Category: books, literature, arts

A Different Way of Seeing Autism- a book review

“Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism” by Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP offers insights into understanding and living with autism. The book promotes a person-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of engaging, building self-esteem, and fostering joyful experiences for individuals with autism. Dr. Prizant advocates for working with their strengths rather than focusing on weaknesses.

updated March 12, 2026

This review discusses the original 2016 version of this book. However, the affiliate links connect to the updated and expanded edition of 2022.

UNIQUELY HUMAN

UPDATED AND EXPANDED: A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING AUTISM

by Barry Prizant, PhD

As soon as I started reading Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, I knew I had found answers to many of my questions and misconceptions about autism.

This authoritative book was written by Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP, among the world’s leading authorities on autism, and innovator of respectful, person- and family-centered approaches for individuals with autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities.

UNIQUELY HUMAN- A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING AUTISM

Understanding Autism

I have understood autism as a physician, which means I understood little. My training and experience as a family physician taught me the basics of autism, but little of the treatment.

My few autistic patients went to developmental pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, or psychologists so my involvement was limited to their physical needs.

From my limited exposure to autistic persons, I saw autism as a life altering, disabling , untreatable  condition that disrupted families as they struggled to cope and manage.

 

In his book, Uniquely Human, Dr. Prizant approaches autism from a perspective gained from studying about and treating children with autism for 50 years.

 

About Dr. Prizant

According to his bio, Dr. Prizant is recognized internationally as a scholar in autism spectrum disorders and childhood disabilities.

He is an Adjunct Professor of Communication Disorders at University of Rhode Island.

Barry lives in Cranston, Rhode Island, with his wife, Dr. Elaine Meyer, a clinical psychologist and nurse, and Associate Professor in the Harvard Medical School.

Barry is a performing percussionist and has a specific interest in the impact of the arts on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families. He sits on the boards of two inclusive theatre companies co-founded by and including autistic actors.

He approaches autism more “how to” than “what or why”. He recommends working with the child’s strengths rather than trying to change or cure their weakness.

Much of the “treatment” of autism centers on controlling so-called autistic behaviors. He believes that these behaviors are the way autistic children cope with the challenges of “sensory dysregulation.” We should address the triggers of this dysregulation rather than trying to manipulate the behavior, he says.

“The central challenge of autism is a disability of trust”

  • Trusting their body
  • Trusting the world
  • Trusting other people.”

 “The best way to help them (autistic children) progress toward fulfilling meaningful lives is

  • Find ways to engage them
  • Build a sense of self
  • Foster joyful experiences”

In his book, Dr. Prizant outlines ways to help autistic people.

“Welcome them  into your world.”

Include them in family and social activities to whatever extent they can and will participate.

 

“Don’t label them – high-functioning  vs low -functioning”

I was pleased to read that Dr. Prizant does not use those terms. As he says,

“People are infinitely complex and development is multidimensional and cannot be reduced to such a simple dichotomy. “

He calls these labels “terribly inaccurate and misleading ” and that using them is “disrespectful.” The label low-functioning can become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

He concludes,

“Instead of focusing on vague and imprecise labels, it’s better to focus on the child’s relative strengths and challenges, and to identify the most beneficial supports. “

Dr. Prizant

He discusses this in more detail in this article from 2012.

A False (Harmful?) Dichotomy 

asq21_high_low_functioningDownload

“Engage them; try to communicate.”

Not all autistic people are verbal; but they all communicate in some way. We just need to understand how and work with that.

“Give choices”

“Treat respectfully, with empathy and  sensitivity.”

“Meltdowns are a common occurrence with autism but are not “temper tantrums”. They usually reflect a need or want that isn’t being met, or a situation that is overwhelming or too stimulating.  

“Humor”

Sometimes you just need to laugh.

“Offer to help but no unsolicited advice or criticism”

I ask a lot of questions. Whenever I meet someone who has an autistic child or relative, a special education teacher or therapist, I try to learn something from them.

“Be positive; use tenderness with your honesty.”

“Celebrate with us”

Don’t be afraid to ask how things are going, as long as you don’t mind sometimes hearing the bad as well as the good.

“Trust- be dependable, clear and concrete”

 

 RECOMMENDATION

Families, friends, teachers, or anyone who wants to understand autism will find expert, experiential, and practical information and advice in this book.

Read a sample of the 2022 edition

 

 

 

 

 

THE SPARK- A Mother’s Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism

listen to an Audible sample at this link

THE SPARK  by Kristine Barnett.

When her son Jake was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old, doctors told her he would never attend school for “normal’ children. Undeterred, she taught him herself, building on his strengths. By 16, he was attending college- and helping to teach classes in quantum physics.

I don’t know if Mrs. Barnett knew of Dr. Prizant’s methods, but it certainly sounds as if she used them. Or maybe she just followed her motherly instincts. Here’s how she says it in the introduction.

THE SPARK, a book cover; a mother's story of nurturing, genius, and autism
THE SPARK

“This book is the story of how we got from there to here, the story of a mother’s journey with her remarkable son…it is about the power of hope and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we keep our minds open and learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child. “

I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs or wants to know more about autism.

