Auties/aspies On TV
Zed
autistic.
Then there's been characters on TV who acted autistic. I caught this
one last night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQcNt1KYvM8
This dialog must've been written by an aspie (hard as it is to imaging
one being connected to Star Trek).
Is there any character, or performer for that matter, whom you see
autistic traits in?
earthpots
There has been speculation that Gil Grissom of CSI fame was possibly an
Aspie, as was also Sara Seidel, but no one has ever confirmed that.
Grissom's perseveration over insects, his inability to express empathy
appropriately, among other things. He cerainly would come across like
someone somwehere on the Spectrum. Willam Petersen, who played Grissom and
wrote for and executive produced; would neither confirm or deny.
However, Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Dr Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds,
has stated that his character was intended to be an Aspie, and that Gray
Gubler actually studied up a bit to better portray Dr Reid. I definitely see
the traits; the quirkiness, awkwardness, the social misfit. I can even see
myself when he does something that the rest of the BAU gets perpelxed over.
I sit here in my chair thinking, "I could do that", or "OMG, I _have_ done
that!".
--
Carol
Contessa of Consternation
Known to leave foes discombobulated
Autistic Spectrum Code v.1.0
AS? d- s--:+ a+ c+ p+ t-- f S+ p@- e+ h- r- n+(-) i+ P m-() M
http://www32.brinkster.com/ascdecode/
"I have run rings around you logically". Monty Python
Email at clay_p...@nospam.com, removing the 'nospam' and replacing
with 'msn'.
Canth
Criminal Minds - Dr Reid, supposedly is an Aspie.
NCIS - Abbey, the Goth Lab Techie has strong female Aspergers traits.
- the Probie appears to be more than partially there.
Bones - Dr Brennan for definite, a couple of other have partial
traits.
CSI (LV) - Grisham & at least one of the women strong probables
CSI (Miami) - The female ballistics expert is a probable.
CSA (NY) - some have Aspie traits but none full blown.
Boston Legal - One lawyer is definitely an Aspie, it is an ongoing
plot line.
It is hinted that Detective Goran in L&O CI is an Aspie.
AS! ds++:+++ a++ c+++ p++ t+ f-- S+ p+ e++ h++ r++ n++ i+ P+ m++ M
Gareeth
>> NCIS - Abbey, the Goth Lab Techie has strong female Aspergers traits.
I disagree totally with Abby having them. She is very social and appropriate
in her interactions. Being a nerd and good at your job doesn't make you
Aspie.
> - the Probie appears to be more than partially there.
Like Abby I don't agree. He has no obvious social skills issues and he
communicates well.
> Bones - Dr Brennan for definite, a couple of other have partial
> traits.
Her I guess I would agree with. Probably that assistant of hers who wound up
being a killer too for that matter.
>
> Boston Legal - One lawyer is definitely an Aspie, it is an ongoing
> plot line.
I hate the way they portray it on that show.
Although they keep denying it Sheldon on Big Bang Theory is about as much on
the spectrum as someone can be. They say he doesn't have AS because they
don't want that burden on their writers. Since much of the show plays off
Sheldon's oddness I suppose if they were to come out and say he has
Asperger's it would seem like they ridicule a disability. I like the show
because some of his quirks are identical to mine but of course it's funny
when he has to sit in the same place or whatever but when I have a meltdown
because someone is in my spot not so much.
Gareeth
Canth
wrote:
>Canth wrote:
>>> NCIS - Abbey, the Goth Lab Techie has strong female Aspergers traits.
>
>I disagree totally with Abby having them. She is very social and appropriate
>in her interactions. Being a nerd and good at your job doesn't make you
>Aspie.
I agree with 'nerd is not necessarily aspie' as a principle. However,
both my daughter & I are formally diagnosed Aspies & we think Abbey is
on the spectrum. Her apparent social skills come because she is doing
what I did, which is to adopt a rigid code in which all social
interactions are formalised. [I spent twenty years as a civilian in
the Defence Dept.] She is both a Goth & operating in a military
environment. This gives her two rigidly defined frameworks in which
to operate & be comfortable.
