The Sensory Spectrum

For Sensory Processing Disorder Kiddos and Their Parents

  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Resources
    • Sensory Books For Parents
    • Sensory Products
    • Tips for Behavior and OT
    • In the Classroom
    • Sensory Integration Activities
  • Marketplace
  • Voices of SPD
    • Calling All Bloggers
    • Voices of SPD FAQ
  • Contact
    • Advertising
Sensory Toys Tools 720

Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

August 1, 2024 by jennifer Leave a Comment

Winner of the Autism Society of America’s Dr. Temple Grandin Award for the Outstanding Literary Work in Autism!

Uniquely Human is a groundbreaking book on autism by one of the world’s leading experts, who portrays autism not as a tragic disability but as a unique way of being human.

This post contains affiliate links.

Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

by Barry M. Prizant

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.

Autism is usually portrayed as a checklist of deficits, including difficulties interacting socially, problems in communicating, sensory challenges, and repetitive behavior patterns. This perspective leads to therapies focused on ridding individuals of “autistic” symptoms. Now Dr. Barry M. Prizant, an internationally renowned autism expert, offers a new and compelling paradigm: the most successful approaches to autism don’t aim at fixing a person by eliminating symptoms but by seeking to understand the individual’s experience and what underlies the behavior.

In Uniquely Human, Dr. Prizant suggests a major shift in understanding autism: instead of classifying “autistic” behaviors as signs of pathology, he 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 naturally lead to more desirable behavior and a better quality of life. In fact, argues Dr. Prizant, attempts to eliminate “autistic” behaviors may actually interfere with important developmental processes.

While it never discounts the difficulties of living with autism, Uniquely Human offers inspiring stories and practical advice drawn from Dr. Prizant’s four-decade career working in universities, schools, hospitals, and private practice. It conveys a deep respect for people with autism and the qualities that make them special. Filled with humanity and wisdom, Uniquely Human offers a compassionate and insightful perspective that parents, professionals, and family members will find uplifting and hopeful.

To purchase, click the image/link below!

Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing AutismUniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing AutismUniquely Human: Updated and Expanded: A Different Way of Seeing Autism

 

Recommended Reading

  • Dr. Temple Grandin: Sensory Issues and Sensitivity
  • Autism Books for Kids
  • The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum
  • 5 Parenting Truths Autism Has Taught Me
  • Temple Grandin: Autism and the Older Child
  • How To Handle Your Anger At Your Child

To read more about raising a child with Autism:

Understanding and Managing Autism in Children: The Ultimate Guide to Autism in Girls and Boys - Early Signs, Creating Routines, Managing Sensory ... Meltdowns, Breathing Practices and Much More.Understanding and Managing Autism in Children: The Ultimate Guide to Autism in Girls and Boys – Early Signs, Creating Routines, Managing Sensory … Meltdowns, Breathing Practices and Much More.Understanding and Managing Autism in Children: The Ultimate Guide to Autism in Girls and Boys - Early Signs, Creating Routines, Managing Sensory ... Meltdowns, Breathing Practices and Much More.An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and LearnAn Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and LearnAn Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and LearnAutism: How to raise a happy autistic childAutism: How to raise a happy autistic childAutism: How to raise a happy autistic childTen Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You KnewTen Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You KnewTen Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

 

About the Authors

Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, is among the world’s leading authorities on autism, with more than forty years of experience as a scholar, researcher, and international consultant. He is an adjunct professor at Brown University and coauthor of [easyazon_link identifier=”1557668183″ locale=”US” tag=”thesensspec-20″]The SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach[/easyazon_link], now being implemented in more than a dozen countries.

Dr. Prizant has published more than 120 articles and chapters and has received many awards. The author of [easyazon_link identifier=”1476776245″ locale=”US” tag=”thesensspec-20″]Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism[/easyazon_link], Dr. Prizant lives in Cranston, Rhode Island, with his wife, Dr. Elaine Meyer, and their teenage son.

The coauthor (with Barry M. Prizant) of Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, and former senior writer for People, he lives in Los Angeles, where he teaches in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

Related

Filed Under: Autism, Books Tagged With: autism book, uniquely human

Sensory Toys Tools 720
« Vertical Writing Builds Core Muscles
10 Ways a Speech-Language Pathologist Can Help Your Child »

Don't Be Shy. Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • Johnson Therapeutic Small Textured Spoons (Oral Sensory Tools)
  • How to Create Predictability for a Child With Sensory Differences
  • What Does SPD Feel Like?
  • Easy to Love but Hard to Raise: Real Parents, Challenging Kids, True Stories
  • How Can One Little Infant Create So Much Guilt?

Categories

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress