"Why are they doing that?" It's the question every parent, teacher, therapist, and caregiver has asked when faced with a behavior that seems out of place, out of proportion, or out of control. In The Why Behind the What , the author offers a radically compassionate answer: because behavior is never random, it's a message. This groundbreaking book doesn't just talk about behavior. It helps you see it differently . Rather than focusing on compliance or surface-level intervention, The Why Behind the What takes you ...
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"Why are they doing that?" It's the question every parent, teacher, therapist, and caregiver has asked when faced with a behavior that seems out of place, out of proportion, or out of control. In The Why Behind the What , the author offers a radically compassionate answer: because behavior is never random, it's a message. This groundbreaking book doesn't just talk about behavior. It helps you see it differently . Rather than focusing on compliance or surface-level intervention, The Why Behind the What takes you deep into the inner experience of autistic individuals , exploring how neurology, interoception, trauma, communication differences, and nervous system regulation shape the behaviors we often misunderstand. Whether you're a parent desperate to decode meltdowns, a professional trying to understand shutdowns, or a self-advocate seeking language for your own experience, this book offers clarity, respect, and real-world insight. It's science and soul, side by side. Inside, you'll discover: A simplified, illustrated guide to autistic brain function, including the roles of the amygdala, insula, and prefrontal cortex How interoception (the internal sense of hunger, pain, and emotion) drives behavior What stimming , fleeing , and freezing mean, and why they deserve protection, not correction How "defiance" and "noncompliance" are often boundaries in disguise The true meaning behind echolalia, scripting , and communication breakdowns Why demand avoidance is often a trauma-informed survival response Case studies that show how reframing behavior transforms everything A toolkit to interpret behaviors compassionately and respond effectively A hopeful vision for neurodiversity-affirming support that respects autonomy, identity, and regulation Grounded in ethical behavior analysis , neuroscience , and the wisdom of autistic voices , this is a book for anyone who wants to stop asking "How do I fix this?" and start asking "What are they trying to tell me?" If you've read Uniquely Human , The Reason I Jump , or The Explosive Child , this book will take you even deeper. It doesn't shy away from complexity, but it never loses its heart. Because when we stop seeing behavior as a problem, we finally begin to understand the person. Who is this book for? Parents and caregivers of autistic children or teens Behavior analysts, RBTs, educators, speech therapists, and OTs Medical professionals seeking to better support neurodivergent patients Autistic adults are looking to understand their past experiences. Anyone ready to move beyond surface behavior management to deep, respectful support You don't need more strategies to fix someone. You need tools to see them clearly and stand beside them, not above them. This book gives you those tools.
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Add this copy of The Why Behind the What: A Deep Guide to Autistic to cart. $21.34, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2025 by Independently Published.
