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Reviews
A Kind of Spark (2023)
At last, a decent representation of autism in a TV show
I know this is a children's TV series, but I really enjoyed it as an adult viewer.
I thought the representations of Addie and Keedie were perfect and - as a late diagnosed autistic woman - I strongly related to both characters. I also appreciated the inclusion of neurodivergent actors in the show (including Caitlin Hamilton playing a "neurotypical" character).
I loved the presentation of a "normal" family - unlike the usual "look how much we have to sacrifice" trope. Nina and Audrey's characters were also great.
I also thought it was a great concept to show parallels with the witch trials and the way autistic people are treated in modern times.
This is a story of sisterhood, of standing together and fighting for the truth - and, ultimately a story of kindness and acceptance. We can all learn something from this show.
The Cook Report (1987)
Ahead of it's time
This U. K. TV series ran from the late 1980s to the late 1990s.
Roger Cook was an investigative journalist who was not afraid to take some really tough subjects.
The show's format was to have undercover journalists investigate a case from the inside and record secret footage. When they had enough evidence, Roger would appear with a camera crew and confront the perpetrators - who would deny the allegations and often lash out at Roger. He would then turn the footage over to the relevant authorities to investigate.
Some of the subjects he tackled were particularly harrowing (child pornography, the ivory trade and big game hunting) and some took years to come to justice (Hillsborough and the contaminated blood scandal). These programmes showed that the people behind the scandals would not go unchecked.
I can't believe that ITV stopped commissioning this programme (for budget reasons). Ross Kemp hosted a similar, modern day programme (Ross Kemp on...) but Roger's personality and tenacity are what made The Cook Report so watchable.
There She Goes (2018)
"Autism Mommy" drama
This is a dramatisation of one family's experiences with their own child. Whilst the show is about a child with a "learning disability" due to a chromosomal condition (which is not the same as autism, though can be co-occurring in about 10% of cases) many of the glowing reviews on here are from parents of autistic children.
This smacks of the "Autism Mommy" (TM) martyrdom that prevails on social media, where parents (normally mothers) like to tell you how hard their life is because their child won't conform to their perfect ideal, without actually considering making life easier for the child by accepting their differences and adapting to their needs. It speaks volumes that Shaun Pye's wife had a heavy influence on the script.
This show perpetuates the myth than autism = "learning disability" (when in 90% of cases it does not).
The show's producers didn't even hire an actor with lived experience - spouting some nonsense from a so-called child-psychologist that the working conditions would be "burdensome" (adding to the ableist stench that pervades this show).
In short, if you are narrow-minded, ableist and ignorant then you will probably love this show - judging by the reviews.
If you think neurodivergent people deserve better representation in the media then this show is not for you.
- Neurodivergence is "normal"
- Learning differences are not "wrong"
- People do not all need to conform to the same ideals
- Autism does mean "learning disability"
- "Learning disability" does not mean autism
- Every child deserves compassion and understanding.