Autism Spectrum Disorders have fascinated me for several years and since I have started working with children with ASD, I have seen how people react to their differences. I was interested in this project after one parent I worked with asked me what I thought of "Parenthood". I had never seen it consistently, but when home and started watching it on Netflix (Yes, the entire series is there).
This project has really opened my eyes to the media's portray of minorities in general. Writers tend to focus on the easiest and most identifiable characteristics, which usually tend to be stereotypes. As with all minority groups, people need to understand that one representation does not define the entire group. Before taking the media's representation seriously, you should do some research on the group. These shows and movies are made for entertainment and are not documentaries. Becoming informed about differences is extremely necessary in this world, since everyone is unique. We should embrace our individuality and respect the characteristics of others. More specifically, understanding those who are not neuro-typical is important because accommodating for their differences is not only mandated by law, but vital to their quality of life.
As I expected, patterns have emerged in the portrayals, commonly seeing impairments with eye contact, understanding of metaphors and an inability to spontaneously enjoy other's company. It was less common to see repetitive motor movements including hand-flapping. As I discussed in the Grey's Anatomy post, I would like to see very strong representation of the stereotypical behaviors become less black and white, and for writers to show the grey aspects of ASD. Symptoms are extremely varied and not all individuals are "clearly" Autistic. I know many children who are so high-functioinng that someone may never be able to tell the were atypical. Many of these characters experience unrealistic storylines that are easily remedied and do
not express the true and ongoing problems. Although these portrayals can begin conversations and spark
interest to learn more, I believe the lack of variations in the spectrum
disorder are negatively influencing people’s ideas of ASD.
I hope that you have become more informed of these characters and
learn to not rely on what they see on the screen for correct portrayals. Please don't take everything you see in television or movies for granted. Producers and directors are more often more interested in the entertainment purposes than an accurate portrayals.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Raymond (Rain Man)
Diagnosis: Autism
Portrayed by Dustin Hoffamn
Ray is an Autistic savant who has an incredible memory. He is seen memorizing phone numbers, baseball statistics, and has a great ability to count. The movie focuses on his new relationship with his selfish brother after their father dies and leaves his property to Ray.
This movie was a huge turning point in Autism awareness. Since was release in 1988 and won an academy award in 1989, it has been one of the most well-known movies with an Autistic character. Ray's character has both behavior and rare savant skills which has, unfortunately, helped to form the stereotypical view of Autism, while ignoring/debunking some of the prior misinformation and stereotypes. Savant skills, especially those as extreme as Ray's, are extremely rare, but many people believe this is a symptom when looking to label others. But, I'll say it again, everyone with ASD is different and no two people present the same way. However, the movie increase public awareness of the disorder when it was still relatively unknown and started the inclusion of characters with ASD into our popular media. Most importantly, I think the popularity of this movie has lead to the increased understanding of a need to include and accommodate for those who are not "typical" outside the entertainment industry. Everyone should see this movie!
Portrayed by Dustin Hoffamn
Ray is an Autistic savant who has an incredible memory. He is seen memorizing phone numbers, baseball statistics, and has a great ability to count. The movie focuses on his new relationship with his selfish brother after their father dies and leaves his property to Ray.
(Trailer)
(scenes from the movie)
This movie was a huge turning point in Autism awareness. Since was release in 1988 and won an academy award in 1989, it has been one of the most well-known movies with an Autistic character. Ray's character has both behavior and rare savant skills which has, unfortunately, helped to form the stereotypical view of Autism, while ignoring/debunking some of the prior misinformation and stereotypes. Savant skills, especially those as extreme as Ray's, are extremely rare, but many people believe this is a symptom when looking to label others. But, I'll say it again, everyone with ASD is different and no two people present the same way. However, the movie increase public awareness of the disorder when it was still relatively unknown and started the inclusion of characters with ASD into our popular media. Most importantly, I think the popularity of this movie has lead to the increased understanding of a need to include and accommodate for those who are not "typical" outside the entertainment industry. Everyone should see this movie!
