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Parenthood Brings Focus on Aspergers = More Diagnosis of the Disorder?
NBC’s Parenthood isn’t just a hit with critics, it isn’t just a hit with the ratings, but it has become extremely popular with parents. The main demographic the show is reaching out to are those who have kids. Children, teens, and adult offspring, the show explores the whole range and all the blemishes that come with each age group. And there is one subplot that has parents talking, thinking and wondering about – the topic of Asperger’s.
On Parenthood, the characters Adam and Kristina have a young son who has Asperger’s Syndrome. The TV couple is depicted struggling with their child’s disorder, an intense situation for their entire family. And this fictional narrative brightly shines the light on Aspergers, a disorder which has – in the past – been more in the dark. But now this particular autism spectrum disorder is becoming nationally known.
And parents, we worry. When there is attention brought to a malady, some parents may begin to diagnosis their own children, or search out a professional opinion. A few will come to the realization that – yes- their child has the disorder. But a majority will probably find that their child, although they may have certain traits that could be considered “asperger-ish,” perhaps are just “quirky” or have their own unique social or behavioral issues don’t really have Asperger’s. Like ADD before it, will children start to be diagnosed with Aspergers or another ASD even though they actually don’t suffer from it?
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Becca commented on Mar 02 11 at 9:25 amFriends of mine have a 5 year-old who we suspected was on the Autism spectrum from the time he was about 2…but his parents wouldn’t listen to anyone who tried to tell them something could be wrong. Thankfully, after they began to watch Parenthood, not only did they recognize some of Max’s behaviors in their son, but they saw that it wasn’t their fault and they they COULD do things to help their little boy. They are getting him the therapies he needs and the difference is definitely noticeable!
J.S commented on Mar 02 11 at 2:55 pmYes, I think it will be overdiagnosed.
Where I live, it seems almost like a badge of honor to have a child who has special needs- in some cases, it even seems like the issue is all in the parents’ head. It’s a very sad situation and takes the focus away from children who are genuinely on the spectrum.
Cheryl D. commented on Mar 03 11 at 2:15 amYeah, it’s a special badge of honor! We love to get our kids labeled. And the school district, county, and private psychologists that we go to do assessments seem to hand out the diagnosis like candy! And I’m sorry that my daughter’s undeserved diagnosis is taking the focus away from other children who are genuinely on the spectrum. Actually, I have absolutely no idea what that’s supposed to mean!
Anyway, my own opinion is that Parenthood is doing an excellent job portraying a child with Asperger’s. They don’t always get everything perfectly right, but it’s pretty damn close! And if more people understand the wide range the autism spectrum actually covers, and it encourages them to get their child assessed, then that’s wonderful. With my daughter, I delayed a year, because her preschool teachers and others kept telling me that my daughter was “fine” and just delayed a little in some areas. That was a year I wasted that could have helped her out. Once we did seek an assessment and received the diagnosis, we were able to get her help. The change has been enormous! Had we continued to wait, we might have missed out on that window where change came pretty easily!
I’m sure some people look at my daughter and don’t get it, and assume that her autism is all in our head. Well, unless you pay for everything privately, agencies will not provide services unless the child has a real diagnosis that’s provided from a person who is not connected to the parents. Many of us have assessments done by two or three sources. It’s not that these kids are over-diagnoses, it’s that there’s a greater inclusion of what’s considered autistic. They’re still on the spectrum, but on the higher-functioning end of it. They need help too!
Landon Bryce commented on Mar 03 11 at 4:27 pmI find this pretty bigoted and ignorant. About 1% of the population has autism, so, if television reflected life, there would would many more people with autism and Aspergers on TV. Notice, though, that you are so unused to seeing us, you cannot think of our visibility without it having negative consequences. Notice, too, the comment from JS, who knows much better the kids’ actual parents or doctors whether kids have autism– if it isn’t visible to HER, it must not exist. Ignorance and idiocy.
I hope you will take the time to actually talk to some people like me who have autism. I hope you will stop thinking that even seeing characters based on us on TV is a dangerous thing.
Landron Bryce
thautcast.com
Olivia commented on Mar 05 11 at 11:09 pmAfter 2 years of thinking my 11 year old son has Aspergers he got a teacher who brought it up to me. He was tested and yes he does have it..These kids are soo smart and have so much to look forward to if givin the right path. He truly has a beautiful mind. One that i dont quite understand all the time but am learning more everyday. Social issues are big right now but hope that with counceling it will get better..I love the show and only wish they would tell how long it really takes to get the process going of getting help and being heard. I love my son he is amazing.
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