Temple Grandin Film

I have just been reading copius amounts of reports about the Temple Grandin film winning an award at the Emmy's which I think is great news! I am really looking forward to seeing it.

I think that awareness about Asperger related matters via mediums like this can only be a good thing:it decreases misunderstanding and increases understanding; especially when it is a serious, professional production by someone who has done so much to elevate awareness of the capability of people on the autistic spectrum.

Another reason I hope it achieves box office success is that it might mitigate the damage done by the "Rain Man" effect.

What I mean by this is that, whenever I start to speak to someone about Asperger syndrome, they immediately refer to the Tom Cruise/Dustin Hoffman film and the stereo-typical view that have of people on the autistic spectrum as depicted by the [brilliant] performance of Hoffman.

Most people reading this will appreciate of course that this is not the case. I feel that - through no fault of those who have seen the film - people have developed a prejudicial mindset. It was a great film of course, and also did a lot to raise awareness of autism and some of the associated issues, but it is also - unintentionally - I feel did a lot of damage.

Ironically I watched Rain Man on DVD from my DVD library only last week. It had been a while since I last saw it and fancied watching it (as I often do with a number of my other favouite films) again. It was quite instrumental doing so as I saw a number of things that resonated with my own behaviour, albeit in enhanced form, and from which I could take some useful lessons.

I am hoping that a lot of people will go and see the Temple Grandin film, gain a new and fresh insight and, as a result, accrue a different perception of those on the spectrum. In particular, how Asperger syndrome can be the source of real and unique skills that can offer exceptional career opportunities.