It is possible she is just a very intelligent nerd, but the Goth thing
on top of the military makes me think she is meant to be more. The
intense distress she exhibited when someone ordered her to dress
"normally" was way over the top.
>> - the Probie appears to be more than partially there.
>
>Like Abby I don't agree. He has no obvious social skills issues and he
>communicates well.
>
Again, he is military & his military interactions are formalised and
therefore correct. His lack of social skills in a purely civilian
setting, eg dating, is a long running gag. He is definitely a nerd
and well on the way.
>> Bones - Dr Brennan for definite, a couple of other have partial
>> traits.
>Her I guess I would agree with. Probably that assistant of hers who wound up
>being a killer too for that matter.
>>
>> Boston Legal - One lawyer is definitely an Aspie, it is an ongoing
>> plot line.
>
>I hate the way they portray it on that show.
>
I agree; he is one of the less well domesticated examples. I am not
sure on what he is based; I suspect some normal type read a book &
used it as the source on which to base the character without actually
talking to those on the spectrum.
>Although they keep denying it Sheldon on Big Bang Theory is about as much on
>the spectrum as someone can be. They say he doesn't have AS because they
>don't want that burden on their writers. Since much of the show plays off
>Sheldon's oddness I suppose if they were to come out and say he has
>Asperger's it would seem like they ridicule a disability. I like the show
>because some of his quirks are identical to mine but of course it's funny
>when he has to sit in the same place or whatever but when I have a meltdown
>because someone is in my spot not so much.
>
>Gareeth
>
AS! ds++:+++ a++ c+++ p++ t+ f-- S+ p+ e++ h++ r++ n++ i+ P+ m++ M
Gareeth
>Her apparent social skills come because she is doing
> what I did, which is to adopt a rigid code in which all social
> interactions are formalised. [I spent twenty years as a civilian in
> the Defence Dept.] She is both a Goth & operating in a military
> environment. This gives her two rigidly defined frameworks in which
> to operate & be comfortable.
The show doesn't give any indication that she is operating with such a rigid
code at all. I think you are way off base on the Abby thing.
>
> It is possible she is just a very intelligent nerd, but the Goth thing
> on top of the military makes me think she is meant to be more. The
> intense distress she exhibited when someone ordered her to dress
> "normally" was way over the top.
I don't know that it was. She values her individuality.
>
>>> - the Probie appears to be more than partially there.
>>
>> Like Abby I don't agree. He has no obvious social skills issues and
>> he communicates well.
>>
>
> Again, he is military & his military interactions are formalised and
> therefore correct. His lack of social skills in a purely civilian
> setting, eg dating, is a long running gag. He is definitely a nerd
> and well on the way.
A running gag with the likes of Denozo maybe. He has dated successfully
though and again his social and communication skills are quite good. I
don't think you can keep explaining away those skills by saying it is a
military setting. NCIS is not as intensely formal a setting as to account
entirely for the appititude these two show with those things.
Gareeth
Aquarian Monkey
All of mine have been mentioned:
Dr. Spencer Reid (although I didn't know they formally acknowledged
it. He is one of my favorite characters ever. I think had I ever met
someone like him in real life before I got married I would have been
quite smitten! :) )
Dr. Brennan, although I do have to say I think it has gotten more and
more pronounced over the seasons the show has been on. She used to
just strike me as overly logical and allowing logic to override
emotions. Now it seems more that she is socially clueless instead of
simply highly logical.
Sheldon Cooper...and Gareeth, I agree with your assessment that one
reason they won't admit to it is it would look like they are making
fun of a disability. The thing that I find ironic about that is that
it seems to me that most people on the spectrum that I know would
probably not find it offensive. It would be NT people who were
offended on the behalf of autistics. And who would probably continue
to be offended even if autistic people told them they didn't find it
offensive. Which speaks to the particular *kind* of person those NT
people would be, and I happen to find that *kind* of person to be
offensive and annoying, if that makes sense.
Funny...I never picked up on Grissom. And I can't even watch L&O CI
because Goran bothers me so much.
