Over the last few years, as the presence of Autism has become more widely found in the media, on T.V, in movies, in books, and on social media, some have stated their displeasure with the way Autism is represented and presented on the screen. Others have celebrated the new found level of awareness, happy that Autism is showing up more in more, thus, spreading awareness throughout general society.
As a mother of a child with Autism, I have seen the effects of movies like Rainman and Mercury rising. I see how easy it could be for someone with little or no experience with Autism to believe that these movies are accurate representations of the Autism community. I have experienced the frustration that comes from dealing with people with such beliefs. But that time of Rainman being the media's poster autistic has come and gone and today we are peppered with characters such as Smackle from Girl meets world, Shaun Murphy in the Good Doctor and Max from Parenthood. We have easy access to Sam in Atypical, Julia on Sesame Street. We can theorize about beloved characters like Temperance Brennon from Bones (I swear she's Autistic!) and Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory.
This is our time! It's our day to stand up and sprinkle the world with awareness as we share our stories and tell the world what Autism looks like to us! And we would be naive if we thought that he media doesn't play a part in the movement.
While, when first talking about opening this discussion with Piece, I didn't even think about social media but, in the video he made (the link will be below as soon as it's posted) I realized how naive I was for not even thinking about that world. I mean, social media has given my family a voice and a platform to share our story but, even more life changing then that, social media has brought us together with other people who live with Autism and has allowed us to hear their stories, too. We have been touched by story after story, cried with tears of joy as these virtual friends succeeded and reached milestones once thought impossible and with grief as we learned we had lost one of or own. We have been lifted up when we felt weak and cheered on as we rocked it! We've found support and companionship mixed with understanding both within our home and outside of it. That is the power of social media, but we must not ignore the reverse power, a truth that often looks different for each person you talk to.
Mixed with all of that amazingness of social media, it also serves as an express way for false information and bullying. Naive, ignorant and even hateful ideas and comments spread like wildfire, leaving some people unsure what to believe or just believing the wrong things. I could rant venom at these people, but I won't. I won't because, weather I like it or not, that is part of conversation. These misinformed people continue to give us a platform to spread awareness, our stories and the truth about Autism.
So, then what about all of those Autistic characters in movies and on T.V? I think they are cause to celebrate. Maybe they aren't a perfect vision of what it's like to live with Autism, but it's a much better vision then Rainman has given us. I love watching Max on Parenthood struggle with so many things that my son struggled with, but mostly, I love how these characters have opened up and started conversations! I've watched people with Autism on the screen express their thoughts, feelings and view of the world which left me eagerly asking my son if those things ring true for him.
But, even more then that, these characters have opened conversation among society as a whole. It has sparked interest, awareness and acceptance for those who were otherwise completely misunderstood. I can't say that these characters are the best representations of Autism there is, but I value the effort. I value the thought and the consideration that fueled these characters. I embrace the acceptance and awareness that has not only lead to these creations, but fuels acceptance and awareness to spread further. I am thankful that Autism is becoming something is being considered a part of society, a part of life and worthy of being represented. I get excited when I hear or see a new character with Autism because with each new character on the screen, that's one more opportunity for my son to see himself in the media; to see himself represented and viewed as important enough to tell stories about and that is life changing.
So how do I feel about Autism in the media, I think that with every new example of Autism we are seeing, we are that much closer to finding the understanding and awareness that we, in the Autism community, strive for. That with each new source of Autism in the media, the opportunity for a million more conversations to give birth is born.I think that even if we are not seeing Autism the way we want in media, we have to start somewhere and each time we see Autism in the screen is one step closer to where we want to be.
But what do you think? Do you like seeing so much Autism in the media? Do you find it offensive or damaging? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Post a Comment