raisedbyignorance
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 Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:49 pm Post subject: Negative Image vs Accurate Portrayals |
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Something I've notice in a lot of thread discussions recently. It seems that people get up in arms whenever a person with Autism or Asperger's is portrayed in the media as having meltdowns, awkward tics, and bratty behavior. This seem to stem from the idea that portraying AS in such a matter is a negative image of Autism. But wouldn't such a portrayal also be considered accurate? True that it's nowhere near the best light we would want the NT world to see us but our struggles are probably the best way for other people to understand and identify us are they not?
What then would be a positive image of Autism that is also accurate? Intelligence? My only problem with the intellect angle is that it can apply to any person regardless of their neurostate(? the fact that I can't think of a proper term here shows you I am NOT one of those intellectual aspies).
Ironically I find that most of the characters that get a bad rep for their negative imagery of AS (showing their meltdowns, brattiness, etc) are the ones I relate to more. So my question to you all is what would be an ideal portrayal of Autism in the media? What are they getting wrong and what are they getting right? How can the media change the image of AS to show our good side while being accurate/informative about it at the same time? |
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vermontsavant
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| Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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it is an unanswerable question,but a good one.i dont know
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Sweetleaf
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| Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Negative Image vs Accurate Portrayals |
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| raisedbyignorance wrote: | Something I've notice in a lot of thread discussions recently. It seems that people get up in arms whenever a person with Autism or Asperger's is portrayed in the media as having meltdowns, awkward tics, and bratty behavior. This seem to stem from the idea that portraying AS in such a matter is a negative image of Autism. But wouldn't such a portrayal also be considered accurate? True that it's nowhere near the best light we would want the NT world to see us but our struggles are probably the best way for other people to understand and identify us are they not?
What then would be a positive image of Autism that is also accurate? Intelligence? My only problem with the intellect angle is that it can apply to any person regardless of their neurostate(? the fact that I can't think of a proper term here shows you I am NOT one of those intellectual aspies).
Ironically I find that most of the characters that get a bad rep for their negative imagery of AS (showing their meltdowns, brattiness, etc) are the ones I relate to more. So my question to you all is what would be an ideal portrayal of Autism in the media? What are they getting wrong and what are they getting right? How can the media change the image of AS to show our good side while being accurate/informative about it at the same time? |
Well maybe some people with autism feel like they are behaving the best way they can and maybe don't want to be dismissed as 'bratty' I know I would be a bit irritated if someone used that word to describe me......because to me it would indicate I'm spoiled and don't appreciate anything which seems to be an inaccurate description of what I go through. I see nothing wrong with a simply honest portrayal that does not promote ignorance about people on the autism spectrum.
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Nexus
Seems legit...
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| Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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The biggest difficulty of portraying an 'accurate' portrayal is that, well, we're quite diverse in behaviour and I doubt there's a template that can describe all of us.
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Sweetleaf
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| Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Nexus wrote: | | The biggest difficulty of portraying an 'accurate' portrayal is that, well, we're quite diverse in behaviour and I doubt there's a template that can describe all of us. |
That is quite true as well.
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pensieve
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| Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:40 am Post subject: |
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I think they did good with Max from Parenthood although he doesn't appear to learn new skills, except for formally introducing himself to people. Recently they up'd his symptoms too. He's more of a hand flapper now.
I think showing the meltdowns are important as are a lot of other symptoms. I get annoyed by the maths stereotype because it's done to death even though others could relate to it. I don't make a whole lot of eye contact too and people get annoyed by that.
I see my negative personality traits mirrored in Max. It was shocking but I started to think well that's probably how people see me.
People have called me rude and uncaring and only thinking of myself and other lovely stuff like that I hadn't noticed.
It must be hard for NT writers to write about an autistic character because they don't experience our symptoms.
It's even hard for me as an autistic writer to write about an autistic character. I think I've got the shyness down when he first meets people than becomes comfortable around them. He feels uneasy in new environments but can get used to them the more he's there. I had to medicate his sensory issues because they were too severe for the type of things he'd have to do in the story. I could make them mild but I wanted people to understand what severe sensory issues are like. At least the plot of the book is something he can get obsessed with, so much that everything else just goes into the background. Social awkwardness is there and job insecurity and lots more anxiety. Fear of change and repetitive routines could be difficult to put in.
