Synopsis
<b>Winner of the Autism Society of America’s Dr. Temple Grandin Award for the Outstanding Literary Work in Autism</b><br> <br> <b>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” (<i>Chicago Tribune</i>).</b><br><br>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.<br> <br>“A must-read for anyone touched by autism... Dr. Prizant’s <i>Uniquely Human</i> 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.<br> <br>“A remarkable approach to autism....A truly impactful, necessary book” (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>, starred review), <i>Uniquely Human</i> 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, <i>Uniquely Human</i> “should reassure parents and caregivers of kids with autism and any other disability that their kids are not broken, but, indeed, special” (<i>Booklist</i>, starred review).
About the Author
Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities and as an innovator of respectful, person- and family-centered approaches for individuals on the autism spectrum and with neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Prizant specializes in communication disorders and child and human development, and is a visiting scholar at Brown University. He has fifty years of experience as an international consultant, clinical scholar, and researcher. He is coauthor of <i>The SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach</i>, now being implemented in more than a dozen countries, and widely used clinical assessment instruments. Dr. Prizant has been an invited keynote speaker/presenter in more than twenty-five countries and has published four books, 140+ articles and chapters, and has received many awards for his career improving quality of life for autistic persons and related conditions and their families. He is cohost of <i>Uniquely Human: The Podcast, </i>with autistic engineer, Dave Finch (UniquelyHuman.com).<br><br>Tom Fields-Meyer is author of the critically acclaimed memoir <i>Following Ezra: What One Father Learned About Gumby, Otters, Autism, and Love from His Extraordinary</i> <i>Son</i>, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. His work has appeared in <i>The New York Times Magazine</i>, <i>The Wall Street Journal</i>, the <i>Los Angeles Times</i>, and <i>The Washington Post</i>. The coauthor (with Barry M. Prizant) of <i>Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism</i>, and former senior writer for <i>People</i>, he lives in Los Angeles, where he teaches in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.
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