Hollywood Gets Autism Wrong! 5 Worst Portrayals

Autism is portrayed in media all the time, but usually by neurotypical actors. Here are 5 movies or TV Shows that portrayed Autism in the worst way!
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[@weberfilmmedia7123]

As an autistic person, that Girl Meets World episode made me ashamed of my autism for a few years when I was in middle school. Definitely not a positive portrayal looking back.

[@7Aheadfamily]

It was poorly done. I hope other TV shows learn and improve.

[@chenbonen]

Before I watch this video I just want to say: Thank you for raising awareness of people that don't understand autistic people and autism very well. "Music" by Sia by the way has the worst trailer for a movie about autistic people! Thank you so much and keep going with your great content!

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️

[@Sonicfan-cc1te]

I used to be obsessed with TMNT when I was 11 and I’m kind of shocked about Donatello. I thought he was just extremely smart. But there are a couple of characters in my favourite tv show (The Backyardigans) who I think have autistic traits. Pablo because he tends to have a lot of freak out moments from being worried but also from being excited and he is also very energetic and Austin because he is pretty quiet and shy and kind of off to the side but he’s also very smart and he often says exactly what he thinks especially in the episode “The Key to the Nile” because he was annoyed with Princess Cleo Tasha because she never said please or thank you.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thanks for sharing.

[@LifeWithShawn2024]

7 Ahead - know i spoke on the toxic social environment in my high school but it really makes my sanity drop & anxiety to go through the roof . Those 2 emotions mixed together causes me to have a sensory overload causing a scene in the class by either trying to hurt myself or having a meltdown storming out my classroom . I have a low frustration tolerance so for example if im told something i dont like being said to me i get very upset quickly wether if its my parents or siblings getting into a arguement or have disagreements in a conversation . Does that portray that theres a high probability of me being autistic or something else ?

[@7Aheadfamily]

That’s a good question. I would recommend having an evaluation. It never hurts to get multiple opinions on the matter as well.

[@LifeWithShawn2024]

@@7Aheadfamily I'm in the process of doing so , does Ezra or Simon have the same issue as me with the sensory overload and frustration tolerance

[@7Aheadfamily]

They each have different sensory tolerances. Strong smells can make Ezra throw up and Simon is very sensitive to any smell, that he doesn't like, even one that I may not notice. For example he complains about the car heater smell. I am sure there are some similarities between you and my boys. Simon doesn't like being told no, in any situation. Ezra is fine with being told no, unless it deals with him not having a preferred item, like his cars, cords, or puzzle pieces.

[@juliawurtz8010]

Hello! I just started watching your Channel i dont have kids with autism but,wanted to understand it better. You have a beautiful family. ❤🇨🇦

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you! ❤️ so happy to have you here with us!

[@dessyred5785]

My husband and I are both on the Spectrum we are verbal, well, I am verbal when I feel comfortable talking otherwise I will just whine. I have wondered if Sheldon was autistic, and my husband thinks that he is.

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

Or, he just has a superior IQ. That makes one appear "unusual". He has his PhD, he works, he does rely on others for transportation. He definitely fits an OCPD profile plus being highly intelligent. No stimming. Yes, insistence on sameness (or correctness) which can be a manifestation of OCPD or even OCD. You like to see yourselves in others. Not always reality.

[@charisecroce7424]

As a suggestion, you could create also a video with movies, series or documentaries that you recommend about autism 😊 thanks again for sharing your experience and knowledge.🙏

[@7Aheadfamily]

We'll keep that in mind! 🩷🩷Thank you for the idea!🩵🩵

[@nathanjw940]

When I am overstimulated I am done for the day. I get hiccups which is usually sensory overload.

[@7Aheadfamily]

👍🏻

[@michelle21000]

Back then I was so nonverbal Autism and now I am fully able to understand the situation much better now .I like the music and songs but I keep listen to same song over and over .I like to decode computers and everything in general as well .

[@michelle21000]

At apparently I was never talking until age 5 I was late and I like to dance

[@7Aheadfamily]

Awesome! What’s your favorite movie?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing!

[@7Aheadfamily]

Do you know what helped you learn how to talk the most?

[@michelle21000]

@@7Aheadfamily The engagement with peers and my teacher helped me with my communication it’s a women teacher by the way .

