Essaka Joshua, an associate professor of English at the University of Notre Dame, argues many of Scrooge’s behaviors can be seen as cognitive and behavioral coping strategies commonly used by neurodivergent individuals to reduce anxiety, by avoiding social interactions, sticking to routines and using verification rituals to calm himself.

  Pictured above is Thomas Waldschmidt, and his beloved service dog, Bodie. (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) …