Hugh Dancy Is on His Way to Superstardom

Rex Reed's review of the movie Adam was interesting - except when he attempted to explain Asperger's to his readers. Then, his review was simply misleading, ignorant and poorly researched.

Here are a few choice quotes containing jaw-droppingly offensive attempts at armchair diagnosis from Mr. Reed:

- "Asperger’s is an incurable neurological disorder similar to autism that turns outwardly normal-looking people into high-class idiot savants."

NO. First off, "idiot savant" is an outmoded term. "Autistic savant" is current. Second, Aspies generally have high normal to exceptionally high IQ's. Savants more often fall into the classic autistic category (think Rain Man).

- It is lethal to get involved romantically with any person with Asperger’s syndrome, since they care nothing about other people’s feelings, needs or priorities.

NO. While most aspies are more concerned with their own thoughts, interests and lives, that describes a LOT of people - especially good looking ones! That said, many aspies are capable of caring very deeply - they're loving parents, kids, educators, bosses, brothers, sisters, you name it. Some of them simply have difficulty expressing those concerns.

- They are incapable of thinking of anyone or anything outside of themselves.

NO. Again, this is a gross, almost mean generalization. It really is akin to saying: Irish people are alcoholics because you know two Irish guys with drinking problems. Really, get to know an aspie (not one of Rex's bizarre-sounding friends) and you'll likely see.

- They do not like to be touched.

NO. Sensory issues can be problematic for some aspies, autistics and kids who have neither Asperger's nor autism... But again, I know several aspies who are very, very loving physically. They'll hug you, hold your hand and snuggle like nobody's business.

----

This paternalistic, dismissive tripe would be like describing American Indians as gambling-obsessed drunks, and hardly capable of being part of normal society... but they are very charming. (His "admittance" that he knows two aspies sounds like the old like: Hey, some of my best friends are black!")

I would suggest he visit www.wrongplanet.net to find out how aspies really think. While I doubt Mr. Reed has anything against Aspies, you wouldn't know that from reading his article.

Rex Reed's review of the movie Adam was interesting - except when he attempted to explain Asperger's to his readers. Then, his review was simply misleading, ignorant and poorly researched.

Here are a few choice quotes containing jaw-droppingly offensive attempts at armchair diagnosis from Mr. Reed:

- "Asperger’s is an incurable neurological disorder similar to autism that turns outwardly normal-looking people into high-class idiot savants."

NO. First off, "idiot savant" is an outmoded term. "Autistic savant" is current. Second, Aspies generally have high normal to exceptionally high IQ's. Savants more often fall into the classic autistic category (think Rain Man).

- It is lethal to get involved romantically with any person with Asperger’s syndrome, since they care nothing about other people’s feelings, needs or priorities.

NO. While most aspies are more concerned with their own thoughts, interests and lives, that describes a LOT of people - especially good looking ones! That said, many aspies are capable of caring very deeply - they're loving parents, kids, educators, bosses, brothers, sisters, you name it. Some of them simply have difficulty expressing those concerns.

- They are incapable of thinking of anyone or anything outside of themselves.

NO. Again, this is a gross, almost mean generalization. It really is akin to saying: Irish people are alcoholics because you know two Irish guys with drinking problems. Really, get to know an aspie (not one of Rex's bizarre-sounding friends) and you'll likely see.

- They do not like to be touched.

NO. Sensory issues can be problematic for some aspies, autistics and kids who have neither Asperger's nor autism... But again, I know several aspies who are very, very loving physically. They'll hug you, hold your hand and snuggle like nobody's business.

----

This paternalistic, dismissive tripe would be like describing American Indians as gambling-obsessed drunks, and hardly capable of being part of normal society... but they are very charming. (His "admittance" that he knows two aspies sounds like the old like: Hey, some of my best friends are black!")

I would suggest he visit Wrong Planet (online) to find out how aspies really think. While I doubt Mr. Reed has anything against Aspies, you wouldn't know that from reading his article.

The reviewer clearly has no idea what Asperger's is, and has decided to either make it up or spread myths he's picked up from other people. I have Asperger's syndrome and am not an 'high class idiot savant' as he calls it. I think that term more accurately describes the reviewer. I've been happily married to a neurotypical person for over eight years and am certainly capable of thinking and caring about other people. We only have trouble picking up some of subtle subconcious signals that people send out.

