Poetry and Autism: Exploring Self-Identity Through Maggie Smith's Work

The Morton Grove Public Library highlights poet Maggie Smith's collection A Suit or a Suitcase, which explores profound questions about how our bodies and minds relate to each other. While this isn't autism research, the themes in these poems can resonate deeply with neurodivergent families.

What the Poems Explore

The title poem asks: Is the body a suit or a suitcase? Smith plays with ideas about whether we wear our bodies or are carried by them. Many autistic individuals experience differences in body awareness or sensory processing, making these metaphors particularly interesting.

Why This Matters for Autism Families

Smith's poems gently examine how we change over time while remaining fundamentally ourselves - a concept that can help children understand their own neurodivergent identity. The collection also celebrates the infinitely expandable nature of selfhood, which aligns beautifully with neurodiversity principles.

Practical Applications

• Read selected poems together to spark conversations about body awareness
• Use the suit or suitcase metaphor to discuss sensory experiences
• Explore how interests and abilities grow and change over time

Limitations to Note

This is poetry, not scientific research. The connection to autism experience is interpretive rather than evidence-based. Some abstract concepts may need simplification for younger children.

You can find Maggie Smith's collection at the Morton Grove Public Library.