by Kimberly
The need to feel recognized and represented is universal. One of the best ways to feel understood is to see someone like you represented in a positive way. Neurodivergent people are often used as comic relief or objects of pity in stories, not as fully-formed characters. When autism is portrayed as only a negative experience – such as the struggles of growing up with an autistic sibling or the difficulties of finding the right therapy for your child – we miss the opportunity to explore what it feels like to get to know a whole person with their own story to tell. Knowing that others experience the world as you do helps us all to feel connected despite our differences.
Siena Castellon founded Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2018 because “[she] wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived. As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, [her] experience has been that people often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. [She] wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths.”
In honor of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we have put together a collection of recommendations for people of all ages! Whether you prefer fiction, non-fiction, documentaries, or picture books – we hope to have the right resource for you. The titles in this collection have received positive reviews from neurodivergent people, and I have added my sources at the end for further research.
Documentaries
- The Reason I Jump is a documentary based on the book by Naoki Higashida and explores the experiences of non-speaking autistic people around the world. You can watch the film on Kanopy, and we have copies of the book as well.
- Life, Animated is another documentary based on a book. Roger Ross Williams was inspired by Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism by journalist Ron Suskind. Both these stories show how Owen Suskind found a way to use his love of Disney films to communicate with the people in his life.
- When most people think of Autism, Temple Grandin is one of the first people to come to mind. We have many documentaries to choose from if you would like to learn more about this successful woman, but a good place to start is the biopic. Grandin developed a successful career for herself not despite the way her brain operates, but because of it. Grandin is heralded by some as a champion while others consider her views on Autism to be problematic. One thing most can agree upon is that her openness regarding her experiences made progress for a better understanding of Autistic behavior. To read Temple Grandin’s own words, you can check out one of her many books at the library.
Movies
- During my research for this article, Please Stand By had mixed reviews from viewers on the Autism spectrum. Overall, it does show how far we have come in telling stories with better representation. To see a woman on the autism spectrum onscreen is progress, even if the filmmakers gave into the temptation to write yet another autistic character with savant-level abilities.
- Mozart and the Whale comes highly recommended from film critics and neurotypical reviewers alike. It is a sweet love story with charming characters AND gives a realistic representation of the life of people on the autism spectrum living independently.
- Keep the Change has a similar premise to the movie mentioned above. However, the unique thing about Keep the Change is that the principal cast are all on the Autism spectrum in real life, so it gives a more accurate portrayal of real people sharing their real experiences of life on the spectrum.
Adult Fiction
- The Good Sister made it onto this blog last year as a Staff Pick, but I must mention it again! The book follows twin sisters, one of whom is unofficially diagnosed with sensory sensitivities. What I most appreciated about this book is how the protagonist, Fern, is portrayed as appreciating her differences, and her support system comes to appreciate them as well. This book provides a realistic representation of how to advocate for yourself and make your environment fit your needs.
- Eggshells is one of my favorite books of all time. Vivian is a misfit who has never been officially diagnosed, and we see how the absence of a label can make a person feel more isolated instead of less. Vivian is convinced she is a changeling, and she takes more and more desperate measures to get back to “where she belongs.” She does eventually find a friend who supports and empowers her, but I must give a trigger warning for familial abuse.
- Helen Hoang is an autistic author who draws upon her own experiences to write autistic characters into her romance and rom-com novels. Start with her debut, The Kiss Quotient, if you are looking for a heartwarming happily ever after.
Teen Fiction
- The Language of Moths is another one of my favorites. This novelette tells the story of a brother and sister who are dragged along on their father’s research trip under the guise of a family vacation. Elliot discovers an identity outside the confines of his family. His older sister, Dawn, a nonverbal autistic teenager, discovers a way to finally be understood. The author seamlessly combines magical realism with the classic coming-of-age narrative.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is one of the most recommended books for readers looking for a story about a protagonist with autistic behaviors. If you are looking for another first-person narrative, check out Marcelo in the Real World. Latin children are both underdiagnosed on the Autism spectrum and underrepresented as neurodiverse in children’s literature. Though Marcelo has an unspecified cognitive impairment, this book is another coming-of-age novel in which Marcelo is learning how to navigate the “real world.”
- Ginny Moon is a wonderful piece of literature. Another story from the perspective of a teenage girl, Ginny’s struggle to make herself understood is heartbreaking. I don’t want to say too much about the book since the author makes the story unfold perfectly, but I will give a trigger warning for abuse.
Tween Fiction
- Slider is a middle-grade novel told from the perspective of David, whose little brother Mal would be labeled autistic. Except the family doesn’t believe in labels, so they just label him “Mal.” Speaking of inclusivity, this book is also about eating contests! If you have always needed a book about eating a ridiculous amount of pizza, this is the book for you.
- The Goldfish Boy is about Matthew. When we meet him in the story, his struggle with OCD prevents him from feeling comfortable going to school. This is a good read for any kids who are struggling to understand how to adapt to a world that frightens them. It is another mystery in the style of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, so check it out if you are looking for more of the same.
- Mighty Jack is a graphic novel that plays off the Jack archetype. While you won’t find any beanstalks, there are onions running amok and the giant Jack faces is the reasonability of taking care of his nonverbal sister Maddy.
- A Boy Called Bat is one of the most thoughtful representations of an autistic child with a supportive family. It does not preach against stimming, celebrates special interests, and encourages self-advocacy.
Picture Books
- Be a Friend is one of my favorite picture books. Dennis does not use words to communicate, but he finds a friend who understands words are not necessary to have fun.
- Benji, The Bad Day, and Me is a refreshing book because in this story it is not the neurotypical sibling who helps the neurodiverse sibling, but the other way around. In this story, Benji is the one who helps his brother having a bad day to turn things around and find a way to get past what frustrates him.
- I saved the very best for last in this article. The Little Senses series by Samantha Cotterill are thoughtfully and carefully designed to be useful yet entertaining. No labels are used, so any child can enjoy the sweet illustrations and helpful ideas. The author/illustrator is also on the autism spectrum and has written books she wished she was able to read as a child. This is a great resource since many of the tools used by the children in the stories are also available for readers to use on the author’s website.
Sources:
