From its first pages, "Uniquely Human" establishes itself as a must-read for anyone touched by autism.

Author Barry Prizant, who has worked with thousands of children on the spectrum, cogently and convincingly argues for a paradigm shift. "The behavior of people with autism isn't random, deviant, or bizarre, as many professionals have called it for decades," Prizant writes. "To help them, we don't need to change them or fix them. We need to work to understand them, and then change what we do."

While visiting a school for which he consulted, Prizant was walking with a 4-year-old with autism when the boy suddenly dropped to the ground a couple of times. Prizant then heard a dog barking, causing the boy to panic and run away. Prizant realized the boy had been hearing - and reacting to - the barking all along. "What might have appeared as uncooperative, random, or defiant behavior was in fact a very understandable expression of fear."

People with autism are especially vulnerable to everyday emotional and physiological challenges, and they have difficulty learning how to cope, Prizant writes.

"Difficulty staying well regulated emotionally and physiologically should be a core, defining feature of autism," Prizant argues. "Unfortunately professionals have long overlooked this, focusing on the resulting behaviors instead of the underlying causes."

The first half of the book focuses on understanding autism, with affirming examples like viewing a child's intense interest in a subject - what might be derided as an "obsession" - as an "enthusiasm," something that can be built on as a possible career or used as a hook to engage in other subjects.

To help a child manage anxiety, Prizant describes a "gradual, empowering approach" that acknowledges and validates the experience, and provides supports. A girl who was afraid of amusement parks was not forced to go with the rest of the family; she was given the option to attend without going on any rides. Her parents showed her pictures of areas she liked and offered noise-dampening headphones. Giving the girl a sense of control helped her relax, Prizant explains.

The second half of the book draws on the wisdom of parents who have been down this path, as well as insights from individuals with autism who have articulated what life is like for them.

"Uniquely Human" contains a trove of experiences that will resonate, offer ideas and give hope. It also has heartbreaking stories of children who have been grossly misunderstood and mistreated.

This book is a crucial step in promoting better understanding and a more humane approach.