Did you notice that Aspies are protrayed in the media?

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The geek archetype character. The kid who dresses differently, talks funny, always into technology. He wears glasses and pen pocket protectors. He's smart and all that. And most of all he's an outcast.

And yet, it's the same thing with us. The media may not realize that those kids they are portraying have Asperger's. I don't think they realize that they are making fun of a disability.

Did you guys notice that on TV?

yes. Sheldon, on The Big Bang Theory. If he existed he could walk into any psychologist's office and walk out with a diagnosis five minutes later. But they don't realise they're portraying a classic Autistic, they just think they made a "real funny nerd!! !!"

Those geeks on Big Bang Theory know how to use the english language very good. Their wittyness is off the scale.

Was making that very point just yesterday in another forum, though with a more positive outlook:

[quote="Willard"]thanks in part to the advent of the desktop PC, the stereotype of the nerdy, geeky, highly intelligent but socially awkward - those of us who were persecuted and ridiculed just a few short years ago - has become a media darling. In the beginning it was stuff like Revenge of the Nerds, which still portrayed us as losers, if still somewhat sympathetic. Now, with shows like The Big Bang Theory (The only Aspie trait Sheldon doesn't show is stimming), characters that very much resemble many of us on WP are seen as funny, if a little goofy, but essentially likeable and acceptable. The surge has already begun. Don't worry, be happy! Our day is nigh...and we shall overcome...

oh that would be ok, psychologists grade Aspergers on four points, and Sheldon passes them all. Only because of the episode where he said he prefers the seat on the right because it has perfect balance, not too cold in the winter, nice breeze from the window in the summer, not directly facing the tv and not facing away so much his neck hurts. That shows the kind of sensory oversensitivity they'd need.

Maybe we should start a grassroots internet campaign to nominate Sheldon as a presidential candidate in the Aspie party. To build public awareness of High-functioning Autism.

Well, I have a feeling the show's writers don't even realise they've created an Autistic, and if they tried to make him officially Autistic them they'd probably overdo it. Make him into a "stereotypical" autistic, because the average public can't grasp the concept of high-functioning autism, and Autistics who can't multiply huge numbers instantly.

But if they made the approach subtle, Sheldon genuinely could be a pioneer for actual High-functioning autism portrayed on a tv show.

They did come close. In House M.D, the episode "lines in the sand" they "almost" classified Gregory House with Asperger's syndrome, but in the end in was essentially dismissed.

I wasn't thinking about having the show's writers and producers do it. I just thought we should create campaign posters and maybe a simple website as a parody campaign. It might get picked up by the news networks and generate some talk...

Sounds like a good idea!

Politicians that can't read social cues... god that would be demolition derby waiting to happen.

Traditionally, male nerds are commonly depicted in popular culture, while female nerds are generally overlooked. I don't pay attention to popular culture these days so I don't know if this has changed. Are there any female aspie-like characters in current movies or TV shows?

Also, does anyone have any idea why female nerds have not been portrayed in the media, historically speaking? At the schools I attended, there were just as many female nerds as male nerds. As an adult, I also meet about the same number of male and female nerds.

Female nerds in the media are always just hot chicks with glasses and an ugly sweater waiting to break out.

lol that is so true, they are never just average looking girls and by the end they are always the most stunning girl at the party which is filled with lots of people that have been nasty, i do not know how they ever get to that party to stun everyone with their beauty, i would be outside hiding round the corner, and believe me i would not stun anyone

How do we know writer's aren't aware of what they're portraying? If a character is so developed that most of their traits reflect Autism, then more than likely the writer deliberately made it that way. If the character is supposed to be funny, then Autism wouldn't be mentioned because that's obviously not funny. But the general populace thinks nerds are funny, and unknowingly are usually laughing at Austistics, and the writers are probably aware of this too but write the character anyway because its a job. Thus making the writers shameless money-grubbing whores, not ignorant.

Newsflash to the media: teenage boys notice everything about the girls around them. Ain't no hiding a hot chick in a dirty sweater, old glasses, and a hair bun. If she has a great body she's going to be popular no matter what. The only thing I can think of is that that particular fantasy speaks to 12 year old girls - those who aren't the hot chicks can tell themselves that it's not genetics, it's the glasses/hair/sweater.

Aspies have been protrayed on TV since before Aspies was a word. And before Asperger's was a true diagnosis