Portrayal of autistic people in films/TV

[AutisticHouseMove]

I was diagnosed as autistic in my early 40s.

When I was younger, the only real portrayal of autism I was aware of was Rainman.

I also know there has been criticism of that because it portrayed an autistic man as a 'low functioning' savant.

Over recent years, I've noticed a prevalence of a different type of autistic person. Usually working in some kind of solitary role requiring a high level of intelligence (eg scientist), who is brilliant/the best at their job but completely lacking in empathy or social skills and getting it all wrong when they have to interact with colleagues or friends.

They're rarely identified as 'autistic' but there are hints along the way, comments from other characters about how 'weird' or 'difficult' or 'awkward' they are or how curious it is watching them trying to interact with or behave like 'the humans/earthlings'. Or other characters have to brace themselves against the tone deaf comments. Basically, either endearingly odd, a bit of a dick or both.

I don't know. It just makes me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed even when I realise this character (and they're recognisable because they're all portrayed in the same way) is supposed to represent me. Or is this really how NT people perceive many of us to be?

YABU - the portrayal of people with autism in films and TV shows is pretty much how I experience autistic people in real life

YANBU - you have a point.

That's kind of an example of what I mean, in that it's by an established 'name' in the industry with the clout to get it made and to get all those other names on board too, and was about his own experiences with his daughter to make it okay and authentic. In those circumstances, he can negotiate the system and it's okay to have Miley play Rosie in those circumstances - and she had to as it was determined a learning disabled actor wouldn't have coped with the schedule. Those are rare circumstances and the story has to come from the people with experience of the disability, of whom there aren't nearly enough in the industry. Like you, I hope there's more, and that audiences show up if/when it happens. Guess I'm just jaded by the industry which is in a terrible state at the moment, but as you say, these things can happen once in a blue moon so here's hoping...

What about ITV’s ‘The Assembly’ with actual real autistic (and other) people?

Was just going to mention this!

I loved Dinosaur!

It’s a spectrum ranging from the adult with various comorbidities who has never been able to communicate verbally and still in nappies to people who’ve gone through life , married looking after children and not diagnosed until late 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, etc.
I always say this and I cannot understand how they can all have ‘autism/are autistic’. I would like to see some kind of distinction one day. I understand the different difficulties with different functions, etc but the current diagnosis criteria is not enough imo.

I'm not sure I agree. I think there's quite a lot of variety in how autistic people are now portrayed in TV series and it's come a long way. Atypical, Parenthood and Geek Girl are good examples. I still think that most focus on the portrayal of experiences of autistic men/ boys though - which is why I liked Geek Girl (I could see so much of my daughter in the lead character). I've not seen Patience, so don't know how that character plays out.

I know what you're saying and Rosie definitely reminded me of my dd when she was having a mental health breakdown 2 years ago due to undiagnosed autism (she was 6). Rosie isn't autistic though, she has a chromosome abnormality I think? And dd now is a far cry from Rosie these days, appreciating that dd has 'high functioning' (sorry) autism, and that many are much more severely affected.

The actress who plays Rosie is absolutely superb.

My son also has a rare chromosome disorder, it's believed to be the underlying cause of his autism and learning disabilities
I'm.not sure wether the ever said Rosie was autistic but she certainly presented a lot like my son.

The family confirmed that Joey (Rosie) did have learning disabilities and autism related to her eventual DYRK1A syndrome diagnosis. They did quite a lot of interviews when the programme first aired.

I also agree the actor who played 'Rosie' was incredible.

Yes she was fantastic
I also liked how they portrayed the family faults and all
The Dad drank to much they both had a dark sense of humour ( which me and my dh have) they were muddling through doing the best they could but clearly adored Rosie.

It’s not uncommon for threads about autism to get heated because of this. I’ve seen posters with autism get angry when people suggest that those with profound disabilities due to their autism are different to those who are “high functioning”. I don’t think im explaining this very well, so my apologies, but I’ve seen a lot of posts that claim there is no such thing as HF autism, just autism. But there is clearly a huge difference between someone who is non-verbal and require support with all care needs, and those who have independent lives, careers, relationships etc.

There is and society recognises this but having said that
Even people with so called high functioning autism can have high care needs
I can think of at least two young adults who whilst academically able are not able to really care for themselves it's such a broad spectrum.

There is a mother in the US campaigning for this. She's sick of the level ones and self diagnosed hijacking the label autism and talking of masking which is a privilege her son doesnt have. He cant mask and she said if you can you're privileged.

