Professional/Critical Resource

Ball, Angela L. and Sotto, Carolyn, D. “Dynamic Characters With Communication Disorders in Children’s Literature.” PRO-ED Journal. Vol. 42, No 1, (September, 2006), pp 40-44.

This article talks about using quality children’s literature that portrays characters with a communication disorder as an effective teaching tool. However, the authors stressed that the character with the communication disorder should be actively involved in the plot. The authors reviewed 30 children’s books depicting characters with communication disorders and found: “The character with communication problems was often depicted as weak, timid, withdrawn, and spineless. The main character without the disability was the one to save or protect the individual with a disability.” (4)

The point that I thought was most though provoking in the article came a littler bit later. The authors said: “A child with a communication disorder who reads a story where the main character is weak or static may unfortunately identify with that character and his self-esteem may diminish. However, if the main character is a capable, resourceful hero who happens to also have a communication disorder then the world becomes a more promising place.” (4)

I think that quote leaves us with something to think about. Not only is it important to choose books that include characters with disabilities, it is equally or more important to choose books that include strong and hopeful characters with disabilities.