The movies Rain Man and Temple Grandin depict characters with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a developmental brain disorder that affects social, communicative, and behavioral skills. According to the Center of Disease Control website, approximately 1 in 88 children have Autism. These films provide insight into the challenges of living with autism and understanding individuals who are autistic. They also portray society’s reaction to people with the disorder. Without personal experience of autism, it is impossible to fully grasp it; however, these movies shed light on the disorder in a way that truly makes us aware.
Having prior knowledge about Autism, I was familiar with the condition before watching the movie. My mother’s best friend has a non-verbal and autistic son, which exposed me to autism at a young age. Interacting with him made me realize that he was different from others. This encounter was my first experience with someone on the autism spectrum.
The boy’s name was Anthony, and his attention was always focused on the TV. His mother told me that he loved movies and would watch them repeatedly. I witnessed him using the remote control to rewind his favorite parts of the film, which amazed me. He had an incredible ability to control the TV. Additionally, he would search for his favorite movies online if given a laptop.
Although Anthony rarely spoke, he could say a few words like hello, bye, and food. Most of the time though, he communicated through sounds and hand gestures.
Understanding how individuals with autism function is truly incomprehensible when it comes to their brain’s inner workings.
Imagine immersing yourself in the thoughts of a child with autism, particularly those who have trouble speaking. Envision these children as having extraordinary intelligence but struggling to communicate effectively. My aspiration for the future is to bridge the gap between their minds and technology, enabling them to express their ideas to us. This groundbreaking development could reveal something extraordinary and provide these individuals with a means of communication.
Living with and managing autism spectrum disorder is a challenging and difficult experience. Society often looks at people who are different with curiosity, and sadly, some individuals even mock them. Some attribute this condition to divine punishment. Nevertheless, it is crucial for us to effectively address this condition in hopes of discovering another extraordinary individual like Temple Grandin. Hopefully, one day we will uncover the exact causes of autism and strive towards its complete eradication.
