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In Two Worlds
Seven-year-old Anthony has autism. He flaps his hands. He makes strange noises. He can’t speak or otherwise communicate his thoughts. Treatments, therapies, and theories about his condition define his daily existence. Yet Anthony isn’t improving much. Year after year his remedial lessons drone on. Anthony gets older and taller, but his speech remains elusive and his school lessons never advance. Life seems to be passing him by. Until one day, everything changes. In Two Worlds is a compelling tale, rich with unforgettable characters who are navigating their way through the multitude of theories about autism that for decades have dictated the lives of thousands of children and their families. This debut work of fiction sheds light on the inner and outer lives of children with nonspeaking autism, and on their two worlds. As one of the only works of fiction written by a person with non-speaking autism, it offers readers an unprecedented insider’s point-of-view into autism and life in silence, and it does so with warmth, humor and a wickedly sharp intellect.
308 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2018
24 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 24, 2018
Mesmerizingly insightful the way Author, Ido Kedar details everyday encounters from a variety of human perspectives seamlessly crafting sympathy, empathy and at times an uncomfortable albeit deep understanding of the perplexing projected opinions of nonspeaking people with Autism. "In Two Worlds" is an emotionally gripping story of stories that paints vivid scenes and portrayals which conjured fortunate and unfortunate personal experiences raising a Non-Verbal son ... many seemingly extracted from our life ... verbatim!
My family has lived the novel's opening scene on several occasions. Although while reading my eyes were redirected to view the scenario more clearly. Questions were answered. The why was graphically explained and at that moment I knew my son a little better. And I knew the book's protagonist, Anthony, and was compelled to follow his journey to grasp how the lure of his vibrant and sensuous inner world conflicted with the demands of his outer world.
Talk about DRAMA! The "he said, she said" dialogue alone will keep you flipping pages and that's not including what's going on in Anthony's head! Kedar turns the seemingly mundane struggles of an average family (yes average, since 1 in 37 boys in America is diagnosed with Autism) into an exhilarating ride watching Anthony find his silent voice, feed his intellect (which ...Who Knew ... hungered desperately his entire life), and achieve unimaginable goals. The kind that, the character found, brought purpose to one's existence.
"In Two Worlds" massaged my heart and seared my mind as it downloaded a lifetime of unknown truths altering and enhancing the way I see myself, others and those with Special Needs. I want more! Bring on the next installment so I may read about the evolution of the "monks, by silence and by chastity though not by choice."
Vana Thiero
My family has lived the novel's opening scene on several occasions. Although while reading my eyes were redirected to view the scenario more clearly. Questions were answered. The why was graphically explained and at that moment I knew my son a little better. And I knew the book's protagonist, Anthony, and was compelled to follow his journey to grasp how the lure of his vibrant and sensuous inner world conflicted with the demands of his outer world.
Talk about DRAMA! The "he said, she said" dialogue alone will keep you flipping pages and that's not including what's going on in Anthony's head! Kedar turns the seemingly mundane struggles of an average family (yes average, since 1 in 37 boys in America is diagnosed with Autism) into an exhilarating ride watching Anthony find his silent voice, feed his intellect (which ...Who Knew ... hungered desperately his entire life), and achieve unimaginable goals. The kind that, the character found, brought purpose to one's existence.
"In Two Worlds" massaged my heart and seared my mind as it downloaded a lifetime of unknown truths altering and enhancing the way I see myself, others and those with Special Needs. I want more! Bring on the next installment so I may read about the evolution of the "monks, by silence and by chastity though not by choice."
Vana Thiero
August 7, 2018
Ido- I would like to sincerely thank you for your new novel. It is a staggering achievement and a really really good read. It is enlightening, and told with real heart. It has helped to build a bridge between my son and the rest of the family in a way that sometimes only fiction can.
I think it is potentially a really important novel in terms of educating people about the reality of living with non verbal autism and the dangerous and damaging misconceptions that go along with such a diagnosis. In the same way that ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ was a novel that shed light on the casual and serious injustices suffered by black people in ordinary towns in the South and ‘Of Mice and Men’ shed light on the suffering and heroism of ordinary workers caught in the Dust Bowl so too will your novel shed light on the suffering and heroism of people afflicted with a condition that is misunderstood and maligned.
