Book Overview
The Music Within: A 13-Year-Old’s Insights on the Unique Powers of Autism
The Music Within, shares life stories, core traits that make up autism, and coping strategies to help others understand and embrace autism. It includes easy-to-grasp explanations of traits in autism, strategies to navigate around each trait, unique strengths in each trait, interactive activities, personal experiences, and inspiring stories of famous people with autism.
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From the Author
Before I found out that I had autism, I blamed myself because I thought I wasn’t good enough. When I found out about my autism, I knew that I was just “Different, Not Less”.
I was able to learn some strategies to cope. Now that I know, I want everyone else to know not to blame themselves. Their brains just work differently.
I’ve researched, read biographies, and learned about significant contributions in history that changed the world as a result of autism.
Where would the world be without Michelangelo’s masterpieces? Without Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion? Without Mozart’s astonishing music? Without Einstein’s atomic theory and quantum theory? These famous figures changed the world with their autistic thinking.
And yet, we still want to treat, have early interventions, and cure autism?
That’s why I wrote this book: to share my life stories, coping strategies, and the power in autistic traits.
Everyone should see the multifaceted, intricate, beautiful autistic brain. I want to stop the “fit-in” culture and start a culture of living authentically autistic.
I want to be the light of the world and support individuals with autism like me to continue to change the world like those who came before us did.
What Readers are Saying about The Music Within
- “While society hesitates to to shift from acceptance to awareness; The Music Within offers appreciation, self-compassion, and pride. Coscia’s work brings to light the ease at which we can focus on an individual’s strengths and offer kindness and understanding in a world more focused on ableism than accommodation. Self-advocacy, asking for help without guilt or shame, and empowerment are at the forefront of this book with an emphasis on autonomy, accountability and finding your own coping skills. This book is altruistic and strengths-focused in the most encouraging way. “
– Katheryn Lodwick-Jones, M.A., LPC, BC-DMT, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor & Community Outreach Coordinator, Equilibria Psychological & Consultation Services
- “The Music Within” provides tangible, relatable examples that aid a “neurotypical” individual in empathizing with someone who has autism. Benino conveys his thoughts and emotions in a way that significantly improved my understanding of his (and other’s) points of view. He provides thought provoking exercises for one to identify their personal triggers, as well as functional strategies to cope with dysregulation. Full of symbolism, poetry, and reputable citations, “the Music Within” is both insightful and evidence based. Benino helps us celebrate people with autism and appreciate their magnificent contributions to our world. As a speech therapist, I can’t recommend this book enough to other disciplines who work with autism. As an ordinary individual, I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone who faces everyday challenges.”
– Lydia Ort – Speech Language Pathologist
- I’m honored to provide my review of this insightful book on autism. The author’s unique perspective as an 11-year-old boy with autism promises to offer a fresh and valuable contribution to the awareness of this timely subject. As someone with training in Special Education, I’m excited to see how this book will contribute to a much better understanding of autism.
- “At just 11 years old, Benino Coscia is positioning himself as an important new voice in the autism community! His book: “The Music Within: A 13-Year-Old’s Insights on the unique Powers of Autism” is a very personal and self-reflective account of his experiences living with autism. In this highly readable, short volume, Benino describes a variety of autistic traits (e.g., sensory, social, emotional, rigidity, etc.), offers practical suggestions for how to manage these traits, and then (most importantly) he shares the benefits of those very traits. He even provides easy-to-understand exercises for the reader to try once they have completed a particular section. These exercises are frequently accompanied by his own delightful illustrations, which enhance the accessibility of the materials for readers of all abilities. Importantly, Benino challenges us to revisit long held societal beliefs about autistic people, reminding us that the autistic brain is about difference (not disorder) and he encourages us to embrace the many strengths and uniqueness of people with autism. As Benino describes in the introduction, this book was written not only for people with autism, but their families, educators and essentially anyone who has the good fortune of knowing autistic people. There is no doubt that this book will be of great benefit to other autistic young people, perhaps helping them feel a little less alone. I can’t wait to see what Benino will do next!”
- I was really impressed with it and I even learned some things about myself. I think it will be very beneficial for parents and kids/teens that either have autism, or know someone that does.
More about The Music Within
Experience the power of embracing neurodiversity through the eyes of Benino
Coscia, an amazing 13-year-old author with autism. In The Music Within,
Benino will take you on a personal journey into the core traits that make up
autism, challenging conventional perception and celebrating the extraordinary
potential of those with autism. This insightful and heartfelt book offers
an easy-to-grasp explanation of the unique traits of autism with a powerful
message: Different, Not Less. It offers practical strategies to cope with these
traits while also highlighting the strengths in these traits. Benino’s interactive
activities, coupled with his own illustrations, make this a relatable
and engaging read for anyone touched by autism – whether you’re on the
spectrum, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand. The Music Within is not just a book on autism, but a celebration of beauty
and strength that lies in being different. Listen to music from a mind with
autism and feel inspired to see the world differently.
