BBC's The Autistic Me
Gareth D Morewood blogged here for two years, 2008-2010. Gareth's first eBook, The Role of the SENCO: An Insider's Guide, is now available from the Optimus Education shop.
There was a fascinating programme on BBC3 this week – The Autistic Me − which followed three young autistic men as they struggled to find their roles within ‘the adult world’. The focus of the documentary followed the fortunes of Tom (15), Oli (23) and Alex (24), all of whom have experienced significant barriers to being able to lead independent lives and find employment, particularly in the current climate.
Tom is a complex young man, struggling to find his role within a large family group and dealing with a complete lack of understanding from his peer group. It was also evident that many people involved in Tom’s life had limited, if any, real understanding of how to support his needs. This caused many uncomfortable moments in the film, and resulted in Tom being placed in a residential setting.
Most of the issues, in my view, were exacerbated by the fact that those people closest to Tom did not having a good understanding of how to support his needs. I am always conscious of how TV programmes can present certain views with clever editing, and while it appeared that Tom’s family was wealthy enough, with a large house and extensive grounds, there appeared to be no activities or trips away from the home to support the development of key skill areas for him. I do understand the complexities of communication and interaction within teenagers, but a proactive and supportive set of routines are an important part of teenage development into adulthood. I was left thinking that better family support may have provided some different outcomes here.
Oli seems an extremely likeable young man, with a good understanding of how he can operate within certain structures and situations. Drums and history are his passions, but the show seemed less interested in these positive traits and focused on Oli’s lack of employment after the termination of his temporary position as a book stamper at the British Library. Oli said that he will ‘miss the camaraderie and companionship’ of the job. This was such a positive comment, but again the edit concentrated on the negatives. I felt that Oli was a very employable young man − perhaps the programme's editor would have done better to offer Oli a job, rather than editing out details of his many positive attributes and clear sense of humour in a manner that left me feeling rather ashamed and very disappointed.
The third young man featured was Alex. Alex does have a part-time position working to his strengths in a security firm, and his employers appeared supportive and understanding. But again an opportunity was missed here − I wanted to hear more about the work Alex did and how that linked to his skills; to perhaps compare this position with Oli’s situation. But no. Alex’s segment focused mainly on his desire to find a girlfriend. Of course this is an important part of life for a young man, and Alex’s condition would mean he was challenged in this area − however the film finished after one initial meeting with a young lady who also had needs on the spectrum, and the edit didn’t allow for any observations. I was a little concerned again with the portrayal of this fledgling relationship.
However, I do think Alex had one of the most memorable lines in the show. As he got ready for his date, he said: ‘If I was any cooler, I’d be an ice cube!’
I think the awareness raised by the programme being made at all will support a greater understanding of autism and also make some people more informed. However, the narrow selection of topics covered, the editing and the somewhat negative perspective, left me a little disappointed as I felt it was an opportunity missed.
We have done a lot of work in order to ‘saturate’ our school with knowledge and understanding of supporting young people with needs on the autistic spectrum, and we have had some significant success. However it is not an easy task, being an ongoing process of constant information-sharing and support. And efforts made at school should not be the end − The Autistic Me highlighted the need for proper services in supporting young people as they leave school, and enter a world that is not as well-attuned to individual need as some supportive schools and residential environments.
So, in conclusion – well done for raising awareness of the wider condition and more specific issues connected to it, and on challenging people’s views on the subject, as even critical debate develops mentalities and moves society forward. I would, however, like to see a more balanced and informed edit in future please, BBC.
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As a person with aspergers
As a person with aspergers syndrome I was very annoyed at this programme, it’s just another programme to add to the very long list of bad portrayal of autism.
I was very sad when Tom’s farther said what he did to him to “restrain” him and the injuries which resulted. It wasn’t restraint it was incredibly violent and I really hope someone takes legal action. It’s not Tom’s fault that he lashed out that is a very common trait of autism, although I do not have that I do understand why they do it. Therefore for someone to react the way his farther did resulting in a very noticeable scratch and bruise on his face was very upsetting and I felt it was glamorising child abuse.
The programme should have had a commentary telling the audience that people with aspergers syndrome do have a personal space issue and is not meant in a generally aggressive way.
Tom
I completely agree with the views on Tom and his family.