Sincere thanks and congratulations. You are the very definition of a life lived well. Karren
I think it is potentially a really important novel in terms of educating people about the reality of living with non verbal autism and the dangerous and damaging misconceptions that go along with such a diagnosis. In the same way that ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ was a novel that shed light on the casual and serious injustices suffered by black people in ordinary towns in the South and ‘Of Mice and Men’ shed light on the suffering and heroism of ordinary workers caught in the Dust Bowl so too will your novel shed light on the suffering and heroism of people afflicted with a condition that is misunderstood and maligned.
Sincere thanks and congratulations. You are the very definition of a life lived well. Karren
September 12, 2018
A wonderful first novel drawing on personal experience. Worth reading for anyone interested in autism or wanting to better understand individuals diagnosed with "classic," "severe," or "autism level 3" (requiring very substantial support). As an exploration of how a person who can't speak may feel inside and how one such individual learned to communicate, finally being able to express feelings and opinions, it shines with hard-won insight. This book turns current scientific convention and popular belief on it's head by describing how at least some individuals with profound disabilities who can't talk are not intellectually impaired. It gives us a way of humanizing people with these challenges and re-evaluating the judgments we tend to make when fear keeps us from developing familiarity.
July 19, 2018
Ido Kedar has written a profoundly beautiful and insightful novel about the journey of a nonspeaking autistic boy trapped in his body to a person finally able to communicate his intelligence. Anybody who wants to learn about what it is like to live with autism will gain tremendous knowledge. Because this is a work of fiction, you get to be inside the head and heart of Anthony, the boy with autism, and being in his shoes in this way really makes the story impactful. The language Ido uses is so lovely that sometimes I found myself reading sentences over just for the beauty of the words. I cannot recommend this book highly enough
August 26, 2018
A dose of hope for non verbal autism
Anyone that interacts with a non verbal autistic person must read this book! It changes the way you speak to them, your expectations and your response. Many of the situations presented in this wonderfully written novel could have taken place in my house. Hope we get close to your level ido!
Anyone that interacts with a non verbal autistic person must read this book! It changes the way you speak to them, your expectations and your response. Many of the situations presented in this wonderfully written novel could have taken place in my house. Hope we get close to your level ido!
March 22, 2021
This is the story of Anthony and his way through life as a person with non-speaking autism going from childhood where he's assumed to be incompetent and to early adulthood where he's constantly called upon to prove himself to the experts. It's a story of being at the mercy of not only your body, but also the adults around you who've long ago lost the will and the ability to listen to anything that challenges their worldview.
This was overall a really good book, especially considering the fact that he was 21, when he wrote it and it's his debut as a fiction-writer. It was a bit heavy on the tell instead of show and there was a lot of scenes and details which would've moved me more, if they'd been shown and I'd been able to fully immerse myself in them instead of retrospectively being told of Anthony's feelings.
We move around between the POV of all the characters, and while it wasn't confusing and instead served to show the psychology and thoughts of all the characters in the book, I do wish Ido had trusted his audience to understand it anyway, or filtered it more through the main characters POV. It might also have created for a more intimate feel between Anthony and the reader, who at times was kept at arms length with not only filterwords, but also distance of emotion.
That said I read the book in more or less one sitting, the pacing worked and I had to get up and pace my floor more than once because of the so-called experts and the 'oh no what happens now' feelings, before returning to the story. The book also had me laugh out loud in several places, when Anthony's dry observations and his snarky side was allowed to really shine. It was a hard-hitting book, but a good one and I can't wait to see what Ido will write next.
This was overall a really good book, especially considering the fact that he was 21, when he wrote it and it's his debut as a fiction-writer. It was a bit heavy on the tell instead of show and there was a lot of scenes and details which would've moved me more, if they'd been shown and I'd been able to fully immerse myself in them instead of retrospectively being told of Anthony's feelings.
We move around between the POV of all the characters, and while it wasn't confusing and instead served to show the psychology and thoughts of all the characters in the book, I do wish Ido had trusted his audience to understand it anyway, or filtered it more through the main characters POV. It might also have created for a more intimate feel between Anthony and the reader, who at times was kept at arms length with not only filterwords, but also distance of emotion.
That said I read the book in more or less one sitting, the pacing worked and I had to get up and pace my floor more than once because of the so-called experts and the 'oh no what happens now' feelings, before returning to the story. The book also had me laugh out loud in several places, when Anthony's dry observations and his snarky side was allowed to really shine. It was a hard-hitting book, but a good one and I can't wait to see what Ido will write next.
March 31, 2024
This book was too much for my heart, but because the subject was too close. I absolutely believed that the special little boy I knew who was non-verbal had similar thoughts, and I was right. I would wholeheartedly encourage those who have not met someone who is nonverbal to read this book to understand. Please don’t be the ahole who thinks not speaking means not understanding.
August 8, 2020
Like Kedar’s previous book (the autobiographical, Ido in Autismland), In Two Worlds has been laboriously written by typing with one finger on an iPad, with no one touching him (an incontrovertible fact well-documented in prominent media, including the Wall Street Journal, LA Times and CBC). In this book, Kedar tells the story of ‘Anthony,’ about whom it is assumed—as it is for autists generally—that ‘non-speaking means non-thinking.’ As a non-speaking person with severe autism, Kedar is determined to prove the falsity of that dangerous assumption. Through Anthony, the reader experiences the ‘two worlds’ of the autist—the intelligent, reflective, engaged learner caught in an internal struggle with a body-prison prone to such incoherence and disregulation that volition becomes nearly impossible: “My brain tries to talk to my body but my body has trouble receiving the message” (p. 286). As an author, Kedar joins an increasing number of nonspeaking autists who type independently—such as Tito Mukhopadhyay, Naoki Higashida, Larry Bissonnette, Tracy Thresher, Birger Sellin and Carly Fleishman—who are gaining a public audience. Hearing their ‘voices’ through writing disturbs the status quo of autism interventions: for if the autist is actually attending and perfectly capable of refined, sophisticated, higher-level critical thinking—despite appearances—then there is an urgent need to question interventions that target appearances (‘behaviors’) while ignoring the autist’s basic human right to liberty. That’s the point Kedar injects so decisively into public space. Kedar invites the reader to consider what life would be like to be bright and alert ‘on the inside,’ but subjected to hours a day of monotonous training. He juxtaposes painfully astute observations about Anthony’s inability to “resist compulsions” and his need to flap, against his profound dislike of “baby-talk” and “ABA speak” (‘Good job’...‘Put-on-pants’... ‘Hands quiet’) (p. 5-6). He also relates the difficulty of bearing an “educationally-boring, sensory-overwhelming real world” (p. 17), along with the frustration of “treatments that actually prevented him from truly being helped” (p. 19). Learning to type his thoughts at the age of 16 helps Anthony achieve joy in small moments, like finally being able to express his desire for pizza. In turn, being able to write steadily improves Anthony’s self-management within his environment: “Each day, Anthony tried to let go of the past, a time when the only way he could really state his preferences was by snatching or grabbing in apparent impulsivity, a time when he felt so powerless” (p. 221). Through typing one finger at a time (or its low-tech alternative, spelling out words one letter at a time by pointing to a letter board), Anthony slowly gains autonomy as an independent person—the goal of every one of us. Kedar’s writing is provocative and poignant, as he shares his insights into being autistic: “Anthony longed for escape, but he had to break through the twelve-foot-high theory barrier that the guards had constructed” (p. 31). Kedar’s use of fiction as a vehicle is creatively brilliant, freeing him to candidly narrate his personal experiences in the politically charged arena of autism interventions, as he makes the compelling point (reiterated in his monthly blog at Idoinautismland.com) that “nonspeaking does not mean non-thinking.” Kedar contributes immensely to a better understanding of autism as a lived condition primarily marked by “paralyzing anxiety” (p. 229), including the autist’s tremendous sensitivity to the anxiety of others: “He absorbed her anxiety like it was his own” (p. 232). Through years of painstaking effort, Anthony “taught his hand to be his voice” (p. 243). So doing, Kedar reveals that writing is an authentic reparation for nonspeaking autists—a skill that can be progressively learned to enable a reduction in anxiety and a developmental pathway for independence. As Kedar wraps his wonderful text, Anthony refuses to surrender his intellectual vitality: “I’m tired of being silent and I’m tired of being silenced” (p. 287)—even though, in terms of comportment, he is resigned to being a “noticeable weirdo” (p. 289). Here again is echoed the ‘two worlds’ of an autistic person—the incongruity between an interior life that suffers through non-expression, and an exterior presentation that is both stigmatizing and stigmatized. Kedar’s truth-as-fiction is a bold invitation to all of us to humbly admit that we have ‘got autism wrong,’ and to presume competence in people with autism so that we avoid being complicit in a profoundly harmful silencing. Kedar is a brilliant writer and a powerful young activist, and In Two Worlds is a must-read book.
