Breaking news on autism, a mental condition that primarily impairs communication, is still a long way out from routinely appearing on popular news cycles. Studies and research still come from small samples and leave far too many variables for any immediate impact as the quest for knowledge remains elusive.
However, new clues and forms of awareness do appear on Google News searches and mainstream media. Even if such stories are not leading local newscasts, autism is no longer ignored as a societal issue.
Television unlocks its doors to autism
Astute TV watchers may have noticed several programs in 2011 that sought an in-depth look at autism, both factual and fictional.
Satirical news organization The Onion made its first major foray early this year on their television program, Onion News Network. An "equal opportunity offender," the fake news show introduced us to autistic reporter Michael Falk, portrayed by actor John Cariani.
Falk appeared in four stories during the calendar year as his reporting is interfered by his own symptoms and a community relatively oblivious to autism's quirks.
Some bloggers took offense, accusing The Onion of mocking autistic people, while others suggested the network was really employing a tongue-in-cheek parody of an uncomprehending public.
In April, Holly Robinson Peete lobbied and secured a weekly autism special on the CBS daytime program The Talk as part of Autism Awareness Month.
Every Friday of that month, Peete invited inspirational figures affected by autism and noted experts to spell out the condition to the studio and television audience. A highly vocal advocate as a result of raising an autistic son, Peete used her segments to highlight fathers of autistic children, teens who found success despite expectations, and gave us an update on Jason McElwain, the autistic basketball guru who first captured the hearts of Americans with a 20-point game in high school.
Peete was overwhelmed with the support she received for her efforts, as she indirectly highlighted how autism can affect anyone of any racial group.
Unfortunately, the 47-year-old actress and mother of four will likely not receive another opportunity next April, as CBS decided not to renew her contract with the show after the first season.
One show that will get a second chance is the Syfy drama series Alphas. After its debut season in 2011, it was announced that a second season will run in 2012.
The show was noted for having an autistic main character, a step up from the glimpses NBC offered with the revival of Parenthood. British actor Ryan Cartwright dons an American accent to play Gary Bell, an autistic man whose condition grants him the ability to see all forms of electromagnetic frequencies.
To assist in accurately depicting autism, Cartwright read blogs developed by autistic people and read books from authors Temple Grandin and Daniel Tammet. Each script was consulted by a faculty member of UCLA's neuroscience program.
Critics suggested the character of Gary Bell, who displays a sense of humor even as he exhibits classic autistic symptoms, is contributing to the show's mission statement of exploring neurodiversity.
Public acceptance and adaptation increasing
Perhaps big-wig television is merely reflecting the rising efforts to integrate autistic people in society, as the population will get bigger and older in the coming years.
Broadway followed the lead set by some movie theaters by offering an autism-friendly performance of The Lion King. Several scenes had lights or sounds toned down to prevent autistic children from a sensory overload, as many have a heightened sensitivity in those areas.
The investments did not fly over this part of the country. A Hopkins couple with an autistic daughter had to relocate an "autism shop" they opened years ago to Minnetonka because the store had outgrown its original location.
Malls are also taking notice, including Blaine's Northtown Mall, by having "sensitive Santas" available for certain windows this holiday season. Similar to autism-friendly movie screenings and theatrical plays, Northtown turned off their Christmas music, dimmed their lights and sent maintenance works and other potential distractions away to prevent the dreaded mental meltdown parents of autistic children fear.
Research of autism "on the brain"
The field of science is taking notice after years of preaching grim outlooks for people diagnosed with autism, especially the subsection of non-verbal autistic people.
Canadian researcher Dr. Lauret Mottron believes his scholarly peers should stop viewing autistic symptoms as flaws that need correction, a controversial but widely-held position among organizations like Autism Speaks.
His argument is not without merit; beyond the occasional feature story in mainstream media, the majority of autism coverage reports on new research findings and potential problems that could cripple the country's economic and health infrastructures.
A lot of studies on autism in 2011 explored differences among the brains of autistic people compared to unaffected peers. A Stanford study discovered unique brain maps with an unusual pattern of organization, while a second study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggested that autistic children have heavier brains and an overflow of neurons in the prefrontal cortex, where emotional, social, and communicative processing are linked.
Comments