A new Outlook

             The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time was a difficult novel for me to get through. I was annoyed with how detailed it was and how certain subjects were drug on and on; however, it really broadens my horizon. All children should be exposed to certain parts of this novel. Far too often we make misconceptions about people who are "different", and create a low standard for, or of them. This novel emphasizes the daily struggles a child with autism, or ASD may deal with. It also shows different routes a parent can take, what situations cause frustration, and how the world treats an individual with a disability, or impairment.

            This book as well as Diary made me realize that they are aware if their condition. I hate to even call it that, and I’m constantly switching around my words because I don’t want to use the wrong terminology. Christopher knew that he couldn’t understand facial expressions like most people so he says, “I got Siobhan to draw lots of faces and then write down next to them exactly what they meant. I kept the piece of paper in my pocket and took it out when I didn’t understand what someone was saying.” (3) I think this quote is important because we learn that he is self-aware and even an adult that is trained to help him makes the mistake of using sarcasm and laughing. Christopher’s Dad’s friend laughs in the same way when he asks him to solve a multiplication problem. This example also provides readers with proof that a child shouldn’t be set at a low standard because they are in fact capable and brilliant in other areas of intelligence.  Christopher is trying to make sense of the world the best way he can. He says, “I do a search through my memories to see if I had met them before. And this is how I know how to act in difficult situations when I don’t know what to do.” (78). He can understand literal meanings, but not metaphorical meanings. For example, when he says, “Which is stupid because mother is dead, and you can’t say anything to people who are dead and dead people can’t think” (79). He says this in reference to someone saying, “What would your mother think about that”(79).  He repeatedly states that he likes it when people say exactly what they mean, and so often we say things we don’t exactly mean, assuming the other person understands. We sometimes do this through sarcasm, phrases, meta-messages, and implications. I think it’s important for students, as well as teachers to understand the thought process students like Christopher may have.  

            The Curious Incident of the dog in the night- time creates a level of respect and awareness for the parents of children with autism, or something on the spectrum. Parents with children who have disabilities have a high divorce rate, and readers can sympathize with their challenges that may lead to that. His mother would say things such as, “You are going to drive me into an early grave.” (48).  Throughout the book we can understand why his mother might get frustrated and say that. We learn about the accommodations that have to be made, and how one yellow item can cause him and everyone else to have a bad day. Christopher can be very persistent. Educating and raising him is a challenge and people need to know this. Another struggle Parents have is support. This book can open the minds and hearts of readers to a world they didn’t consider before motivating them to lend a helping hand.