Yes, it is based on a true story to some extent. The author, Daniel Keyes, was inspired by real - life experiences and the idea of what it would be like for a person with intellectual disabilities to have their intelligence suddenly increased and then face various consequences.
Flowers might also represent Charlie's innocence. Before the experiment, he was simple - minded like a flower that just exists without much complication. But as his intelligence grows, he loses that innocent simplicity, and the contrast is like the change from a budding flower to a more complex state.
In the 'Flowers for Algernon' short story, one activity is Charlie's participation in the intelligence - enhancing experiment. He takes tests regularly as part of the experiment, which is a crucial activity that drives the plot forward.