AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

• Complex set of neurological disorders that severely impair social,

communicative and cognitive foundations.
• Many people do not understand that autism cannot be treated.
• In a world where differences can be a source of conflict or
ridicule, There is a need to be more understanding and open to
people’s differences.
The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the
Night-Time
By:
MARK HADDON
(England)
 The Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Night-Time tells the story of a
gifted boy called Christopher Boone.
He investigates the killing of a dog
and in doing so has an adventure of
self-discovery.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time follows
the story of Christopher Boone, a 15 year old, who is
exceptional at Math but finds people confusing. The play
opens with Christopher discovering a dead dog in his
neighbor, Mrs. Shears', garden. Despite his father, Ed,
warning Christopher not to get involved, Christopher
decides to investigate the death of the dog. In doing so he
discovers that his mother is not dead as his father had told
him, but alive and well, living in London. He also discovers
that it was his father who killed the dog.
Christopher feels that his father is a murderer,
who he cannot trust. He can no longer live
with him and so he bravely travels to London
to find his mother. Christopher has difficulty
settling into his new life in London and returns
to Swindon to take his A-level Math exam.
The play ends with him passing the exam and
the realization that he can do anything he
puts his mind to.
• Christopher discovers the body of Wellington the dog and
decides to investigate his death despite his dad's warnings not
to pry into other people's business.
• Mrs Alexander tells Christopher that his mum had an affair.
He then discovers a box full of letters his mother has sent him
and realizes that she is not dead as he had been led to believe
by his dad.
• Ed finds a distressed Christopher and confesses the truth to
him. He tries to explain why he lied about his mother - he also
reveals it was he who killed Wellington.
• Losing trust in his father, Christopher decides he
cannot live with him anymore and so he must go to
London to find his mother, Judy.
• Christopher gets on the train to London, very brave
considering he has never left Swindon. He uses the
London Underground and has a chaotic and
eventful journey.
• Eventually he reaches his mother's flat. Her
boyfriend, Mr Shears, does not like having
Christopher around.
• Christopher and his mum leave, and move back
to Swindon.
• Christopher starts to rebuild his relationship with
dad. After his pet rat dies, Ed gives him a
puppy.
• Even though he is only 15, Christopher takes his
Maths A-level exam. He passes and gets an A*.
By the end of the play Christopher is looking
forward to the future.
In The Curious Incident of the Dog
in the Night-Time Christopher
learns that he can achieve
anything he puts his mind to.
 Christopher finds the dead dog and gets
arrested
We first meet Christopher, the protagonist of the play, standing by a
dead dog called Wellington. The owner of the dog, Christopher's
neighbour Mrs Shears, is also at the scene, she is very distressed.
The police arrive and question Christopher's involvement in the
murder of the dog. The questioning upsets him and he ends up
hitting a police officer. Christopher is arrested.
Christopher investigates the murder of the
dog
Christopher is given a caution by the police and his father, Ed, takes
him home and warns him to stay out of other peoples' business. We
learn that two years earlier Christopher's mother, Judy, died of a
heart attack. Despite the warning from his father, Christopher
decides to continue investigating the death of Wellington. We also
learn that Christopher is planning on taking his A-level Maths exam
in the near future.
 Christopher meets Mrs Alexander
While questioning the local residents, Christopher
meets elderly Mrs Alexander. She reveals to him that
his mother was having an affair with Roger (Mr
Shears). Christopher does not understand this. She is
surprised that Christopher talks about his mother
going into hospital.
Ed finds Christopher's note book and hides
it
Ed then finds Christopher's note book in which he
has been recording his investigations. This makes
him very angry - in the argument that follows, he hits
Christopher, takes the note book from him and
hides it.
 Christopher discovers the truth about his
mother
While looking for his notebook, Christopher discovers a number of
letters sent by his mother. The letters tell her side of the story, how
she fell in love with Mr Shears and how she felt she was not very
good at looking after Christopher. As a result, she went to live in
London with Mr Shears. Worst of all, Christopher finds out that his
father stopped her from saying goodbye. This makes Christopher
break down in tears.
