Review | Somewhere in the Stars – Clara Vanderpool

The narrative of this work is deeply engaging, masterfully weaving the invaluable values of friendship, companionship, empathy and, above all, the importance of nurturing and believing in one's own dreams. Delving into this fascinating story, I reconsidered many concepts and considerably expanded my understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a journey that revealed renewed and deeply human perspectives.

I emphasize with emphasis the essentiality of us, those considered “neurotypical”, in promoting adaptations that accommodate the needs of those on the autism spectrum, instead of expecting the opposite. This work invites us to a critical reflection on the significant impact that environments, whether natural or built, have on individuals with ASD in multiple dimensions of their lives.

Personally and professionally, I feel increasingly committed to dedicating studies and efforts to identify and mitigate the adverse effects that built environments may have on these people. This commitment, which reading this book helped strengthen, resonates as a call to action for all of us.

I recommend reading “Somewhere in the Stars” to all those interested in following paths of understanding and empathy, following the lights that lead us to greater human connection. This work not only enlightens, but also inspires significant changes in our perception and interaction with the world around us.