I also found parts of the program distasteful, for example when Alex and his mother where in the pub there was a shot of a sign saying "Children only accomponied by adults zone", followed by a shot of Alex with his mother. Other very similar shots which subtley seemed to portray these interesting and nice young men as... I don't know! It was just unnecessary.
Coming back to tom, from the footage given I felt like his mother in particular completely lacked any understanding of him or his syndrome, and from what I saw his father was a bit more layed back. Either way, they were completely useless, and the elder brother seemed quite similar. It was quite clear that they were incapable of helping him enjoy his adolesence, which was only hammered home by the fact that they put him in private residential care. The footage of his mother taking away the letter of his girlfriend really angered me.
I have a brother with Aspergers Syndrome, and we had very similar difficulties when he was that age, but he had difficulties with us as well. Its all about discussing and adapting to suit each others needs, and none of that seemed to have been suggested in Toms household, let alone attempted.
What does everyone else think?
The Autistic Me
This is a very apt and correct view of the show. I found Tom's mum to be very smothering of him and not give him anyopporunity to express himself. He obviously had the trates of any typical teenager and she seemed to not allow him space to express and be himself, it was about her controlling every tiny detail in his life. I still feel he was to quick to hit out yet his mother gave that opportunity the chance to arise.
Oli was a true gentleman. A clever, articulate and polite man. Watching his story got to me and made me really upset that he was so employable and honest and nobody would give a chance, according to his autism the show made out.
I know sombody with asberges like Alex, and he is a complete copy of him. His situation seems more positive with a mother who understands his needs yet give him space and free rain on things he wants to do.
I feel the show did really focus on the negatives, but i still took the positives they didn't highlight and didn't let it affect my perseption on the show. Maybe the negavtivity will shock some people into understanding and giving more scope to the illness. It did deeply sadden me at different stages off all they feature lads, but i felt a positive future for them all. The sadness still over rides in all i am afraid to say.
I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary and think it can only have a positive impact. The 3 boys shown, in all their different forms, will hopefully benefit from it.
bbc/s the autistic me
A good review of the program and highlighting that support is needed for the families makes it even more real.
Families who have children/adults with ASC do not get support if the child/adult is able like the 3 people in the film. They just do not 'fit' the criteria of social services 'learning disability' nor NHS 'mental health issues' and fall through the net.
Hopefully with the Autism Bill going through parliament at present this will change. I say hopefully because it relies on counties to implement it and make monies available.
Volunteering and Buddying is a great way forward for ASC people and will relieve the stress and strains on the families.
I know of parents who have to go out with their teenagers all the time otherwise they don't go out, they will happily sit in their rooms and avoid socialising.
Although they want to socialise it is very scary for them to do by themselves.
The NAS helps set up this vital resource but counties are reluctant to hand out the money for this.
There will be fast increase in 'mental health' problems with our growing ASC teenager population in the next few years.
Who is going to do something about it and help them?
DLA is under discussion to be passed to Social Services, this little bit of money helps ASC people to have some independence. I am sure Oli wouldnt have been able to do his city trips without that support!
The issues are much more involved then in the film but it was a start to get people thinking. Just remember 1 in 62 (research US) has an ASC - it will not go away but needs addressing and services need to be set up.
I am a parent of a lovely
I am a parent of a lovely young man with autism and would like to ask what fascinating assistance did you see being done in the programme? There was a need for support for all three young men! and the programme highlighted that. Maybe you and others need assistance to assist 'neurotypical suffers' into everyday autistic society and then you may see what support is given or needed. Your term 'autistic sufferers' really hit a nerve with me my son has autism and days that he finds things a struggle but I certainly wouldn't call him a sufferer! As a college lecturer you may teach people on the varied spectrum of autism and as such should have more awareness! Your right when you say people need to know about autism but we certainly do not want to be paronised by people that have little knowledge of the subject!
Autism
Yes, as a College Lecturer I watched this, and found it fascinating that so much (but maybe not enough) is being done to assist Autistic sufferers into every day society. I was charmed by them, and felt heartbroken for Tom and his family, I do hope things work out for these really special individuals. Autism has many good traits as well as the down sides, people need to know about this, just sorry it was not aired on mainstream tv.
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