NEURODIVERSITY REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA THURSDAY: Junie B. Jones

 

"My name is Junie B. Jones.  The B stands for Beatrice.  Except I don't like Beatrice."  ––Junie B. Jones (written by Barbara Park)

If you grew up in the early 2000s, there's a chance you've heard of or read the book series Junie B. Jones.   When I was in Kindergarten and about first grade, these books were THE books I read.  I related so much to Junie.  (I will note that it's been a while since I've read these books.)

Junie B. Jones had so much (undiagnosed) neurospicy traits, it was hard to pass up a blog post dedicated to the Queen Junie B.!





After watching the video above, I do vaguely remember Junie calling her brother a "monkey" and taking it literal.  A lot of times with autism and ADHD, we take things literally, especially figures of speech.  I'll say this, it took me a while to learn what "Pop the question" meant.  Mom had to teach me to think of a Ring Pop candy and how it's a ring and when you "pop the question", you ask someone to marry you. Here's the thing, up until that point, I never related to a character so much.  Junie was about 5 when her brother was born, and I was 4-1/2 years old when my sister Brooke was born.  Reading how she became an older sister made me feel seen.  I feel like Junie and I could be friends if she was real.  


I asked chatGPT to make me a chart based on some traits Junie had in the books.


Trait Neurodivergent Connection Junie B. Jones Example / Quote
Big Emotions 💥 Emotional intensity, common in ADHD/autism “I stamped my foot. ‘I am too the boss of myself!’ I yelled.” (Junie B. Jones: Boss of Lunch)
Impulsivity & Bluntness 🗣️ Speaking without filtering, difficulty with social rules “I hate that stupid, dumb, meanie Jim!” (Junie B. Jones: Is a Beauty Shop Guy)
Sensory Sensitivities 👚🔊 Discomfort with textures, sounds, or sensations “That apron is scratchy. And it’s giving me a rash on my stomach.” (Junie B. Jones: Boss of Lunch)
Literal Thinking 🧠🔍 Interpreting language or rules very literally “But I do not even know how to spell attendance!” (Junie B. Jones: First Grader (At Last!)
Fixated Interests 🎒✨ Getting hyper-focused or excited about something “I want to be the lunch lady when I grow up!” (Junie B. Jones: Boss of Lunch)
Social Struggles + Effort 👫 Wanting friends but missing social cues or acting “too much” “I gave her a big hug. And she did not hug me back. That is how come I smacked her.” (Junie B. Jones: Is Not a Crook)

If you haven't read these books, they're an easy read!  They're totally adorable and worth the quick read.  

Thanks for reading about my favorite little girl from a book! <3 Happy Thursday!! 

DISCLAIMER NOTE: JUNIE B. JONES ISN'T DIAGNOSED WITH ANY DISABILITY.  THESE TRAITS IDENTIFIED ARE TRAITS THAT MATCH WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING NEURODIVERGENT!  I CANNOT DIAGNOSE JUNIE, BUT I CAN SAY HOW MANY SIMILAR TRAITS SHE HAS TO ME AS WELL AS MANY IN THE NEUROSPICY COMMUNITY!!

If you liked this blog post, comment, share, etc.  Have any comments, questions, etc.? Reach out to me by messaging me on instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me  alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.  

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