CBBC Autism Special

[bigonsmalltalk]

This is on tomorrow and will presumably be available on i-player.

If I've understood correctly the programme is presented by Rosie age 13 who has Asperger's syndrome. Rosie also has autistic siblings.

I'll be watching with interest!

By saying i can't watch it because it upsets me in no way should suggest that I don't think children with HFA and their parents have a hard time. The fact that my children can't speak hurts me massively and so I avoid watching others with the condition who can. I am not daft enough to think that by speaking my children will be OK! I know that that is only one aspect to the condition. I don't see anything wrong with the programme at all; it's great to show autism on cbbc but I chose not to watch as It would probably make me feel sad. Sorry if I offended you I think you have misunderstood my post.

I would have thought those of you with HFA/AS kids who have severe problems would also find it painful to watch something where life is all rosy, not that I can say it is like that as I haven't watched the programme.
The child I know who has the most problems and in some ways is the closest to DS, is super HF and has AS. He has had the most dreadful problems and, when I hear parents with younger kids saying things like "if only X would learn to speak everything would be better" I think to myself "actually, no it might not". I have believed for a long time that it is BEHAVIOUR that is the real differentiator, not so-called "level", speaking etc.

I think that's brilliant. My DD (NT) would also love to see it and would get a lot out of it. She loved the programmes on a while ago about the kids with ASD singing and the other one where they put on some performance. I just have too much baggage and dread being in a position where I want to put my foot through the telly, even if that's not what actually happens when I let myself watch.
I'm 51 and I have an older sister with AS who is VERY hf, I have a LOT of baggage from my childhood and later due to this, but she wasn't identified and didn't get any appropriate help or support.

LaDolcheRyvita I really feel for you. I do hope things get better for you and your son

Thanks so much mompa (have name changed.....am LaDR incognito).

Certainly, it has put many things into perspective. I have little patience with people who just like a good whine about stuff that in 24 hours will either be sorted or won't matter anymore!

I watched this with DS1, last night. He's been asking me about what autism is, recently, but not really understanding and I think this is the first time he's seen something and though "oooooh, yeeeessss". He instantly recognised DS2 in Lenny (who was introduced making identical noises to DS2 at the time!) even though DS2 is a lot higher functioning. He was also as much in awe of the massive Warhammer collection as of the bathroom full of bubbles and he was quite distracted by the animations all the way through!

About halfway through, he started asking "Does this apply to me, then?" followed by lots more questions. We read through the transcript on the website together, afterwards and discussed how some of the thing mentioned apply to him.

He then got up and bounced off the walls until way past bedtime and probably won't mention it again for another month!

Justa - I think DS, who is 8, would be the same. It would go over his head and it seemed, in part, quite a negative portrayal of difference. Very much along the lines of those NAS videos they show you at Early Bird Plus courses.

I think I would have to have a reason to show him - would it make him more aware of his difficulties? No. Would it make him feel more comfortable about them? No. Would it make him understand them better? No.

I think the problem with things like this is that these are videos meant for other people who don't have autism and don't understand it. So they are broad, generic and cover all the possible difficulties in a snapshot in the hope that others will gain some insight.

For those with autism, the spectrum is so broad, they might not see themselves in this depiction. For those of us supporting children with autism, I'm not sure how much it helps as it raises or lowers expectations of an autistic child being a particular type of child - non-verbal but great fun like her brother or super bright and bubbly like Rosie.

I thought the NAS young campaigners thing was the same. It's just my view - don't flame me.

Loved it - want to try and sit and watch it with DS.

Loving Tony "I'm normal - it's everyone else that's weird"

Davros I think you might like it (I loved it and you know I feel the same as you about a lot of portrayal of autism, and had the same misgivings about watching it - it was my Mum who turned it on). Her brother was very bonkers type severely autistic - and perched on top of the TV or running round pretty much naked slamming doors (because they weren't allowed to be open). He reminded me of a small ds1 constantly perched on top of the fridge/freezer and I know your ds used to enjoy squashing in on top of the cupboards. DS1 used to insist on doors being shut as well (I had forgotten that) and it reminded me of how you would be squashed if you didn't get through the door fast enough. He was completely adorable - and really reminded me of a younger ds1.

Another boy who was reasonably high functioning clearly had some pretty major issues as well (he basically spent his life playing with models and had no friends) - and I thought that was shown sensitively but without glossing over his issues.

I will give it a go. I think appropriatelytrained is right, and I know we've said it before on MN, these things are not aimed at us. When I remember that it all makes much more sense and I feel happy that there are programmes like this and so many others these days.

Let us know what you think Davros