How is ASD presented in movies, TV and media in general? Poorly. The disabled are used for dramatic purposes, often inaccurate and exaggerated. I could not stand "The Good Doctor" despite Freddy Highmore's good acting. No one on that show was sympathetic or understood his condition and these were the doctors.
Actors have no problem depicting unconventional behavior, it's the writers who use stereotypes to illustrate a flaw in character. Remember how gays used to be portrayed as limp wristed nellies? So the poor disabled person is presented as damaged goods to emotionally manipulate the viewer. Where the disabled finds love, acceptance and a happy ending it is the fantasy of the alistic.
Depicting meltdowns for dramatic purposes is offensive. There is absolutely nothing more upsetting and embarrassing than losing control, especially in front of others. Do we portray a epileptic seizure or soiling ones pants for entertainment?
I look forward to the day when the disabled are portrayed like race or gender as a simple quirk rather than a heavy handed plot device. We are not here for your clichéd inspiration.
1 comment:
Hear, here Alisa
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