The curious incident of a dog in the nigh time, by Mark Haddon, is an award winning book read by young people the world over.  The novel highlights the condition of Aspergers Syndrome – a form of autism.  But did we all understand it? Matthew Heap finds out more…

Aspergers Syndrome (AS), is known as one of five disorders grouped by a slow development of basic functions, also known as autism. In very general terms, people with AS have the same level of intelligence as anyone else and sometimes even higher, but their social ability is limited.  This can cause a lot of problems for young people with AS because they may not be able to get on at school and therefore miss parts of their education, but more difficult for young people, they may have problems interacting with others. 

'Aspergers Syndrome (AS), is known as one of five disorders grouped by a slow development of basic functions, also known as autism.'

AS is not a mental illness or a personality disorder. Young people with AS can usually be recognised by others through their limited ability to socialise in the usual ways. Young people with AS want to make friends and interact but they find it difficult partly because other people don’t understand them or make allowances.  They don’t always have the same social ‘rules’ as those without AS. Other young people can think they are weird for not going about conversations in the same way. 

Many of the things those with AS do use logic, even small things like jokes, they look at logically, which doesn’t really work for jokes. They are also often very good at maths and problem solving.  Because of their logical thinking, they can find it hard to show emotions or to understand them fully, and this can give people the impression they don’t care.  In the book Christopher doesn’t like talking to people, especially strangers, ‘stranger danger’, because he only knows four facial expressions and doesn’t know what people mean because some people talk with their faces. Their body language may also be different like not giving eye contact or finding it hard to ‘read’ situations. 

'They are also often very good at maths and problem solving.'

People with AS often have narrow intense interests in subjects they enjoy.  They can get very interested in one thing and concentrate entirely on that one thing until they have solved it. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing and can make someone into a bit of a ‘specialist’.  This is true of Christopher in Haddon’s book.  He becomes very interested in solving the mystery and doesn’t let anyone stop him.  Some say that Einstein may have had AS.

Speaking a language can appear very different in young people with AS.  Apparently children as young as 5 can speak as if out of a university text book. Christopher repeats himself quite a lot in the book.  Also a lot of the people with Aspergers can have extremely scruffy handwriting which can lead to upset because many people with the syndrome are, in their own way, perfectionists.

'Also a lot of the people with Aspergers can have extremely scruffy handwriting which can lead to upset '.

By writing the book from the point of view of a 15 year old boy with autism I think that Mark Haddon has brought an awareness of the syndrome to more people so they will know what to look out for.  It is worth keeping in mind, if you meet someone who is socially withdrawn or with a very high IQ and ability with logic, or if they can’t understand or use metaphors or jokes, or strongly dislike change, then they may have a form of Autism, like AS.

Autism is not the end of the world for those who have it. As Katherine, who has AS says: “While this causes difficulties in many life situations, there can be good things about having AS - for example, exceptional memory and logic skills.” Autism is easy to live with if you get the right help and can fully understand the form of autism. It also helps if we support other young people who have it. 

For my book review of ‘The curious incident of the night in the night time’, go to our reviews page.  For more information go to The National Autistic Society at www.nas.org.uk

By Matthew Heap