Other myths by the reviewer that I break: I do like to be touched, I am very capable of explaining things, I can cope with people in general (but would prefer to be away from people like the reviewer). I am not emotionally blocked and can certainly look people in the eye if I want to, but would prefer not to. Lastly my wife is still alive so it's certainly not been lethal to be in a relationship with me.

I'm disappointed the movie hasn't broken the myths and misconceptions held by the reviewer.

Sir,

In the UK we are taught that American hacks are obsessive fact-checkers, fearlessly independent, thoroughly well-informed, heroes of your Nation's History.

Rex Rex with his appalling exegetical rant about the True Nature of a relationship with with someone with Asperger's Syndrome, destroys the illusion with an essay that is not even fit for a student newspaper.

This isn't journalism of any recognizable kind. It is an ignorant and deeply offensive caricature, belonging in the bin with Blackface Minstrels .

Yours &c.

Mr H Williams.

Sir,

In the UK we are taught that American hacks are obsessive fact-checkers, fearlessly independent, thoroughly well-informed, heroes of your Nation's History.

Rex Rex with his appalling exegetical rant about the True Nature of a relationship with with someone with Asperger's Syndrome, destroys the illusion with an essay that is not even fit for a student newspaper.

This isn't journalism of any recognizable kind. It is an ignorant and deeply offensive caricature, belonging in the bin with Blackface Minstrels .

Yours &c.

Mr H Williams.

Sir,

In the UK we are taught that American hacks are obsessive fact-checkers, fearlessly independent, thoroughly well-informed, heroes of your Nation's History.

Rex Rex with his appalling exegetical rant about the True Nature of a relationship with with someone with Asperger's Syndrome, destroys the illusion with an essay that is not even fit for a student newspaper.

This isn't journalism of any recognizable kind. It is an ignorant and deeply offensive caricature, belonging in the bin with Blackface Minstrels .

Yours &c.

Mr H Williams.

Sir,

In the UK we are taught that American hacks are obsessive fact-checkers, fearlessly independent, thoroughly well-informed, heroes of your Nation's History.

Rex Rex with his appalling exegetical rant about the True Nature of a relationship with with someone with Asperger's Syndrome, destroys the illusion with an essay that is not even fit for a student newspaper.

This isn't journalism of any recognizable kind. It is an ignorant and deeply offensive caricature, belonging in the bin with Blackface Minstrels .

Yours &c.

Mr H Williams.

I have emotions and feelings. I'm not sure if the reviewer of the movie does though or he wouldn't say hurtful, stereotypical things.

I have emotions and feelings. I'm not sure if the reviewer of the movie does though or he wouldn't say hurtful, stereotypical things.

I have emotions and feelings. I'm not sure if the reviewer of the movie does though or he wouldn't say hurtful, stereotypical things.

“Nothing Sacred But the Truth.” This is the subtitle displayed under the name of your newspaper. However, after reading Mr. Reed’s review of the film Adam I must question such a claim. I have no qualms about his review. It is, all things considered, just one person’s opinion. I think it is also fair to presume that the vast majority of people accept his review as merely an opinion. Unfortunately, Mr. Reed’s grossly inaccurate description of Asperger’s Syndrome, and those with the condition, is presented as factual. He presents information on Asperger’s Syndrome, yet fails to cite what his sources are, besides the two individuals he mentioned (which, by the way, is statistically insignificant and would likely cause him to be ridiculed by anyone with knowledge of even rudimentary research methodologies). I will not resort to his level and make assumptions about his views on those “afflicted” with Asperger’s, as he puts it. It may be that he is simply propagating misinformation he received from another source or sources. This, however, puts the responsibility of vetting his articles on the editors of The New York Observer prior to publication. Why would you allow this article to be printed in your pages and displayed on your website without even a cursory check on the validity of the information in the article? Was it a lack of time? Was it a lack of interest? Was it a lack of journalistic integrity? Was it something else? I have no answers, and I merely hypothesize what the possible causes may be, fully acknowledging that this is mere speculation on my part, something which Mr. Reed obviously failed to do. As someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I am offended by the erroneous descriptions presented. More importantly, I fear that the widespread misinformation from this review may reinforce the negative stereotypes that already exist. Editors, Mr. Reed…the responsibility is now yours to ensure this doesn’t happen.

