The document provides a summary of several sources that discuss the portrayal of individuals with autism and other disabilities in films and television. It analyzes how characters with these conditions are represented in movies like Wonder, Rain Man, and Normal as well as the television show The A Word. It also discusses how these portrayals have evolved over time and the audiences these portrayals aim to reach based on audience theory and uses and gratifications models. Quotes from the various sources help illustrate the discussions around both positive and potentially misleading representations of individuals with disabilities.
2. Quotes
‘people with the condition are first and foremost individuals – not just the labels applied to them’.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2011/apr/04/autism-best-film-portraits
This is a very powerful quote because it deeply describes that people with autism are not people who
show the condition, but that they are mostly individuals who can blend in with everyone else, but
really, show that their difference can be essential.
"That's our life," Merrill said of the "Wonder" story. "That's every day of
our lives."
https://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/19/health/wonder-movie-real-parents-profile/index.html
This shows that the audience finds that the film is exactly
what they experience in everyday life, in other words: an
inspiration of actions
3. Quotes
‘These enormous disparities reflect a broader challenge: The word ‘autism’ is applied so broadly as to be
practically meaningless’.
https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/portrayals-autism-television-dont-showcase-full-spectrum/
This quote shows that autism is so common that it can be referred into other ways of meanin
https://apnews.com/article/b6f71d07a350414cbe711398d7dc4164
‘the results have often been moving and memorable’
This quote shows that the elements within film with
disabilities are so heartwarming many would watch it.
4. Quotes
“funny and heartwarming, but not too heartwarming”.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/15/feelgood-films-learning-disabilities-
hollywood-the-peanut-butter-falcon
This quote shows that some may think that the films
that do portray disabilities may not be the right
representation.
This quote shows that some of the audience think that
the films have neutral themes that make the audience
have neutral feelings.
‘Rain Man led many people to assume that everyone with autism possessed incredible savant abilities. In fact, Treffert
points out, “only one out of 10 people with autism are savants”, and those with skills akin to Raymond’s are
“exceedingly rare”'.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/dec/13/rain-
man-at-30-autism-hoffman-cruise-levinson
6. Analysis
Around the time of when the writer is young in 1947,
scientists had no idea what autism is about. At that time they
assumed brain damage due to not knowing the full extent of
the condition. At that time, they tested those with autistic
symptoms, but they grouped people with autism with other
disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome. Back at that time,
they referred to Down’s Syndrome as a disorder. The
scientists who were examining the writer also thought that he
was deaf rather than someone with autism. They thought he
was because they found that he couldn’t make out that
consonant of the letter ‘’c’’ in the word Cup, but it turns out
that when one speaks slowly, he could make out the letter of
the word.
8. Analysis
In this episode, the young boy Joe has recently been diagnosed with autism and so he wears
earphones to avoid any abnormal sound to him, he cannot speak and can only communicate by
doing things without verbal communication. Those around him, such as his family are struggling to
cope with the diagnosis and ever since taking him out of his school for home schooling, they are
finding it hard to adapt to this new behaviour but, over time, they come to support the person who
embodies the disability.
Once a week at 9pm, this series was broadcasted on BBC 1. It was watched 4.7 million
viewers, and had a 23% share of the audience (Wikipiedia). Applying audience theory, I
would say that the A Word is appealing to a Mass audience. This is because it was shown on
a popular channel: BBC 1, and the time was a perfect schedule of 9pm. It’s not too late or
early, and is the perfect time for lots of viewers to watch it. It would attract large viewing
figures.
Applying the Uses & Gratifications Model (1960) I would say that
the audience’s motivation for watching the A Word is mainly for
entertainment, as they crave juicy concept and exciting plots, but
also this series was also made probably for the purpose of
information and learning to teach about the condition.
10. Analysis
The film centres around Auggie Pullman, a young boy who
was born with facial difficulties, and is prone to being bullied.
His family around him understand him clearly, while others
such as his schoolmates do not.
Applying audience theory, I would say that the audience
who would watch Wonder would be a Mass audience.
This film would be shown to millions of viewers at the
cinema or by DVD, preferably watched at times not too
late or early. As for Uses & Gratifications, the audience
would expect mostly for entertainment since they crave
for exciting plots but, there may be some information
and learning elements within to help promote and
educate viewers with Auggie’s condition.
12. Analysis
The story is about Newman who has a son, born
with similar difficulties to Auggie from Wonder, and
how she and her husband struggle since the
moment her son was brought into the world with
the condition. This shows that at times, parents do
struggle to comprehend the circumstances of the
condition and the impact on the individual, but also,
find the positives such as the humour and kindness
within the person.
14. Analysis
A certain character of the soap, Alex, has Downs Syndrome.
However, it seems that he is shown as a positive bearer of the
condition and not showing any negative side. Instead, he choses
to lead a normal life.
Since Coronation Street is broadcasted on ITV, one of the well known TV channels,
the soaps is usually watched by 8 million viewers thanks to its unique storylines and
twists and turns. The time for when this programme is at a suitable time of 19:30pm
to 20:00pm, then 20:30pm to 21:00pm, which are great points of break because it
gives the audience a break from staring at the screen too much.
In terms of Uses & Gratifications, I would say the audience who watch this soap is a
Mass audience, mainly because they crave for entertainment, but also some
information and learning parts will be involved for entertaining purposes.
16. Analysis
The book is basically a starting point
for those who want to learn about
Downs Syndrome and what to expect
from those who embody the condition.
This book shows that Downs
Syndrome is a very serious condition to
consider and that we should treat
people with condition fairly.
17. Bibliography
The Guardian (1821) Autism Best Film Portraits (Can they get it right?) (2011)
Spectrum News (2002) Autism Television (2017)
Temple Grandin (1947) The Autistic Brain (2013)
AP News (1846) Review: In ‘Wonder,’ a sweetly sincere message movie (2017)
Stephen Chbosky (1970-Present) Wonder (2017)
Magdalena Newman (N/A) Normal (2020)
Tony Warren (1936-2016) Coronation Street (Present)
Natalie Hale (N/A) Down Syndrome Parenting 101: Must-Have Advice for Making Your Life Easier (2011)
Susan Tully (1967) The A Word (2020)
CNN (1980) Wonder Movie Real Parents (2017)
The Guardian (1821) Learning Disabilities in films (2019
The Guardian (1821) Rain man at 30 (2018)