 Ed confesses and Christopher decides to
leave
Ed finds Christopher and explains how after his wife, Judy,
left, he became close to Mrs Shears and began a romantic
relationship with her. This did not work out and after a bad
argument, he killed Mrs Shears' dog, Wellington.
Christopher decides he cannot trust his father and goes by
himself to London to live with his mother.
 Christopher travels to London
Christopher gets on the train and then has to brave the London Underground.
His journey is chaotic and he puts himself in great danger after his pet rat
escapes on to the tracks and he tries to rescue him. After much difficulty,
Christopher finds the flat where his mother lives with Mr Shears. He lives with
her for a time and his A-level Maths exam is postponed. Christopher's presence
puts a strain on his mother's relationship with Mr Shears, who drunkenly
attacks Christopher. After this, he and his mother leave London and return to
Swindon.
 Christopher takes his Math exam
Due to the disruption of his family life, Christopher has to
live in sheltered accommodation where his parents can
visit. Luckily he does manage to get back in time to take his
Math A-Level. Christopher is very distressed before the
exam but Siobhan, his teacher, calms him down and helps
him focus.
Christopher passes the exam and plans for
the future
While waiting for his exam result Christopher is rebuilding his
relationship with his father who has bought him a puppy to replace
his pet rat, Toby, who has died. The play ends with Christopher
getting an A* in Math and planning a bright future. He is proud to
have solved the mystery of Wellington's death. After the main
action of the play, Christopher comes on stage to triumphantly
explain how he managed to solve one of the questions in his exam!
 CHARACTERS
IN THE STORY
 Christopher Boone
Christopher Boone is a very talented 15 year old. He knows a lot
about space and mathematics - he also finds people confusing and
notices the tiniest details about the world around him that most
people would ignore. He and his father Ed are very similar in that
they are both quite stubborn and determined. The unique
behaviours he presents could suggest that he is on the autistic
spectrum. It is important to realize, however, that this is never
mentioned directly in the play.
 Finds people confusing
How is Christopher like this?
In some of his interactions with
other characters, Christopher
shows that he can find people
difficult to understand. For
example, when the police officer
is asking him lots of questions
and he responds by groaning. He
is aware of this issue and writes it
in his journal.
Evidence
"I find people confusing. This is for two
main reasons. The first main reason is
that people do a lot of talking without
using any words"…"The second main
reason is that people often talk using
metaphors.
Analysis
This shows that
Christopher struggles to
understand facial
expressions which can impact
how he interacts with people. It
also shows that he cannot
understand metaphors or
abstract ideas like 'I am going to
seriously lose my rag' because he
takes things very literally.

How is Christopher like this?
Christopher continuously shows
that he has a great
understanding of very
complicated astrological and
mathematical ideas. For
example he explains why the sky
is dark at night to a confused Ed.
Talented
Evidence
“The stars were all rushing away from
one another after the Big Bang and the
further the stars were moving away from
us the faster they were moving, some of
them nearly as fast as the speed of
light, which was why their light never
reached us."
Analysis
Christopher shows that he has a
very clear understanding of
complicated ideas about the
universe. This is especially
impressive considering he is only
15 years old.
 Determined
How is Christopher like this?
Christopher's continued
determination helps him get to
London by himself and helps
him to take and pass his Maths
A-level, even though he is only
15.
Evidence
"I am going to get an A* grade. And
that is why I have to go back to
Swindon. Except I can’t see father. So
I have to go back to Swindon with
you."
Analysis
The language Christopher
uses indicates clearly how
determined he can be. He
states with confidence that he will
get an 'A* grade' and that he 'has'
to go back to Swindon with his
mother. Despite her initial
reservations his mother cannot
refuse his request.
