Question via DD1 pls. How would you describe Lenny in 'Of mice and men'?

[AtYourCervix]

a difficult one given it's set in 1937. George (in the book) says he's 'stupid but not dangerous'

Wikki says Mentally disabled.

I said Special educational needs but I'm not sure it trips off the tongue easily.

has led to interesting discussions about language development.

I agree it is difficult - I'll be interested to see the outcome here. My dd1 had to choose music for a soundtrack of 12 key parts of 'Mice and Men'. It was good homework!

I would say SN

however ds1 who is also doing this for his exam decided to start a discussion in his English class about ASD.... Because ds1 thinks Lenny if dx'd now could jolly well be on the spectrum.
Teacher asked him in a snub nosed way ' how would you know' and ds1 retorted 'cos my brother is.. And although his isn't classic, lots of Lenny sounds like ds2'

this teacher actually teaches ds2 and knows they are brothers!

But that's by the by.. I'd say special needs.

Ds has found studying this book really difficult because he identifies with Lenny and is embarrassed and worried that others would link them too.
I'd probably say Lenny has learning difficulties if I was asked.

some v interesting converstaions here this evening. aided by a couple of [beer]

i think i rather like 'additional needs'

here being here at home where DD2 denies anything is 'special' or 'additional' or difficult'

I think learning difficulties would be the one I'd go with. DD2 is doing To Kill a Mockingbird, which has similar linguistic conundrums.

I'd only apply SN or SEN to children, because it's an educational label...well I wouldn't because that's not the terms used up here, but that's what I would use them for if I was going to use them, lol

I'd say he has a learning difficulty/disability tbh

Yes I agree, learning difficulties is a good non-specific description for Lenny, in want of more detailed info.