Daniel (P.S. I Love You)
Diagnosis: Asperger's
Portrayed by
Harry Connick, Jr.
Daniel is an adult bartender, a minor character, who makes
harsh and abrasive comments, and clearly doesn’t think before speaking. He
frequently jokes about his condition and “takes a pill” every time he does or
says something horrible.
(Pills for Happiness Clip)
Since Daniel has little screen time, we know very little about him or his disorder. I really HATE that they gave his character Asperger's because the main thing we find out about him is from the scene above.
Just clarify, there is no medication used to "treat" autism itself. Although there
is no known cure or prevention, there are many treatments that can reduce some
of the challenges students might face. Treatments are tailored specifically to
an individual's strengths, weaknesses and needs. Biomedical interventions include
modification of diet, immune system regulation and medication to treat
coexisting symptoms (e.g. anxiety or hyperactivity). Nonmedical treatments
include behavioral modification and educational approaches (special education)
and speech, physical and/or occupational therapies.
Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA) is a widely used technique intended to shape and reinforce
positive or new behaviors and reduce undesirable ones. It involves an intense,
one-on-one child-therapist (or teacher) interaction. It is often used to teach
verbal behavior or is used as “pivotal response” training. Social skills
training programs are also important to teach a child social norms, including
personal space, making eye contact, not to interrupt, to play nicely with
peers, have manners, etc. This misinformation is dangerous and because there is medication available to treat many childhood disorders, people assume there is also medication to treat ASD. This is completely incorrect.
If the writers are bothering to include this character, they should really do their research to find out what is correct. Conveying incorrect information is wrong and misleading for the viewers. Have you seen the movie? What did you think about this scene?
Oskar (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)
Diagnosis: Suspected Asperger's
Portrayed by Thomas Horn
Portrayed by Thomas Horn
Oskar is a young boy who is the main character in this
movie. Although he has no official diagnosis for Asperger’s (he says “test were
inconclusive”), he shows many of the signs and symptoms of the syndrome. He
mentions having a hard time talking to people, is sensitive to loud sounds, is
paranoid and fearful of new things, is wary of those who are different and
panics on public transportation (especially bridges). Oskar also likes rubbing
textures on his face, plays the piano, relies on the truth, and is unwilling to
try new things (swinging with his father). He makes eye contact and does not
care about being touched, and uses a tambourine to keep himself calm while
stressed. He is very inquisitive, knows many random facts, and loves learning
from his father, who is killed in the World Trade Centers on 9/11. Before his
death, his father designs plan to send him all over Central Park to force him
to talk to people and gain social skills. The movie focuses on this journey
were he does venture out of his comfort zone.
While I did not like this movie in general (it was slow), I though it was a very interesting and unique look into a boy's adventure after his father's death. Even without the official diagnosis, he has many symptoms of a high functioning child with ASD and I would never doubt that he was on the spectrum. This movie shows that you don't need to have all the symptoms, or severe symptoms, for a suspected diagnosis. The adventure allows the viewers to watch an "atypical" child learn and grow from the experiences he has, especially those outside his comfort zone. It would have been better for the screenwriters to officially label the boy, because this message would be valuable to the general public.
TV Character Without Official Diagnoses
There are several characters who are thought to have an ASD, but their respective shows have never officially diagnosed them.
1 & 2. "Dr. Temperance Brennan" and "Dr. Zack Addy" on Bones
Portrayed by Emily Deschanel and Eric Millegan
Suspected Diagnosis: Asperger's
In an interview with Emily Deschanel she said, "Hart Hanson, the creator of the show, and I discuss, you know, that my character almost has Asperger syndrome, and, you know, if a maybe if it was a film, that I maybe specifically would have Asperger's," she said."If you look at the character of Zack, [Brennan's graduate assistant] played by Eric Millegan, he almost definitely has Asperger syndrome..." It has also been reported that Hanson and the other Bones team wanted Brennan to have Asperger's but FOX rejected the idea, saying the show would reach a larger audience without a diagnosis. Regardless, there is no official diagnosis for either character. I am a huge fan of this show, and I would not necessarily just to an Autism diagnosis for Deschanel's character. Temperance Brennan is socially awkward and has limited interpersonal skills, but that could be attributed to her life in foster care and finding comfort in science instead of the family she lost. I would agree that Zack's character is more likely to have Asperger's.