 Ed Boone
• Ed is Christopher's father. Ed and Christopher have a loving but at times tense
relationship. Ed has some very good traits, he is very patient and caring with
Christopher and, like his son, he shows stubborn determination when the school
initially won't allow Christopher to take his Maths A-level. However, on occasions
Ed loses his temper with Christopher - in one scene he and Christopher actually
have a fight. As Christopher investigates the murder of Wellington the dog, he and
the audience discover two disturbing truths about Ed - that he lied to Christopher
about his mother's death and that he killed Wellington.
• These revelations cause a complete breakdown in Ed and Christopher's relationship
- it is not until the end of the play that Christopher begins to trust him again.
 Caring and Patient
How is Ed like this? Evidence Analysis
Ed is open about his feelings
for Christopher and tells him very
Ed: "Christopher, do you understand
plainly and clearly that he loves
Ed is frequently caring and patient that I love you?" Ed holds his right hand
him. The stage directions show
with Christopher, he puts up with up and spreads his fingers out in a fan.
how Ed and Christopher interact
Christopher’s sometimes unusual Christopher does the same with his left
physically, it is a sign of how
habits and behaviours. hand. They make their fingers and
close they are - Christopher
thumbs touch each other.
normally reacts violently if
touched.
 Determined
How is Ed like this? Evidence
Mrs Gascoyne: "Mr Boone, nobody has
ever taken an A-level in the school
Ed shows his determination when
before." Ed: "He can be the first then."
he stubbornly fights for
Mrs Gascoyne: "I don't know if we
Christopher to do his Maths A-
have the facilities in the school to allow
level in school.
him to do that." Ed: "Then get the
facilities."
Analysis
Ed shows that he will not take 'no'
for an answer from the head
teacher Mrs Gascoyne. Ed is
determined to get the best for
his son in the same way
Christopher is determined to go to
London and later take his A-level.
How is Ed like this? Evidence
Fiery Tempered
Ed: "I ask you to do one thing for me,
Christopher. One thing." Christopher: "I didn't
want to talk to Mrs Alexander. It was Mrs
Ed shows on a number of occasions that
Alexander who..." Ed grabs Christopher’s arm.
he has a fiery temper, hitting
Christopher screams. They fight each other. Ed
Christopher is an example of this.
shakes Christopher hard with both hands.
Christopher falls unconscious for a few seconds.
Ed stands above him.
Analysis
Although it doesn't say that Ed hits
Christopher in the stage directions, Ed
later apologises for hitting him. Seeing
this scene on stage is shocking for
the audience and they see that Ed can
have an explosive temper. It is important
to remember that Ed is not a villain,
although his use of violence cannot
be condoned, he is only human. The
audience can empathise with him losing
his temper, his wife left him for a
neighbour, his relationships with both
his wife and Mrs Shears did not work out
and he is caring for Christopher by
himself. He has a lot to be stressed about
which may explain his temper.
 Judy Boone
• Judy is Christopher's mother. At the start of the play, Christopher thinks that she
died, two years ago after going to hospital. The audience finds out that this is not
true when Christopher discovers a number of letters she has sent to him during his
investigation of the killing of Wellington the dog.
• Through these letters the audience discovers that Judy struggled to cope with
Christopher and his unusual behaviours. Her relationship with Ed was under
enormous strain and she felt that she wasn't as good at coping with Christopher as
Ed was. She left the family home in Swindon and went to live in London with Roger
Shears with whom she was having an affair. Judy is honest and open about her
short comings to Christopher and she reveals that she has a fun loving
and romantic outlook on life.
 Honest
How is Judy like this? Evidence Analysis
It must be hard for Judy to be this
honest - she admits failure, in
"I'm not like your father. Your father is her lack of patience and openly
Judy is honest in the letters she
a much more patient person. He just gets explains to Christopher why she
writes explaining her feelings and
on with things and if things upset him he left. Ed avoids being this honest
failures to Christopher.
doesn't let it show." with Christopher until the end of
the play. She clearly knows herself
well too, like Christopher does

How is Judy like this?
udy reveals that she has an active
and romantic imagination -the
audience discover this as she
describes how her life could
have been in a flashback
sequence.
