House Rules

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains offensive language about and descriptions of people with autism. It also discusses murder.

“I’ve met so many parents of the kids who are on the low end of the autism spectrum, kids who are diametrically opposed to Jacob, with his Asperger’s. They tell me I’m lucky to have a son who’s verbal, who is blisteringly intelligent, who can take apart the broken microwave and have it working again an hour later. They think there is no greater hell than having a son who is locked in his own world, unaware that there’s a wider one to explore. But try having a son who is locked in his own world and still wants to make a connection. A son who tries to be like everyone else but truly doesn’t know how.”

This quote delves into the complexities of autism and engages with perceptions that were common in 2010 about different points on the autism spectrum. It highlights the struggle of individuals like Jacob who are intelligent and verbal but face challenges in understanding and navigating social interactions. However, it also contains an offensive term for someone with autism, “Asperger’s,” and perpetuates harmful ideas about some people with autism being a burden.

“Jacob looks like a totally normal young man. He’s clearly intelligent. But having his day disrupted probably makes him feel the same way I would if I was suddenly told to bungee off the top of the Sears Tower.”

This quote illustrates the challenges Jacob faces due to disruptions in his routine, highlighting how certain situations can cause immense stress and discomfort for individuals with autism. It draws a parallel between a neurotypical person’s reaction to an extreme activity and Jacob’s reaction to routine disruptions, emphasizing the intense impact of such changes on Jacob.

“My biggest hope for Jacob is that moments like this won’t happen. My biggest fear: that they will, and I won’t always be there to keep people from thinking the worst of him.”

Emma’s reflection captures her fears and hopes as a mother, highlighting her protective instincts and concerns about Jacob’s well-being and perception by others. This line explores Emma’s maternal instincts and her struggles to shield Jacob from negative judgments and prejudice. It also foreshadows the moments in the novel when she and Jacob are separated, and law enforcement does “think the worst of him.”