Tyler Piazza

DAlessio
UWRIT-1102
3/16/16

Autism spectrum disorders is one of the most common social/psychological

disorders in the entire world. A little over one percent of the world is diagnosed with it
while thousands more who go undiagnosed (Wright). ASD consists of Autism, Aspergers
syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. We
see the disorders in movies, such as Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman, but they dont do
the disorder justice it only points out the flaws that go along with it, although there are
particular talents that these characters posses. But these are characters and there are tens
of thousands of people who live with ASD around the world and youd never be able to
spot them out in a crowd. But why does entertainment and the media portray these
disorders this way? Is it to hold a plot? Is it because we as Americans are fascinated by
the human mind and all variations of it? Autism Spectrum Disorders are some of the most
common disorders in Americans today and it is on a rise, but the U.S. is at a stand still in
when it comes to research, awareness must be spread and it all starts with media
attention.
In Rain Man Dustin Hoffmans character shows an immediate difference to those
around him. Tom Cruises character catches him sitting in his car after just finding out
hes his brother just stating facts about the car and certain requirements on how and when
he used to be able to drive it with their late father. As the movie continues his odd
behavior is shown more and more. Every room he moves into the bed has to be in front of
the window, He needs to watch peoples court everyday and take track of the decisions, all

while not even understanding jokes he will occasionally say. Though there are extreme
cases such as this not all who are diagnosed with ASD act. Those with ASD, more
commonly Aspergers syndrome, understand and notice that they arent the same as
everyone else and are more confined to themselves and who they trust, but they dont see
this as a crutch they see it as a blessing in disguise (Wright). I will explain this more
when I discuss Freaks, Geeks and Aspergers syndrome: a users guide to adolescents
Which is written by a teenager who lives in a family with many who are diagnosed with
some sort of Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as himself suffering from Aspergers
syndrome. Although in movies like these the character with the ASD has a special gift
such as running in Forrest Gump or even being a human calculator as in Rain Man. But,
why do they need a special gift to spark an interest in an average Americans brain? Well
the common belief is that we as Americans, dating back to the nineteenth century, have
been extremely fascinated by the human psyche.
Throughout recent human history there has been an over fascination of mental
disorders and what they do to the human brain. This dates back to the nineteenth century
to where mental hospitals used to offer for pedestrians to pay and observe behind glass,
but for what? It was a human zoo! Which brought the rise of mental illness in film,
portraying those with mental illness as bizarre, unpredictable, isolated and menacing
(Conn). And these films, according to Rory Conn and Dinesh Bhugra, the character
adopts the role of the other, a pariah who the audience are encouraged to scrutinize and
alienate. Equally, many films are constructed in ways so that we pity, laugh at or ridicule
mental disorder. (Conn) What the authors are getting at is that in the history of film we
will portray those with mental disabilities as entertainment and not see them as another

human being with feelings and opinions. But my main focus is how those with autism are
portrayed to the public, and unfortunately Hollywood will portray autism, and the
childlike innocence that goes along with it, as often synonymous with cheap moralization
and will often use the Autism as a characterization tool (Conn). Although since the 80s
we have seen Autism in film in almost every genre, most prevalent in dramas, where they,
explained by Conn and Bhugra, encourage the audience to identify with the image of a
vulnerable, troubled child, a selfless parent, or a brilliant, dedicated psychiatrist. (Conn)
These types of character traits bring sympathy and care for the character by the audience,
but is that what those diagnosed in real life want?
1 in every 68 children is born with it, being even more prevalent in boys. This
intrigues me even more because I have a cousin who is diagnosed with autism and he
isnt very different from you and me, if you just sat down and sparked simple
conversation it would never come to mind. Although, he does have certain ticks; he can
become hysterical in anyplace at anytime and act like all that matters at the moment is
Andrew. In the book, Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to
Adolescents we follow the life of Luke Jackson, a thirteen year old boy, also the author,
who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome and spills all to his audience. His goal while
writing this was to give a little insight to his disorder and how he lives his everyday life
when it comes to things like school, bullying, making friends and even dating. Whats
amazing about Luke is that he is truly open and has a huge heart. He has grown up in
home with his single mother who takes care of him and his six brothers and sisters, one of
which is diagnosed with AD/HD and one who has Autism. Luke has great insight on how
he goes about in everyday life and how he can feel like an outsider in situations and

