To wish that, just for once, there would be a programme made about low functioning autistic people?

[SharkiraSharkira]

I admit this is a sensitive subject for me as I have a 'low functioning' autistic child but....

I think it's great that ASD is becoming more well known and more understood, so to speak. People know more about it, are willing to talk about it. They are happier to portray it in TV and movies. This is all good as it gives the condition more exposure.

However. It always seems to be the same kind of autism portrayed. The high functioning ones. The ones who are savants or gifted at something. The ones who can have relationships, jobs, and live independently. This was all triggered by an advert for a new drama I saw who's main character is a brilliant doctor/surgeon who happens to be autistic.

But I can't recall ever seeing a programme or film (admittedly I haven't seen them all) that shows the other side of autism. The ones who headbang or are incontinent. The ones who cannot live independently or have a job, ever.

I'm not saying that programmes about higher functioning ASD are bad, just that it would be nice to see on screen a situation/person that relates to ASD that is vaguely familiar. So many of them, as a parent of someone who is severely affected, just don't resemble my experience at all. They may as well be different conditions entirely.

Aibu to wish that for once producers/filmmakers etc would show the other side of autism?

[Gilead]

Sharkira There was a programme a few years ago, still available via Youtube about Luke Jackson and his family. A single mum at uni coping with all the attendant difficulties of having children with AS and ADHD. Googling Luke Jackson may well bring it up.

[SharkiraSharkira]

Completely agree Bishops.

Jay55 I have been to support groups and workshops about ASD and felt exactly like that.

I distinctly remember sitting in a room with 5 couples and I felt like crying because they were all talking about their children's difficulties - (for example) being anxious about using the toilet because they didn't know 'where it went' afterwards, whereas my child couldn't even sit on a toilet and he idea of him actually using one was a distant dream.

I didn't actually feel like the groups were helpful at all because our issues were so different. Obviously I do realise that there isn't an endless supply of courses available for every place on the spectrum but it's just annoying when the stuff they talk about is stuff you just can't do or implement.

[SharkiraSharkira]

Thanks Gilead, I will look that up.

[Whinberry]

I wonder if part of the problem is that the autistic people who do speak out about living life with autism are the ones that can. They are the ones who establish the Autism Community. The ones, who like a pp suggested, are insulted at suggestions that autism is a 'problem' not just a different way of looking at life. This may be their reality. But there are many who cannot speak out, for whom it is very disabling and distressing in day to day life, who put huge stress on their carers, maybe causing them physical harm. These individuals voices are not heard. I don't think individuals at one 'end' of the spectrum can speak on behalf of those at the other 'end'.

[BishopBrennansArse]

I’ll give you an example of an issue that is causing significant problems despite my ‘high functioning ‘ label.

I also have a physical disability which has been repeatedly mismanaged over the past two years because the consultant has dismissed me. I don’t know if that is because I am unable to express myself properly because my GP is also being dismissed with similar concerns.

I now need to make a formal complaint to enable my care to be transferred to another consultant. But I can’t do it. Despite knowing that my mobility could significantly worsen and my ability to self care I just cannot do it. There could even be pulmonary or cardiac complications yet I cannot do the complaint to enable me to get proper care.

[Davros]

I haven't rtft but totally agree with you. I had this conversation with a friend two days ago. We. It's have severely autistic DCs with LD and challenging behaviour. They are also wonderful kids but media friendly it ain't. A big issue is the will to include people with ASD in consultations, decision making, the workplace etc which can only be accessed by people with HFA or AS who, because of their condition, are unable to understand or represent anyone different to themselves

[BishopBrennansArse]

Whinberry - even some non verbal autistics can express themselves through writing.

I know there is another group who can do neither but my point is there are enough of us out there including autistic parent carers of more ‘severe’ kids who can give views.

But we’re not heard.

I very much agree with the message given last night - why should we change? Why can’t society bother their arses enough to include us?

[Bananasinpyjamas11]

Yanbu

I totally get this. I have a HFA child but who has severe ASD.

I so feel for my friends who have kids who still don’t talk age 12, or who get beaten up by them, or watch their kids self harming. It breaks my heart. So many families struggling alone.

