Chris Packham Autism Documentary..

[Elderflower14]

Anyone else watching...? I'm very moved watching Ken Bruce's son... Ds2 is autistic and profoundly deaf..

It’ll be repeated on BBC2 just after midnight if that’s not too late for you.

I was diagnosed at 35. I only saw the comedian and the non speaking boy. It just shows you the vast differences we all have.

I definitely not have a high IQ. Not even an average one.

I've asked my family to watch it but they won't.

I want to watch this as my son is autistic but I can't stand Chris Packham. Its a shame he is being used the spokesperson for such an important issue,

@JehovahsWildebeest I'm not a fan of his usually either, but he came across well in this.

It's well worth watching. I found it very moving and the least "pathologising" take on autism I've seen.

I don't think he is being used as a spokesperson at all. It was his idea to make this series, to give a voice to different experiences of autistic people.

I guess not liking him is just subjective so unfortunate for you if you feel that way. I'm glad I don't feel that way. He reminds me very much of a colleague who is also autistic, and socially awkward and blunt but also funny, kind and interesting to talk to.

I loved the programme and found it very moving.

Oh dear that's sad.. Why?

He's autistic, that's why he's the spokesperson. Loads of people don't like him because he's not afraid to speak his mind about various types of animal abuse. I think he's bloody brilliant

@BlessedBeTheFruitCake

You wonderful person you!!!!!

He's not being their spokesperson AT ALL. He takes a back seat and lets those people tell their story. His input was quiet, thoughtful, and only occasionally explanatory. He let the subjects of the documentary shine.

if you let your dislike of him prevent you from watching the programme, you will be very much the loser. It was so moving.

Chris Packham did a splendid job in this documentary. He came across as being totally empathetic and caring, to the point of tears at some of it. I felt so much for the Ben speaking man, his life has been cruelly impacted by his disability. There was a huge range of autism presented, from the inwardly struggling stand up comedian, to the severely impacted people with the added complications of learning difficulties. Well worth watching.

Non speaking, not Ben

I wish it had a warning they would discuss suicide statistics as I was watching it with my autistic child who attempted suicide year and its caused a bit of an issue. Just in case anyone else wants a warning.

I found the programme disappointing. I had hoped for something with more substance and fact, so for me it was too sentimental. I don't really like Chris Packham, however I was surprised that as someone with autism, he showed so much empathy towards the people he met.

I agree with you. I was hoping for a bit more insight. For instance, I really wanted to understand why Murray couldn’t/wouldn’t talk.

I look forward to watching it. Not a great fan of Chris Packham but that’s just an aversion to his style I guess.

I am pleased they have someone who is non verbal, but sad that others think that we should be saying ‘non speaking’. This is just as inappropriate to many who struggle understanding language which is they speech is difficult - which was my DS. Sometimes I do get the impression that this is a way of ‘whitewashing’ anyone with LD well away from autism, which I find offensive. Especially as a 1/3 of autistic people have learning disabilities, so we should be seeing at least 1/3 of people with learning disabilities on any representation of autism in the media, and their experiences and voice (whether speaking or not!).

Anyway, sounds interesting so I will have a look.

Three idea that people with autism can't do empathy has been blown out the water in recent times, it's an outdated concept. Possibly true for some but many autistic people report having almost too much empathy particularly towards animals. I agree Chris Packham can present as brusque and opinionated but he is honest in his viewpoint and speaks out openly at risk to himself at some of the horrific cruelty towards animals that's normalised in this country. Always liked him, always will.

Agree - I watched with my autistic 11 year old as he'd seen the trailers and wanted to watch. It jarred at that point and I waited to see if he wanted to talk about suicide. He didn't and I know him well enough to just wait until he's ready as invariably will. Otherwise we found a great program that opened up interesting discussions with our family.
I understand some other posters not having been previously keen on Chris Packham. I like him and can see how his style isnt to everyone's taste but in this I thought he was superb and dug deep to find a way to present those stories in the best way possible

This is a frustrating statement, I am autistic however I have an over abundance of empathy which causes me immense challenges at times. My empathy and inability to realise people are taking advantage has really not helped me in life. It is also one reason why many people think I can't possibly be autistic, along with my learned social skills, extrovert masking personality and a multitude of other stereotypes that I am not.

That wasn't really the point of the programme though. That would be a whole different series about the characteristics of autism

What made this one different was that it focused entirely on giving Murray and the young comedienne the means to express what it's like living their life.

I'm interested to see this as I am just starting the diagnosis process with my moderately deaf 8 year old daughter.

Is there a recognised link between autism & deafness?

he showed so much empathy towards the people he met

The idea that autistic people don’t have empathy is such an outdated stereotype. Autistic people often have MORE empathy than neurotypical people, they just might not show or express it in a way you recognise. Glad you learnt something from watching the programme.

Chris is an ambassador for the National Autistic Society so kind of is a spokesperson. I think he did a brilliant job, and it’s right that a programme about autistic people was led/created by an autistic person.

I enjoyed it and was pleased it showed different aspects of Autism. There is a toxicity around Autism at the moment and what does seem a push to remove those with learning disabilities from the conversation. Especially the silencing of parents. I’d say my DD level of empathy is actually too high that she can’t switch off other peoples pain and is when she become overwhelmed or too generous.