Thursday, October 9, 2025
7 pm
At Thoreau Farm
FREE, suggested donation $5/person
Dr. Julie Brown will share her ideas about Thoreau’s place on the autism spectrum. She believes that his neurobiology influenced the content, themes, and style of his writing. Walden functions not only as a type of autistic memoir, but as a “self-help” guide that could be of great value to others on the spectrum.
Through analysis of biographies, autobiographies, letters and diaries, in her book Writers on the Spectrum, Julie identifies literary talents who display characteristics of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and uncovers the similarities in their writing that suggest atypical, autistic brains. Providing close readings of authors’ works, Brown explores writing processes, content, theme, structure and writing style to reveal the underlying autistic traits that have influenced their writing. This groundbreaking study of autism in literature will be of interest to anyone with a professional or personal interest in literature or the autistic mind.
Dr. Julie Brown is a humanities instructor at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon. She teaches a course “Autism in Literature” at the undergraduate and graduate level, and has taught continuing education workshops for behavioral health professionals.
We are delighted to also offer this program on Zoom. Please register here to join us virtually.