Juvenile Literature and the Portrayal of Developmental Disabilities
Keywords
developmental disabilities, Children's books, juvenile literature
Abstract
Because characters with developmental disabilities (DD) in children's books are often the first images many children encounter, their accurate and multidimensional portrayal is critical. Therefore, the depictions of characters with DD in 41 children's books were analyzed. These books were eligible for the biennial Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award, and were published between 2004 and 2007. Data were analyzed for four main themes, namely characterization, relationships, changes in characters, and special topics. Trends across this and two previous studies (Dyches, Prater, & Cramer, 2001; Dyches & Prater, 2005) include a growing number of books published annually, increasing numbers of characters with DD who are culturally diverse, more positive portrayals, characters who are being more self-determined, engaging in more caregiving and teaching roles, and enjoying more inclusionary recreational activities. Recommendations for future authors and educational service providers are provided.
Original Publication Citation
Dyches, T. T., Prater, M. A., & *Leininger, M. (2009). Juvenile literature and the portrayal of developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, 44(3), 304-317. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24233477
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Taylor, Tina M.; Prater, Mary Anne; and Leininger, Melissa, "Juvenile Literature and the Portrayal of Developmental Disabilities" (2009). Faculty Publications. 7368.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/7368
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2009
Publisher
Division on Developmental Disabilities
Language
English
College
David O. McKay School of Education
Department
Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Copyright Status
© Division on Developmental Disabilities
Copyright Use Information
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
