PASSIONATE RATIONS

This particular article has nothing to do with food, but, as I have a brother who likely falls somewhere on the autism spectrum (though undiagnosed as such), it is one of those issues (“rations”) in life about which I am passionate.

Sometimes I joke that, given the apparent increasing numbers of autistic people worldwide, humankind is undergoing a radical change to a whole new species (Homo Sapiens Autismus?)–to which today’s autistic will someday be viewed as the link.

The autistic shall inherit the earth.

And, in particular, those with high-functioning Asperger’s Syndrome.

My proof to date: TV (the source of all sound knowledge, after all).

As I merrily watch the few shows that routinely draw me in, I cannot help but notice the increasing prevalence of main characters with distinctly autistic behaviors. Take Sheldon Cooper of Big Bang Theory for instance (and, for that matter, the characters of Leonard Hofstadter’s mother and Amy Farah Fowler on the same show). And Bones, on the show of the same name. There’s also Dr. Spencer Reid of Criminal Minds. Although I haven’t watched it, I’ve also learned that attorney Jerry Espenson of Boston Legal was actually diagnosed (on the show) with Asperger’s Syndrome.

This is apparently an international phenomenon as well. The BBC show, Doc Martin, features a doctor who clearly exhibits autistic behaviors, though very high functioning, at least in highly specialized arenas (as most of the previously mentioned are–hence, I suppose, the entertainment industry’s particular fascination).

I am sometimes troubled by the thought that Hollywood is merely using autism as a tool for comic relief, but I have to say that most of the characters I note above are, in my opinion, pretty sympathetic (i.e. I like them), and many are on shows that would be primarily characterized as “dramas,” though I do often laugh at the manifestation of their behaviors in day-to-day life as depicted on their respective shows.

In any case, it’s a curious phenomenon to watch, this burgeoning of autism into the big time. I hope it eases the difficulties the autistic (and their allies) face in their interactions with the non-autistic. And I hope we more mediocre-minded non-autistic folks can keep up!

Of course, maybe it’s all just a modernized re-imagining of the Sherlock Holmes-ian. Don’t think he had Asperger’s? Yeah, right.