Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8: A Young Man's Voice from the Silence of Autism

Written by Naoki Higashida

Narrated by David Mitchell and Thomas Judd

From the author of the bestselling The Reason I Jump, an extraordinary self-portrait of a young adult with autism

“Essential reading for parents and teachers of those with autism who remain nonverbal.”—Temple Grandin

Naoki Higashida was only thirteen when he wrote The Reason I Jump, a revelatory account of autism from the inside by a nonverbal Japanese child, which became an international success. Now, in Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8, he shares his thoughts and experiences as a young man living each day with severe autism. In short, powerful chapters, Higashida explores school memories, family relationships, the exhilaration of travel, and the difficulties of speech. He also allows readers to experience profound moments we take for granted, like the thought-steps necessary for him to register that it’s raining outside. Acutely aware of how strange his behavior can appear to others, he aims throughout to foster a better understanding of autism and to encourage society to see people with disabilities as people, not as problems.

With an introduction by the bestselling novelist David Mitchell, Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 also includes a dreamlike short story Higashida wrote especially for the U.S. edition. Both moving and of practical use, this book opens a window into the mind of an inspiring young man who meets every challenge with tenacity and good humor. However often he falls down, he always gets back up.

Praise for Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8

“[Naoki Higashida’s] success as a writer now transcends his diagnosis. . . . His relative isolation—with words as his primary connection to the outside world—has allowed him to fully develop the powers of observation that are necessary for good writing, and he has developed rich, deep perspectives on ideas that many take for granted. . . . The diversity of Higashida’s writing, in both subject and style, fits together like a jigsaw puzzle of life put in place with humor and thoughtfulness.”—The Japan Times

“Profound insights about what the struggle of living with autism is really like . . . Once again, the invitation to step inside Higashida’s mind is irresistible.”—London Evening Standard

“Naoki Higashida’s lyrical and heartfelt account of his condition is a gift to anyone involved with the same challenges. . . . Higashida shows a delicate regard for the difficulties his condition creates . . . and is adept at explaining his experiences in language that makes sense to neurotypicals.”—The Guardian

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Translator: David Mitchell and KA Yoshida
• Release date: Jul 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781101923177

Naoki Higashida

Naoki Higashida was born in Kimitsu, Japan in 1992. He was diagnosed with severe autism in 1998 and subsequently attended a school for students with special needs, then (by correspondence) Atmark Cosmopolitan High School, graduating in 2011. Having learnt to use a method of communication based on an alphabet grid, Naoki wrote The Reason I Jump when he was thirteen and it was published in Japan in 2007. He has published several books since, from autobiographical accounts about living with autism to fairy tales, poems and illustrated books, and writes a regular blog. Despite his communication challenges, he also gives presentations about life on the autistic spectrum throughout Japan and works to raise awareness about autism. In 2011 he appeared in director Gerry Wurzburg's documentary on the subject, Wretches & Jabberers.

Reviews for Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8

[bambean-534686 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a Goodreads Giveaway...3.5 stars. This was an interesting read that changed my view on how autistic children think. I will never look at someone with autism in the same way again. The author is poetic and inspiring and very much capable of abstract thought.

[ionas_7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Since both I myself and my little grand-daughter have autism diagnoses (though she is extremely outgoing) the subject of autism interests me.

Naoki has severe non-verbal autism and communicates by means of an alphabet grid.

I enjoyed this young author’s first book “The reason I jump”, since it gave me insights into autism.

In the current book Naoki continues to elucidate why he acts the way he does, though this time I personally did not find his explanations particularly relevant as far as I myself am concerned.

There are certain concepts that Naoki can’t grasp, for example, dividing a plate of food into portions.

He explains how he needs time to adapt to changes in plan.

He has a wonderful mother who “guides (his) actions, steadily and tirelessly”.

But he doesn’t master time in the way neurotypicals do. He lacks the skill of “viewing a whole day in terms of subdivisions”.

He tells us his brain “has this habit of getting lost inside things”. (I don’t really comprehend his meaning.) This applies also to time and schedules.

