12-Year-Old Publishes Book to Help Others Understand What it’s Like to Have Autism

Jordan Keller was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a baby, and 12 years later, he’s written and published a book to help others understand what it’s like to grow up with autism.

Jordan’s book, titled Jumbled Pieces: Autism, details the challenges he faced in his day-to-day life as well as the success he has experienced due to early intervention. Plenty of research has shown that the earlier a child receives intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy,  the better the chance of being mainstreamed into classrooms with neurotypical kids.

Unlike many children with autism, Jordan is verbal. He wrote Jumbled Pieces “to help people understand Autism who don’t have it and to help those who have it,” his mother, Rebekah, said in an interview with KSDK TV-5. Jordan tells his mom that he feels very lucky that he can talk, and that people “need to know what scares us.” He hopes his book will give people a better understanding of what nonverbal children with ASD may be feeling. Jordan covers the important stuff – is autism contagious? Does it hurt?

Further, Jordan wrote the book to honor his doctor, Dr. Anderson, who he calls a “hero and personal champion.” Dr. Anderson is an orthopedist. Although his medical specialty isn’t specific to Autism, Jordan says he feels comfortable asking Dr. Anderson anything and knowing he will tell him the truth. According to Jordan’s book, one of the most challenging parts of his experience with autism is building close relationships with others. He says that his interactions with Dr. Anderson, as well as the encouragement and support of his family, have helped him improve in this specific area.

Acting as a voice for all of those who can’t be heard in the autism community, Jordan epitomizes the strength and giftedness that is at times overlooked in those with ASD.

Some other book recommendations from the staff at Action Behavior Centers are Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice, The Way I See It by Dr. Temple Grandin, and How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst by Jon Bailey and Mary Burch.