[@games_bond7221]

I think so many want to think Sheldon is autistic because they feel the need to criticise a show. Many people hate the way autism has been portrayed as being a Savant, so anytime they see a Savant, they criticise it for "not being autism" when it's really clear it's not. Many people also dislike Sheldon as a person, so instead of finding good reasons to actually have a discussion about his behavior, they pick the easiest way out "That's not autism" The thing is you can't be a Savant without some kind of intellectual disability, or mental condition, as Savant Syndrome is defined as genius level skills in certain areas, skills that wouldn't be expected based on the general cognitive profile of the person. This usually means people that are severely mentally ill, people who have some kind of intellectual delay, or simply people with neurodevelopmental disorders. That means that of course there will be more Savants among the autistic population than among the NT population, even if people don't want to recognise that. It doesn't mean autism directly indicates Savant Syndrome, but it does mean that autistic people are much more likely to have genius abilities than any "normal" individual. For example as a child I had an eidetic memory. Many children do, but I could recall conversations perfectly, remember pages of books, whole dialogues from movies and recite the entire school lessons by heart. I am also incredibly good at mental arithmetic, and I have perfect pitch, which has an incidence of about 0.01% in the normal population, and 20-30% in the autistic population. The difference in those incidences is enough to show that while the Savant stereotype is not true in 100% of cases, it's true in some cases. All that to say, people get mad at Sheldon because they love picking on things even though they have no arguments to. People also love to push the narrative of "Everyone is unique in their own way" to a point where, when someone truly has an astonishing ability, they become an outcast because they are too "unique" Sorry this turned out so long.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Very interesting thoughts. Thank you for sharing.

[@games_bond7221]

@@7Aheadfamily Thanks. You're welcome!

[@7Aheadfamily]

No problem!🩷😊🩷

[@tsitua1]

Highly recommend : Cries from the Heart (also known as Touch of Truth) is a 1994 American made-for-television drama film

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thanks for letting us know

[@Healthy-sy3ty]

Great comments on these shows and films. What did you think off Atypical on Netflix?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you!❤️❤️❤️

[@7Aheadfamily]

We will have to look into Atypical on Netflix🤔❤️❤️

[@Ilanouha]

At what age did Simon start speaking and saying the words please and thank you?

[@7Aheadfamily]

Simon’s story… Diagnosis of Mild Autism in 2-year-old kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3jPZJWCnql7gMk

[@alicesinners1060]

I was wondering what your thoughts were on the keto or carnivore diets being used as a treatment for autism? I’ve seen a few videos of people claiming eliminating carbs AND gluten can help lessen symptoms from autism.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by 3 specific challenges in social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors. An individual must have struggles with all three in order for them to be autistic. It is considered a spectrum disorder because it can manifest in a variety of ways and to varying degrees of severity. Autism affects individuals differently, and each person with autism has a unique set of strengths and challenges.

[@alicesinners1060]

Thank you. I’ve been on a path to try and help out my son who is experiencing some challenges that resemble autism which includes nonverbal communication. He imitates sounds perfectly but doesn’t want to or can’t say words. He understands words though. He’s 5 years old and I’m trying to find a way to help him so he can thrive independently in life as much as possible.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you sharing!❤️🩷❤️

[@thomasschoeck9080]

On the subject of being a savant when I was in college some of the other students on the same floor in my dorm would ask me if I know the square root of some random number that they have selected or ask me if I count toothpicks in my spare time. This was back at a time when I was diagnosed for the second time but still trying to mask especially around my peers because (despite rumors to the contrary) I actually wanted a social life. The only savantism that I currently have is perfect pitch. My counting and square root calculating abilities are about the same as anyone else in the general population. If I don’t have a square root memorized I can usually ballpark it with a pencil and paper, but not easily.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing your experience's!❤️❤️❤️

[@michelle21000]

I used to be nonverbal as a child but not anymore

[@Sonicfan-cc1te]

I’m also a savant in that way and I’m also a savant at remembering dates and what day of the week it was and same with other small details of other things.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️

[@JonBrase]

The characters aren't canonically autistic, nor do they really display a lot of autistic traits (to my recollection), but Shrek 1 is a hard-hitting autistic love story in terms of symbolism. It was just wacky fun when I first saw it as a teen. 20 years and a ton of heartbreak later, it really captures the dynamics and pitfalls of a relationship between a low-masking man and a high-masking woman. I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least one (probably undiagnosed) autist involved in writing it.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for sharing that

[@KobieXD]

I love this channel and how well you handle autism. Me, at 12 years old, has done a lot of research on autism considering my nephew is autistic. I also was wondering if you could maybe do some more videos on adhd. I understand if not but I was just wondering bc you have 2 children with autism

[@7Aheadfamily]

Noted!