And then someone who is mildly autistic speaking out saying no special schools or saying people just need to be accepting and let’s just be positive. And saying there is no such thing as mild or severe. Try telling that to some families where there child is head banging every day and escaping onto the roof at night!

There’s a real lack of compassion because only one side of ASD is dominating the media and to some extent, Services. The hfa lobby suppresses this. For example the popular books are all hfa and all putting down anyone who dare say some of being ASD is really difficult and problematic. Like those with ASD who don’t talk are being denied a voice.

We need to hear more people speak out. Especially about self harm, speech and services. It should be done well, but let’s have more of it.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Bananas mild and severe make my life difficult every day so just think about that rather than undermining an actually autistic person.

[MargoLovebutter]

Bananas, I wasn't aware of some autistic people saying that there shouldn't be special schools. Is that a well-known thing?

[AndrewJames]

try the film "Fly Away" for a start www.imdb.com/title/tt1697920/

and I have seen more than one documentary featuring families coping with severely affected chidren.

[x2boys]

Yeah I agree op my son also has severe autism hes non verbal etc ,all those people saying there would be an out cry because not everyone with autism is like that, that's the point every single programme featuring autism is about people that are higher functioning ,autism is a spectrum why should those that are lower functioning be hidden away just because it might offend those that are higher functioning? to have autism awareness people need to be aware of all people on the spectrum

[Gilead]

Bananas Im sorry I have to disagree with you. Packham talked last night about his suicidal ideation. It's common. Those of us who are high functioning do not suppress anything with the media. It's the media who choose to look at what they feel may be a more engaging side to things. I have high functioning children, they have self harmed, they have hurt me. We all experience those things. Mild autism is a label used for those outside the situation. It's not mild when you're experiencing it as an autistic person.

[Bananasinpyjamas11]

Well bishop why don’t you acknowledge that experiences can be different then?

Undermining? No idea why that would be the case from what I’ve said.

It’s when someone says they are not mild on the media and so the public think, oh there isn’t really a range, this hfa must be representative. The dominant message is to suppress any talk of mild or severe, any talk to problems.

And that really does undermine thousands of struggling families or people whose child is nowhere near independence or even speech.

[museumum]

I’m not sure OP as there is also an idea in society that children with autism can’t soeak or make eye contact.
When it first became more known about 10-15 years ago that was the main image shown.

I think those whose asd is less visible fought this stereotype and for more representation but the pendulum may have swung too far.

[hasitcometothis33]

Panorama etc have done exposes of the abuse of autistic people in the care system.

Is that what you mean OP?

[BishopBrennansArse]

Where have I not acknowledged that? I’ve stated I have family members in different places on the neurotypically enforced completely unhelpful functioning chart.

Do you seriously think I haven’t experienced self harm, head banging/butting, bearings and absconding?

Some of those done myself, a mythical ‘high functioning’ autistic person.

[Bananasinpyjamas11]

It is used to describe how much service wise a person needs. And to judge level of independence.

It is not to say that anyone with mild levels of service need and high levels of independence, like Packham, does not have real and significant struggles. However there is still a big difference in his ability to live independently and hold down a job etc.

I am hugely compassionate and interested in all portrayals do ASD in the media. Packhams documentary was very moving.

However there is a real gap in talking about the less independent people with ASD. And also a very vocal hfa lobby that are often not saying clearly enough that they are not speaking for the whole spectrum.

[BishopBrennansArse]

14% of high functioning labelled autistic people are in employment, Bananas.

Where does that fit with your opinion?

FWIW I do have a child who will never live independently. I can advocate for him better than I can for myself.

[x2boys]

And i often see "Autism is not a disability its just a different ability " this pisses me off no end.

[BishopBrennansArse]

x2 I’m glad of some of the different abilities my autism gives me but it’s absolutely a disability too

[2014newme]

Chris packham is clearly high functioning but on last night's documentary even he was bullied at school, was non verbal at uni, considered suicide several times, can't attend social events, lives alone in the woods with the blinds pulled down.

[SharkiraSharkira]

I think I saw that Has, absolutely broke my heart.

[x2boys]

Absolutely Bishops but for some it isn't a different ability either .

[BishopBrennansArse]

Did anyone else observe the difference between Chris Packham doing his presenting work and Chris Packham being Chris Packham? It was nice to see the mask being dropped.