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role models

longman

People with dyslexia are frequently presented with role models especially from sport and the arts, people who have succeeded in spite of their having dyslexia. It helps morale, and confidence.

I am puzzled about the nature of autistic spectrum role models. Ioan James's book brought us possible role models in history - Michelangelo, Jonathan Swift, Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein......

In terms of nowadays there are a few leading lights witrh autism, most people seem to go for Temple Grandin as prime example.

What is lacking is a bigger list. Of course the complexity of the atistic spectrum makes comprability of experience difficult, and famous people may be more "closet" about their autism.

But I do get the feeling, generally, that if you've achieved with autism it spells out that your autism was mild or manageable, or somehow not real autism. That undermines the sense of achievement for the successful individuals.

But far worse, it seems to say - unless your mild you've got no chance mate -

Now there might be scientific evidence around that shows little prospect of a successful life with most forms of autism - the number who don't get long term employment being a clear enough indicator.

But how far is that simply a product of lack of understanding and lack of addressing the issues of adults with autism?

What can be done to create role models and give people on the spectrum hope and confidence and purpose?

Is there something that can actively be done to create positive images?

  • in reply to Sporadic Sparkly

    I like mandala in your profile, that's an art

  • There is so very few of us out in the open .... I've found another one:

    Claire Atkinson, the Operational Administrator for Employment Support

    discovery-uk.org/.../

  • in reply to Mariusz

    The actor Anthony Hopkins could be considered a role model by some.

  • I was looking for autistic role models today and as I was affraid it is dissapointing

    first link pointed to blog written by Zeinab Ali, Digital Marketing and Membership Administrator from Inclusive Employers www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/.../

    second link to this topic

    and that's it

    Do you know any autistic role models?

  • I was only diagnosed two weeks ago (I'm 53) so I'm still far from sure what autism means in general, never mind how it affects me personally. So I'm afraid that I don't really have anything constructive to offer the conversation as yet…but…longman, your original questions seemed to me to go straight to the heart of the issue. Where are all the role models? A high profile, older autistic achiever would surely help inspire those younger with a more positive ideal of what they themselves could accomplish. And it would certainly be a reassurance to us older people that autism can be accommodated within a busy professional life. The vast majority of autism information I accessed in my research was specifically geared to childhood. It was only when I read a Guardian article about diagnosis in middle age that everything clicked into place. I don't know how things work here - can we petition the NAS to feature autistic achievers? Or how about a mentoring program?

  • I have a different view of Dan Akroyd. He speaks very little about Autism, but when he does choose to speak of it, he seems to have the "Autism Speaks" talking points, making it out to be a disease that he has to overcome. I know he's a product of his time, but I regret that he's one of the few actually autistic people outside of Temple Grandin that gets to be heard.

    I'm thinking that Elon Musk might be one of us.  

  • I'm not sure whether I'd call him a "role model", but the famous person I admire most who has aspergers is Dan Aykroyd. His view is very positive, as he explained that his obsessions with ghosts and the police were what gave him the inspiration for the ghosbusters movie, which is one of my favourite films. I love his humour and energy. 

    I also admire Daryl Hannah, particularly for her role as a "replicant" (a type of Android) in Blade Runner. She also played a mermaid in splash, so she seems to fit well into roles where the character is different to other people she interacts with. 

    I understand Hope's concerns and I think that this forum is brilliant for sharing our problems and giving each other support, but I think we also need to think more about the positive side of being on the spectrum. Of course we can't all be highly successful , but not all NT'S can be either and I'd find it depressing if I was told that all famous people were NT, there was no way that anyone on the autism spectrum could be a singer, actor, successful novelist, etc. Let's celebrate the successes (big and small)  of people on the spectrum! 

  • I'm a person with Asperger's sydrome who's very outgoing and extroverted, even confrontational. This is something that isn't portrayed enough in the media. They're usually all different versions of Rain Man. It'd be nice if there were role models that weren't autistic as well. Preferably performers.

    I do have a sort-of role model who's a fictional character, though. A movie character. One who, for all his many, many faults, is feisty, funny, determined, and unashamed of looking silly in public. Ever since I saw that character I have been trying to stop beating myself up over whenever I make a mistake. It's hard, but this character has been a big help. I honestly, though, don't know any autistics who view this character as an aspect of themselves, other than me. And I don't know if he'd even be that successful as an icon of autism. 

    But no movie character, I've found, has had such a close personal spiritual connection to me than he has.

  • thanks for these posts. I think you both make interesting points, although I would say that the idea that v. few people with AS are employed seems skewed to me as many with AS are undiagnosed.  I do agree with Hope though that we all have to operate at our own level - I would like to work again myself but am struggling with mental health issues that are probably related to AS, or at least living with undiagnosed AS for most of my life.

  • As a person whose asperger's syndrome and associated problems are very debilitating (even though I come across as 'mild' to a lay person due to my sophisticated imitation of other peoples' behaviour), I find it hard to compare my experience to those successful celebrities who we are told have asperger's, and to people with AS who are successfully employed and in relationships. While I acknowledge that it is possible to have asperger's and to succeed in the world, I believe that by over-emphasising success in these spheres, we could unwittingly render invisible the lives of people with AS who are struggling simply to deal with their co-morbid mental health problems. Success for me simply means being able to get out of the house, do shopping, and to be relatively anxiety free. Positive role models are those people with AS who I can relate to, who don't live a perfect existance and who struggle every day like I do. By reading their inspiring stories of hope, stories that are full of small successes, I can feel less like a failure.