Canth
wrote:
OK. Let us beg to differ. I expect the writers would be surprised at
our discussion; they just created a character. I do know the actress
playing Abby spent some time working with an actual forensic
specialist in New Orleans to get a feel for the character, and has
based her portrayal on that person. [At least according to the write
up of an interview I saw.]
Social & communications skills are just one of the variables; and I
have experienced both a civilian/military setting such as NCIS, as
well as a purely civilian/private sector setting. While the
military/civilian setting was stressful, particularly meetings, I
could cope & you would say I had no difficulty with social &
communication skills.
The private sector was another thing entirely. The meetings were
less structured & involved more social interaction. While I could
sustain the level of intensity required for short periods, long
meetings left me exhausted with a severe headache. Yet a couple of
people I informed of my diagnosis argued that I couldn't be an Aspie
simply because I appeared to have adequate skills. They knew not the
cost to me of so appearing.
I based my assessment of these people on personal experience, as I'm
sure you do. I have immense "respect" for the role of Gibbs; he
manages/leads a potentially quite dysfunctional team extremely well.
Bob Badour
> On Nov 28, 9:48 pm, Zed <z...@cbgb.net> wrote:
>
>>There's been certain characters on TV who were supposed to be
>>autistic.
>>Then there's been characters on TV who acted autistic. I caught this
>>one last night:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQcNt1KYvM8
>>This dialog must've been written by an aspie (hard as it is to imaging
>>one being connected to Star Trek).
>>
>>Is there any character, or performer for that matter, whom you see
>>autistic traits in?
>
> All of mine have been mentioned:
>
> Dr. Spencer Reid (although I didn't know they formally acknowledged
> it. He is one of my favorite characters ever. I think had I ever met
> someone like him in real life before I got married I would have been
> quite smitten! :) )
Ah, so you go for the skinny fashion model types:
http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f50/matthew-gray-gubler-74306.html
> Funny...I never picked up on Grissom. And I can't even watch L&O CI
> because Goran bothers me so much.
Even before I realized what autism really is and that I am autistic, I
picked up from the very first shows that Grissom and Goran are both just
like me. Grissom is like me without meltdowns.
--
is there something in it for them, like maybe bailouts, if they can
panic us into doing something politically to cover them?
November 19, 2007 - John S Bolton
Gareeth
>> Social & communications skills are just one of the variables; and I
> have experienced both a civilian/military setting such as NCIS, as
> well as a purely civilian/private sector setting. While the
> military/civilian setting was stressful, particularly meetings, I
> could cope & you would say I had no difficulty with social &
> communication skills.
Social and communication skills are not just one of the variables. They are
key thing impacted in people on the spectrum. I spent 6 years in cadets as a
teenager. While the rigid framework did help me in those areas it was always
clear I had significant deficits in those areas. I would think if either of
them were still on the spectrum it would still be clear even in that
environment.
Gareeth
Stephen Wilson
"Zed" <z...@cbgb.net> wrote in message
news:044377f5-0bc9-4ad4...@m38g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_characters_on_the_autism_spectrum
Canth
wrote:
OK. Social skill & communications are key areas, no disagreement.
However, what I was trying to say is that a high functioning AS person
can appear to have no issues with these in a structured environment. I
knew I was/am different; I know I have problems in those areas. Yet
by doing studies in human communications & staying in structured
environments, I appear to function effectively socially, and
communicate easily, and have done most of my adult life. I just
suffer quietly.
In respect of the fictional characters under discussion, I see your
point that their skills as portrayed are more than adequate. It is
hard to identify based on an NT interpretation of a character. I note
the wiki article referenced only has two of the characters we have
discussed , Dr Brennan & the lawyer, as being officially on the
spectrum. So, although I still think Abby could be, I will say she is
not on the spectrum as portrayed.
Rich Ulrich
Those Wiki lists especially mention explicit diagnoses and single
appearances like "the son of a murder victim in a first season
episode of The Closer."
I have watched the first three seasons of The Closer, and
I think that Kyra Sedgwick's lead character, Brenda Johnson,
is portrayed with consistency as someone on the spectrum.
