BBC1 ::::::::::::::::The A WORD:::::::::::::::::::::::

[RTKangaMummy]

I think this is going to be good

www.radiotimes.com/episode/d2ycmd/the-a-word--series-1-episode-1

Five-year-old Joe is a smart, musical kid. He spends his time with headphones on listening to alt-rock classics and knowing every line of the lyrics. He can be a bit quiet and uncooperative but nothing that overly troubles his parents – or at least, nothing they’ll admit to…

As we meet Joe and his clan in Peter Bowker’s well-worked drama (adapted from an Israeli series) it is the day of Joe’s birthday. Around him a wider family battle simmers nicely as Joe’s interfering grandfather (Christopher Eccleston) and humiliated uncle strike sparks off each other.

That domestic cut-and-thrust might be enough in itself, but we know the real driver of the story will be Joe’s condition. It’s only the slightest of spoilers to reveal that, as the title hints heavily, Joe has autism. His grandfather’s attitude is old school: “If there’s a problem with my grandson, we need to get it fixed.” It won’t be that simple.

ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
1/6. New series. The various generations of the Hughes family, who all love, work and fight like any other clan, find they must learn to communicate all over again when the youngest member is diagnosed with autism. The opening episode of the drama sees the extended family reunite in the Lake District for Joe's fifth birthday party, but tensions soon rise among Alison, Paul and patriarch Maurice. Starring Morven Christie, Lee Ingleby and Christopher Eccleston.

CAST AND CREW

CAST
Alison Hughes Morven Christie
Paul Hughes Lee Ingleby
Eddie Scott Greg McHugh
Nicola Daniels Vinette Robinson
Joe Hughes Max Vento
Rebecca Hughes Molly Wright
Maurice Scott Christopher Eccleston
David Nowak Adam Wittek
Pavel Kaminski Tommie Grabiec
Linda Michelle Tate
Jane Joanna Bond
Sea Lily Verity Henry
Ralph Wilson Leon Harrop
Louise Wilson Pooky Quesnel
Martha Catherine Kinsella
Terry George Bukhari
Dr Eshell Siri Ellis
Dr Waite Mina Anwar
Receptionist Denice Hope
Dr Graves Daniel CerqueiraCREW
Director Peter Cattaneo
Executive Producer Patrick Spence
Producer Marcus Wilson
Writer Peter Bowker

Yeah I'm not sure what the purpose of the back story is with the ST. I'm glad mum's not all saintly but still. Maybe because mum picked on kids at school who didn't fit in the writers are using that to beef up the anguish of her child now being the different one? But surely that's a brutal feeling for almost all parents regardless of background because that social desire to fit in is so massive. I dunno. Just thinking out loud.

I don't think mum's being cast as cold. She was very good when he was on the floor at the party. I don't feel that the writers want us to see Mum as the cause of his autism at all. (I know she couldn't be btw)

the growing divide and isolation.

Yeah I said earlier that i'd like that covered. In hindsight I can see that my dd's autism had a massive effect on some of my friendships. And there was a definite feeling of being on the outside of it all even while we were in the middle of something like a party, get together etc. It's better now she has a dx, I can explain to her why she finds it hard to join in and support her to access as much of society as she can. And I'm not beating myself up that it's something I caused because we didn't go to every toddler group and so on.

Whats with the constant sex theme running through this programme? Think there must be something in the water.

Why shouldn't there be sex in it? Should disabled kid drama = no sex allowed?

What does it add to the actual point of the story though?

It shows the adults in the story aren't just "carers" but have their own needs and desires and hang ups.

It's a six part BBC drama about families. Of course there's going to be sex in it.

Anyone else wondering whether we're supposed to conclude Alison could be on the spectrum as well? There are one or two elements, e.g. her lack of empathy with Rebecca and Maggie, and her very single-track mindedness.

Therefore 2rebecca should we expect to see scenes of them taking a dump every time the urge is felt? Of course I would expect some sex "in a six part BBC drama about families", however this time it seems to be more than usual and I was wondering if there was a reason why the writer went down this route.

I like a drama to explore all aspects of a relationship including sex - ones relationship with the toilet? Less so.