[@KobieXD]

Thank you. It’s just because I’m on the middle of being diagnosed at the minute and I was just curious to see half the traits I have but I don’t realise ^-^

[@KobieXD]

Also I don’t know if you know but ‘Friday night dinner’ (not kid friendly) has a character who is autistic. It’s the dad (Martin) 👍🏼

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for the insight!❤️❤️

[@KobieXD]

No problem!

[@TheQuietpanda]

OMG I WAS THINKING OF ASKING YOU TO DO THIS

[@7Aheadfamily]

Well we did it!❤️❤️❤️

[@amiamarylis]

Have you seen The Accountant? Or the tv series Atypical? I am curious what you would think of them.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I haven’t. Though I have heard of them

[@higherground337]

Plot twist: the producer of "Music," Sia, was diagnosed with autism after the film was released. It's an important reminder that autistic people are flawed human beings just like everyone else and that ableism isn't a phenomenon limited to NTs. Also, there's no doubt in my mind that Sheldon is a stereotype of a low-needs, low-masking autistic guy. Obviously the creators deny it because they don't want to get flak. But I think it's helpful to remember the character was created in 2007, and our understanding and acceptance of low-needs autism has changed dramatically since then. I've only watched a little of "Young Sheldon" but I do think it adds a lot more nuance to the character. Abed from the more recent show "Community" is similar to Sheldon in a lot of ways, but hits differently because he is accepted, not mocked, for his autistic traits. Also, Abed grows and changes, unlike Sheldon in BBT.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I had no idea that she got diagnosed with autism. And thank you for sharing that about young Sheldon. You make some good insights.

[@higherground337]

@@7Aheadfamily It's interesting about Sia, isn't it? From what I've read, the criticism she received from the autistic community over "Music" got her looking inward and an autism diagnosis came out of it!

[@7Aheadfamily]

It is interesting!❤️🤔

[@BODUKE3201]

I loved TMNT growing up and had no idea about Donatello. guess I was too focused on my favorite Michelangelo.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Adam watched them all the time too.

[@MotownCountry]

Michelangeo is my fav too. but purple is my favorite color. LOL

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing💕❤️💕

[@MotownCountry]

Donatello? wow! did NOT see that coming. anyway...what is your view on Max, from the Parenthood tv series?

[@7Aheadfamily]

We have not seen the TV show Parenthood, but we'll check it out!

[@kaylaports4449]

With your portion about girl meets world this was one of the first things I saw where I suspected autism In myself. I met all of the criteria and was exactly like farkle in middle school but more like the girl in terms of traits. The only reason I wasn’t diagnosed as a three year old I was told was no speech delay. I had to wait until I was 18 until I was finally told you are autistic. The reason why they portrayed autism as scary was because they didn’t know what it was. Autism when this episode was written was severe nonverbal and violent that was the thought behind the word autism. It makes sense why they would be scared. He didn’t meet enough criteria for the Asperger’s diagnosis but wasn’t that far off.

[@7Aheadfamily]

We appreciate you being here. ❤️

[@jodipeterson2846]

My 6yr old grandson is on the septum. He hits me out of the blue. It's OK now but what when he's older🤥

[@7Aheadfamily]

Well, there are definitely a lot of challenges that come with autism, there are also a lot of blessings. Ezra is by far our happiest child, and isn’t that what everybody really wants? We talk about this a little at the end of this video

[@7Aheadfamily]

3 Sensory Autism Mistakes at Great Sand Dunes National Park kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5TSnH1rm7Kiqqc

[@7Aheadfamily]

Here’s another video where we address this topic a little bit

[@7Aheadfamily]

My Child has Autism. Now What? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZKalYmnfNhgmas

[@JonBrase]

The thing with BBT is that the show started at a time when someone like Sheldon wouldn't have had a diagnosis. Given what we currently know about the condition, Sheldon certainly *is* autistic whether the writers know they created an autistic character or not. And the problem is that he's a derogatory characature of an intelligent, low-masking, male autist. I knew he was an offensive stereotype of whatever I was long before I knew anything about autism. I used to say "Sheldon is so nerdy that *I* want to beat him up and take his lunch money", though I've stopped since discovering that I'm autistic, since it could be taken as hostile to higher-support-needs presentations of autism. One coworker I expressed that sentiment to back in the day responded by calling BBT "nerdface".

[@7Aheadfamily]

That is very interesting. I didn’t think about that possibility. Thank you for letting us know your thoughts.

