Mysterious Creatures TONIGHT ITV 9.00PM Sunday

[mamadadawahwah]

this is a drama based on fact. Brenda Blethyn is in it.

ITV wanted to pull the show, but they are going ahead with it.

Based on parents who commit suicide and who have a daughter with "mental illness" problems.

Ooo gawd, better get the tissues ready.

Hi, I know that story, it was in the papers some time ago (can't remember how long though), I believe the daughter has asperger syndrome and also a spending obsession or something, the parents got into massive debts, and couldn't cope anymore. I am summing-up a lot there obviously; definetly watching, although it will be rather sad I am sure .

That was rather disturbing. Wish I hadn't watched it now.

yes...it really hit a nerve with me too... i totally identify wih the mum....the dad being 'excluded' by the daughter was familiar too...and the bits where the doctors were saying things like "she has to learn to eat what we eat" and "well, i thought people with AS wre supposed to have problems communicating" (after the daughter had had a verbal outrage...reminded me of how people are always rubbishing my son's diagnoses because they don't fit the stereotyped image of autism/aspergers that gets portrayed normally.

i am aware that there are people who will have watched this and thought it far fetched...but for me it was like watching a home movie. My eldest has ADHD and AS and i can see him becoming as controlling as the daughter...and then there's my middle son who has AS and has no tollerance to being provoked and who's anger and strength i can only just restrain ...he's 10...and already i have days were i too imagine ways to get the help that is not seen as needed cos my boys don't fit the criteria.

i also liked the point that at the end...even when social services were assigned....that the doctors thought that was the end of the struggles...but what was made clear was that the AS daughter had no insight of any of her behaviours etc...so was never going to be receptive of any help...as she had no idea she needed helping....which in my case is exactly as my 12 yr old....he sees the world accoring to him...and noone else....and therefore does not accept help...so doesn't therefore ask for help....and therefore gets frustrated as the daughter did...when people intervene...he hates being touched etc too....which again i felt they portaryed well ...as when the police etc restrained her...well, that i know would be a red flag to my son.

I think that programme for me anyway portayed the behavioural aspect of AS which nothing else on tv has shown....usually all that is shown is the stereotypical/rainman stuff...this was more like the chaos that i live with...the violence and abusive language...the inappropriate behaviour....the tantrums.....the anger...the camera work was great too...the slow motion filming...the close up face filming...all represented well to me the way my sons are distacted/irritated by the slightest thing....and my eldest gets angy if anyone just looks at him.

so...i await the fury i will no doubt create...but this programme i feel really did illustrate the darker side of living with sn-

Blimey, that makes me almost grateful that my son is mentally handicapped ... didn't think I'd ever be saying that!

... anyway, don't want to think of the 'F' word!

sticks fingers in ears and blows raspberry

i was speaking to the supervisir at the autism holiday scheme today...she saw the programme and thought it honest too. she said she was tearful as she was reminded of many of the parents she meets in her teaching autistic children.