Third Watch episode, Monday

[Guest guest]

I was wondering if anyone caught the Third Watch episode this week. It

portrayed an AS child in it. Not very accurately to my way of thinking, but

still the word aspergers was actually spoken. I think exposing the general

public to these conditions via a tv show, is a step toward the recognition

that is needed to help these kids.

Now if a tv show would more accurately portray one of our kids.

Anyone else?

Lolita

[Guest guest]

> I was wondering if anyone caught the Third Watch episode this

week. It

> portrayed an AS child in it. Not very accurately to my way of

thinking, but

> still the word aspergers was actually spoken. I think exposing the

general

> public to these conditions via a tv show, is a step toward the

recognition

> that is needed to help these kids.

>

> Now if a tv show would more accurately portray one of our kids.

>

> Anyone else?

>

> Lolita

I don't know if there is a way to accurately portray our children

because they are all so different. I was criticized for talking

about my 3 year old's computer skills after a local radio interview

for autism awareness because I was told that it emphasized

the " autistic savant " image that rainman made popular. The truth is

that all of our kids are different and it would be hard to try to

accurately portray all individuals with autism in a show that is only

featuring one individual with autism. Does that make sense?

Cathy

[Guest guest]

I agree that it is good that we get AS exposure so more people know about

As, but I also feel that they should have portrayed AS more accurately and

not all the negative side possible in AS. I don't want people to think that

is what they should expect from my son when they hear he has AS. I was very

grateful my 11 year old AS son did not see that show. I would not want him

to think that is what we think he is like when we talk to him about having

AS. It really made AS look more like typical autism ( if there is such a

thing). My son is not " typical " in anything!!! All in all though, I liked

how they showed " Doc " giving this boy the respect all people should show to

our disabled children!!!

Cheryl ( Mom to 11yr Aspergers and 6 yr apraxia,autism, and

CAPD)

[Guest guest]

Yes, that's one of the evils of tv. Only the extreme versions of anything

are shown. I wouldn't want my 13 and 14 year old to believe that tv teens

are typical either!

Lolita

>I agree that it is good that we get AS exposure so more people know about

>As, but I also feel that they should have portrayed AS more accurately and

>not all the negative side possible in AS. I don't want people to think that

>is what they should expect from my son when they hear he has AS. I was very

>grateful my 11 year old AS son did not see that show. I would not want him

>to think that is what we think he is like when we talk to him about having

>AS. It really made AS look more like typical autism ( if there is such a

>thing). My son is not " typical " in anything!!! All in all though, I liked

>how they showed " Doc " giving this boy the respect all people should show to

>our disabled children!!!

>Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Cathy,

Yes, you're right. And of course a tv show is going to choose an extreme

version, makes for a more interesting show. But it would have been nice if

they had slipped in some of the honesty of most of these kids, for example.

Something to give others a peek at the more positive characteristics of AS.

Lolita

>I don't know if there is a way to accurately portray our children

>because they are all so different. I was criticized for talking

>about my 3 year old's computer skills after a local radio interview

>for autism awareness because I was told that it emphasized

>the " autistic savant " image that rainman made popular. The truth is

>that all of our kids are different and it would be hard to try to

>accurately portray all individuals with autism in a show that is only

>featuring one individual with autism. Does that make sense?

>

>Cathy

[Guest guest]

> Cathy,

> Yes, you're right. And of course a tv show is going to choose an

extreme

> version, makes for a more interesting show. But it would have been

nice if

> they had slipped in some of the honesty of most of these kids, for

example.

> Something to give others a peek at the more positive

characteristics of AS.

>

> Lolita

>

Yes! I agree. You know what I would like to see is the uneven

development addressed. So many people that we meet assume that

because he can do something on an advanced level that he should be

able to do everything on that same level. As it is, he has very few

verbal skills, totally refuses to use a spoon or even eat off a spoon

or fork due to sensory issues, yet can surf the internet better than

many adults I know. He also has can recognize words, numbers,

letters and logos and will point to these when asked. When people

see some of his strengths, they begin to make comments like " well if

he can do that, he should be potty trained by now " or " if he can say

that, why doesn't he say your name? " It is very frustrating to try

to explain it at times, you know?