Autistic Spectrum Conditions In The Media

Last night, I watched that "Young, Autistic and Stagestruck" on Channel Four. It was ok and it highlighted the difficulties and challenges that individuals with both Autism and AS face everyday. However, I almost exploded when it said that people with Autism have limited imagination. They repeated that hackneyed, worn-out and discredited line once again, and why did it have keep focussing on one person. It wasn't all about him. In fact, it reminded me of the TV motoring show Top Gear, which may as well be called the "Clarkson, May and Hammond show".

It pointed out the basics... but in future, no programmes or documentaries about Autism or Asperger's MUST EVER MENTION people with either having no imagination. It is people who don't have an imagination who claim this, because they don't have Asperger's or Autism, so how can they know? How can they make presumptious statements like this?

The media is starting to stigmatize Autism and AS like it has mental illness. Often in the UK, when a murderer is arrested, the media say he has Asperger's Syndrome. Sensationalism like this just gets in the way and hides the real issues, which is help, support and provisions for those on the Autism Spectrum. Idiots like below aren't helping either.

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2010/02/04/did-aspergers-help-cause-the-crisis/

What is it like to have AS? I would like to know what it is like not to have it. It is like... "Hi, world... I can see you, hear you, feel you, smell you and taste you... but I don't know you very well!".