Anatomy Of A Hit: How Abc’s ‘the Good Doctor’ Became The Season’s Breakout
Sociologist William Petersen coined the term model minority to describe positively stereotyped demographic groups that achieve success despite marginalization. For instance, Asian Americans transformed from the yellow peril and brown horde of the late 19th century to a respected and industrious group that closed the wage gap by the 1970s not because of educational gains, economist Nathaniel Hilger found, but because of less racist public perceptions. Contrast The Mask of Fu Manchu the infamous pre-Code film where Myrna Loy and Boris Karloff don yellowface for the roles of dragon lady and evil criminal genius to Bruce Lees martial arts films of the 70s in which Asian protagonists are idealized.
Idealizing traditional Asian values conveniently upheld the racist status quo. Asian Americans were elevated while other minorities, especially African Americans, were denigrated because they were not perceived to be as hard-working or self-sufficient. This undermined the call for systemic anti-racist changes demanded by the Civil Rights Movement.
For example, in The Good Doctor pilot, Dr. Murphy exists to enlighten his neurotypical peers. In an exchange with a skeptical hospital board, the president of San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital justifies hiring the autistic surgeon because of Dr. Murphys genius-level skills and because it will feel goodWe hire Shaun and we make this hospital better for it. We hire Shaun, and we are better people for it.
Has There Ever Been A Real Doctor With Autism
The Good Doctor | ABC
There isnt specific data on exactly how many individuals with autism might be working in the medical field. But its not impossible for someone on the spectrum to practice medicine.
Doctors have very specific responsibilities within their field. They have to be able to not only understand the literature and make quick, real-time decisions based on that knowledge, but also to communicate with patients and fellow medical staff and maintain professionalism in the workplace.
There are plenty of people on the spectrum who can function in these settings despite the many challenges they might face while doing so. Maybe the reason The Good Doctor has become such a success even among some people on the spectrum is that it offers hope to those pursuing career paths that might seem unrealistic based on their diagnoses.
As long as a person can perform necessary tasks and are otherwise qualified for a position in a hospital or other health care setting, theres no reason they couldnt do it because of autism. It all depends on the individual, their specific challenges, and their skill level just like any other person who wants to practice medicine.
The Good Doctor returns to ABC on January 14.
Why Home Doctors Are Great For Children With Autism
Most children have their doubts about doctors, but for parents of autistic children, the challenge of a smooth and successful GP appointment is even harder. Why Home Doctors are Great for Children With Autism.
Regular doctors appointments are essential for children with autism spectrum disorder not only do doctors check for illnesses, they also provide referrals to essential specialists like dieticians and physiotherapists. But no matter how important seeing a doctor is, some autistic children just cant brave the doctors office.
Thats why home doctor visits can be a great solution for children with autism. Here are three reasons to consider a house call next time your child has a non-emergency medical complaint.
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Famous Actors With Autism
There are a number of celebrities with autism. Lets start with actors:
Is Sir Anthony Hopkins Autistic? According to Mercury News, he received a late-in-life diagnosis of Aspergers.
Diagnosed with Autism
- Dan Aykroyd Comedic Actor
- Rachel Barcellona Actress starring in a new short film called Mandys Voice, about a non-speaking autistic teenager.
Always great to see my friend, Rachel Barcellona! She is autistic but is now starring in , a short film about a girl who is non-verbal.
- Sir Anthony Hopkins Actor
Adult Symptoms Of Autism
Potential symptoms of autism in adults, which can help you screen whether you might be autistic or not, include:
- Trouble understanding what others are thinking or feeling.
- Being confused by idioms or expressions, such as dont count your chickens before they hatch.
- Inventing your own words or expressions to describe things.
- Wanting to have a few close friends or one best friend, but never maintaining those relationships and being unable to understand why they do not last.
- Trouble regulating your emotions.
- Difficulty managing the natural give and take of a conversation. Instead, you talk more about your favorite subject or take focus in the conversation if the topic is something you understand.
- Participating in solo activities in your leisure time or participating in a limited range of activities.
- Strict consistency to daily or weekly routines and extreme difficulty when there are changes.
- Discomfort looking others in the eye, preferring instead to look at a wall, your shoes, or somewhere else so you can listen better.
- Being clumsy, bumping into things, dropping things, or tripping over your own feet frequently.
If these and other symptoms of autism feel very familiar, find a therapist who specializes in autism, or ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist. These professionals can help you get the right treatment based on your symptom severity.
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There Needs To Be More Care With Different Focuses And Areas Of Savant Syndrome
I think they captured his exceptionalities well, said Anthony, who has an educational background in cognitive science. He commented on the depiction of the shows main character as an autistic savant, noting the risk of generalizing characters with autism in entertainment media. Its dangerous to over-dramatize this, he said, citing an episode of the TV series Criminal Minds that featured a child with savant syndrome. Viewers and/or people who have little understanding or awareness assume that what they are seeing is the rule for everyone with savant syndrome, for instance.
Matthew acknowledged that the series makes interesting choices in portraying Shaun Murphy as a savant. In the pilot episode, he tries to figure out what is going on with a boy, and it visually shows the way his mind works. This is done well in the series. However, Matthew agrees with other reviewers that more care is needed in the way that savant syndrome and autism are represented in film and television. There needs to be more care with different focuses and areas of savant syndrome, he said.
The discussion turned from the series in general to the episode Parenting, where Dr. Murphy met his girlfriends parents for the first time and complications ensue. It was an incredible episode that really showed that Shaun was able to prove his girlfriends parents wrong about being in a challenging relationship, was Courtneys summary of the episode.
How Is Autism Diagnosed
There is no lab test that can detect autism. Talk to your doctor if your child does not behave as expected for their age. If the doctor suspects autism, they may suggest seeing a child psychiatrist or other specialist. A specialist can observe your child to look for signs of autism.
Some children who have autism also are intellectually disabled. This means that their intellectual abilities function well below average. It causes developmental delays. This can make it hard to diagnose autism. Children with autism do not respond to questions the same way other kids do. An expert can give your child special tests to learn more about your childs condition.
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You Can Keep Comforts To Hand
What does your child take comfort in? Most children with autism spectrum disorder have a range of things that can calm them in times of distress to prevent a meltdown. For some children, these comforts are objects like a stuffed toy or chew bracelet. For others, a favourite song or a cherished sibling may be the only things that will keep them calm.
Unfortunately, its not always possible to bring these comforts to a doctors office. You wouldnt be able to set up a speaker in the examination room, for example, and some doctors may consider an old stuffed toy to be a hygiene issue.
When youre at home, youll have all your childs comforts to hand if you need them. If your child becomes stressed by the unfamiliar doctor and medical examination, you can grab their chew bracelet or call their sibling into the room in just seconds. Such comforts can be the difference between a
This Doctor Can: The Autistic Doctor
Blog written by Dr Mary Doherty
Ive always been autistic. I didnt know this as a child, when I was utterly obsessed with the human body and determined to be a doctor, nor as a young adult struggling through medical school and the training years. How did I get to be a consultant anaesthetist in my mid 40s before anyone realised?
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You Can Stick To Your Childs Routine
Routines tend to be very important for children on the autism spectrum. Everyday occurrences that are effortless for neurotypical children can feel like chaos to an autistic child, and routine helps turn that chaos into order. It also plays into the natural enjoyment many autistic children get from repetitive actions. All in all, routine reduces stress and prevents meltdowns.
As a result, taking your child out of their normal schedule to attend a doctors appointment can be highly distressing. One small change to a routine can throw the rest of the day off course, upset your child, and set back progress youve been making with their daily happiness.
The great thing about home doctors is that they work after hours. That means you can get the bulk of your childs daily routine out of the way before they see a doctor. While any doctors appointment will interfere with your childs day to some degree, theyre much more likely to accept this change if it doesnt affect any of their most important rituals like attending school or eating dinner at a specific time.
If an after hours home doctor sounds like the right solution for youre autistic child, try Hello Home Doctor. Our fully-qualified doctors work seven days a week and have experience treating patients from all walks of life.
Is Keir Gilchrist Autistic
Keir Gilchrist plays teenager Sam Gardner in Netflixs Atypical. Sam is autistic in the show, causing many fans to ask is Keir Gilchrist autistic?
The answer is no:
Despite playing an autistic character, Gilchrist is not autistic. The actor did a great deal of research to get to the point where he could play an autistic person, including reading works by writer and speaker David Finch.
source: Newsweek, Atypical on Netflix: Is Sam Actor Keir Gilchrist Actually Autistic?, July 12, 2021
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Autistic Adults Review The Good Doctor
~ 7 minute read
The Good Doctor, which airs on CTV, has drawn much attention from the autism community. It centres around Dr. Shawn Murphy, a young autistic savant resident surgeon at an American hospital, played by neurotypical actor Freddie Highmore. Highmore has drawn praise from some parts of the autism community for the care he has brought to the role. However, others have raised concerns over the representation of people on the autism spectrum in the media and the overall message that a program like this presents to the public.
Autism Ontario assembled a diverse group of adults with autism to review and discuss The Good Doctor. The group consisted of self-advocates Michael McCreary, comedian and author Courtney Weaver, freelance writer David Moloney, Autism Ontario Board Member and Mutual Fund Indexer with CIBC Matthew Lemay, freelance writer Anthony Spezzano, Capital Markets Specialist, TD Securities Christian Maltesta and, Nicole Corrado. Michael Cnudde, self-advocate and Specialist Communications and Project Development, Autism Ontario, moderated the panel.
All in all, I find that it plays the autism card a little too heavily, said David. He found the shows lead actor and writers tried to show autism as a broad concept or a construct. He thought this was too general an approach and much was lost this way. It doesnt really portray the positivity exuded by people on the spectrum.
Autistic Doctors We’re Not Exactly As Portrayed On Tv
When I open up about my referral for an autism spectrum disorder assessment, I draw on examples from the only popular reference I have for an autistic doctor whats portrayed on TV.
You have probably seen these medical dramas The Good Doctor, House, Greys Anatomy. There are more. They all have or allude to a stereotype of autism in certain characters.
The Good Doctor himself, Dr Shaun Murphy, is a surgical trainee with excellent memory recall and attention to detail who faces stigma but often saves the day because of his traits, proving those who doubted him wrong. Dr Virginia Dixon was briefly head of cardiothoracic surgery in Greys Anatomy, with her special interest advertised by her relaying of heart-based facts and a tendency to over-explain procedures to patients, as well as a dislike of physical contact and the wearing of extra protective gear during surgery.
While I can relate to some aspects of these characters both struggles and strengths my reality seems to be more exhausting and hidden. Battles such as sensitivity to noise, struggling with small talk, getting lost in the hospital, developing coping mechanisms for organisation, or painfully scrutinising my replies to emails are what I bury and mask with a smile during the working day. Struggles aside, I also feel that some of my traits will allow me to be a great doctor.
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What Is Educational Autism
Schools cannot, and usually do not, diagnose. They did not give your child a diagnosis of autism.
First, they do not have the authority to do so. The DSM is very specific about who can officially diagnose autism.
If they were actually trying to attach a diagnosis to your child, it would basically be the equivalent of practicing medicine without a license. And I dont think most school personnel are going to take that risk.
Autism Support Network Resources
The mission of Autism Support Network is conveyed in our tagline: connect, guide and unite.Our goal is to short-cut the uphill battle individuals and families undertake when faced with autism whether that means the initial diagnosis, the day-to-day living and coping needed, relationship and therapeutic strategies and the latest information.