“Nothing Sacred But the Truth.” This is the subtitle displayed under the name of your newspaper. However, after reading Mr. Reed’s review of the film Adam I must question such a claim. I have no qualms about his review. It is, all things considered, just one person’s opinion. I think it is also fair to presume that the vast majority of people accept his review as merely an opinion. Unfortunately, Mr. Reed’s grossly inaccurate description of Asperger’s Syndrome, and those with the condition, is presented as factual. He presents information on Asperger’s Syndrome, yet fails to cite what his sources are, besides the two individuals he mentioned (which, by the way, is statistically insignificant and would likely cause him to be ridiculed by anyone with knowledge of even rudimentary research methodologies). I will not resort to his level and make assumptions about his views on those “afflicted” with Asperger’s, as he puts it. It may be that he is simply propagating misinformation he received from another source or sources. This, however, puts the responsibility of vetting his articles on the editors of The New York Observer prior to publication. Why would you allow this article to be printed in your pages and displayed on your website without even a cursory check on the validity of the information in the article? Was it a lack of time? Was it a lack of interest? Was it a lack of journalistic integrity? Was it something else? I have no answers, and I merely hypothesize what the possible causes may be, fully acknowledging that this is mere speculation on my part, something which Mr. Reed obviously failed to do. As someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I am offended by the erroneous descriptions presented. More importantly, I fear that the widespread misinformation from this review may reinforce the negative stereotypes that already exist. Editors, Mr. Reed…the responsibility is now yours to ensure this doesn’t happen.

“Nothing Sacred But the Truth.” This is the subtitle displayed under the name of your newspaper. However, after reading Mr. Reed’s review of the film Adam I must question such a claim. I have no qualms about his review. It is, all things considered, just one person’s opinion. I think it is also fair to presume that the vast majority of people accept his review as merely an opinion. Unfortunately, Mr. Reed’s grossly inaccurate description of Asperger’s Syndrome, and those with the condition, is presented as factual. He presents information on Asperger’s Syndrome, yet fails to cite what his sources are, besides the two individuals he mentioned (which, by the way, is statistically insignificant and would likely cause him to be ridiculed by anyone with knowledge of even rudimentary research methodologies). I will not resort to his level and make assumptions about his views on those “afflicted” with Asperger’s, as he puts it. It may be that he is simply propagating misinformation he received from another source or sources. This, however, puts the responsibility of vetting his article on the editors of The New York Observer prior to publication. Why would you allow this article to be printed in your pages and displayed on your website without even a cursory check on the validity of the information in the article? Was it a lack of time? Was it a lack of interest? Was it a lack of journalistic integrity? Was it something else? I have no answers, and I merely hypothesize what the possible causes may be, fully acknowledging that this is mere speculation on my part, something which Mr. Reed obviously failed to do. As someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I am offended by the erroneous descriptions presented. More importantly, I fear that the widespread misinformation from this review may reinforce the negative stereotypes that already exist. Editors, Mr. Reed…the responsibility is now yours to ensure this doesn’t happen.

“Nothing Sacred But the Truth.” This is the subtitle displayed under the name of your newspaper. However, after reading Mr. Reed’s review of the film Adam I must question such a claim. I have no qualms about his review. It is, all things considered, just one person’s opinion. I think it is also fair to presume that the vast majority of people accept his review as merely an opinion. Unfortunately, Mr. Reed’s grossly inaccurate description of Asperger’s Syndrome, and those with the condition, is presented as factual. He presents information on Asperger’s Syndrome, yet fails to cite what his sources are, besides the two individuals he mentioned (which, by the way, is statistically insignificant and would likely cause him to be ridiculed by anyone with knowledge of even rudimentary research methodologies). I will not resort to his level and make assumptions about his views on those “afflicted” with Asperger’s, as he puts it. It may be that he is simply propagating misinformation he received from another source or sources. This, however, puts the responsibility of vetting his article on the editors of The New York Observer prior to publication. Why would you allow this article to be printed in your pages and displayed on your website without even a cursory check on the validity of the information in the article? Was it a lack of time? Was it a lack of interest? Was it a lack of journalistic integrity? Was it something else? I have no answers, and I merely hypothesize what the possible causes may be, fully acknowledging that this is mere speculation on my part, something which Mr. Reed obviously failed to do. As someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I am offended by the erroneous descriptions presented. More importantly, I fear that the widespread misinformation from this review may reinforce the negative stereotypes that already exist. Editors, Mr. Reed…the responsibility is now yours to ensure this doesn’t happen.