[@amandaferrareli2632]

Some of autistic people are similar to Sheldon if we consider the Aspergers as autistic. The DSM5 consider Aspies autistic. I am aspie... my grandpa were and my son is. I really have a boy pretty much like Sheldon at home. But he is at regular school and without skipping grades cuz it is not done here. He absolute loves chess and is anincredibble player. School is too easy, he is fluent in portuguese, spanish and english... and loves maths. He is high-masking but everybody can tell he is different. I really love my boy... and Yes... he can be a lot like Sheldon.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@catiehays3361]

I feel like I wanna say Holly calm down, it's tv!!

[@7Aheadfamily]

True

[@javib2978]

My Examples of What Is Autism In Media. This not an accurate or real take here: 1. Kari Kamiya from Digimon Season 02. She is happy, and passionate, and caring. In some situations, she has a fear of the darkness surrounding her. Kari is not impervious to anxiety or anything related to violence. A moment in Digimon Season 02, episode 07. When she is carried by a bad guy character. Is actually a friend, named Andromon. Albeit mind controlled. She takes time to speak up while thinking in her head. She decides to use words rather than fighting back the mind controlled Andromon. Words over violence. Minutes later, her device falls on her mind controlled friend. And is broken free from it. And proceeds to destroy the spiral tower. The day is saved in the end. 2. Aries Spring from Astra Lost In Space. She may seem bubbly, and cheerful at first glance. But, she can also be shy, timid, and sometimes forgetting to remember things. She sometimes has something called "Photographic Memory" in her mind. She does have a childlike mindset. 3. Yukari Morita from Rocket Girls. She may seem like hot-headed, embarrassed, and an average girl. Who hangs out with her friends. Deep inside, she is shy, nervous, thinking in her head, anxious, and she is shown to be scared at times. She sometimes needs rescuing and care from her peers and mentors alike. 4. Ochaco Uraraka, AKA Uravity from My Hero Academia. Sweet, bubbly, and cheerful. In some moments, she is shown to be saying to herself to focus like three times. When she needs to use her quirk powers. Thinking first before taking action. Also, that time she holded down a knife attack, and made a speech to stop this arguing and fighting between Deku and other of his hero friends. An impressive moment she did. She raises her voice, only when the time comes and when needed. 5. Kio Asuno from Mobile Suit Gundam AGE. Despite his a young person like him. And his impressive skills and abilities. He is not a plot device or overpowered character. He believes to be a gifted prodigy. Yet, he sometimes makes mistakes like accidentally causing a friction between him and others unintentionally. He sees the world as a game. With his childlike view of the world. 6. Sakurano from Sky Girls. She's happy, cheerful, and nice. She may be a 20 something year old. Yet, she's still just a kid. Sakurano doesn't look or feel like an older person. I feel like this too. And I am legal of age. It states that Sakurano has skills, and amazing performances too. Yet, she doesn't seem to have any complex ideals or personal goals that very much. She does have signs of having a childish escapism and mindset. Honorable Mentions: 1. Bobby from Bobby's World. And Eliot from Eliot Kid. Both shows has a main character with a sense of imagination alike. I think it's called escapism. The two shows almost feel like a carbon copy of one another. 2. Mega Man, Mega Man Volnutt, Mega Man.EXE, and Mega Man Star Force from the Mega Man series. The character of Mega Man, are known for their calmful, compassion, and peaceful personality. They are known to put up a fight. They do have a childlike mindset when they are not in battle. 3. Tommy Turnbull from Robotboy. He is just an average boy. Yet, he is shown to be smart and creative at once. 4. Mick from The Electric Piper. A smart, determined, and passionate young man. He is shown to be nervous, or embarrassed in some scenes throughout the film. He's also worried about leaving about himself and other kids leaving their own parents behind them. And decided to feel sorry about ditching them. 5. Brady from Clarence. He's shown to be calm and quiet throughout the show. Yet he thinks in his mind a lot. It's called "Monologue". Like talking to yourself quietly. Or think inside your head and mind. 6. Satoru (Kid Self) from Erased. In his 11 year old child self. He's in regular school classes ect. At times, he is shown to think first before plan thinking in any type of situations. Satoru is sometimes blushing, shy, introvert, and smiles a little more, caring, and lively at heart. Live-action: A few examples. 1. Roarke from The River Wild. He is shown to be quiet in some scenes in the film. He's also does hand signs to his mom. And is curious and alerted, when he a finds a weapon in the bag of the unknown men. He realized the strange men are criminals. And tells his mom quickly about this. He's shown to be Extraverted, Intuitive, and Shy in his personality and mind. 2. The Good Doctor has been an example of Autism and ADHD alike. 3. Jake from Touch (2012). The child of Martin, his dad. Who depicted with autism. It shows a good example of it. Taking it's time. I think, these are my list of characters of portrayal or signs of Autism, ADHD, ect. I am not sure if most of the them are a part of the Autism Spectrum. Only a very few. Like I said, this not a realistic or accurate take. I may think my own character list has and shows signs or examples of it. Ever since I was born with level 2 autusm. That's my own viewpoint here.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

[@javib2978]

You're welcome. I would like to a topic about Autism signs in animation. Or any media than just live-action.