Romantic
Evidence Analysis
Judy shows her romantic view of
"If I hadn't married your father I think the life she could have had if she
I'd be living in a little farm house in the had not married Ed. This sadly
South of France with someone called shows that she was not satisfied
Jean. And he'd be, ooh, a local with life as she knew it, she
handyman." couldn’t just 'get on with things'
like Ed could.
 Struggles to cope with Christopher
How is Judy like this?
n another reflection of her honesty
Judy admits that she found it hard
to cope with Christopher at times.
She describes how she felt after an
argument with Christopher resulted
in her having broken toes.
Evidence
"And I remember looking at the two of
you and seeing you together and thinking
how you were really different with him.
Much calmer..... And it made me so sad
because it was like you didn't need me at
all."
Analysis
Judy feels, rightly or wrongly, that
Christopher is calmer around his
father. This realisation comes after
she lost her temper and
Christopher threw a chopping
board and it hit her foot, breaking
her toes. She felt as if Ed and
Christopher were better off
without her.
 Siobhan
Siobhan is Christopher's teacher. Christopher
talks to her about his problems and she reads the
note book in which Christopher records his
investigation and writes his stories. She is
very encouraging and gives him advice about what
he should and shouldn't do.
 Encouraging
How is Siobhan like this? Evidence Analysis
We see that Siobhan is a very
encouraging teacher and wants
Siobhan offers Christopher "But you can still be very proud because Christopher to feel proud of his
encouragement as he is writing his what you've written so far is just, well it's achievements. She
book. great." eventually encourages him to
turn his book into a play to
perform at school.
 Calming
How is Siobhan like this? Evidence Analysis
Siobhan helps Christopher stay
calm through this difficult situation
When Christopher is trying to by reminding him of strategies that
"In your head imagine a big red line
navigate the London they must have discussed in class.
across the floor. It starts at your feet and
Underground Siobhan appears as This also shows that Siobhan
goes through the tunnel. And walk along
a calming voice in Christopher's knows Christopher well because
the line. And count the rhythm in your
head, helping him to cope with the she relates the problem to rhythm
head because that helps doesn’t it?"
challenge. which must be something
Christopher can use to make
things easier for himself.
 Dramatic Device
How is Siobhan like this?
Siobhan acts as a dramatic device -
she is a narrator or a voice in
Christopher's head. This means
that the action can move location
and time rapidly and fluidly.
Sometimes she can also be
Christopher's voice as she reads
from his book.
Evidence Analysis
Siobhan is reading from
Christopher's book and so is
"Sometimes when I want to be on my
acting as his voice and giving
own I get into the airing cupboard and
the audience an insight into
slide in beside the boiler and pull the
some of his behaviours. This
door closed behind me and sit there and
means that all of this information
think for hours and it makes me feel very
about Christopher can come from
calm."
a variety of places, not just from
him.
 Three main themes of The
Curious Incident of the Dog in
the Night-Time
•family
•honesty and trust
•braving the unknown
 FAMILY
• In The Curious incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Stephens explores the theme
of family through:
• the breakdown of Christopher's family life and the impact that has on each
family member
• what living with other people can be like
• the nature of being a parent
 HONEST AND TRUST
• In The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time, Stephens explores the
theme of honesty and trust through:
• the lies of Christopher's father, Ed
• the honesty of Christopher's mother, Judy
• the trust issues Christopher has with other characters
 Braving the Unknown
• In The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time, Stephens explores the
theme of braving the unknown through:
• Christopher trying new things while he is investigating into the dog's death
• Christopher's journey to London and the challenges he faces along the way
• Christopher taking his A-level exam, when he is only 15, and passing it
• showing how much Christopher has grown through these experiences