July 13, 2020
A novel of hope and autism
This reads like a memoir, but is a novel. The story follows Anthony who is a misunderstood child with nonspeaking autism. The title refers to his inside world where he is intelligent, loving, kind and frustrated, and the Anthony that the outside world sees, which is so different to the real Anthony.
Anthony’s body ignores what his brain is telling it to do, thus leaving Anthony trapped inside and unable to communicate. He describes his therapy sessions with people who believe they can help him, but also believe his intelligence level is very low. Anthony tries so hard to show those around him that he is fully aware of what is going on and is intelligent, but fails. Truly a book of suspense as each chapter brings the reader nearer to an emotional moment when something happens that will change Anthony’s life for ever.
Reading this book I was waiting for a miracle – what must it be life living the story! Never have I been so involved with a fictional character. The story flows well, giving the reader the perspectives of Anthony’s family and well as himself. Humour, bright moments, and true love are portrayed in this moving story, as are the frustrations with medical experts getting Anthony wrong again and again.
5*s from me for this debut novel from Ido Kedar who himself has nonspeaking autism. It has opened my eyes to a life unimaginably different to mine. This novel challenges assumptions and tells of winning over adversity. I have talked about this book to many many people, and recommend it to all. Anyone who likes a novel that will make them stop and think should read this.
Ido Kedar has also written his memoir Ido in Autismland (on my To Be Read list), which I understand is challenging professionals to look at autism theories anew.
This reads like a memoir, but is a novel. The story follows Anthony who is a misunderstood child with nonspeaking autism. The title refers to his inside world where he is intelligent, loving, kind and frustrated, and the Anthony that the outside world sees, which is so different to the real Anthony.
Anthony’s body ignores what his brain is telling it to do, thus leaving Anthony trapped inside and unable to communicate. He describes his therapy sessions with people who believe they can help him, but also believe his intelligence level is very low. Anthony tries so hard to show those around him that he is fully aware of what is going on and is intelligent, but fails. Truly a book of suspense as each chapter brings the reader nearer to an emotional moment when something happens that will change Anthony’s life for ever.
Reading this book I was waiting for a miracle – what must it be life living the story! Never have I been so involved with a fictional character. The story flows well, giving the reader the perspectives of Anthony’s family and well as himself. Humour, bright moments, and true love are portrayed in this moving story, as are the frustrations with medical experts getting Anthony wrong again and again.
5*s from me for this debut novel from Ido Kedar who himself has nonspeaking autism. It has opened my eyes to a life unimaginably different to mine. This novel challenges assumptions and tells of winning over adversity. I have talked about this book to many many people, and recommend it to all. Anyone who likes a novel that will make them stop and think should read this.
Ido Kedar has also written his memoir Ido in Autismland (on my To Be Read list), which I understand is challenging professionals to look at autism theories anew.
July 6, 2020
In Two Worlds is a wonderful follow-up book to Ido in Autismland. It provides a much-needed window into the internal world of individuals with autism who struggle to communicate. I care about several individuals with autism or apraxia, and this book helped me to gain perspective about what their day-to-day experiences might be like. I would certainly recommend the book to anyone who knows anyone with autism. It can be far to easy to dismiss the potential of folks who have trouble controlling their bodies or expressing themselves through speech. This book shows that there is room for hope and high expectations.
