Although author Mark Haddon never explicitly mentions that his narrator, Christopher John Francis Boone, is on the autism spectrum, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has become widely hailed as an “Asperger’s novel, and  the book has gained both praise and criticism from those in the autism community. 

Join us for an exploration of myths and facts about autism or Asperger’s syndrome in this novel and in other popular media. Panelists will represent a variety of perspectives, including a young adult on the autism spectrum, a social worker, an autism researcher and psychologist, along with other special guests.

This panel discussion and Q&A will challenge your preconceptions about autism, encourage understanding, and explore differences as an opportunity to build bridges. Sensory-friendly activities for children will be offered during the panel discussion and light refreshments will be available. This event is offered by The Center for Autism Research (CAR) at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.