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?

but the pendulum may have swung too far. I totally agree.

I think what is especially worrying is the lack of research into interventions that work. The dominant lobby is saying leave ASD people alone. Don’t treat anything as if it’s a problem.

A range of views, and facing up to difficulties as well as raising expectations and opportunities. This is what I’d like to see more of.

Unfortunately there seems to be internal divisions in the ASD which I feel suppresses many important voices.

At least for my son ,even though hes lower functioning has no idea hes different as long as he has his music and his favourite foods hes happy hes lovely and cuddly .

Bananas It is not used to indicate help and services required. It's used by the media to marginalise. It's used by neurotypical people to marginalise. I do not know or comprehend why you are trying to divide. I'd also like to know are you on the spectrum?

X2boys I agree. Even worse is 'autism is my superpower'.

x2 which reinforces my point really. It’s such a huge thing, the spectrum. Function labels do not help the autistic community. It’s just a way for neurotypicals to enforce expectations on us.

I can speak sometimes. I certainly can communicate in writing. I’ve self harmed, had at least two full autistic burnouts. Whilst I have a home and family there are issue there too that I don’t really want to discuss publicly.

Everyone is different. All my children are completely different from me.

One autistic person should be one autistic person and the needs of each individual respected individually. Not shoehorned into false ‘groups’.

Surely the whole point of the Chris Packham show is that it's Chris Packham, ie a well known, charismatic and attractive man who many of us have grown up with and are interested in. He's exceptionally self aware and articulate, so makes naturally watchable tv.

If people with much more severe challenges are presented, can they meaningfully consent to that? I also agree that any non positive or non inspiring coverage of living with disabilities can spark criticism 'that's disablist, negative, stereotyping, patronising' etc.

I don't blame tv for wanting to show the more 'exciting' side of human differences. Showing the really gritty, difficult stuff could hurt or offend, especially if it's children.

Yep i agree with that Bishops .

Whose it going to offend Morris ?Autism is a spectrum if there is going to be autism awareness why should always just show one end of a spectrum why should kids like my son be hidden away?

X2 I see that all the time and it pisses me off too. For some people it is true, but for a lot of people it isn't. It is 100% a disability for my ds. It's a controversial opinion but if a cure were available I would absolutely take it without a second thought.

Absolutely Autumn. I remember hearing somewhere about funding different conditions. Can't remember the exact figures but comparing ASD to childhood cancers its something like 1% of the funding but it affects 10x the numbers (ASD that is). My rather garbled point is that ASD research/services etc etc need to be massively improved and should have a lot more funding put into them. Even for stuff like respite, it would massively improve so many people's lives.

YANBU, but consent is an issue when it comes to adults. I wish they'd show poor families with a child who has ASD. Every one of those shows, including 'The Undateables' (uggh!) features families living in lovely suburban homes, they're never in temp accommodation or some grotty council flat with bare floors. It makes life immeasurably worse.

Me too Sharkira .

The autistic community cannot speak with one voice, because the needs and difficulties vary so much. It is the same as those with physical disabilities, again the spectrum is huge, so you end up with blanket statements trying to encompass everyone, when in fact what is needed is greater education about all of it and acceptance that ASD is a spectrum and not a one size fits all category of clothing!

I also believe that talk of a cure just echoes the fact that neurotypicals think there is something ‘wrong’ with the autistic neurotype.

It’s not wrong, it’s different.

Autistic people need to have their needs met, whatever those are. Assistance with communication if needed, harming behaviours minimised as far as possible by understanding and removing the root cause of stress/frustration or replacing the sensory feedback in a non harmful way.

That won’t happen as long as we’re being herded into little boxes imposed on us by a society that just doesn’t get it.

' Can't remember the exact figures but comparing ASD to childhood cancers its something like 1% of the funding but it affects 10x the numbers (ASD that is). '

I agree, Shakira, that funding needs to be improved but it can in no way be compared to childhood cancer. As the mother of a child who died from paediatric cancer (which is incredibly underfunded on the whole) and the mother of a child with ASD I find that comparison offensive and highly upsetting. My dear, sweet daughter was treated with drugs decades old, created for adults, that ravaged her young body and played a role in her premature death due, and there was no choice in that. Cancer is a life-threatening disease and, in the vast majority of cases, acute, treatment had to occur right away or the child dies quickly. All too often, they die anyway. It's just in no way comparable to ASD, it really isn't.

On my FB newsfeed

Yup Bishop - that's it exactly.

There is another problem with the 'not a disability but a different ability' in that it invites the response that a different ability doesn't need support, DLA, specialist services schools, etc.

And by that I don’t mean we shouldn’t try to make life better by the way.

I also believe that talk of a cure just echoes the fact that neurotypicals think there is something ‘wrong’ with the autistic neurotype. It’s not wrong, it’s different

i don't think you get to say that for everyone though, do you? I know my sister would take a "cure" for her son if there was one. He can't speak or toilet or feed himself or ever be left alone. Yes, he's different, and if you asked her she would cure him and have him less different, as much as she loves him.

Whinberry very, very true.

My ability to memorise facts doesn’t mean I can deal with my medical needs for example

My nephew is not "differently abled" he is profoundly disabled. Saying this is not misunderstanding him or labelling him, it's the truth.

I understand that Andrew. Trying to express my thoughts on that too, makes sense in my head but y’know I’m autistic so it might be clumsy.

I too have children with the toileting issues, smearing etc. A child who still eats with his hands and plays with his food at 12. Yes if that could be stopped absolutely I’d do that. For my sake. They don’t care, though, they’re getting sensory feedback from it and they’re happy. Try don’t sleep properly either, never have, but again it’s me that’s being impacted by that, not them. If not want to change the essence of who they are to not impact me, does that make sense?

But anything that causes distress and unhappiness for my children I’d want to take it away in a heartbeat.

No idea if that brain fart makes sense, I do know what I want to say but can’t.

I agree Andrew my son is non verbal and not toilet trained if somone offered him a cure like hell I would take it but I suppose it shows we all have different perspectives because of our different experiences of autism it doesnt make anyone right or wrong which is why there needs to be more awareness of the different ends of the spectrum.

AndrewJ, I think this is why each individual on the spectrum has to be considered as an individual.

DS is HF and sometimes feels life is such a struggle, I know he wishes he could be like his peers, who aren't so over-whelmed by all human interaction BUT he can get by, can study and will probably be able to get a job etc.

However, if he were profoundly disabled and unable to communicate, I know that I would be wishing there were a cure for that too. In fairness, I sometimes wish there were a cure for his level of ASD, even though I know that with better understanding and tolerance in wider society, things wouldn't be quite such a struggle for him.

Apologies for upsetting you expat, that was not my intention. I'm very sorry for your loss

I was just using that poor example of childhood cancer as that was the one I read the article about, comparing the amount of funding VS the amount of people affected by it. Cancer is life threatening so yes, it does not compare to ASD in that respect.