I hope to hear more from Ido in the years to come. We need more windows into the experiences of folks who are often not heard from.
I hope to hear more from Ido in the years to come. We need more windows into the experiences of folks who are often not heard from.
August 13, 2022
Even though it was fiction, I'm guessing it represented many struggles people who cannot communicate verbally go through. I found the letter board and keyboard method fascinating. I felt very frustrated with the "specialists" and their lack of open mindedness. I can't imagine being able to understand what people are saying clearly but not respond when people are saying very incorrect and rude things about you. I applaud the author for producing a story that was interesting and gives the reader information about how it could feel from the point of view from a non verbal person.
October 5, 2022
Captivating. The complexity of each character made it feel so real, and the injustices that Anthony had to silently endure were enraging. Coming from someone with a brother with Level 2/3 ASD, I also appreciated how Anthony made note of the impact of his autism on his loved ones, and all of their different reactions felt very real. I know my brother is smarter than he seems, so this book felt very validating. Looking forward to more novels from Kedar (he clearly has a ton of experience observing and analyzing humanity, which is why I think the characters felt so rich).
January 1, 2019
This book is one of the most important and paradigm changing works of our time. Kedar has a masterful ability to encapsulate the different experiences and perspectives of debates within the autism community in characters that are so true to life you feel as if you have met them before. This book is nothing less than emancipatory. Much like the works of Naoki Higashida, this book has the power to change lives. I am forever grateful to have read it.
December 17, 2021
This book is incredibly eye opening. A friend of mine has a non-verbal autistic child, and recommended this book to me to better understand what autism is really works. Of course, autism is a spectrum, not a precise diagnosis, but good grief did this book open my eyes to what her son was going through.
This book is written by a non-verbal autistic, which adds an authenticity you're not really going to find anywhere else. Highly recommended!
This book is written by a non-verbal autistic, which adds an authenticity you're not really going to find anywhere else. Highly recommended!
March 28, 2019
This book was very interesting because I was able to understand that people with autism can't control what they do. This book was interesting because I was able to learn more about this condition. It is kinda funny it's interesting I highly recommend reading this book.
January 18, 2020
New Perspective
I remember when facilitated communication was in the news as a controversial strategy in autism. It was fascinating to read about this from someone who experienced it first hand. I enjoyed this immensely.
I remember when facilitated communication was in the news as a controversial strategy in autism. It was fascinating to read about this from someone who experienced it first hand. I enjoyed this immensely.
February 25, 2020
Ido is my hero. My son has non verbal autism and for so long I yearned for someone like my son to tell me their story. Ido has done that for me and I will forever be grateful for his passion, hard work and truth telling. His books are like my bibles. Thank you Ido.
September 26, 2018
Beyond words
This book is an incredibly well written story that brings you to tears, or at least brought me to tears.
This book is an incredibly well written story that brings you to tears, or at least brought me to tears.
October 27, 2019
Loved it
Totally eye-opening and encouraging. A fantastic reminder to always assume competence. Oh and hilarious too I cried laughing at some things!
Totally eye-opening and encouraging. A fantastic reminder to always assume competence. Oh and hilarious too I cried laughing at some things!
April 26, 2021
Very interesting read, especially in light of the author's background!
May 23, 2022
This book needs to be read by every person who works with or knows someone with autism. It brings a whole new perspective that everyone needs to hear.
September 7, 2023
Everyone in contact with autistic people should read this.
July 3, 2024
Enlightening and immersive.
April 16, 2024
Ido Kedar is an autistic non-speaking author. His first book was his autobiography. In Two Worlds is fiction but the main character seems loosely based on himself. There is so much to learn from both of his books and I highly recommend them to parents of non-speaking autistic children.
July 1, 2022
I love this book. I helped my brother raise his two boys which both have autism The youngest is nonverbal. I saw so much of my nephews in this book. I would get emotional every time I would read a chapter. Their teacher last year was not a good teacher. We are so lucky to have amazing therapist though. I made sure to switch them if I saw that the boys did not have a connection with them. This book is a must to all teachers and therapist. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews