Chris Packham: Asperger's And Me

[maggiebee]

Sorry if this has already been discussed. Did anyone watch this amazing programme on Tuesday night? I found it really moving. For most of his life, broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham didn't tell anyone about the one thing that in many ways has defined his entire existence. Chris is autistic - he has Asperger's Syndrome, which means he struggles in social situations, has difficulty with human relationships and is, by his own admission, 'a little bit weird'.
Was on BBC2 and you can watch it on iPlayer.

[hereIam]

Thank you lb, I'll give it a go x

[ladybirder]

Good. Let us know what you think if you manage to watch it. Find it easier via my TV than my desktop. x

[naomi24]

Jim/Ladybirder, Sorry for the delay. I’ve only just seen this. To answer your questions, bearing in mind his claimed reluctance to interact with others, I firstly found it difficult to reconcile the fact that he’d completed a university course, which would have meant meeting other people over a considerable period of time was unavoidable. He then chose a profession that, by its nature, threw him into a situation where interaction with others was essential, and worse still to my mind, expose him on a very regular basis to the public gaze. Even though he said he felt awkward and different, asked if he’d accept an opportunity to change that, he said ‘no’, and he wouldn’t want to change it for other sufferers either. He felt they should be left alone. That I found depressing. His story and the claimed extent of the effect that his condition has on him simply didn’t ring entirely true to me.

[jim360]

In my experience, meeting other people isn't always essential for completing a university course -- so I'm not sure why that would make his story not ring true. Perhaps he liked the work but not the people.

I don't think people on the Autism spectrum should have to, as a rule, cut themselves off from the world -- perhaps in order to "prove" their condition? Not really sure I get the point you are trying to make.

I hope this programme serves to raise some awareness.

(Also, in answer to the possibly inevitable follow-up question: no.)

[ladybirder]

Thanks Naomi. After watching the current treatment available, and watching him watch it, especially regarding the young children, I can see why he says they should be left alone. I was horrified. Perhaps he'll change his mind (for others not himself) when something more acceptable comes along. I suppose getting a degree was worth the cost to himself, it was nothing new to him after the way he was treated at school. I'm finding myself admiring him and think he has been very brave to do what he has done, working in full public gaze. I loved his honesty. He has come to terms with his 'lot'.
His book is going on my Christmas list so I might learn a bit more.

[johnny37]

I like Chris but his condition seems to be shared with 50% of the general population, most of whom never got diagnosed. Or have the benefit of life enhancing skills like maths, science, affinity with wildlife or a good job Chris seems to hold down.

[ladybirder]

He didn't get diagnosed early himself until in his forties.

[Eleena]

I've just watched this. Very disturbing the aba treatment in America. I couldn't put my child through that, all those children that have gone through that process, seems almost experimental, are there really success stories?

[naomi24]

Jim, //In my experience, meeting other people isn't always essential for completing a university course…. Perhaps he liked the work but not the people.//

That makes no sense – not meeting people but not liking them? You've lost me. Anyway that aside, your experience isn’t mine.

//(Also, in answer to the possibly inevitable follow-up question: no.)//

I haven't a clue what your imaginary follow-up question might be.

[naomi24]

ladybirder, I have no desire to read his book.

[Baldric]

I've always found something slightly off putting about his performances, so do not watch him.

[Zacs-Master]

Me too. He comes across as rather condescending. Could be a side effect of his condition, I suppose.

[Buenchico]

>>> Even though he said he felt awkward and different, asked if he’d accept an opportunity to change that, he said ‘no’, and he wouldn’t want to change it for other sufferers either

As someone who has the same 'condition' as Chris Packham, I'd go far, far further than that.

I want to see genetic engineering used so that EVERYONE is born with Asperger's sydrome ( I most definitely don't 'suffer'from being on the autism spectrum. It gives me a far clearer view of the world than 'ordinary' people who're weighed down by their emotions). 'Ordinary' people who aren't able to EMBRACE autism simply don't know what they're missing!

[ladybirder]

But we have some beautiful emotions as well Chris. Not all weigh you down. Do you think you might be missing something as well?

[gness]

I wasn't going to post until I had watched my second half of this fascinating programme....but Chris....

....you have said so well what I tried to say to somebody today.....embrace is the word I was looking for and didn't use......

We'd get on well I think...you and I...... :-)

[ummmm]

Gosh...you talk some twaddle sometimes, Chris.

My son is high functioning autistic and neither of us would wish it anyone.

[naomi24]

Chris, //It gives me a far clearer view of the world than 'ordinary' people who're weighed down by their emotions//

Having read some of your views, I would disagree.

[jim360]

I'll leave the possible follow-up question to your imagination, but considering the topic we are discussing it shouldn't be too hard to realise what I was referring to.

Also, if you don't enjoy meeting people then you might not want to go out of your way to meet them but, at the same time, not want to cut yourself off from life altogether. What's not to get about that? I don't think I know anyone personally with anything other than the mildest symptoms of Asperger's but one person of my acquaintance clearly found social interactions very difficult, and might avoid them as far as possible without also withdrawing from university life totally.

So, again, I'm struggling to understand why going to University somehow undermines Chris Packham's claims to being an Asperger's sufferer. It might even have helped -- it's a running joke, for example, that suffering from Asperger's is one of the entry requirements for studying mathematics at Cambridge.

"Your experience isn't mine."

I'm not altogether surprised by that. Another of the great wonders of life. It would be rather boring otherwise anyway.

[maggiebee]

Just as an aside - David Bowie also had Aspergers. Didn't seem to hold him back.

[tonyav]

Certainly didn't, maggie.