, Barry Prizant seeks to enhance abilities, to teach new skills, help individuals build on their strengths and develop coping strategies to achieve a better quality of life. Revised and updated with new material on identity and intersectionality and a chapter on autistic advocacy, Uniquely Human offers a compassionate and insightful perspective that could be life-changing. With a wealth of inspiring stories and practical advice from thousands of autistic people and their families this is a ground-breaking book by one of the world's leading experts - essential reading for anyone who cares for people on the autism spectrum. 'Common sense practical advice based on a forty-year career' Temple Grandin, author of The Autistic Brain 'Will change our perception and understanding of autism ... I strongly recommend this book to parents and professionals' Tony Attwood, author of The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

Winner of the Autism Society of America's Dr. Temple Grandin Award for the Outstanding Literary Work in Autism 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, communication problems, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. Now, this updated and expanded edition of Dr. Barry M. Prizant's Uniquely Human tackles new language such as shifting from "person-first language" to "identity-first language," diversity of identity in the autism sphere, and the future of autistic advocacy by amplifying the voices of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. "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. Uniquely Human is a "brilliant" (Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes ) approach to autism in the modern age that provides "common sense [and] practical advice" (Temple Grandin, author of The Autistic Brain ) 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).

Winner of the Autism Society of America's Dr. Temple Grandin Award for the Outstanding Literary Work in Autism 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, communication problems, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. Now, this updated and expanded edition of Dr. Barry M. Prizant's Uniquely Human tackles new language such as shifting from "person-first language" to "identity-first language," diversity of identity in the autism sphere, and the future of autistic advocacy by amplifying the voices of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. "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. Uniquely Human is a "brilliant" (Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes ) approach to autism in the modern age that provides "common sense [and] practical advice" (Temple Grandin, author of The Autistic Brain ) 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).