[@javib2978]

Child care and protection, is always a first and good thing. For parents and guardians alike. A needed idea and in case of emergency. In a situation like this occurs. I may be legal of age. A young adult, young man. I feel like I'm still just a kid. In my heart and mind. I am still a kid, a baby child who needs pampering and attention by my family. I am happy to still be this way. I am an adult boy child.

[@javib2978]

If I was in Kari's shoes. I can also be afraid of the dark too. I don't like violence or judging others. I still have my childlike escapism to cope with the real world. I won Kari on an online quiz. I relate like Kari too. In my personality and mindset. I felt like this too. Like Kari, I am also shown to be scared of the darkness too. I have been raised a good natured child. A child of the light. I need my use childlike escapism and imagination to cope with the big outside world. Digimon Season 02, Episode 13. This episode is relatable to me today.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@jkka1477]

I think the good doctor is also a bad portrayal! By the way there was something I learned was misinformation that you shared was the rumor that Eminem was on the spectrum. Other people told me he was just making fun of someone with Asperger’s syndrome. There’s no proof he was actually diagnosed.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing.

[@CKCaylerz]

I personally don’t have autism, but I do have other disorders(some include similar things to autism). I also study different mental disorders because I’m extremely interested in psychiatry even though I’m not even an adult. I’ve seen so many people believe they have autism because of Sheldon Cooper. And believe me, the amount of times I’ve said “he’s not autistic” cannot be outnumbered. Also, would it be possible for you to make a “best autism portrayals”? If there isn’t already. No pressure though!

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for the idea!❤️❤️❤️

[@CKCaylerz]

Ofcourse! @@7Aheadfamily

[@7Aheadfamily]

❤️❤️❤️

[@JonBrase]

I don't believe I'm autistic because of Sheldon, I believe he's autistic because of me. As I said in another comment on this video, I knew Sheldon was an offensive stereotype of whatever I was long before I knew a thing about autism. BBT came out before someone like Sheldon would have gotten an autism diagnosis, but someone that presents like him would very likely get a diagnosis if evaluated today.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I think you're probably right.

[@sierrabullercrazyspeedie]

Good doctor with Shaun being a autistic and the ability that he has.

[@7Aheadfamily]

That is a pretty famous one. What do you think of it?

[@gamergate2.0andbooks]

I can tell u for someone who has anxiety possibly have autism I can tell u Sitting on the person who have anxiety and or meltdown that not how u handle meltdown or panic attacks

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for your insight!🩵🩵🩵

[@barbaraflowers3308]

I don't think I have ever seen that movie before

[@7Aheadfamily]

Cool. ❤️

[@user-zj6yh7oc2p]

I have always wondered if Sheldon Cooper was autistic. This is a fictional character who was manipulated by the writers to suit the audience. He certainly has so many autistic characteristics. They didn't want to label him as autistic because they might get so much negative reviews for ridiculing autistic people. Hollywood is primarily for entertainment purpose, and they are not there to spread autism awareness. I think people have wrong perception about autistic people. They think that all autistic people are intellectually disabled. It is good that your channel is spreading autism awareness. Keep up the good work. I always look for your videos.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much. ❤️

[@littlejonathorn6860]

Does anyone know if Imitation game counts?

[@7Aheadfamily]

I don’t know about that one

[@littlejonathorn6860]

@@7Aheadfamily same. Not sure. Hoping someone knows.

[@joemartin5669]

I am also autistic and I have never liked how people on the spectrum are portrayed as all being savants.as if having autism is a super power.I sometimes wish it were as I think being able to be a super mathematician or an amazing artist or have a lot of knowledge in something that could benefit the world and your own life somehow sounds amazing.but it's just like that long-time myth shows did that if you lose one sense like sight or hearing the other senses become heightened to compensate .it's just not true.

[@7Aheadfamily]

We appreciate your feedback.