Edit ... it wont post the link to her page.

Rosie in There she goes is the only character that has come close to portraying someone like my son.

The A word character was nothing like him.

I've been enjoying 'Dexter: Resurrection' but the heavily autistic-coded detective feels very outdated.

Someone with profound/severe autism wouldn't be able to 'act'.

I agree it is an amazing series and the characters are human. I also love that they have a dark sense of humour, I think if you didn't laugh at some of the situations and things we go through as families you'd go mad.

I saw a lot of my son in Rosie and a lot of my family in the series. I wish they didnt get the chromosome dx though as many families never get that sort of closure (we have).

I'd love to see a series ten or twenty years on, looking at navigating life for or with an adult with severe needs. I'm sure if families were interviewed we could all give some stories to contribute.

Yes definitely there was a thread in the special needs section about it during the first series a lot of posters recounting their own There she goes moments with their children
I could absolutely see my son doing the stuff Rosie ,got upto!
I think the writer did say that they might consider an updated episode, if there is anything significant to update..

This is how I feel.

As the parent of a child who has an EHCP, needs 1:1 support in life, struggles enormously and will never be independent, I think the Umbrella term is useless. For a start no two individuals are the same and whilst there are levels of autism, that’s never added on. The levels are basically mild moderate and severe as to how someone is affected but if you suggest that you’re shot down. There is a such a huge difference between the two ends of the spectrum that I don’t think it should have the same name.

On the other hand I do think it’s good in other ways that it is more mainstream.

I completely agree with her!

My niece has profound autism (that’s what her mother calls it). So not the ‘type’ you are talking about. Non verbal, with learning and physical disabilities. You don’t see that portrayed at all, nor her classmates who often violently act out.
I think the issue is that autism presents itself in so many different ways in real life a character may represent one person but feel alien to another.
The Good Doctor for example, high functioning yet socially awkward, now seems the more common person with autism depicted on tv, alongside Saga Norén from The Bridge. Are these more relatable?
Mind you I have type 1 diabetes and can’t stand the Steel Magnolias portrayal of someone with type 1. My DD does appreciate the depiction by Martin Sheen as Jed Bartlet of a person with MS as she was watching it when she was diagnosed (at age 17). It made her feel that if you could be president with MS she could still have a valuable future.

I'm quite glad I've seen this thread, I often get into arguments on mumsnet threads about splitting the dx and the differences. It's good to see a few others who feel the same.

One of the reasons usually given for not wanting the autism dx to be split is because those with fewer/less needs/hf whatever think that their dx will be diminished or it will be seen as less than if those with the most needs are separated out and they'll get less support. I've found quite often this is also said in conjunction with those with severe/profound/ low etc have the same autism with added comorbid dx's. It feels like some want the benefit of those with more needs to justify their support while trying to deny severe autism exists.

I usually point out the mh needs of those with hf are usually the main need so to speak (I'm shattered and can't think of any less abrupt way to word that) and are then told that is part of their autism but those with severe have ld as an extra which can't be part of autism (almost as though mh needs are acceptable but learning disability is something dirty).

The argument then eventually moves on to that i should value their opinion and that of actual autistics (whether they have dx or not) because they have a better understanding of my son due to a shared dx and their perceived experience. When I point out the arrogance of assuming they have a shared experience with someone who can't even communicate that experience they usually back off a little.

This then goes on wash, rinse and repeat.

Yes it's exhausting I try not to get into discussions about it
Profound autism definitely needs a different clarification of its own even if they call it something entirely different imo.

@x2boys I always have the intention of not engaging but then as the threads progress and I don't see my son or his needs being represented, it feels a bit like his part of autism is being erased. I don't want people who have no experience of autism to only think autism is the other forms. I want him and his behaviours to be understood, seen and considered. Then I get pulled in and I should know better. If you ever see me doing this on a thread know that at home I'm partial kicking myself for getting into it.

There does seem to be more pushback now.

Yes, I'd be happy with being called anything else as long as it represented him.

As an aside because I know we often cross paths on these threads. I've pushed for the LD dx, partially to help with adult services.

I was literally about to bring him up, he's a great character.

FFS, there's always a couple...the old "two ends of the spectrum" thing never gets old, does it? No matter how many times it's explained that's not what the "spectrum" in "spectrum condition" has ever meant, it's doggedly stuck to.