🇫🇷 NEURODIVERSITY REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA THURSDAY: Madeline 🇫🇷

 

Bonjour, mes amis! Aujourd'hui c'est jeudi!! (Translated: Hello, my friends! Today is Thursday!!)  As a 90s baby and 2000s kid, I grew up fixated on Ludwig Bemelmans' book series and children's cartoon series, Madeline. A story that follows a girl that lives in an old house in Paris that is covered with vines. Out of twelve little girls, the smallest one is: Madeline.

Madeline! A comfort and nostalgic character of mine.  I've always admired her and her courage to stand up to most things, despite how small she is.

Now that I'm older, I've realized how much Madeline embodies a neurodiverse child.  I know she's not diagnosed (DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM), but looking back I relate to her a lot.  Unfortunately, I'm not as courageous as she is when it comes to shouting at a tiger at a zoo.  However, she has taught me how to be brave.  When I had surgery on my face when I was younger to remove a cyst, I thought about being brave just like Madeline was when she got her appendix out.  I was brave and I survived!  Madeline also taught me to be adventurous and to stand up for what I believe in.  

Here are some NEUROSPICY TRAITS that Madeline embodies:

Trait Example
Curiosity/ Sensory-seeking Madeline impulsively climbs up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower on a dare, exploring every nut, bolt, and alcove—only to get stuck and spend the night in the elevator with Pepito.
Energetic/ Hyperactivity In Madeline and the Ice Skates (Season 3, Ep 15), she leads the girls on a skiing trip, dashes through the snow, and even helps devise an escape when an avalanche blocks their path.
Clumsy/ Accident-prone In the book Madeline’s Rescue, she teases Miss Clavel by walking along a bridge railing, slips, and falls into the Seine, nearly drowning before Genevieve rescues her.
Impulsivity/ Rule-breaking She sneaks out of the Old House to join a school of fish at the aquarium—ignoring Miss Clavel’s strict “no-visiting-without-permission” rule 
Adventurous/ Risk-taking In “Madeline and the Spider Lady” (Season 3, Ep 3), she ventures alone into an old chateau’s attic to investigate rumored ghosts, despite Miss Clavel’s warnings.
Creative Problem-Solving When a baby bull escapes in Madeline and the Bad Hat (Special 4), she distracts it with her hat and leads it safely back—using an impromptu lasso made from Miss Clavel’s laundry line.
Deep Empathy She comforts a grieving circus tiger in “Madeline and the Giants” (Season 3, Ep 16), gently calming its fears with soft singing and stroking.
Routine-Oriented, Yet Flexible Madeline follows Miss Clavel’s rigorous schedule (“twelve little girls in two straight lines” at prayers, meals, curfews) but adapts seamlessly when events—like the toy-factory trip—run off-script.
Heightened Perceptual insight She senses something’s “not right” when a new girl hides her sadness in “Madeline and the New Girl” (Season 3, Ep 11), noticing subtle tears despite forced smiles.
Leadership/ Takes Initiative In the dog show ("Madeline and the Dog Show"), she organizes grooming, training, and morale for Genevieve—directing the other girls to juggle, sing, and even multiply.
Emotional Intensity She sobs inconsolably when Genevieve goes missing, singing “Have you seen our dog?”—a tear-jerker moment in Madeline’s Rescue.
Non-Conformity Madeline’s bold fashion—in “Madeline in London” (Ep 6 of Specials)—trades frills for riding boots and trousers to explore the city, flouting the usual skirts-and-ribbons look.
Focus on Special Interests She becomes enthralled by butterfly migration in Madeline and the Gypsies, journaling patterns and leading a “butterfly rescue” when a storm threatens them.

The video below is from the 1998 live-action film Madeline. (I haven't seen the whole film in AGES) This scene is in the books and cartoon.  ENJOY! 


What is your favorite moment in the Madeline franchise?

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

If you liked this blog post, PLEASE comment down below what your favorite part was, share with your friends and family, etc.  Have any comments, questions, etc. about what you were reading? Reach out to me by messaging me on instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me  alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.  

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