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AUSTISM AND ITS PORTAYAL IN THE MEDIA
INTRODUCTION
In this essay we’ll look at how Autism is portrayed in the media especially films and television and how it has impacted the way people look at autism. The biggest challenged that is faced is that Autism does not have very defined symptoms, every autistic person has different ways it affects them.
What is autism?
According to The National Autistic society, Autism can be described as a lifelong, developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.
Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease
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It is very important to understand how autistic people see the world, because in most cases their perception of the world is what makes them different.
Some autistic people say the world feels overwhelming and this can cause them considerable anxiety.
In particular, understanding and relating to other people, and taking part in everyday family, school, work and social life, can be harder. Other people appear to know, intuitively, how to communicate and interact with each other; yet can also struggle to build rapport with autistic people. Autistic people may wonder why they are 'different' and feel their social differences mean people don't understand them.
Autistic people often do not 'look' disabled. Some parents of autistic children say that other people simply think their child is naughty, while adults find that they are misunderstood.
ROLE OF MEDIA
The reach of mass communication through the electronic media is mostly limited to the urban areas and to the better-off sections of the rural parts of the country. Mass communication does influence (and even reflect) social values and practices, but this influence is always in combination with a whole lot of other socio-cultural and economic and political
ASD individuals may find it hard to communicate and socialize with others around them. However, because each child is unique, they have their own unique abilities and ways of responding to new experiences. Other issues children with ASD have include; anxiety, sleeping problems, and learning disabilities. Those who are diagnosed with ASD or any other disability are usually judged and bullied. In the documentary Violet’s mother says she is afraid of her child being labeled and underestimated because she is diagnosed with autism. A child’s disability can also affect their family members. Family members may have a difficult time understanding and getting to know the autistic child in order to provide for them. They struggle to find interventions such as treatment and therapy for them, the right medical care, and trying learn to cope with all this. At times parents and caregivers can also feel stressed or irritated knowing they have to fulfill all of the child’s needs. Siblings on the other hand, may find it unfair that the autistic child gets the most attention and
Autism or Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex mental development disabilities. Which can be recognized by some significant defects in behavioral events, social interactions, and other mental verbal and nonverbal communication skills in different degrees.(1,2)The phrase spectrum is referred to the board range of level of disability and symptoms that occur in
There are 3 main areas of difficulty which people who have autism and these can sometimes know as the “Triad of Impairments”. Social communication is difficult, as severe autism may never to develop any speech whilst those with Asperger syndrome may speak fluently. People who are on the autism spectrum have the ability to use their communication skills that are impaired. These difficulties are processing language and interpreting facial expressions, body language or tone of voice. Understanding figures of speech or metaphors. Struggle to follow long or complicated sentences, and only be able to follow one simple instruction at a time. Social interaction as a person with classic autism may appear withdrawn, aloof or uninterested in the people
“If I could snap my fingers and not be autistic, I would not. Autism is a part of who I am,” stated Temple Grandin. Brainyquotes: People with autism are treated or looked at differently by the population. Autistic people usually experience difficulty communicating or acting in an appropriate social manner.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that presents itself during the first three years of a person’s life (Nordqvist). Some children even develop normally until eighteen to twenty-four months old and then stop using or lose his/her skills (Bhargava). This condition is the result of a neurological disorder that affects a person’s normal brain functions, including the development of a person’s communication and social skills (Nordqvist).
Autism spectrum disorders, by definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (or the DSM-IV), are characterized by when a person does not understand social concepts, cannot effectively and efficiently communicate with another person, and/or has a small range of interests or hobbies that may be considered like a fixation or an addiction. (Kids in the Syndrome Mix, page 94) What makes autism really confront the public’s interpretation of a developmental disorder is the spectrum aspect to it. The spectrum makes every autism case completely different from the others. Those one side of the autism spectrum are more severe in the level of impediment than the other, and those in the middle can show qualities of both. (“What is Autism?” Autism Speaks)
I begin this critique of autism depiction in mass media relating my relationship with Connor because he informs my understanding of autism and colors my critique of media representations. For people who do not know autistic individuals personally, however, perceptions of autism have been shaped, by and large, by character depictions in a series of feature films over the last fifteen years, most notably Rain Man (1988), House of Cards (1993), and Molly (1999). I here examine these three films, each with an autistic main character, to evaluate the image of autism presented to the public and to discuss how that image has changed in the last fifteen years. However, before an analysis of the films, I will briefly overview autism as it is currently diagnosed and treated.
Autism is a neurological developmental disability that affects a person’s behavior and communication skills (AutismResearchNetwork.org). Commonly, those with Autism are diagnosed very early in childhood. Autism is the fastest- growing developmental disability known, with its prevalence appearing in 1 out of every 68 births (www.autismspeaks.org). The autism spectrum is so large, ranging from mild to severe symptoms, that no two people diagnosed are alike. With autism being the most common disorder among the human race (www.webmd.com), doctors and science, have come together to improve the technology in helping those with autism in many ways. New advancements have been developed to diagnose autism earlier, help create more successful treatments, and to help better an educational plan for people with autism. There are many theories but no known single cause for autism. There are also many treatments but no known cure for autism. In my paper, I am going to review the technology aspect into this disorder. Technology has enhanced different treatments, enabled earlier diagnoses, and furthered education levels in those with autism. The focus of my report will be on these three categories; diagnoses, treatments and education.
Society is a recurring occurrence in the lives of autistic people. In the book So, I’m Autistic, by Sarah O’Brien, Sarah provides an incredible in-depth explanation of almost everything an autistic person can face in their lives. The biggest components are social communication, stereotypes, emotional expression, physical and mental disorders, and life changes. One of the biggest factors autistic people have to deal with is social communication. Sarah explains the difference between how autistic people communicate and how non-autistic people communicate.
Autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. The Autism spectrum is vast and varies in degree of severity from person to person. The challenges that come with Autism Disorder include difficulty in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism has been a diagnosable disorder since 1951. Treatment options have changed since the first diagnosis. Available treatment today has advanced over the sixty-three year span and has become the best possible form of treatment available for Autism.
Autism is mainly characterized by repetitive behaviors, communication difficulties, social impairments, and cognitive impairments. Some of the main symptoms are: hyperactivity, short attention span, unusual eating and sleeping habit, and unusual mood or emotional behaviors. The symptoms of different Autistic people may vary. One person may have very little symptoms while another may have very serious symptoms.
Autism is a developmental disorder which affects many small aspects of the person's life and can sometimes affect major parts. Autism affects 1 in 68 children and for most it’s a lifelong
Autism is a disorder characterized by significant problems in communication and social functioning. Autism is actually called Autism Spectrum Disorder and encompasses a broad range disabilities such as Asperger syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, and Pervavasive Development Disorder (Dunlap & Fox, n.d.). There are also varying degrees of the disorder from low-functioning (no communication and no social interaction) to high-functioning (some communication and inappropriate but existent social skills.)
Autism can also fall under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) which means it encompasses a set of characteristic that range in severity of presentation (Boyd & Shaw, 2010). Another definition that brings understanding to this disease for Autism Spectrum disorder “is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs child’s ability to communicate and interact with others. That includes restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities” (Mayo Clinic).
The definition of mass media is “a means of communication that reaches large numbers of people in a short time, this can consist of the use of television, newspapers, magazine, and radio”, and within the last decade the internet as well. (HarperCollins) The media can actually be a minor or major effect on individuals depending on how or what their view is on the particular subject or matter. The effects it plays on individuals and societies will depend on the exposure to the subject matter at the time, but it effects all ages from young to old.