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August 10, 2005
Christopher's Color Crisis
I've been done with the book for a little while now, and I've had time to think over some different parts that bothered me.
First, let me get something out of the way: I did like the book. It was creatively written and took a much different perspective than what I am used to, so I appreciated that.
I suppose that it is because I have no experience in working with (or even knowing) an autistic person that I do not understand the need for such references to the colors that Christopher hates (yellow and brown, p. 84). He admits that his reasoning is somewhat silly, but also thinks that it is rational because if he didn't have reasons to not like certain things he would spend all his time deciding what he could like or could do. But is ruling out two whole colors really a good idea?
Christopher also mentions specific colors when he is deciding what kind of day he will have. His method for doing so is somewhat odd. His morning routine of counting cars of certain colors was a game I remember playing when I was younger. Only, for me, the number of red cars didn't spell out whether or not I was going to have a good day. For as much as Christopher thinks that believing in God is stupid, I can't understand how he can justify this process of determining what sort of day he will have. What led him to the conclusion that 4 red cars in a row make a Good Day, 3 red cars in a row make a Quite Good Day, and 5 red cars in a row make a Super Good Day?
The explanation on page 24 is what Christopher tells his psychologist. Basically he explains that he liked logic and order--this, if nothing else, is obvious. Christopher needs stability and order otherwise he cannot function. In the same sense, though, Christopher says he does not believe in God because it is not logical (p. 164).
Creating his own order and logic--his system of counting cars to determine a Good Day, etc.--Christopher contradicts himself. If it is not logical to believe in God, which is something so widespread and universal (whether it is through any of the myriad of religions or simple nondenominational, unorganized belief in God), how can Christopher think that 4 red cars equalling a Good Day is logical?
I understand that he needs to somehow declare things he doesn't like. Apparently, though, Christopher cannot make decisions without rules. Let's pretend that he doesn't hate yellow and brown. Could Christopher choose to eat something yellow (let's say a banana) because he wanted it? Or would he consider eating a banana, a yellow apple, vanilla pudding, lemon meringue pie, and yellow squash? Would he not be able to make a decision without having certain colors ruled out altogether?
Evidently thinking of autistics as picky eaters is not uncommon. Since autism is largely associated with sensory perception, I suppose (as a very uneducated guess) that autistics would need to cut down on the number of things they experience (colors, tastes, etc.) in order to function in the ever-changing world. Christopher, for example, says that he hates new places (p. 140). Page 169 shows Christopher taking in all the signs and information in the train station in London--he says "my brain wasn't working properly," so he is cognizant that this is happening. He cannot do anything about it, though, except remove himself from the situation or block the excess information out.
"Sensory issues: dislike of certain sounds, textures and/or tastes; dislike of being touched; very passive or very active behavior; nervousness; unaware of various physical stimuli such as pain; covering ears at loud noises; "blanking out" in active environments; often seem to be uncomfortable in extreme temperatures" - Common Characteristics of the Person with Autism PDD
Posted by KarissaKilgore at 01:00 PM | Comments (3)