[@dougfowler1368]

Never thought about the turtles. Or that anything could challenge history for how badly some movies portray it. I wonder about Michelle's friend Derek on Full House. Blends in with his surroundings according to him, so doesn’t socialize a lot, very unusual vocabulary for his age as if he reads the dictionary, I was thinking there were 1-2 other little things. He'd have autism-1 (Asperger's back then) if anything, part of why I ujink thst is h8s behavior is somewhat like m8ne. With my visual handicap though, I'm not sure if he has trouble picking up nonverbal cues, though.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I'll have to review that character. I used to watch Full House when I was little. -Holly

[@deathsoldier21]

I have been blessed that my children are normal healthy children, but I don't know how good it is for a child already struggling with communicating or being non verbal to have their parent completely capitulate to the behavior rather than requiring them to learn how to adjust behavior. A complete "normal" kid will also struggle to communicate if not required to learn how to deal with mood swings they naturally have. Eventually when or if they are allowed to go out into the world on their own and every time they've had a bad day or time you've slapped some headphones on them or taken them to a different room to just forget why they were upset, they won't have trained to get through the tough time and will just always struggle. I am not autistic and I personally have not known anyone who is (as far as I was aware). This is just a thought that comes to mind when I see children treated this way

[@deathsoldier21]

Please if anyone decides to comment on my post be civil. It is not my intention to make anyone mad with this post

[@7Aheadfamily]

I have been blessed with 5 healthy children too and though they may not all be neurotypical, they are very normal to us. A label like Autism brings more understanding and paves the road to help the child get speech therapy and get the help they need to improve and become more independent. Why would anyone assume that with a diagnosis comes abandonment of duties of parenting? remember when it comes to experiencing the world differently one must not judge from the outside. Assuming that a parent is choosing the easy road by accommodating for their child doesn't mean they aren't working very hard on daily goals to help the child learn and stretch themselves.

[@sconnection]

I get where you are coming from, but I would like to try and explain why this does not work exactly as you think it does. The reason for this is the difference in which both children experience the ‘inconvenience’. I`m going to try and explain it using examples. They might not be fully factually accurate but I think they give a good idea of how the same experience is different when looking at neurotypical (your children) and neurodiverse children. You say with normal children you teach them to deal with situations so they can adjust in the future unlike as when you put on headphones and take them out of the situation. The situation is different for both types of children. Let’s say in the situation you are trying to talk to someone. But when trying to talk to someone there is another person right next to you also talking. You could choose to walk away until you can no longer hear that person, or you can learn to shut that background noise out and focus on the person you are talking with. But here is the thing. That exact same situation is different for someone with autism. Picture yourself talking to someone again, but this time. Someone else is constantly shouting in your ear. There is no way you can shut out the shouting and focus on the conversation you are having. Thus, you choose to walk away slightly so the shouting becomes a distant noise which you can shut out. For an autistic person, the exact situation feels completely different. The overload is much much greater to a point they are unable to shut it out. If someone is constantly shouting in your ear you will be so overwhelmed at some point you just break down (even as a neurotypical person) there is simply no way to DEAL with the overwhelming surroundings, so you move away from it. Now image that when having a conversation there is always someone talking right next to you. In every single situation where you are talking with someone. There is never just the two of you. There is always some form of distraction/sensation. That is what an autistic person has constantly. So autistic children actually deal with uncomfortable situations constantly. While neurotypical children only have to do it sometimes. Like I said in the beginning. This example should not be taken literally. As an autistic person I don`t literally always hear someone talking right next to me. But it was the best example I could think of where someone that does not, and has never, experienced similar sensations could easily understand. Sorry for the large amount of text, and I hope I was clear in my explanation.

[@7Aheadfamily]

very well said, thank you

[@chriskey1613]

What's Gilbert grape is good move

[@7Aheadfamily]

Oh cool. We’ll have to look into it. ❤️

[@matthewcrome]

