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The A Word
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mature themes steer this autism drama into adult territory.
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The A Word
Community Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Aha moments
Well acted series in need of more fact-checking
What's the Story?
When concerned family members suggest that something might be wrong with the way 5-year-old Joe (Max Vento) interacts with those around him, the boy's disbelieving mother (Morven Christie) and father (Lee Ingleby) are forced to confront THE A WORD -- an autism diagnosis -- and rethink the way they've been handling his various "quirks." But in addition to dealing with treatments and therapies, they must also contend with small-town sensibilities.
Is It Any Good?
Though it takes on a worthy topic, this uneven drama ultimately gets in its own way with too many subplots that divert attention from the most important thing: Joe's autism. And these side stories aren't even all that riveting -- in particular, the aftereffects of adultery as explored through Joe's estranged aunt (Vinette Robinson) and uncle (Greg McHugh), who have conveniently moved back into town, bringing all their problems with them -- not to mention the odd comic relief of Joe's grandfather (Christopher Eccleston), who takes singing lessons on the down-low while dodging the sexual advances of his teacher.
Vento's affecting portrayal of Joe and his parents' imperfect handling of his diagnosis should be enough to sustain our interest for an entire season. But all the extra stuff going on just feels like filler that pushes this potentially poignant drama a bit too far off the mark. In the end, the best thing about The A Word is its infectious soundtrack, which not only is flat-out great but also fitting, considering music is Joe's preferred way to express himself. In those moments, when the volume's turned up, we can most clearly hear his voice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The A Word and how it portrays the real-life highs and lows of living with autism spectrum disorder. Which character do you find yourself sympathizing with the most? Is every character meant to be likable?
Did you know much about autism spectrum disorder before watching The A Word? How did Joe and his family's experiences compare with what you already knew? Can dramas like this one truly help people understand ASD better?
Is The A Word appropriate for families? Who's the intended audience? How can you tell?
How do the characters in The A Word demonstrate compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 22, 2016
- Cast: Christopher Eccleston , Lee Ingleby , Morven Christie
- Network: Sundance Channel
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Empathy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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