Autism diagnosis and fiction to be discussed at Leeds Cultural Conversation talk

The talk, ‘Autism, adulthood and fictions: reading autism portrayals after diagnosis’, will be given by Dr James McGrath, a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at Leeds Beckett University.

The event, which will be held on Wednesday 7 December from 12.30-1.30pm, coincides with Disability History Month and forms part of Leeds Cultural Conversations series programmed by the Centre for Culture and the Arts at Leeds Beckett.

Dr McGrath, whose book Naming Adult Autism will be published by Rowman & Littlefield International next year, said: “Autism and fiction have an odd relationship. Many diagnosticians count a person’s enjoyment of fiction amongst indications that he or she is probably not autistic. And while countless novels, films and TV series have featured autistic adult characters, people with autism are largely unrecognised as readers and viewers of these portrayals.”

The talk will combine literary criticism with a post-diagnosis view of how autism is depicted in contemporary culture.

Dr McGrath will address aspects of gender, class, and disability itself in relation to autistic identities, and will also consider the wider potential of culture in shaping and challenging expectations placed on autistic adults.

The Leeds Cultural Conversation series also includes: ‘Scenery, antiquities and manufactures: touring 19th century Yorkshire with Murray’s Handbook for Travellers’ with Dr Grainne Goodwin on Wednesday 11 January, 2017; ‘W.G.Grace: Cricket Missionary to the North and Hero of 1895 (to Oscar Wilde’s villain)’ with Dr Neil Washbourne on Wednesday 8 February; ‘The trials of Oscar Wilde’s Salome: the Maud Allan libel case’ with Professor Ruth Robbins on Wednesday 8 March; ‘Verdant creativities: urban gardening and sensuous place-making in West Yorkshire with Dr Zoe Tew-Thompson and Dr Lynne Hibberd on Wednesday 5 April and ‘Measuring Morale in Second World War Leeds’ with Henry Irving on Wednesday 10 May.