My favorite portrayal of Level 1 autism w/ savantism is Stranger Than Fiction (it is rated PG-13 I believe) - Will Ferrell's character Harold Crick is portrayed as a flawed but ultimately sympathetic and nuanced individual without resorting to stereotypes (other than maybe the savantism). It's really worth a watch, it also has a lot of existential themes and is one of the few movies with a romantic main plot I care for! My least favorite portrayal of autism I would have to agree with you is The Fanatic. Not necessarily that it portrays an autistic person as a killer (I think it's possible to create evil characters who happen to have a disability or be in another minority), but rather that the portrayal of an autistic/intellectually challenged individual is on the level of what Tropic Thunder was making fun of with Simple Jack. It's such a caricature that it's incredibly ridiculous. I do have to say the movie is unintentionally hilarious at times with how bad Travolta's acting is (that fake Cockney accent, though I realize it was supposed to be fake, rivals Dick van Dyke's in Mary Poppins) and -some- all of the screenwriting. The man is a complete joke. Runner-ups for the worst portrayals of autism would be The Good Doctor (both Freddie Highmore's character, he does fall to many stereotypes, his social faux pas are played for laughs, and he is valued only on his savant abilities, and the more severely autistic person portrayed in one of the episodes, who literally has a Simple Jack-type stutter) and The Accountant (again reliant on savant stereotypes and portraying FC as a means of "communication" for nonverbal people).

[@7Aheadfamily]

Sharing! I’ll have to check those out. 😊

[@darkchipz3016]

As a person who has lvl 1 autism, I think that autism is wide, and autism can be different with other people

[@7Aheadfamily]

Agreed, there a multiple spectrums❤️

[@7Aheadfamily]

Here's a video we have done on this topic.. Signs of Mild Autism, Severe Autism, No Autism | Compared kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4SQhZt9htF4jpo

[@nathanjw940]

Asperger's is a really awful term. Basically your life had enough quality to not die. Not to be too graphic.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thanks for letting us know how you feel

[@nathanjw940]

​@@7Aheadfamily my great grandfather survived burkenau and believe your kids have a special God blessed life no matter the severity

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing

[@thomasschoeck9080]

Another show that depicted autism is St. Elsewhere. In my opinion the depiction of Tommy Westphal is a bit stereotypical (to say the least). It looks like they were going for a character who was supposed to be more functional than Ezra but less functional than Simon but they didn’t do it all that well. Also in the final episode (given how the series ended) how much function that character has is (at best) ambiguous. Therefore even for its time the depiction could have been much better than it was.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for your insight!

[@carstorm85]

To answer about why so many people think Sheldon Cooper is autistic, I personally think that the writers wrote him as autistic but when they got backlash on how they portrayed autism, they simply said he wasn't autistic even though that was their intent. So Timmy I think he's an autistic written character but the writers don't want to admit it due to the backlash and PR that would come from them portraying a "stereotypical" autistic.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing your insight❤️❤️

[@Christian_Martinez_yt]

As a certain looney tune would put it that is truly despicable

[@7Aheadfamily]

😊

[@7Aheadfamily]

What’s your favorite movie?

[@7Aheadfamily]

👍🏻

[@Christian_Martinez_yt]

@@7Aheadfamily star wars revenge of the sith

[@7Aheadfamily]

Nice!❤️

[@gamergate2.0andbooks]

I'm afraid of having meltdowns/panic attacks because I'm afraid of my panic attacks / meltdown

[@gamergate2.0andbooks]

I can also start having panic attacks if I see 👀 someone who is autistic having meltdown

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you so much for watching and sharing ❤️We appreciate you being here. ❤️

[@gamergate2.0andbooks]

@@7Aheadfamily who do I need to see to be diagnosed with autism

[@7Aheadfamily]

You could see a clinical psychologist.💕

[@gamergate2.0andbooks]

@@7Aheadfamily ok

[@thomasschoeck9080]

Because of misinformation from movies and even some doctors back in the 1980s my mother would rarely if ever take my sister or myself out of a stressful environment if a meltdown was imminent after about age two or three because back then meltdowns were equated with temper tantrums and treated accordingly. My father (for instance) believes that the increased incidence of autism diagnoses to be a result of the mother excessively spoiling the child due to the influence of the books of Dr. Spock. The claim is that the spoiling leads to behavioral issues which in turn (supposedly) leads to a medical label. If he actually read Dr. Spock he would know that my mother (and her mother, and his mother) did not follow his methods in any way. Everything he has heard about Dr. Spock is from media depictions and/or media descriptions. This is likely true of many other people who were born back in the 1940s.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Yeah, there is a lot of incorrect stuff out there due to movies and Hollywood.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Has your Mother and father changed their opinions now?

