The A Word

I started watching this due to my teen daughter having autism. She was only diagnosed a couple of years ago, and although there are a lot of activities for asd kids and teens, I have been left a little floundering as a parent trying to understand the bigger picture. Half way through the first episode, so much started to make sense when the diagnosing doctor explained certain aspects of Joe's behaviour and how it impacts him, and how it 'protects' him from having to interact with others. I was able to put this into context with my own child, and after so much time, suddenly things that have worried me for a number of years, now all make sense. I can't believe after having seen a number of social workers/psychologists/paediatrician, it's a TV programme that has finally lit the way for me to move forward and address her underlying issues. I am SO grateful to this programme. For anyone who just wants to know whether this programme is suitable for family viewing, or for what aged kids, the Commonsense media review hasn't included the F word is used here and there, and there are sex scenes, but so far in episode 1 and 2, no nudity as such. I wouldn't be letting my kids watch it if they are under 15, and I wouldn't let my daughter watch it until she was at least 16.

This is an enjoyable series and the acting is superb. The characters are well-developed and interesting, the humour a good counterpoint to the often weighty issues. There is a lot of promise here. As someone who is #actuallyautistic and who co-parents an autistic child, I can add that a lot of the aspects of autism shown however, are extremely mild. There is little engagement with sensory issues or meltdowns, for example. We rarely or never see issues with toileting, feeding, sleeping, safety awareness, or touch. It would have been useful to see them attend a positive handling course for example, or being unable to get out the house for the entire weekend because of the issues incurred with shoes... The diagnosis process shown in this programme is laughable. The diagnosis process takes years, endless meetings, battles with rigid and needless bureaucracy and paperwork that leave no time for anything else. The extended network of this family is also unrelatable to a lot of SEN parents I know including myself, the isolation is very, very real. This series is remarkably kind towards the adults on the outside of this family - in reality, adults can be extremely ignorant and cruel towards children on the spectrum. Some abuse positions of power to discriminate against disabled children, because they are more concerned about appearances than compassion. And because of the above, I do welcome a show like this. Mild as it is, this could be a good start in encouraging those on the outside to practice empathy and compassion towards any who experience life differently to themselves. Autistic people and families have always been here and we always will. Meet us halfway.