Think Differently About Autism
This is the latest email from the Think Differently About Autism campaign.
Dear Mike
Thank you for supporting ourcampaign. Together we will improve the lives of the 1 in 100 people in the UK with autism by creating a better understanding of autism in society. Today we launched the second part of our campaign film which highlights some the challenges a person with autism can face everyday. Though the film only shows one of the many ways autism can affect an individual, it is a vital tool to help increase understanding of autism. We need your help to ensure as many people as possible see this film!
Please forward on this email to all your contacts encouraging them to watch the campaign film and then signing up to support our campaign.
Coming in February 2008
In February 2008 the campaign will focus specifically on the issues facing adults with autism and call for the UK government to take action to address the desperate lack of services and support for adults with autism. We will keep you updated on how you can support this part of the campaign. For more information about the campaign please email us at thinkdifferently@nas.org.uk or call and leave a message on 020 7923 5788.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
The film is in two parts. I understand there is a third part scheduled. Part 1 is about a bus journey and appears to borrow from the work of Larry Arnold in Outside In. The big difference is that Larry uses film to explain what autism means to him and to argue his point of view. These short films are an attempt to illustrate particular aspects of autism and suggest to neurotypical viewers what it is like to be autistic.
The strength of this approach is that it makes very simple points clearly and leaves the viewer in no doubt as to the particular problem the film is meant to illustrate. The drawback is that autistic people are portayed as victims both of their disability and of our lack of understanding. They need our help to make up for their shortcomings.
This is part of the truth about autism. But it is not the whole story. Autistic people expend a great deal of energy accommodating our shortcomings. I found some of the so-called “normal” behaviour in the videos confusing or annoying. What are you supposed to do when complete stranger starts chatting away just because you sat next to them on a bus? And what about the receptionist who never stopped talking and ignored the young man’s repeated question? It would be interesting to watch the same videos with autistic voices commenting on the action.
So watch the films and let me know what you think. Tell the NAS as well. They are making an honest attempt to educate the general public about autism in ways that are respectful of autistic people. They deserve both our praise and constructive criticism.
Comment by bullet | November 28th, 2007
The first film (when the bloke gets on the bus) was spot on for what it’s like for me. The second one, nine times out of ten I would stand waiting until the receptionist spoke first. Who, incidentally, seemed to have a few problems interacting herself.
Comment by Astryngia | November 28th, 2007
My son felt all the same confusions as the young man in the film and we had an interesting chat about the young woman. Mind you, he guessed what was coming in that film and could hardly bear to watch. But the odd behaviour of others is just ‘how it is’. These films recognise the odd behaviour of NTs, too! The difference is that these people ARE rude - our austistic youngsters and adults are not!! What matters, perhaps, is the motivation. Our guys are trying to do right by others; the NTs in these films don’t much care!
Comment by Demented Clanger | November 29th, 2007
The Scotsman published a week of autism features a couple of weeks ago - constructive through information is the key.
Comment by laurentius-rex | November 29th, 2007
I am now forbidden for fear of involving the NAS in a libel suit from saying what I really think of this
However there is a big difference between what I intend to achieve with my work such as “Whichever way” which is full recognition of the autistic role in constructing and commenting on autism, and this sort of awareness raising. I want to go way beyond all of that
I am in a somewhat unique position at the moment as regards video and autism in that I am the only person who is researching this with full academic rigour,though the outcome of my research will be a long long way off yet.
Regarding my own position as a filmaker, what I do is different, it is more real than the constructions of this video, it is not re-enactment, what I have pioneered is fly on the wall actuality footage of my travels as can be seen by my latest rough cut assembled from my recent journeying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1iLNZC0ins
Well it might not tell you so much about autism than about my eccentricities, indeed I am making a plea for the eccentric as much as I am the autistic, because I believe our status has been stolen and pathologised, but there you are it is my soapbox, and it does annoy me that the NAS is using outside agencies and not capitalising on the autistic talent that is there. I feel an exploitation issue there, all the money going into marketing companies and professionals.
Perhaps they dare not do so, again, because of fears of legal comeback, I do not care whether I am allowed to film on first great western trains or whatever I just do it.
Comment by bullet | November 29th, 2007
Hijack as I can’t post on the youtube thread, but I enjoyed Laurentius Rex’s video. I like your moustache, I kept trying to look at all the end bits. Also very imperssed with the flute playing, “Three Blind Mice” on the recorder was about as far as I achieved. I do that finger twisty thing as well, but just one hand and not for as long.
Comment by Casdok | December 6th, 2007
I hope people are telling the NAS what they think, so they can learn.
Pingback by blog-thing : Communication, Respect and Autism | December 7th, 2007
[...] there are bound to be times when some groups will feel neglected or misrepresented. The current “Think Differently” campaign created a small storm amongst some parents that received extensive coverage in the [...]