knows when he doesnt do the right thing, but he sees his whole life as a blessing and a
learning experience (Jackson). The way Luke explains ASD is that of an umbrella with
holes in it. What he states is that the overall umbrella is Autism, which spans the entirety
of these disorders, and gets rained on the hardest. Aspergers, on the other hand, is some
what protected from the rain under that holey umbrella, so to say, but all the while still
getting them wet (Jackson). I found this amazing how he created this analogy; it is a
thinker but as you understand Autism Spectrum Disorders better it makes more and more
sense. Luke is also very hesitant of the word disability, he doesnt see this diagnoses as
a setback, only as a gift which is truly amazing seeing how he lives in a family full of
those diagnosed, seeing the ups and downs of it all (Jackson). I feel as though we dont
see this common disorder displayed over T.V. or movies as much as people who are
paralyzed or blind with there being a greater chance of someone suffering from ASD
rather than being crippled by one of the other disabilities.
There are many spectacular human beings who have overcome their disorders to
become who they truly wanted to be. One for example is Adam Young, a Grammy
nominated singer and songwriter who has produced almost all of the music of the band
Owl City. He was diagnosed with Autism as a young child, but always followed his
dreams and imagination to become that which he truly believed he could be. In an article
written by Stephen Borgman, Adam goes on to explain when he was first starting his
singing career he was deathly afraid of any interviews that my have landed him on
television so he would do most over email (Borgman). He was very shy and much of an
introvert, but the music, he claims, helps him escape from the outside world and makes
him feel free (Borgman). The article also goes on to explain that Adam never had too

many friends in high school and is proud to be an introvert. And though he has never had
a true relationship he takes pride in openly admitting that he has an enormous crush on
Taylor Swift and even asked her to go to his high school prom with him. And though he
may be very shy and not the best in front of new people he explains that he loves being
up on the stage with the music, just him and his melodies and he is having the time of his
life (Borgman).
Autism Spectrum Disorders are diagnosed to thousands of children all over the
world every year and thats why we need to learn about them and educate ourselves.
These disorders are becoming some of the most prevalent in society because the disorder
is becoming more and more common. Also this assignment couldnt have come at a better
time, being Autism Awareness month; the National Basketball Association actually lights
up arenas around the country blue in the month of April to support these disorders. I still
feel as though America doesnt understand the importance of this disorder and the rapid
growth in numbers of kids being diagnosed year after year. Nowadays we will hear
ludicrous statements such as vaccinations causing Autism and Aspergers in children.
And with rapid growth of the disorder over in the Middle East and Mediterranean as well,
in countries such as Dubai and Turkey, there has been a huge growth in research and
teacher training to create the best environments for these children. What Im still baffled
over is how America lets this just breeze over our heads; it should be at of the forefront of
research and our minds.

Work Cited:

1. Borgman, Stephen. "Famous People with Asperger's - Adam Young."

Myaspergers.net. Thrive With Aspergers, 16 Sept. 2014. Web. 5 Feb. 2016.
2. Jackson, Luke. Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to
Adolescence. London: Jessica Kingsley, 2003. Print.
3. "Home | Autism Speaks." Autism Speaks. Ed. Suzanne Wright and Bob Wright.
Autism Speaks Organization, 11 Feb. 2005. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.
4. Conn, Rory, and Dinesh Bhugra. "The Portrayal of Autism in Hollywood Films."
International Journal of Culture and Mental Health 5.1 (2012): 54-62. Web.
5. Rain Man. Dir. Barry Levinson. Perf. Barry Levinson. 1988.