Suspected Diagnosis: Asperger's and mild obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
4. "Dr. Sheldon Cooper" on The Big Bang Theory
Portrayed by Jim Parsons
Suspected Diagnosis: Asperger's and OCD
Series co-creator, Bill Prady said in an interview, "We write the character as the character. A lot of people see various things in him and make the connections. Our feeling is that Sheldon's mother never got a diagnosis, so we don't have one". It is clear that they chose to not label his behavior, even though he does have some symptoms that could be seen as Aspergerian.
I find it very interesting that all these characters are highly intelligent and have doctorates (or multiple degrees) in science related fields. Multiple show creators and producers have stated they have avoided the official diagnosis because it comes with too much responsibility in accuracy portraying the characters and the mystery adds to the show's appeal. Since we have talked about the spectrum part of the disorder, it is possible for the audience to see these known imparments and believe they have a milder form, which is completely acceptable. It is also possible that chacters are just different and the audience wants to label them. Everyone has quirks and challenges, and not everyone who has social impairments has Asperger's.
1 & 2. "Dr. Temperance Brennan" and "Dr. Zack Addy" on Bones
Portrayed by Emily Deschanel and Eric Millegan
Suspected Diagnosis: Asperger's
In an interview with Emily Deschanel she said, "Hart Hanson, the creator of the show, and I discuss, you know, that my character almost has Asperger syndrome, and, you know, if a maybe if it was a film, that I maybe specifically would have Asperger's," she said."If you look at the character of Zack, [Brennan's graduate assistant] played by Eric Millegan, he almost definitely has Asperger syndrome..." It has also been reported that Hanson and the other Bones team wanted Brennan to have Asperger's but FOX rejected the idea, saying the show would reach a larger audience without a diagnosis. Regardless, there is no official diagnosis for either character. I am a huge fan of this show, and I would not necessarily just to an Autism diagnosis for Deschanel's character. Temperance Brennan is socially awkward and has limited interpersonal skills, but that could be attributed to her life in foster care and finding comfort in science instead of the family she lost. I would agree that Zack's character is more likely to have Asperger's.
3. “Dr. Spencer Reid” on Criminal Minds
Portrayed by Matthew Gray Gubler
Suspected Diagnosis: Asperger's and mild obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Spencer's character is socially awkward, misses social cues, has several splinter skills involving science and math, and is extremely intelligent. In season 8, episode 3, a family is kidnapped, including their son who has Asperger's. Because of this exposure, Reid's new coworker slyly suggests that he may have Asperger's too, which Reid ignores.
4. "Dr. Sheldon Cooper" on The Big Bang Theory
Portrayed by Jim Parsons
Suspected Diagnosis: Asperger's and OCD
Series co-creator, Bill Prady said in an interview, "We write the character as the character. A lot of people see various things in him and make the connections. Our feeling is that Sheldon's mother never got a diagnosis, so we don't have one". It is clear that they chose to not label his behavior, even though he does have some symptoms that could be seen as Aspergerian.
I find it very interesting that all these characters are highly intelligent and have doctorates (or multiple degrees) in science related fields. Multiple show creators and producers have stated they have avoided the official diagnosis because it comes with too much responsibility in accuracy portraying the characters and the mystery adds to the show's appeal. Since we have talked about the spectrum part of the disorder, it is possible for the audience to see these known imparments and believe they have a milder form, which is completely acceptable. It is also possible that chacters are just different and the audience wants to label them. Everyone has quirks and challenges, and not everyone who has social impairments has Asperger's.
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