Author Picks: 7 Books About People with Intellectual Disabilities

The first part of this complex Southern Gothic novel is told from Benjy’s point of view. Benjy cannot speak and is only able to communicate with sounds, such as grunts and moans. His family and most of the people around him lack understanding and compassion, sometimes referring to him as an “idiot.” His own mother sees him as a poor reflection of herself and the family, and his sister, who treated him lovingly, is eventually sent away. Thank goodness for Dilsey, the older Black servant, who sees Benjy as a child of God. As she says, “The good Lord don’t care whether he is bright or not.” It is indicated that while Benjy does have his limitations, he sees, understands, and feels deeply much that goes on around him.

Lennie is likely the most iconic intellectually disabled character in twentieth-century literature, one many readers are familiar with. Lennie means well, but he doesn’t know his own strength, and this causes so much trouble. George is his companion, who, after Lennie’s aunt Clara died, has taken him under his wing in pursuit of farm work. It’s a love/hate relationship for sure, with George often reminding Lennie how much easier his life would be without him. He calls Lennie a “crazy bastard” and then later defends him, saying, “He’s dumb as hell but he ain’t crazy.” Despite all his tough talk, George acknowledges that their bond is special, and while sometimes he dreams to be rid of the responsibility of Lennie, he also imagines a life in which some day they have their own farm together.

Another classic that is often assigned reading in middle school, this science fiction story is about Charlie, a thirty-two-year-old man who volunteers to participate in a first-time experimental surgery that promises to increase his intelligence. Even after being told that he is doing a great thing for science that may even make him famous, Charlie’s motivation remains humble. “I just want to be smart like other pepul so I can have lots of friends who like me,” he writes in his ongoing progress report. With a rapid rise in intellectual growth comes complex memories and emotions, and then a decline as the experiment wears off. This powerful story questions the value of intelligence versus kindness.

Told from twelve-year-old Neil’s point of view, this is the story of when his fifteen-year-old sister, Gerry, first comes home to live, after many years in an institution for people with mental disabilities. Just a few decades ago, this practice was more common. A child who was “different” was often sent away to be raised in a hospital-type setting. The transition home isn’t easy for any of them, but fortunately, the mother here has patience and love. Ultimately, Neil comes to appreciate his sister, considering, “If people would only give her a chance, they’d see she was a person like everybody else even if she was a bit of a variation.”

This story follows seventeen years in the life of Jane, a second-grade teacher who just moved to the small town that is Boyne City. The large and charming cast of characters includes Jimmy Jellico, who is described as “slow learning.” Jimmy assists Jane’s boyfriend Duncan, a furniture restorer. He’s loyal, has a penchant for disrupting romantic moments, and is deeply dependent on the care of his mother. When tragedy strikes, and Jimmy is left without her, Jane witnesses how truly vulnerable he is, particularly to some who don’t have his best interests in mind. Jane makes the life-changing decision to take on Jimmy’s care, and in time, she, Duncan, their children, and Jimmy grow together as a family.

Terrance and Ted are twins, though Terrance is the one who didn’t get enough oxygen to his brain when they were born. Now adults, Ted feels a great responsibility for him. While Ted seemingly has it all—a good job, his own family, even lives in the family home—it’s Terrance, who works as a custodian and lives in a group home, who is more at peace. When their idyllic suburban town gets a little wacky, Terrance keeps Ted grounded in what’s truly important. In response to things unusual or unexpected, Terrance will sometimes say, “It’s not normal.” Ted will agree. And then one of them will conclude, “But what is normal?” Indeed, all of these books seem to share this theme. What is normal? Who is normal? Is anyone truly so? 

THE FREDERICK SISTERS ARE LIVING THE DREAM comes out on September 20!

Every family has its fault lines, and when Maggie gets a call from the ER in Maryland where her older sister lives, the cracks start to appear. Ginny, her sugar-loving and diabetic older sister with intellectual disabilities, has overdosed on strawberry Jell-O. Maggie knows Ginny really can’t live on her own, so she brings her sister and her occasionally vicious dog to live near her in upstate New York. Their other sister, Betsy, is against the idea but as a professional surfer, she is conveniently thousands of miles away. Thus, Maggie’s life as a caretaker begins. It will take all of her dark humor and patience, already spread thin after a separation, raising two boys, freelancing, and starting a dating life, to deal with Ginny’s diapers, sugar addiction, porn habit, and refusal to cooperate. Add two devoted but feuding immigrant aides and a soon-to-be ex-husband who just won’t go away, and you’ve got a story that will leave you laughing through your tears as you wonder who is actually taking care of whom.