La difference invisible (2016)is a comic book written by Julie Dachez and designed by Mademoiselle Caroline. During the reading, we follow the life experience of Marguerite, in a strange world full of “neurotypical” people. She is a 27 years old woman, with Asperger’s Syndrome, but she doesn’t know it yet. Julie Dachez relates here her own experience through the eyes of Marguerite, the difficulties and the efforts to fit and adapt in a society full of norms that contrast with who she is.
Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of autism without learning or language disability. It can involve difficulties in social interactions, specific interests, a hypersensitivity and a difficulty to understand implicit language. We understand quickly that a “simple” day can be an obstacle course. To “fit” in the society, people with Asperger’s Syndrome can develop some strategies. Doing so, their particularities are “hidden” from the sight of other people, that is what Julie Dachez called “la difference invisible” (invisible difference). This is even more significant for women, who according to Julie Dachez are underdiagnosed or diagnosed lately. She defends the idea that the diagnosis criteria of the Asperger’s Syndrome are based on males’ cases, which can lead in difficulties in the diagnosis of women with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Thanks to the quality of the work done by Julie Dachez and Mademoiselle Caroline, we can feel a part of what Marguerite lived before she discovers the Asperger’s Syndrome, during the diagnosis process and its consequences. We experience the result of the diagnosis with Marguerite as a life-changing because she realizes her differences are a part of who she is. She is not dysfunctional. She sees and experiences the world through a different angle. For her, this diagnosis is a first step into the acceptance of herself, with the feeling that her identity is finally “complete”
As a result, this book offers the opportunity for people who recognized themselves in this story to understand and accept their differences as a part of who they are. We can also see this book as a way to teach everyone about Asperger’s Syndrome, to consider the diversity as a chance and to embrace the differences of everyone. We shouldn’t try to change people, we should try to change the way we consider others.
“Your difference is not part of the problem, but of the solution” Julie Dachez
Words I have learned
- To fit in a society : s’intégrer dans la société
- Disability : difficulté, trouble
- An obstacle course : un parcours du combattant
- To hide : se cacher
- The sight : la vue