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How much do you know about Autism? Do you, Like many others, primarily have knowledge about Autism through Modern Media and word of mouth?
When did you first hear about "AUTISM" in a Movie?
Most people think of the movie "Rain Man" Produced in 1988 with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Although this movie was an "EYE OPENER" to the world letting people be aware of the Disability called Autism, this movie has also lead to many stereotypes. Because of this movie, many people think that Autistic Children are blessed with savant like gifts such as those portrayed by Hoffman in the "Toothpick" scene of the movie.
Although many Autistic children are very good at Patterning, VERY few have this savant gift. In fact, 75-80% of Children Diagnosed with AUTISM have mental Retardation. However,because I haven't read anything SPECIFICALLY stating the Statistical gathering of this information, this statistic could be a mesurment of those diagnosed with Moderate to Severe AUTISTIC cases.
Media also often reflects Autistic children as being "EVIL" , "Unholy", being tainted or in touch with something demonic; subconsciously re-inforcing peoples fear of "Difference".
MOVIE: THE PIT (1981)
Genre: Horror
Tagline: Jamie wouldn't kill anyone...unless Teddy told him to!
Plot Outline: An autistic boy wreaks revenge on the people who harasses him when he discovers something weird in the forest.
MOVIE: BLESS THIS CHILD (2000)
Genre: Horror
Tagline: Mankind's last hope just turned six.
Plot Summary: Omens and concepts of good vs. evil have no place in Maggie O'Connor's well-ordered, practical universe. Her life revolves around her job as a nurse at a busy New York hospital, until one rainy night, her sister Jenna abandons her newborn, autistic daughter at her home.
Movie: When the Bough Breaks (1993)
Genre: Thriller
Tagline: Can a child's telepathic mind help find a serial killer?
Plot Summary: Ally Walker plays a police detective who investigates the apparent serial killing of several children which is linked to an institutionalized, autistic child.
TV Mini Series: ROSE RED (Stephen King's)
Genre: Horror
Tagline: There's No Place Like Home
Plot Outline: A group of people with psychic powers are invited to spend the night in a haunted house.
**PERSONAL NOTE: In the beginning of this series, it has an Autistic child Killing a elderly couple with her "POWERS" when she gets upset.**
TV Show: X-Files Season Five, Episode 107 (1998)
Genre: Sci-fi; Thriller
Plot Outline: Master of Horror Stephen King's first effort at an X-File sees Scully's well deserved vacation going terribly wrong and landing her in a small Maine town where one of the residents is believed to be a witch and her autistic daughter's doll has frighteningly evil powers.
**Yet another Personal Note: Again, Autistic child gets mad....People Die by Deadly dolly**
Did you notice the Trend there? Not only are they linked to the "Negative" aspects, again, they are linked to the "Superhuman" aspects as well. The same could be said with the portrayal of Mental illness in the media as well
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