Naoki Higashida

Naoki Higashida was born in Japan in 1992 and diagnosed with autism at an early age. He began communicating through an alphabet grid that allowed him to point to letters and spell out words, later transitioning to digital tools that supported writing. Through this painstaking method, he developed the ability to express complex thoughts and emotions that speech could not convey. He has since written numerous books exploring autism, personal experience, and fiction for young readers. Higashida’s work has been translated internationally, helping shift global perspectives on neurodiversity and offering a crucial voice to individuals who struggle with verbal communication. His contributions continue to inspire advocacy for autism acceptance, education reform, and alternative communication access.