Aspies For Freedom - Aspergers References in "The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place"

Well, I got this book for my birthday... I haven't finished reading it yet and don't intend to any time soon, as I don't find the story too interesting, but what *did* catch my attention was some very brief references to Asperger's Syndrome... and a not-so-accurate portrayal of it...

I guess I'll just type some up and see what you guys have to say.

Quote:

Jake the handyman was assigned to drive us back to Epiphany. I recognized him because he had been called to Meadowlark cabin three times. The first was to exchange a bunk mattress - mine. The second time was to make a shower that wouldn't drain, drain, and the third time was to clean up a mess. Each time, he shuffled in, fixed what he was supposed to, and left without saying a word. He seemed to be borderline autistic, which would be Asperger's disorder, or mentally ***, which would be fragile X syndrome. Both disorders are known to occur more frequently in males than in females. Because of his mental problem - whatever it was - I wasn't certain that he recognized me. I also wasn't certain that he should be driving a car. Uncle didn't seem worried. Of course, Unle was hardly one to judge. His lack of driving skills was in the court records.

I'm no expert on fragile X syndrom, but I know it's not the only cause of mental retardation. And last time I checked, Asperger's syndrome doesn't have anything to do with driving skills... though she may have been referring to fragile X when she said that. (I don't know if most people with fragile X can drive, though. Anyone who knows care to confirm it?)

Quote:

Just before he put on his signal to change lanes, Jake the handyman turned half around and smiled directly at me. His smile was slightly mischeivous and totally unvarnished.

That might not mean anything by itself, but I'm too lazy to type up everything. Basically, the narrator was surpised that Jake, who she thought had fragile X or Asperger's, was smiling because she didn't think he would have a sense of humor.

Quote:

He handed me the leash. "Take your time," he said. "No hurry." He flicked the ash from his cigar with a smooth gesture. I started toward a sign that pointed to a dog run in the back of the rest area, and glanced back at Jake. He was leaning against a car hood, a faint, relaxed smile on his face. An Asperger's wouldn't be leaning nonchalantly against the car hood; he'd be banging his head against it. I wondered if there were two handymen named Jake at Camp Talequa. One normal; one not.

--

Anyway... whatever. Obviously I didn't like the way she said "he WOULD be banging his head against it" as if everyone on the Spectrum did everything the same way. I don't know every Aspie in the world but I'm pretty sure Aspies don't really bang heads. Some don't even stim. I also of course didn't like the way the character was only willing to respect Jake after she was sure he was "normal"...

Any more comments, anyone?

this narrator person needs their facts straghtened out.

can we flame the author or does it have a better ending?

guardian001 Wrote:

can we flame the author or does it have a better ending?

sorry Sad but i'm rather pissed about this. but that betrayel is common "the character was only willing to respect Jake after she was sure he was "normal"..." is normal.... regretablely. sometimes when i come out about my unqueness i get one of to reactions: but your not as bad as so in so or they dont know what to do with me after words.

like how to act round me.

Quote:

sorrySad but i'm rather pissed about this. but that betrayel is common "the character was only willing to respect Jake after she was sure he was "normal"..." is normal.... regretablely. sometimes when i come out about my unqueness i get one of to reactions: but your not as bad as so in so or they dont know what to do with me after words.

I'm sorry... I don't really get what you're trying to say.

--

I wrote a semi-angry letter to the author, but didn't send it, and don't know if I ever will. After all, it's the narrator speaking, not the author. Of course it's unlikely that the author knows any more than her protagonist, but still...

And no, "Margaret" I think is her name, never does end up seeing the light. The final reference she makes to Asperger's Syndrome is when she says she is finally sure Jake doesn't have it, and she is now starting to have a crush on him. The story isn't really about that anyway...

lets see.... the lack of respect the narrator has for the character jack is common in life. more so for "LFa" side. thats why it ticks me off. you say autism and igonarant poeple think *** or more commonly said ***..
better now?

guardian001 Wrote:

lets see.... the lack of respect the narrator has for the character jack is common in life. more so for "LFa" side. thats why it ticks me off. you say autism and igonarant poeple think *** or more commonly said ***..
better now?

OK, now I get it. Thanks...

SheWhoCan'tThinkOfAUsername Wrote:

guardian001 Wrote:

lets see.... the lack of respect��the narrator has for��the character jack��is��common in��life. more so for "LFa" side. thats why it ticks me off. you say autism and igonarant poeple think *** or more commonly said ***..
better now?

OK, now I get it. Thanks...

welcome Tongue