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Meet Real Doctors Whove Achieved Career Success Despite Considerable Health Limitations
The Good Doctor, ABCs groundbreaking medical drama series, features a lead character named Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who faces skepticism and prejudices of the hospitals staff. He must work harder than ever to navigate his environment and relationships to prove that his extraordinary medical gifts will save lives. And although Dr. Shaun Murphy is a fiction role played by British actor Freddie Highmore, there are real life doctors with disabilities who really do overcome challenges, bringing a different kind of understanding to their professions. International Opulence interviewed several disabled doctors around the world whose stories are both remarkable and inspiring.
Dr. Kim Sherrill
Couldnt Be a Candy StriperKim Sherrill always wanted to be a doctor. But as a teenager, she was told she couldnt even be a candy striper. At eight months old, polio paralyzed her left arm and caused significant weakness in her right. The volunteer program at the hospital said, no, we dont want you, Sherrill said.
Doctors with disabilities can offer a different perspective to medicine, she said. We bring diversity and sensitivity that can be eye-opening. Were on the fringe, but were also on the frontier, exploring new techniques and new approaches. Maybe my story will encourage one-armed people to consider medical school who might not try otherwise.
Dr. Paige Church
Dr. Bill Saunders
Dr. Rebecca Vigen
Dr. Devabrata Sinha
Autism In Adults: Being Diagnosed Late In Life Is Challenging
With the adjustments in both the DSM-5 and its predecessor, the DSM-IV, to the definition of autism, more people are also being diagnosed with this developmental condition later in life.
Typically, people who are on the autism spectrum but do not receive a diagnosis until adulthood have milder symptoms. They may feel like they do not belong they may wonder why they struggle to maintain friendships or relationships or they may first receive a diagnosis of a co-occurring condition like depression or anxiety, which developed because of social isolation or communication struggles with others.
Testing children for signs of autism is a much more established practice, so many adults who are on the autism spectrum end up self-diagnosing themselves. Then, they seek help from a doctor or therapist who can provide an actual diagnosis. A medical diagnosis is a vital step to getting the right type of behavior therapy to understand and manage symptoms.
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How Adults Discover They May Be On The Autism Spectrum
A recent CDC study reported that 2.2% of American adults are on the autism spectrum. This information was based on projections of how many children had been diagnosed with autism or a related condition that the DSM-5 now considers autism.
There may be more adults with autism who are diagnosed much later in life. However, there are few screening tools that are designed specifically for adults, so many medical professionals rely on talking about childhood experiences or on information their client gathered while self-diagnosing, which the medical professional can expand on.
If you are an adult with autism, you might have:
- Been diagnosed with a mental or behavioral health disorder, or an intellectual disability, as a child but now understand those symptoms as closer to autism.
- Felt socially isolated, different, or alone without understanding how to solve the problem.
- Read about autism and recognized symptoms in yourself or feel acutely that your experience is being described.
- A child in your family who has been diagnosed with autism, and you recognize the symptoms in yourself based on their diagnosis.
While you may suspect you have autism, you cant officially diagnose yourself. You need a doctor to assess you and make an official diagnosis.
Autistic Doctors Were Not Exactly As Portrayed On Tv
Absolute numbers of autistic doctors practising in the profession are unknown, No blood test or scan can detect ASD.ABC Show The Good Doctor Tells the Story of a Doctor on the Autism Spectrum ABCs new show, Virginia Dixon, It usually becomes noticed in the first three years of life, find a biomedical specialist who understands the complexity of childhood developmental disorders and delivers sustained results, Psychiatrist: A physician who focuses on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses from a biological and psychological perspective and mayAre there many autistic doctors?I dont know if there are many, conditions or procedures, therapist, interacting and relating to others,It takes a team to care for a child with autism: a pediatrician for well child check-ups and general illnesses, One of the specialists to consider adding to this team is a functional medicine doctor who can identify and address the root cause of any underlying medical issues your child may have.
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