Not all people with slightly abnormal personalities are autistic though. If you broaden the definition of autism too much it encloses half the population and becomes meaningless.
Being a bit pedantic and enjoying your own company (grandfather) and liking your own way and not thinking other people's opinions and feelings are as important as your own (mother) don't = autism, just show that like many people they are not completely well adjusted and empathic.

Out of all of the adults only CE seemed remotely ASC. However after last night, and the stunt he pulled to get Joe's dad to take the cafe off the the market, doesn't that display an awareness that is unlikely in someone with autism?

I think the sex scenes are to show the brother and dr regaining their relationship alongside family drama and with the mum and dad it seems very much mum is actually pulling back from what is portrayed as a previously healthy sex life - and it's the affect of her worries about Joe that are affecting her desires.

I've just watched all 3 episodes on iplayer. I agree with the general sentiment of this thread - great idea for a drama, like what they're trying to do but the additional story lines are far-fetched and it could be done so much better.

Actually based on the way she written I think Alison has NPD! They talk about her being selfish, manipulating to get what she wants...the doctor is more likely to have HFA...all these comments about her being blunt and telling it like it is I get that a lot (and I'm an Aspie myself).

Ultimately I do think it's good that it's bringing the subject of Autism to mainstream TV and recognising how overwhelming it can be for families....it may well lead the way for more and slightly better shows.

Thank you to MN for telling me that the woman was a speech therapist! I wasn't giving the programme my full attention, but all I heard was that she was a therapist who worked with families, so I thought she was a family psychotherapist.

Do speech therapists really behave like that? She was incredibly rude to the family and, despite what the mum thought, I didn't think she helped them at all - she was just patronising and insulting and enjoyed showing the mum that she was doing things wrong. Also talking about the boy in front of him, as if he wasn't there, seemed bizarre.

Really couldn't believe that the 2 women were meant to be the same age either - the therapist looked about 15 years older.

I don't think many SALTs would behave like that and I trained as a SALT Actually the first thing she should have done was explain that since she had a personal relationship with the Mum she should ask if it's ok and offer to find an alternative. I was also surprised that they went straight to private when they would have been entitled to more NHS help...she was very blunt talking about family dynamics! I'd expect a SALT to focus on the child they were there to see, focusing on his needs and how to engage him rather than suggesting family therapy and psycho-analysing every comment they made! But then that doesn't make for good drama. The

(The at the end was random!)

Haven't read the whole thread but I will. I have watched all three episodes in one sitting. It is clunky, full of clichés and a bit like the brainstormed everything they wanted to put in and joined the dots. But there are so many things that resonate with me....

'Every decision is right as long as if it is your's'

Focusing on the child that needs the most at that moment to the detriment of the other children. (I have three and it has been very unbalanced at various times)

Wanting a fix, any fix, willing to sacrifice your life just to make it better. Thinking that, yes, if I just throw myself 100% into this solution, we will have a normal life.

A child that hides behind something to avoid what they can't deal with.

The heartbreak of watching your child being excluded.

Dreams that fail....

They do seem to have things the wrong way round, I.e.
Dysfunctional family = autism
NO!
Autism = dysfunctional family
Or not exactly but certainly the whole family can behave in ways that seem "untypical" to outsiders and therefore attracts suspicion.
We had a session with a very well known Paediatrician who specialises in ASD when DS was 2. In 5 minutes she got him to do more than anyone else had before and, most impressively, she could get him to stop and move on. This had never been done before without melt down or at least great difficulty. She suggested we do ABA!

ObiWanCamoli Great post, passionate and poignant, it made me cry and I haven't had a skinful of wine!

Can't remember who mentioned Howard from Fresh Meat playing someone 20 years older - he is 36 irl so was in fact playing someone much younger in Fresh Meat!

Is anyone watching today?

I'm bored and watching now. It's a sleepover and some twatty cringed stuff about virginity

I'm struggling with the jumping in for a sleepover... Why not just over to play for for tea?

Yes I'm not sure why they went straight for a sleepover either! Why not tea or an afternoon out somewhere (mind you my DD is only little and things may have changed since I was young!)