Talking about Autism in Daniel Isn’t Talking
Daniel Isn’t Talking is a novel that, since its publication this past April, has been talked about a lot. An essay about the book by autism mother and author Marti Leimbach is featured on the website of Autism Speaks, as is an excerpt from the beginning of the novel and a reading group guide. The novel is being adapted for a movie in which Julia Roberts may star.
So, it seems, people will be talking about Daniel Isn’t Talking a lot and then some in the near future. Since, as Leimbach notes on her website, Daniel Isn’t Talking is a “novel involving autism,” it is reasonable to conclude that the novel’s representation of autism—of an autistic child—may affect what many moviegoers—what the general public—thinks about autism.
I will be writing about “what is autism” as represented in Daniel Isn’t Talking in upcoming posts.
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POSTED IN: Autism Lit, Books, Family, Movies, Parenting
10 opinions for Talking about Autism in Daniel Isn’t Talking
Autism Vox
Jul 22, 2006 at 10:53 pm
[…] In a previous post, I wrote: So, it seems, people will be talking about Daniel Isn’t Talking a lot and then some in the near future. Since, as Leimbach notes on her […]
mel
Jan 8, 2007 at 6:27 am
what funny about this is that my name is Melanie and my husband’s name is Stephen just like the parents in the book. I do not like the authors opinions and I have not read the book, but I agree it will affect the publics perceptions. so from what I know of the novels plot, I would rather a movie about autism be about Temple Grandin life for instance.
mel
Jan 8, 2007 at 6:30 am
I wanted to add I commented on her blog ( a nice comment disagreeing with her reponse to a dr. and she did not choose to print it) this gives me a slight negative view as to her fairness.
mel
Jan 8, 2007 at 6:32 am
one more thing, hahahahahaha
the autistic child in the book undergoes “an ecletic form of aba” and Marti says that to do nothing and hope for nothing is bad for your child. I doubt any child with autism gets “nothing” they all go to school etc…..
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jan 8, 2007 at 12:13 pm
That is a funny coincidence about your husband and you having the same names—-Daniel, the autistic child in the book, seems to start doing ABA and then to be doing play therapy (his one therapist is a “play therapist), plus various biomedical interventions (gfcf diet, supplements). There’s a gentle sense of humor throughout the book and I rather felt, as the novel progressed, there was less about Daniel and that Melanie’s story took over. Not trying to “rewrite” the novel, of course, but I’m always curious as to how autistic children are written about.
Thanks for commenting!
Marti Leimbach
Apr 1, 2007 at 8:06 am
Hi,
My husband came across this site and said that there was a comment that written to my website which I failed to post on my blog. I am so sorry that this happened. Either I didn’t receive the comment or all the awful spam I keep getting lately hid it from my view. So, Mel, please do repost anytime you can and I promise I’ll put it up. You can also write to me, personally, at marti@martileimbach.com if you don’t see it. I don’t mind putting up just about any comment. I sometimes get comments people ask me not to post as they are very personal!
Thanks so much and sorry for the mix up.
Marti
Candice
Jun 13, 2007 at 11:15 am
funny thing is, i’m actually reading this book for my AP class in school. it’s for a project where i have to create a website about the book. It’s coming along pretty well.
I really like the book! the drama between melanie and stephen over daniel whether he should go to a school with kids just like him. Stephen seems to be the type of person who disagrees with melanie all the time! i feel bad for melanie because she’s sooo stressed all the time and doesn’t even have time for herself in the book. but then i understand she cares for her kids and loves them dearly and just trying to do what’s best for them.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 13, 2007 at 11:19 am
Candice, I’d like much to see your website when it is finished. Are you reading any other books about autism?
Candice
Jun 14, 2007 at 11:12 am
no, i’m not reading about autism in any other books. this is my first book about autism.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 14, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I’d be curious to know how you think the representation of autism in the novel compares to that in a non-fiction work.
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