This is not just another book about autism because it is narrated by Walter who is echolalic, as is the author Woody Brown, and non-vocal, in the sense that his brain does not allow him to form sentences or phrases in any sensible context. He is, however, lucky because, with a lot of help, he has learned to use a letter board to spell out what he wants to say but also unlucky because he cannot operate in public situations and so finds himself in the day-care centre for autistic adults which is Upward Bound.

This book is about his experiences there and the people he meets. His perspective is unusual, coming from an autistic diagnosis himself, and seeing the humanity in everyone as well as the fragments of communication emerging from these, almost, locked in individuals.

There is Jorge, a gentle autistic giant who is happiest in the toy aisle in Target and Tom who is also physically handicapped but can blink his eyes, once for yes and twice for no. Sadly, the carer who he aches to communicate with has not noticed.

There are also some shrewd observations of the staff at Upward Bound. Some are temporary and most are unqualified and simply doing the job. Dave is the struggling manager trying to hold all this together.

The driving theme of the book is that these people all have inner lives. They don’t need monotony or childish entertainment but they do need people to try to read them and understand what they are saying. It is an excellent story and should help anyone to better understand how autism reveals itself in individuals and also, maybe more importantly, how society could do better.