Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8

Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 is a memoir written by Naoki Higashida, a young man with nonverbal autism who communicates through a special alphabet grid. The book compiles his observations, experiences, and inner reflections about living with autism as he transitions from adolescence into early adulthood. Through short essays and responses to questions, Higashida explains the challenges he faces with verbal communication, sensory processing, and social interactions. He writes about his daily routines, his relationship with family members, and his efforts to become more independent. The author's perspective offers insights into the autistic mind while challenging common assumptions about cognitive abilities in non-speaking individuals. His writing reveals the depth of understanding, self-awareness, and determination that can exist beneath external behaviors and communication barriers.

Readers appreciate Higashida's intimate first-person perspective on living with autism as a young adult. Many note the book helps parents and caregivers better understand their autistic children's behaviors and thought processes. Liked: - Clear explanations of sensory experiences - Poetic writing style and metaphors - Practical insights into daily challenges - Personal stories that humanize autism Disliked: - Some found the writing repetitive - Questions about translation accuracy - Skepticism about authenticity of authorship - Limited scope as one person's experience Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (250+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "His descriptions of time perception and memory helped me understand my son's behaviors in ways no clinical book ever has." - Amazon reviewer Critical comment: "The writing feels filtered through too many layers of translation and editing to fully trust as direct testimony." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 Naoki Higashida wrote this book when he was in his early twenties, despite being largely non-verbal due to his severe autism 🌟 The book's title comes from a Japanese proverb "Nana korobi ya oki" (七転び八起き), which literally means "seven falls, eight getting up" - a testament to perseverance 🌟 David Mitchell (author of Cloud Atlas) and his wife KA Yoshida translated the book from Japanese to English, after Higashida's writing helped them better understand their own autistic son 🌟 The author communicates primarily through a specialized alphabet grid and computer, demonstrating that non-verbal doesn't mean non-thinking 🌟 This book is actually a sequel to Higashida's first book "The Reason I Jump," which he wrote at age 13 and became an international bestseller, translated into over 30 languages