Based on the bestselling book by Naoki Higashida, THE REASON I JUMP is an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends Higashida’s revelatory descriptions of his autism, written when he was just 13, with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe, a rich tapestry that leads us to Naoki’s core message: not being able to speak does not mean there is nothing to say.

Written by Naoki Higashida, The Reason I Jump became a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller and has been translated into more than 30 languages. It has sold over a million copies word-wide.

Discuss the film with your community using our free educational materials. The Self-Advocacy Workbook was created in partnership with the autistic community, featuring messages of hope and empowerment from members of the community itself. The Presume Competence Community Handbook supports professionals working with autistic populations such as medical support staff, social-workers, and others, as well as interested community groups like schools or faith communities, to host screening of the film.