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Original poster

To be Angered by Dr Pam Spurrs Big Brother Explanation on Aspergers Syndrome

27 replies

JohFlow · 27/08/2013 11:16

So last night the lovely 'Abz' (rapper of yesteryear) explained that he had Asperger's Syndrome in the diary room.

Emma Willis asked there resident Behavioural Psychologist Dr Pam Spurr to explain what the condition is to the viewers.

Her explanation focused on the negatives that some people with the condition have e.g : learning difficulties, needing time to process social interaction etc. Leaving those new to the condition thinking that someone with it may have disadvantages only .

There was no explanation of the fact that an Aspergic brain works differently/interestingly - or the possible plus sides to the condition such as above average intelligent, savantism, fresh thinking, honesty etc.

Is it a little irrresponsible not to be able to explain the condition in full with her experience - and knowing that there would be someone coming into the house with the condition?

What did you think?

OP posts:
118sbigmoustache · 27/08/2013 11:25

I think they were talking in the context of him holding himself back from the other housemates so the description of the parts of aspergers that could influence that was relevant to explaining why he wasn't interacting or opening up as much as the other housemates. Emma specifically asked her "how will it affect him in the house?" in which case the social side of it will be more relevant to that 30 second explanation.

thornrose · 27/08/2013 11:25

I didn't see it, but I'm disappointed based on your post. I agree she would've known in advance and should have given a more rounded explanation. For many people watching it will be the first they've heard of it!

Paula Hamilton went on last year, she has Aspergers and dyspraxia but I don't think it got much of a mention.

I am hoping that as Abz is a young guy from a band that was quite high profile it could raise awareness of Aspergers in a positive way, let's see!

Bathsheba · 27/08/2013 11:59

Savantism is not in any way an advantage....unless you are looking for party tricks to be done. As far as I'm aware almost all the certified savants around today need 24 hour care and accompaniment.

My DH has Aspergers - it means he can be really focussed on his work. However it also means he can be very focuseed on his work at completely inappropriate times...so even the advantages have a disadvantage.

Original poster
JohFlow · 27/08/2013 12:28

Thank you for your posts so far and I take all your points into consideration. I too have a DP with Aspergers - which is why I really care about the messages that are communicated about the condition.

I do hope that awareness of Aspergers is raised via the programme and maybe there is more explanation to come.

Realistically; living with a family member with Aspergers can simultaneously be a challenge and bring blessings. It demands a variety of special skills from those in close proximity. As Bathsheba suggests gifts are sometimes accompanied with challenges - whilst this can be hard to accept sometimes (particularly if you have conflicting priorities) it seems like a natural balance.

I'm just keen (is that how you spell it?) that a full picture of the condition is put forward. There are already enough misunderstanding at large.

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 27/08/2013 12:34

Is he doing Ok on the show? I hope so...it would be amazing if he won. Great for the AS community.

Original poster
JohFlow · 27/08/2013 16:02

He seems a bit quiet at the moment Neo. But; I think he is adjusting to the busy environment in there. I hope he comes into his own. Will make interesting viewing.

OP posts:
NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 27/08/2013 17:30

Well it's very brave and I suppose he might well learn a bit about himself from watching the episodes once he's out.

thornrose · 27/08/2013 22:35

There's a thread on Telly Addicts which is quite depressing. Some people on there are very unwilling to accept that Abz could raise awareness of Aspergers and certainly feel he shouldn't win based having a "condition" Sad

WorraLiberty · 27/08/2013 22:39

I agree that no-one should win anything based on a condition they have

But if he does happen to win it, I guess it'll be a good thing if it raises awareness.

He's already been quite a successful boy band member.

Noseynoonoo · 27/08/2013 22:42

I wouldn't hold any store by what Pam Spurr says. Every time I see her on TV she has a different title e.g. behavioural expert, relationship coach, bake bean guru.

thornrose · 27/08/2013 22:50

Bad phrasing on my part, no one should win because they have a condition. Some people now would like to see Abz win knowing he has Aspergers.

I have a dd with Aspergers, I would love someone with Aspergers to win. It's hard to explain how great it is to see someone on tv who might just raise awareness.

Original poster
JohFlow · 27/08/2013 22:56

I am not sure how Abz could avoid raising awareness. All we have to do is watch him going about his day to day business. His coping skills as an adult may mean that spotting his condition may be more subtle but we'll see. I agree that he should win based on the work that he puts in rather than because of his condition.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/08/2013 23:20

Ahh yes put like that thornrose I see what you mean.

I have to say it's a shame that he's talking about it now, when he's trying to revive his career...rather than in his days as a popular boy band member.

But obviously that's his decision and would probably have been more difficult when he was younger.

thornrose · 27/08/2013 23:30

Worra I agree, it would've had a much bigger impact if he'd spoken out while he was famous.

I'm guessing " Management" wouldn't have agreed that though!

118sbigmoustache · 27/08/2013 23:34

I thought he said he'd only been diagnosed two years ago? So way after 5ive etc.

NoPhoto · 27/08/2013 23:36

He was only diagnosed a few years ago, according to his media reports.

thornrose · 27/08/2013 23:37

I didn't hear that 118 I just heard him say he had Aspergers. Did he say that in the diary room?

NoPhoto · 27/08/2013 23:37

X posts with 118...

118sbigmoustache · 27/08/2013 23:38

Yeah I think so. Something along the lines of only finding out a couple of years ago and still getting used to it or something.

thornrose · 27/08/2013 23:40

Aw bless, yes he did say that, I got so excited I missed it Blush

GloriaJones121 · 27/08/2013 23:47

This reply has been deleted

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WorraLiberty · 27/08/2013 23:57

Oh right sorry

I didn't realised he's not long been diagnosed

I've recorded it to watch later Blush

Original poster
JohFlow · 28/08/2013 11:44

Update : Response from Pam Spurrs via Big Brother twitter. There has been an apology about her focus on the negatives for the show. She suggests that she has two family members with Aspergers and Dyslexia combined. Under the pressure of time/being on live t.v. those family members came to mind and that spurred on her comments. She has apologized for any offense caused and accepts that some people with Aspergers are gifted too.

OP posts:
BrokenSunglasses · 28/08/2013 11:53

How sad that she sad she thinks of her own family members and the only thing that comes to mind are the negatives. Sad

I didn't see the programme, but based on what you posted she certainly should have made a better job of her apology.

I think Aspergers in general has a very negative association with it. I've seen threads on here where numerous posters have suggested that partners who are unloving or abusive have probably got Aspergers, and even posters who are married to someone with Aspergers slagging their partners off for things they can't help.

My ds has Aspergers and he's bloody fantastic, so it boils my piss!

catinabox · 28/08/2013 12:03

Johflow What a great post.

I am completely of the thinking that Aspergers is active evidence of human evolution.

I have theory to back this up! One day, i might write a paper on it.

I love to hear Aspergers being considered from a strengths perspective.

Anyway, from the DSM perspective it hasn't existed since March. Possibly progress?