--
Rich Ulrich
earthpots
> On Nov 28, 9:48 pm, Zed <z...@cbgb.net> wrote:
>> There's been certain characters on TV who were supposed to be
>> autistic.
>> Then there's been characters on TV who acted autistic. I caught this
>> one last night:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQcNt1KYvM8
>> This dialog must've been written by an aspie (hard as it is to
>> imaging one being connected to Star Trek).
>>
>> Is there any character, or performer for that matter, whom you see
>> autistic traits in?
>
> All of mine have been mentioned:
>
> Dr. Spencer Reid (although I didn't know they formally acknowledged
> it. He is one of my favorite characters ever. I think had I ever met
> someone like him in real life before I got married I would have been
> quite smitten! :) )
>
I love Reid too! There is just something about his quirkiness that appeals
to me. Incidently, here is a link to one of many interviews in which Gray
Gubler mentions Reid having Aspergers.
http://tvdramas.about.com/od/criminalminds/a/matgraygubint.htm
Q: Tell us about Dr. Spencer Reid.
Matthew: "He's an eccentric genius, with hints of schizophrenia and minor
autism, Asperger's Syndrome. Reid is 24, 25 years old with three PH.D.'s and
one can't usually achieve that without some form of autism."
> Dr. Brennan, although I do have to say I think it has gotten more and
> more pronounced over the seasons the show has been on. She used to
> just strike me as overly logical and allowing logic to override
> emotions. Now it seems more that she is socially clueless instead of
> simply highly logical.
>
> Sheldon Cooper...and Gareeth, I agree with your assessment that one
> reason they won't admit to it is it would look like they are making
> fun of a disability. The thing that I find ironic about that is that
> it seems to me that most people on the spectrum that I know would
> probably not find it offensive. It would be NT people who were
> offended on the behalf of autistics. And who would probably continue
> to be offended even if autistic people told them they didn't find it
> offensive. Which speaks to the particular *kind* of person those NT
> people would be, and I happen to find that *kind* of person to be
> offensive and annoying, if that makes sense.
>
> Funny...I never picked up on Grissom. And I can't even watch L&O CI
> because Goran bothers me so much.
--
earthpots
> Aquarian Monkey wrote:
>
>> On Nov 28, 9:48 pm, Zed <z...@cbgb.net> wrote:
>>
>>> There's been certain characters on TV who were supposed to be
>>> autistic.
>>> Then there's been characters on TV who acted autistic. I caught this
>>> one last night:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQcNt1KYvM8
>>> This dialog must've been written by an aspie (hard as it is to
>>> imaging one being connected to Star Trek).
>>>
>>> Is there any character, or performer for that matter, whom you see
>>> autistic traits in?
>>
>> All of mine have been mentioned:
>>
>> Dr. Spencer Reid (although I didn't know they formally acknowledged
>> it. He is one of my favorite characters ever. I think had I ever met
>> someone like him in real life before I got married I would have been
>> quite smitten! :) )
>
> Ah, so you go for the skinny fashion model types:
> http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f50/matthew-gray-gubler-74306.html
>
I happen to like tall lanky guys, and the fact that Reid is now sporting
long hair is a major plus for me. But I'm not particularly into the skinny
fashion models per se, and don't know if Aquarian Monkey is the same. Reid
is definitely one of my fav TV characters, and thee favorite on CM. I think
after him, it would have to be Penelope Garcia, she's the classic geek, and
it's good to see plus-size people in positive roles. I don't see her as
someone on the spectrum, just your typical nerd/geek.
>
>> Funny...I never picked up on Grissom. And I can't even watch L&O CI
>> because Goran bothers me so much.
>
> Even before I realized what autism really is and that I am autistic, I
> picked up from the very first shows that Grissom and Goran are both
> just like me. Grissom is like me without meltdowns.
--
Brian
> There has been speculation that Gil Grissom of CSI fame was possibly an
> Aspie, as was also Sara Seidel, but no one has ever confirmed that.
> Grissom's perseveration over insects, his inability to express empathy
> appropriately, among other things. He cerainly would come across like
> someone somwehere on the Spectrum. Willam Petersen, who played Grissom and
> wrote for and executive produced; would neither confirm or deny.
