MTV's True Life - I Have Autism

Post Reply New Topic

sorry if this was posted already, but when i 1st saw this 2 years ago i found it quite intriguing. it's nice to know that MTV took the time to notice people like us.

MTV's True Life - I Have Autism clip

I hadn't heard about this yet (I'm fairly new) -- thanks for posting.

That's cool.

I am watching it and enjoying it.

thank you for posting this.

I saw this one time on TV two or three years back. It was pretty good.

I think I will need to look this one up online. I'm a fan of the True Life docs (except for the really corney ones). I try to watch just about any documentary or educational program about autism. It always seems that after I read or watch books, articles or films about autism, I will hear the same thing over and over, but ever so often I will watch something that totally opens my eyes to some unknown realm in the autistic world.

Not available in my country. Can you post an alternate link please?

Looks like MTV are jumping on the bandwagon

Thank you so much for the link, ttqs84!

I watched it. They did a pretty good job of showing people across the spectrum. I have to remind myself that most people don't know that there is a lot of variation in people with ASDs.

Thanks for posting I never would have found that, lol.

Thank you for posting this! I've wanted to see it for such a long time and couldn't find a link.

The second story about the artist really upset me. To the point of crying. That guy--can't remember his name-- reminds me
of my son. My son can communicate better, but he's emotional and gets nervous. I feel like his parents' view of autism is affecting him negatively and they don't realize it at all. They call his intense feelings "episodes" and "tantrums", they send the message that something's terribly wrong with his brain and having autism. They refer to autism as an "affliction". And they define autism as your "brain not working" . I suspect they are pressuring him to produce art so they can feel better about his worth and acceptance by other people.

Jonothan? I think that's his name. He's so profoundly sensitive. The artwork is extremely beautiful.

I wish that his parents could feel acceptance for autism and not feel like it's robbed Jonothan or whatever negative view they have.

I wish that they weren't feeding into the idea that their son is miserable because he isn't "normal". He's an artist for Christsake!
He feels their disappointment about his autism more deeply than most people, autistic or nonautistic. Just like he feels everything else around him. His visual acuity is immense. I would guess that would words are like a second language to him, with pictures/imagery being his first language I feel like it's too hard for him to express the complex feelings and sensory intensity he goes through, so the anxiety/intensity has to get channelled out of his body somehow. It's possible he's having seizures, too. But I can't tell you how sure I feel that it's his sensitivity and the intensity of his feelings coupled with his autism that are at the bottom of his "episodes".

19 is such an intense time for anyone, let alone being in New York City, pressure to produce, achieving fame, dealing with the public, having parents that are depressed and unable to feel their feelings and let him feel his.

It's obvious that they adore and love their son dearly. I just feel that they are completely unaware that their hatred of autism is completely confused. And by not embracing it they are distancing themselves from understanding their son. It's an intrinsic part of who he is. Like anybody else, Jonothan needs his self-esteem, confidance and acceptance for who he is.

That's what he needs to be happy. Not a million friends, or to be able to talk like everybody else.

I thought the two other two stories were uplifting and it looked like the two guys had good support. But the first story! He had to endure not having a direct line of communication with people until he was 15 years old! And people treating him like a child. I noticed that too.

i seen this episode i enjoyed it

I'm watching it right now!