Anything But Typical

Nora Raleigh Baskin won the Schneider Family Book Award for the young adult novel Anything But Typical, published in 2009. Anything But Typical tells the first-person fictional story of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Jason Blake struggles with adolescence in the same ways most 12-year-old boys do, but his disorder makes it more difficult for him to verbally express his experience. Instead, he turns to writing to share his inner world, explaining that he chose this style because he wants to tell his story in a language that neurotypical people will understand. Jason is passionate about language, often experiencing the world through words first; his writing shows him to be an empathetic and deeply emotional young man.

This guide refers to the Kindle edition.

Plot Summary

The story begins as Jason starts sixth grade, and is attempting mainstream public school for the first time. Until now, since his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the third grade, he has had a one-on-one aide.

Jason struggles every day with the overstimulating environment of the school, working closely with physical and speech therapists that help him cope with his autism.