Characters with Developmental Disabilities in Literature

By Nelson Tang

In other articles, they talked about the portrayal of characters with autism and developmental disabilities in films and TV shows. This begs the question of how characters with these conditions are presented in works of literature whether it be a book, a novel, comic, or poem. This article will be going over that topic and will determine whether or not the portrayals are accurate. Other metrics will be whether or not these representations are negative or positive and if it is headed in the right direction such as with film and TV. How has the representation changed over the years and how can it be improved as there will always be room for improvement?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was written by Mark Haddon in 2003 and was later adapted into a stage production. It tells the story from the perspective of Christopher Boone who is the main character. The title itself is a reference to a short story involving the beloved fictional detective known as Sherlock Holmes. Christopher is a 15 year old boy with a developmental disability, although it is not clearly stated as to what he exactly has. The plot begins when he discovers that his neighbor’s dog had been murdered and he seeks to uncover the truth behind the incident. Even though his father protested against it and advised Christopher not to get involved, he proceeds to try to solve the crime.  Through the perspective and narrative of Christopher, readers get to see his logical and mathematical approach towards the situation [4]. 

Although it is not clearly stated or even diagnosed as to what Christopher has, it is clear that he is on the autism spectrum. Evidence suggests that he either has Asperger’s or Savant syndrome based on his skills and the way he interprets the world around him. Mark Haddon did some preliminary research before writing this book to prevent the presentation of Christopher from being categorized into a specific area. This was done so due to the broadness of the spectrum. When it comes to the portrayal of autism in this story, it does a good job in terms of the accuracy. Some of the common autistic traits were spot on from instances of literal thinking, mind blindness, sensory issues, struggles with social cues, color sensitivities, or specific tendencies and behaviors [1]. 

The Rosie Result was written by Graeme Simsion in 2019 and is part of the Don Tillman trilogy as the last book, following The Rosie Project (2013) and The Rosie Effect (2014). The Rosie Result continues the story of Don Tilman as he navigates through the complexities of parenthood and raising his son Hudson together with his partner Rosie. Hudson is a 12 year old boy who is both intelligent and has a unique mind who struggles with school socially and academically once the family moves to Melbourne, Australia. Don does some research and concludes that his son may be on the spectrum just like he is and seeks to create an environment that is safe and inclusive for Hudson and other children like him. This story explores the themes of neurodiversity, acceptance, empathy, understanding, and self-discovery as well as challenging the stereotypes and societal norms regarding this topic. It explores the experiences and struggles of those who do not fit into traditional molds [5].

In the previous two books, Graeme Simsion has not directly addressed autism or “skirted around” the use of the word. However, it changed with the last book, as he tackles the topic head on, whereas autism was not the explicit focus in the other two. The Rosie Result picks up right after the last book in the story where Don makes it his goal to make a world where Hudson fits in and belongs. Don has first hand experience in this area as he is autistic himself and knows what it is like based on his own past experiences. Simsion communicates his message and the story in an effective way, challenging the various societal perceptions and tackling the myths surrounding them [2].

The last example is There Is More Than One Way Home, which was written by Donna Levin in 2017 [6]. The story takes place in 2004 and follows a mother named Anna and her autistic son Jack, where she serves as a class chaperone on a field trip to Minotaur Island near San Francisco. Everything goes wrong when four children go missing and among them is Jack, which leads to Anna fearing the worst. Eventually the boys are found, but things only get worse as Jack is accused of murder. The father loves Jack, but it is a conflict of interest as he is the district attorney creating a scandal and threatening his chances for reelection. Doctor Valentine helps in trying to get Jack from being put in an institution or being imprisoned while also flirting with Anna. Anna is in the middle of everything as the main focus is her, which makes Jack seem less important in terms of representations. It seems that Jack serves more as a plot point or device than an actual character. In regards to the topic, the story seems more focused on Anna accepting her son’s autism or that she is bothered by it at times showing the inner conflict she has, which can serve as a reflection of society and its acceptance of autism [3]. 

Overall, it seems that books are headed in the right direction when it comes to portrayal and representation of those with autism or other developmental disabilities. These examples that were used explored different areas regarding the subject matter such as neurodiversity, identity, empathy, or acceptance. Whether or not the portrayal is more effective compared to film and TV is a separate debate. It can be agreed that telling it through a story or with words is equal as effective showing it visually and comes down to how it is being presented. It is also good that authors are now writing stories that talk about autism or feature characters with developmental disability books for younger age groups. Although it may be difficult for younger age groups to understand, authors have made it easier to understand as it is ultimately better to teach concepts at a younger age. This helps in ensuring and fostering a better understanding creating a better future. It will allow for greater acceptance and unity in society, which is the goal at the end of the day.

References:

[1]. Autism in ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.’” A Is For Aoife Not Autism, 26 June 2020, aisforaoifenotautism.com/2020/06/26/autism-in-the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time/

[2]. Katie Sutherland Doctor of Creative Arts; Writer and researcher. “Graeme Simsion’s the Rosie Result Puts Autism Front and Centre.” The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2024, theconversation.com/graeme-simsions-the-rosie-result-puts-autism-front-and-centre-110032

[3]. Rosa, Shannon Des Roches. “Book Review: There’s More than One Way Home.” THINKING PERSON’S GUIDE TO AUTISM, 31 Jan. 2022, thinkingautismguide.com/2017/06/book-review-theres-more-than-one-way.html

[4].The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) Mark Haddon (AU)

[5]. The Rosie Result (2019) Graeme Simsion (AU)

[6]. There Is More Than One Way Home (2017) Donna Levin (AU)