Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon is a popular book to use in classrooms that discusses cognitive disabilities .  The story of Charlie Gordon, the tale's protagonist , builds on stereotypes  that are popular now about Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Specifically, the imaginary "cure" for Charlie's Intellectual Disability that makes him smarter doesn't really cure him.  Instead, he simply moves from one set of autism stereotypes to another.  He never fits the category of neurotypical .  His condition goes from Intellectual disability to stereotypical descriptions of Asperger's Syndrome .  Keyes' novel does not show the good side of either side of the spectrum.  Intellectually disabled Charlie is like a child who should be pitied, while "smart" Charlie is full of himself and does not care about other's feelings.  While the novel does not depict either end of the spectrum as being a positive thing, ultimately it favors "higher functioning" Charlie.