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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—also recontextualized as autism spectrum condition (ASC)—refers to a form of neurodivergence that creates a wide range of cognitive, social, and verbal differences that vary greatly from one individual to the next. Common challenges can include overstimulation from sights, sounds, new experiences, textures, smells, and food tastes; differences in or absence of verbal communication; and an inability or difficulty with interpreting the social cues of allistic people (people without autism). Some people with autism are nonverbal or minimally verbal, like Mal in Slider, while others are hyperverbal and learn to adapt to the norms of allistic society. Each person with autism presents with a unique fingerprint of abilities, talents, differences, and challenges, and for many individuals, the widely known stereotypes do not always apply. Within the context of the novel, Mal represents those with autism who have difficulty with verbal communication, and for the majority of the narrative, he uses only one word (okay) combined with body language to communicate different ideas. Mal also experiences overstimulation, which David and his family manage to ease with Mal’s headphones, hoodie, and sunglasses. In extreme cases, the Miller family can use a rug to roll Mal up, making him feel more secure and calming him during a meltdown.