Characterization of Developmental Disability in Children's Fiction

Based on the Dyches and Prater (2000) guidelines, characterizations and plots in 34 eligible children ‘s books published during 1999-2003 were evaluated; 36 characterizations are discussed in detail in terms of each guideline. Results showed that, compared to a previous study (Dyches, Prater, & Cramer, 2001), characters with developmental disabilities made more deliberate choices, were educated in more inclusive settings, were more accepted in their communities, and served in more helping roles; and more commonly the disability was only one of many character traits. Also a wide age spectrum was portrayed, and several characterizations represented people from minority races or cultures. Over half of the characters with DD had autism spectrum disorders, and almost half of those characters had Asperger syndrome.