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Top 5 posts of 2016- #3

most viewed book review on this blog this year- a memoir about a remarkable family

This week I’m sharing my top 5 most viewed posts of 2016. I’m not surprised that any of these were the most popular because a couple of them are among my favorites too. (Well, ok, they all are.)

Here is number 3, which is also my  most viewed book review. I’m pleased it made the cut since the author is my friend. If you didn’t read it before, you will enjoy her story now. Meet Sarah Stophel, whose life was

TRUMPED BY SOVEREIGNTY:

Juggling Faith, Healing, And Submission to God’s Perfect Plans

BY SARA STOPHEL

A MEMOIR

“Damen Ballard, twenty-five, left his apartment on April 19, 1995, to grab a pack of cigarettes at the convenience store. On his way back he took the shortcut…crossing I-44 on foot at rush hour. He was hit and became a John Doe while doctors tried to save his life. Even as we were watching the terrible news of the Oklahoma City bombing down the road…and fighting against all of those feelings of desperation when we discovered no hearts would be coming…Chuck’s new heart was just two floors above us in the very same hospital.”

large storm cloud
photo by Nikolai Stophel

Sovereignty is a word you may not use or even hear often; I know I don’t.  Probably the most common usage is in a political sense, like the sovereignty (authority) of a nation. Maybe that’s why Sara Stophel offers this definition on the back cover of her book;

“‘Sovereignty’ means that God, as the ruler of the universe, has the right to do whatever he wants. Further, he is in complete control over everything that happens.

In a game of cards, a trump card overrules any card previously played … But what happens when that “game” is actually life? And what happens when you realize that God’s sovereignty is the final trump card?”

Trumped by Sovereignty is two stories in one book.  One story relates the multiple medical challenges faced by Sara, her husband Chuck,  their children and extended family. The other story describes how Sara coped with these challenges, especially in relationship to her Christian faith.

I have known Sara and her family for several years and already knew much of their story although not all. I know Sara to be direct, truthful and frank. She does not mince words.

(I did not consult Sara prior to writing this review.  I paid for my copy of her book.)

This is not one of those “how we went through a horrible experience and survived by our unshakable faith” stories; rather it is “how we went through extraordinary stress which tested our faith which survived and grew anyway”. Sara doesn’t tell you how she changed her problems; she admits that her problems caused her to change the way she looks at life, faith and God.

a tornado in Oklahoma
photo of an active tornado by Nikolai Stohel

Sara’s book describes multiple medical conditions that afflicted her family (yes, afflicted is exactly the right word). The list reads like a medical textbook, so much so that you may need to look up some of the terms to understand what they are; she does not describe them in detailed scientific terms.  (I’ve included some links for you to use.)

Between Sara, her husband Chuck, their children and extended family they endured –

Sara and Chuck met in college, a Christian university that is known for its belief in divine healing. However, Sara’s denomination, although Christian, did not teach healing. So it was a new concept for her, and one she found difficult to reconcile as her family’s serious health issues continued to worsen and not respond to medical treatment much less prayer.

She does not expect you to believe that she endured these challenges and tragedies due to strong and unwavering faith; rather she freely admits otherwise. As she puts it, her “truster” frequently breaks and needs repair.

“I could not commune with a God who did not honor my bigger-than-mustard-seed faith. I was more than certain God loved people…but I was also nearly certain He just needed me as a tool of transparency. My truster was broken. Having loved God my whole life, I couldn’t think of anything better…anywhere else to turn…so I just kept on serving and assuming the love and peace of God were for everyone but me.”

Sara uses humor in her writing, just like she does in life; she has to in order to get through some of the days she lives. You will laugh, cry, or both at some of her stories like-

  • Her annual physical (which was a year late) with her doctor, Dr. LionKing (an offbeat humorous pronunciation of his real name)
  • Her first CPR class after a family death

And you may get angry as she describes her shabby treatment by the IRS, the cell phone company and the local fire department first responders who refused to take her critically ill husband to the hospital.

hugh storm cloud
impending storm captured by Nikolai Stophel

I encourage you to buy and read Trumped by Sovereignty. I know Sara and her sons which means I also know that their challenges are not over; in fact, they may be bigger than ever. I believe she will continue to face them with the same courage and humor that she has so far; and maybe in a few years she will write volume 2 of her story.

woman holding a book
Sarah showing her sense of humor, soon after the Presidential election . Is that the President-elect’s name on the cover?

Trumped by Sovereignty is published by Paladin Publishing, Tulsa Oklahoma.

Sara Stophel welcomes invitations to speak; you can follow her on

Facebook  at Sara Stophel -author  and her website  Living Out My Story

Sara’s son Nikolai is a professional photographer who covers the turbulent weather we have here in Oklahoma. His photos illustrate this post. You can contact Nikolai @nikolaistophel or on Facebook.

Join me here tomorrow for the number 2 top post of 2016.