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@7Aheadfamily Not really, my father still believes that my sister will somehow need to be placed in some type of facility in order for her needs to be met at some future date when they are no longer around. He believes that even though she is verbal, has an associate’s degree, and a bachelor’s degree and her IQ is actually significantly higher than mine (with my IQ only being in the 120s. On some tests her IQ is as high as 160 or even 180). My father emphasizes that she cannot function because she took longer than average to toilet train but he doesn’t usually remember that I took a good year longer to get there and that I learned many words (including the so-called four-letter-ones up to two years later than she did). I said my first swear word when I was four years old (only slightly older than Simon is right now) and she was correctly using phrases containing four-letter-words by no later than age two or two-and-a-half (she’s level one and started reading (at least phonetically) by age age two). I was about four when I started reading. I sometimes wonder if he incorrectly remembers some things that I did when I was younger as things that she did instead. It’s not impossible (he’s in his seventies and by that age memories can start to change as a result of aging). Plus many of those events occurred forty years ago at least.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[@JonBrase]

​@@thomasschoeck9080A bachelors degree and a high IQ isn't a guarantee that someone actually can live completely independently (my brother is less brainy but has better life skills than I do), but "took longer than average to toilet train" certainly isn't a guarantee that they can't.

[@littlejonathorn6860]

The movie 🎥 🍿 Willy Wonka even portrays characters wrong. Example: By the way it portrays Oompa Loompas and not giving recognition to people who have those challenges. (Please correct me and let me know how I can say better)

[@7Aheadfamily]

I see. It’s important to represent people the correct way and not in a stereotypical way.

[@littlejonathorn6860]

@@7AheadfamilyYes. 100% absolutely.

[@7Aheadfamily]

❤️

[@nellcoonen-korte7937]

Are there movies that you do feel depict autism well, that you would recommed

[@7Aheadfamily]

There is a TV shows where the actor is Autistic, called “ everything‘s gonna be OK.” It has gotten praise for being authentic. I personally, haven’t watched it though. that one is on my list to start watching. Let me know if you like it

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing💕

[@Sonicfan-cc1te]

@@7Aheadfamily Also Heartbreak High has an autistic actor portraying an autistic character

[@GinaAlexandra]

I don't know if you have seen it, but in the movie called What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Leo Dicaprio does an awesome job at playing Arnie Grape. (the Autistic younger brother of Gilbert (Johnny Depp) The only thing wrong with that was Gilbert narrating the story says "The doctors were lucky if Arnie lived to be 10. He could go at anytime." Yeah right. Autism is not terminal!!

[@7Aheadfamily]

We should check that movie out, thank you for your comment!💜💜💜

[@GinaAlexandra]

I've watched a few of your videos. Your kids are sweet. I am mildly Autistic and have Social Anxiety. I am also a subscriber to the Autism Family.@@7Aheadfamily

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for joining our subscribers!💜💜 You are so kind!❤️❤️

[@TheAutisticWorldAwesome-2023]

I think everyone’s autism is different. I can see Sheldon cooper having autism especially after young Sheldon was made. I think a good portrayal of autism is done through The A Word. I did not like how the family reacted to the child’s diagnosis or that the TV show was rated R. But the kid actor was amazing

[@inongezulu5859]

A kind of spark was really good, also on the bbc. All three actors are autistic and one of them was playing the neurotypical sister, high-masking portrayal and also showing it does slip. I liked how their bedrooms was tailored to each of them using their real interests and they just seemed comfortable with the team behind the scenes takes.

[@TheAutisticWorldAwesome-2023]

@@inongezulu5859I will have to look that up. Thanks!

[@thomasschoeck9080]

Another movie that depicted autism was the Bruce Willis movie Mercury Rising. From what I remember that depiction was rather stereotypical but I only saw it once a number of years ago so I can’t really say much more than that.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Thank you for sharing!❤️😊❤️

[@paytonlescalleet9714]

Mercury rising is actually a good portrayal of how many people and kids with autism are yes it’s more stereotypical however it’s very accurate to severe classic autism

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@paytonlescalleet9714 I guess I might need to rewatch it at some point if I notice it on any of the major streaming services.

[@7Aheadfamily]

I’ll have to check it out too. I haven’t watched it.

[@thomasschoeck9080]

@@7Aheadfamily Make sure to watch it after the kids go to bed. I think it’s rated R. Also, the kid in the movie is named Simon and his autism level would seem to be somewhere between your son Simon’s level and where Ezra is on the spectrum (from what I remember). Therefore if Simon were to see the movie before he’s old enough to be ready for it he might get confused and start acting more like one of the main characters in the movie (e.g. the character named Simon in the movie). Even if that doesn’t happen it might potentially give him nightmares. In short, the movie is definitely for adults only.

[@thomdadank844]

I may be verbal and I may not be level 3 but this video just feels wrong kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH2ahaZ8ebWhjNk because it feels like there saying autism is bad and Down syndrome is better.

[@7Aheadfamily]

Interesting. Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️