Smashbomb

Pioneering incredible book about autism written by a young boy

This book is both controversial, yet pioneering. Pioneering because a 13-year-old boy with autism has found a way of communicating coherently through a computer. Controversial, because many claim it could be fraudulent and other so-called experts have debunked the severity of his autism. I am no expert, but I hope that it is real, because it's moving and wonderful to hear how helpless the condition can be from his perspective. And it's true that he probably shouldn't have used the royal 'We' to describe people with autism to all have the same reasons for symptoms. But he is just a young boy trying to help if that's the case. The translation from Japanese has been very much westernised using English colloquialisms, but it helps gauge western audiences. However it's incredible to hear how disconnected senses can become with autism, no sense of linear time, touch or taste, even words. Remarkable book.