You know, I've always wondered about Grissom.
CSI featured a man with autism in the
The Cage" episode.
> However, Matthew Gray Gubler, who plays Dr Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds,
> has stated that his character was intended to be an Aspie, and that Gray
> Gubler actually studied up a bit to better portray Dr Reid. I definitely see
> the traits; the quirkiness, awkwardness, the social misfit. I can even see
> myself when he does something that the rest of the BAU gets perpelxed over.
> I sit here in my chair thinking, "I could do that", or "OMG, I _have_ done
> that!".
Now that one I haven't caught.
Aquarian Monkey
>
> I happen to like tall lanky guys, and the fact that Reid is now sporting
> long hair is a major plus for me. But I'm not particularly into the skinny
> fashion models per se, and don't know if Aquarian Monkey is the same. Reid
> is definitely one of my fav TV characters, and thee favorite on CM. I think
> after him, it would have to be Penelope Garcia, she's the classic geek, and
> it's good to see plus-size people in positive roles. I don't see her as
> someone on the spectrum, just your typical nerd/geek.
I most definitely do NOT like skinny fashion model types. I don't even
particularly care for tall guys...it is not his physical appearance in
the least that I find attractive (although I don't find him
repulsive). He is smart, sincere, gentle, and socially awkward in the
most adorable way. I also love that despite the fact that he's clearly
smarter than everyone around him, he never acts like he is. No
arrogance whatsoever.
I agree about Penelope..not spectrummy. Just a really smart nerd. And
also someone I could see myself hanging out with!
earthpots
> On Nov 29, 11:42 pm, "earthpots" <earthp...@nospam.com> wrote:
>>
>> I happen to like tall lanky guys, and the fact that Reid is now
>> sporting long hair is a major plus for me. But I'm not particularly
>> into the skinny fashion models per se, and don't know if Aquarian
>> Monkey is the same. Reid is definitely one of my fav TV characters,
>> and thee favorite on CM. I think after him, it would have to be
>> Penelope Garcia, she's the classic geek, and it's good to see
>> plus-size people in positive roles. I don't see her as someone on
>> the spectrum, just your typical nerd/geek.
>
> I most definitely do NOT like skinny fashion model types. I don't even
> particularly care for tall guys...it is not his physical appearance in
> the least that I find attractive (although I don't find him
> repulsive). He is smart, sincere, gentle, and socially awkward in the
> most adorable way. I also love that despite the fact that he's clearly
> smarter than everyone around him, he never acts like he is. No
> arrogance whatsoever.
>
Agreed with that, part of his attractiveness is his character. He may be
smart, but he is such a social misfit that he often gets into trouble in the
BAU, and the older team members practically parent him. Morgan and Prentiss
are like substitute Dad and Mom, concerned that the horrors they deal with
in their jobs doesn't overwhelm Reid, who is very young. I recall that a
waiver had to be given for Reid to even be in the BAU, typically members
have to be 30, he was 24/25 the first season of the show. Morgan is 15
years older, aqnd Prentiss 10 years older, than Reid. So it's not surprising
they assummed the roles of looking after him. Morgan always refers to him as
"Hey Kid", his term of endearment for Reid.
> I agree about Penelope..not spectrummy. Just a really smart nerd. And
> also someone I could see myself hanging out with!
Me too!
HGJ
Yet another fictional aspie, the girl (Sara) who appears at 00:05 -
02:17, 07:00 - 08:53, 14:38 - 17:53, 29:11 - 30:15, 34:07 - 35:40,
38:44 - 39:08 and 40:58 - 41:47 in this episode of "Livet i Fagervik":
http://svtplay.se/v/1801930/livet_i_fagervik/del_10_av_12
She gets fired from a café after one of the guests has an allergic
reaction.
At 16:56:
- Sara didn't know you wanted soy milk.
- But I said I did.
- Yes and no. The thing is that Sara has Asperger's syndrome. So to
her the question "Do you have soy milk?" doesn't mean the same as "I
want soy milk".
- Then perhaps she should work somewhere else.