1.2.1

Christopher's Autism

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Haddon's View on Autism in the Novel

That Christopher is autistic is never mentioned in the play or in the original novel. However, the blurb of the original novel mentions Asperger Syndrome - a form of autism.

Regret about blurb

Regret about blurb

  • Mark Haddon is on record as saying that, for him, the novel was “not a book about Asperger’s”.
  • Haddon said he regretted the mention of Asperger Syndrome that appeared in the blurb of the original novel.
  • He wanted his novel to have a universal appeal and not be pigeon-holed as ‘a book about autism’.
Reader and professional feedback

Reader and professional feedback

  • That being said, both the novel and the play are shaped by Christopher’s unique perspective of the world around him.
  • Many readers, including medical experts working in the field of behavioural disorders such as autism, have praised the texts’ representation of living with a condition such as Asperger’s.

Haddon's Portrayal of Christopher's Autism

Although each individual with autism is unique, certain behavioural traits are associated with the condition, many of which are displayed by Christopher.

Autistic traits

Autistic traits

  • These traits stem from developmental difficulties in two key areas:
    • Communication/interaction with others.
    • Repetitive behaviours.
Difficulty communicating

Difficulty communicating

  • Christopher finds it difficult to communicate with other people.
  • As he says, early in the play, “I find people confusing”.
  • Christopher is unable to ‘read’ people’s facial expressions, tone of voice or their use of sarcasm and humour.
  • He processes language very literally, finding metaphors and idiomatic language difficult to comprehend.
Difficulty empathising

Difficulty empathising

  • Christopher also struggles to demonstrate empathy with other people, finding it difficult to interpret other people’s feelings unless they are communicated in clear, factual language.
  • Christopher also struggles to learn in an appropriate, socially conventional manner in certain situations. This may make him appear ‘cold’ or insensitive at key moments in the play, such as the scene where his father tells him that his mother has died.
Comfort from routine

Comfort from routine

  • Christopher is at times distressed and confused by the unpredictable and chaotic nature of the world around him and, like many other people living with autism, finds safety and reassurance in routines and repetitive behaviour.
  • This can be seen at various points in the play, such as his aversion to the colours yellow and brown and by the ritual touching of hands he uses to show affection to his father.
Jump to other topics
1

Introduction & Context

1.1

Novel & Play

1.1.1Mark Haddon's Novel (2003)1.1.2Simon Stephens' Adaptions (2012)
1.2

Christopher's Autism

1.2.1Christopher's Autism1.2.2End of Topic Test - Introduction & Context
2

Form, Structure & Language

2.1

Dramatic Devices

2.1.1Writing About the Text as a Playscript2.1.2Dramatic Devices
2.2

Genre & Structure

2.2.1Genre2.2.2Structure
2.3

Language

2.3.1Language2.3.2End of Topic Test - Form, Structure & Language
3

Text Summary & Analysis

3.1

Part One

3.1.1Discovering the Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism3.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan3.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry3.1.4Mother's Death & Beginning the Investigation3.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Revisiting Mrs Alexander3.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene3.1.7Judy's Letters3.1.8Ed's Confession3.1.9End of Topic Test - Part One3.1.10End of Topic Test - Part One 2
3.2

Part Two

3.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station3.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London3.2.3On the Tube & Arriving at Judy's House3.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions3.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings3.2.6The End & Maths Appendix3.2.7End of Topic Test - Part Two3.2.8End of Topic Test - Part Two 2
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Independence4.1.2Parenting4.1.3Order & Disorder4.1.4End of Topic Test - Themes
5

Recap: Main Quotes

5.1

Part One - Quotes

5.1.1The Dead Dog & Christopher's Autism - Quotations5.1.2The Policeman & Siobhan - Quotations5.1.3The Police Station & Ed's Entry - Quotations5.1.4Mother's Death & Investigation - Quotations5.1.5Ed's Frustrations & Mrs Alexander - Quotations5.1.6Remembering Judy & "Fight" Scene - Quotations5.1.7Judy's Letters & Ed's Confession - Quotations
5.2

Part Two - Quotes

5.2.1Preparing to Run Away & Train Station - Quotations5.2.2On the Train & Arriving in London - Quotations5.2.3On the Tube & Judy's House - Quotations5.2.4Policeman, Ed Visits & Tensions - Quotations5.2.5Back in Swindon & New Beginnings - Quotations5.2.6The End & Maths Appendix - Quotations
5.3

Themes - Quotes

5.3.1Independence - Quotes5.3.2Parenting - Quotes5.3.3Order & Disorder - Quotes

Practice questions on Christopher's Autism

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Why did Haddon say he regretted mentioning Asperger's in the blurb?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What is NEVER mentioned in the novel or play?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Where, in the original novel, is Asperger Syndrome mentioned?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What does Christopher say to show his difficulty in communicating with others?Multiple choice
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Simon Stephens' Adaptions (2012)

End of Topic Test - Introduction & Context