He is the most seen out of the group of "freaks," which consists of him, David and Susie. There's clearly something wrong with the lad considering that he had a counsellor, and he is extremely overweight. It can also be said that he is rather stupid, as in 'Field Trip' he is paired up with Will as "he is not good with directions and might get lost". It is also implied that he has poor personal hygiene. This can be justified by the fact that his hair almost always looks untidy and that in the movie when Mr. Gilbert states that he dislikes some pupils for their bad personal hygiene, John is seen smelling his armpit.