I made sure that he isn't a maths savant, nor is he average at maths but he is a great artist and the colours he uses have special meanings to him though I've still not worked that out yet.
Having him as a main protagonist means he needs to be able talk a lot so he's probably as high functioning as well...me.
Anyway, if people here think he's just another stereotype or they can't relate to him at all then I give up.
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Feralucce
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| Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:22 am Post subject: |
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I don't think that it is that these individuals or behaviors are shown...
I believe the main issue is that it seems that those are the ONLY individuals and behaviors shown.
At least, that is why I get upset. Not that it is inaccurate, but like with Autism Speaks... the HFA are never shown, or if we are, it is when we have issues...
Pensieve: I'd like to confer with you. I, too, am a writer.
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LennytheWicked
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| Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Negative Image vs Accurate Portrayals |
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| raisedbyignorance wrote: | | What then would be a positive image of Autism that is also accurate? Intelligence? My only problem with the intellect angle is that it can apply to any person regardless of their neurostate(? the fact that I can't think of a proper term here shows you I am NOT one of those intellectual aspies). |
The HBO special about Temple Grandin is both positive and accurate, in my opinion [and hers]. It showed how she thought, how she reacted to stress, how people perceived her and how that affected her. |
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MrXxx
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Let me start by explaining that I think the problems most of us have with media portrayals of Autism are all perspective related.
First, most of the portrayals are done by people without Autism, so most are from the perpective of people looking in from outside the spectrum. I don't think any of us are likely to see what they see, and therefore we're more likely to find these portrayals unrealistic.
Second, even portrayals done by Autistics pose a problem, because every one of our perspectives is even more unique than, say, NT perspectives are from each other. As a result, books written by Autistics are more acceptable to some Autistics and less by others.
With those thoughts in mind:
| Quote: | | So my question to you all is what would be an ideal portrayal of Autism in the media? |
Not possible. There will never be an ideal portrayal. Every portrayal with be tainted by perspective, and judged by perspectives.
| Quote: | | What are they getting wrong and what are they getting right? |
This question is irrelevant. There is no wrong or right, there is only ignorance and education.
| Quote: | | How can the media change the image of AS to show our good side while being accurate/informative about it at the same time? |
Keep trying. The most important thing they can do is LISTEN to more Autistics, and let Autistics write the parts for Autistic characters. Allow more Autistics to direct films about Autistics.
What we need is a lot more portrayals. We need hundreds of them, if not thousands, each one of them uniquely different from the previous ones.
Time and many, MANY different portrayals is what it will take. Over time, if it's done enough, even NT's will eventually learn that "If you've met one Autistic, you've met ONE Autistic."
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Quarky
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| Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Benedict Cumberbatch described his version of Sherlock Holmes as "Aspergic," and even to an Aspie, he's a big jerk. There's been a whole lot of Aspie movie characters lately, has anyone else noticed? |
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JHKyle
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| Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:45 am Post subject: |
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I'm newly diagnosed. and i hate it when people say, "watch this movie*/television show! it's people just like you!"
and it's not me.
i'm me.
not some pretty-boy who's being paid a pretty penny to act "weird."
i know it's hard for people who have no idea what it's like and i appreciate the attempt to relate.
but i hate hate hate being "related" to these stereotypes.
*classic composer meets great fish, and you'll know. |
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ocdgirl123
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| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I think people are upset because they are only showing the negative aspects of autism and not the positive ones. I also agree with Sweetleaf with not wanting to be portrayed as"bratty". |
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androbot2084
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:09 am Post subject: |
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| Rock Stars get away with being rascals and people think they are cool. |
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TheygoMew
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| If you always show someone at their worst, what is the intent and the typical outcome of the opinion formed? |
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ocdgirl123
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| JHKyle wrote: | I'm newly diagnosed. and i hate it when people say, "watch this movie*/television show! it's people just like you!"
and it's not me.
i'm me.
not some pretty-boy who's being paid a pretty penny to act "weird."
i know it's hard for people who have no idea what it's like and i appreciate the attempt to relate.
but i hate hate hate being "related" to these stereotypes.
*classic composer meets great fish, and you'll know. |
I was diagnosed 12 years ago and people still say that to me!  Also, they say it about OCD as well. The guy from As Good as it Gets, was nothing like me.
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