For Naoki seasons switch not gradually but all of a sudden within a single day. This is the same for me, in fact for me, as regards heat, there are only two seasons, summer and winter. Though I do of course observe buds appearing on trees and realize these are signs of Spring, and leaves becoming discoloured and dropping from the trees, which are a sign of Autumn.

He realizes that “life serves up hard times for everyone, not just me”. He asks that those like him with special needs be given opportunities to learn what’s happening in the wider world, and not have sheltered lives, since this will impair their personal development. A knowledge of one’s blessings is a valuable lesson about life.

Some people act as though those with severe autism don’t even exist, because they don’t react visibly to what is being said. But “we’re listening to everyone around us and we hear you, you know”.

Before he learnt to communicate via his alphabet grid, Naoki was extremely lonely. It is agony to be non-verbal in the World of the Verbal.

Apparently, he can say a few phrases but sometimes says the wrong thing. It is not easy to say “thank you”.

Naoki says some meaningful things such as that there are reasons why people with autism exit in the world. Those who live with them and don’t give up on them are deeply compassionate, and “this kind of compassion must be a key to humanity’s long-term survival” – well said!

To sum up, this is an insightful well-written book, though personally, I find it less illuminating as regards autism than his first one.

[lpmejia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As the parent of an autistic individual, this book was an enlightening read. I am always interested in finding books by autistic people, as I feel it provides much better insight than one can get from reading books written by neurotypical authors who try to "explain" autism, or, worse, offer ways to "cure" it. My son is absolutely perfect just as he is; I only seek to better understand how to communicate with him and teach him to advocate for himself. Higashida's book also a great reminder that, even though someone may be non-verbal, this in no way should be taken to mean that they are not aware, do not have wants and needs, and are not capable of expressing themselves. A great read for anyone who seeks to learn more about the world of autism.

[karenrendall · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book continues the story of a young man with autism as he grows up in a world sometimes ill suited to his unique experience. If you have read "The Reason I Jump," you will easily see the growth Naoki has made as a writer and in living in the world. This book provides further insights into living with autism and is a strong continuation of "The Reason I Jump." I'd recommend this to anyone who works with people with autism or people who are neurodiverse or anyone who wants a peek at what life is like for someone living with autism.

[junipersun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like his other book, Higashida gives insight to the thoughts of a 20-something Japanese youth. Some of his situations/responses seem very similar to my son's so they give me motivation to do my best for him.

[elenchus_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Of my six standing reasons to read a book, three applied to Higashida's 7/8: an informed account of something I know little about; an empathetic window into life as lived by people different than me; a glimpse of a new (to me) way of experiencing the world. If Higashida's text fulfilled even just one of these, I would understand the world --and my place in it-- a little better.

7/8 delivered on all three and rekindles my interest in Higashida's earlier book.

A question arose part-way through: how do non-verbal people gain mastery over words without the practise of speaking? I have no doubt they do attain mastery: this book is itself ample proof. What I don't have is insight into that path (and presumably it has myriad forms). Is reading the key path, or merely one among many? (How does one learn to read without first speaking: undoubtedly it happens; what is it like?) I further assume there must be some practise in place of speech: listening, certainly; reading; writing or using the alphabet board. All of this uncovered my own assumptions, perhaps speaking is less important than I thought. I wonder how much reading Higashida does, and how he learned it.

Reminiscent somehow of Jules Renard's essays in On Nature: the compactness of Higashida's observations? How he evokes an idea so economically? Sentimental without being saccharine.

//

There are included a few line drawings: two of vases (accompanying the "Mothers Day" essay), one of a gate (in "The Gate"). Each section page has floral watermarks. Higashida's?

[mm_jones · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For the neurotypical reader this book is a great opportunity to think about your perspective on how one thinks and acts. Most people learn by listening or observing, but that is not possible for all. Higashida has severe nonverbal autism; this is his second English translated book following "The Reason I Jump". He illuminates the steps he takes toward behaving as a neurotypical person. One example I particularly enjoyed contrasts the thoughts he has in response to the sound of rain and his mother's actions. The majority can accomplish things one way, others must find an alternative method, all benefit from perseverance. What's important is how we address our uniqueness.

[bookaddict45 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Naoki Higashida ‘s Fall Down 7 times Get Up 8 is a collection of several essays, poems, interviews and even a short story he has written. The essays are personal and his attempt to explain his journey and experience with autism for outsiders. For someone who is deeply autistic to the point he is unable to speak, I found his works and words to be enlightening, inspiring and beautifully written. It is clear that autism is not an intellectual disability as has been always assumed, but rather it is a sensory-processing and communicative impairment condition. Everyone regardless of whether or not they have a personal connection to autism in some shape or form should read this book. It will change the way we perceive the condition and those affected by it.

[squeex_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A truly insightful and wonderful book. More than the life of a nonverbal autistic person in his own words, this is a book that is a philosophy for all humans to learn from. I will keep this on my shelf, highlight, and bookmark many pages to go back to reread. This is lovely.

[nicole_russell-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a person on the Spectrum, I really enjoyed this book. Although I am not nonverbal, I found I could really identify with a lot of what Naoki was saying. I really value his perspective, and would recommend this book to anyone on the Spectrum or with a Family member on the Spectrum. The translators did a great job making a enjoyably readable version in English and still be able to keep Naoki's meaning in each passage. I hope Naoki writes more in the future.

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a teacher of nonverbal young adults, I have the pleasure of having students with autism in my class. I don't always know how their minds are working, and none of them can communicate like Naoki, but his stories, poems, and reflections certainly make me think about the way they view the world. It makes me wish I could tap into some form of communication to release what's inside. The only slight hesitation I have is that this book may give false hope where in reality there may be very little that will change. In some cases, it's best to love the person for who he or she is, but if I were a parent, I too would hope that one day I could hear my child speak.

[lauriebrown54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Higashida is on the spectrum; he was nonverbal for a long time and even today he struggles with expressing himself verbally; he has what he calls restricted speech. He finds it easier many times to use his computer or a spelling board to communicate. When he was thirteen he wrote his first book, ‘The Reason I Jump’ to try and explain some of his actions to neurotypical folks. His new book, written as a 24 year old, takes that further, telling us what it’s like to live in his world. It includes some of his ‘aha’ moments, when he figured out things that most of us take for granted. His is a life of anxiety and distractions coming from his own brain. He absolutely doesn’t feel sorry for himself, though; while he’s unhappy with parts of his life- like his inability to properly express to his mother how grateful he is to her- he is in general upbeat. I found it very interesting that he has obsessions that have to be dealt with to stay calm- as one with OCD myself, I could certainly those, as well as his sensory overload.

The book is written in short chapters; some only a couple of pages long. Many are posts from his blog, so this gives a bit of a disjointed feeling reading the book. The translators have a child on the spectrum themselves, and I suspect this gave them a special attachment to this project. I recommend this book to anyone with a family member or friend on the spectrum, especially if that person has trouble communicating. Five stars.

[carolee888 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Previously, I have read The Reason Why I Jump by Naoki Higasida. I just looked back at my review of that book and everything that I said in that review is valid for this book too. I read this book because of my brother who has severe autism. I think that having learned a special keyboard when younger has enabled the author to be able to communicate his thoughts and feelings with his family and others. I wish that I could some way to get through to my brother that there are others like him. As far as I know he is not aware that there are other severely autistic people besides him. The author describes his loneliness that he had no way of communicating in the chapter on Wordlessness. Growing up with my brother, I have felt his agony of not be able to communicate.

This book is loaded with insights on what is life is like as a non-neurotypical person. Some I have figured out for myself so it is good to have the author say that they are true. He has helped me understand my brother so much more. What I really want is a simple picture book for my brother that tells him that he is not alone in this world.

I highly recommend this book for all who have relatives or friends of people with severe autism.

I received this Advance Reading Copy by making a selection from Amazon Vine books but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review. I also posted this review only on sites meant for reading not for selling.