“Nothing Sacred But the Truth.” This is the subtitle displayed under the name of your newspaper. However, after reading Mr. Reed’s review of the film Adam I must question such a claim. I have no qualms about his review. It is, all things considered, just one person’s opinion. Unfortunately, Mr. Reed’s grossly inaccurate description of Asperger’s Syndrome, and those with the condition, is presented as factual. He presents information on Asperger’s Syndrome, yet fails to cite what his sources are, besides the two individuals he mentioned (which, by the way, is statistically insignificant and would likely cause him to be ridiculed by anyone with knowledge of even rudimentary research methodologies). I will not resort to his level and make assumptions about his views on those “afflicted” with Asperger’s, as he puts it. It may be that he is simply propagating misinformation he received from another ill-informed source or sources. As someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I fear that the widespread misinformation from this review may reinforce the negative stereotypes that already exist. Editors, Mr. Reed…the responsibility is now yours to ensure this doesn’t happen.

When I heard about this article, my husband and I thought, "Is he still alive?" Obviously he is not intellectually. Rex, please retire and just chase off kids who ring your doorbell and run away.. Time has come. For the younger folks, Reeds 15 min of fame was about 30yrs ago as a wannabee modern day "Oscar Wilde" Wrote some good things in those days..but he is no expert in anything scientific. Reed has become a modern day Aged "Bruno" who needs to worry about his need for rear bleaching than serious movie reviews. I basically think, Reed is jealous that it was not about him. I also feel Aspies are brighter than he is, and that is why he is so bitter. Yes, I am an Aspie woman married to an NT man for 35 yrs. We are happy. Sorry to break your scientific explanation about autism, Rex. As a reward for this last review, I am sending you a box of Prunes.

When I heard about this article, my husband and I thought, "Is he still alive?" Obviously he is not intellectually. Rex, please retire and just chase off kids who ring your doorbell and run away.. Time has come. For the younger folks, Reeds 15 min of fame was about 30yrs ago as a wannabee modern day "Oscar Wilde" Wrote some good things in those days..but he is no expert in anything scientific. Reed has become a modern day Aged "Bruno" who needs to worry about his need for rear bleaching than serious movie reviews. I basically think, Reed is jealous that it was not about him. I also feel Aspies are brighter than he is, and that is why he is so bitter. Yes, I am an Aspie woman married to an NT man for 35 yrs. We are happy. Sorry to break your scientific explanation about autism, Rex. As a reward for this last review, I am sending you a box of Prunes.

When I heard about this article, my husband and I thought, "Is he still alive?" Obviously he is not intellectually. Rex, please retire and just chase off kids who ring your doorbell and run away.. Time has come. For the younger folks, Reeds 15 min of fame was about 30yrs ago as a wannabee modern day "Oscar Wilde" Wrote some good things in those days..but he is no expert in anything scientific. Reed has become a modern day Aged "Bruno" who needs to worry about his need for rear bleaching than serious movie reviews. I basically think, Reed is jealous that it was not about him. I also feel Aspies are brighter than he is, and that is why he is so bitter. Yes, I am an Aspie woman married to an NT man for 35 yrs. We are happy. Sorry to break your scientific explanation about autism, Rex. As a reward for this last review, I am sending you a box of Prunes.

When I heard about this article, my husband and I thought, "Is he still alive?" Obviously he is not intellectually. Rex, please retire and just chase off kids who ring your doorbell and run away.. Time has come. For the younger folks, Reeds 15 min of fame was about 30yrs ago as a wannabee modern day "Oscar Wilde" Wrote some good things in those days..but he is no expert in anything scientific. Reed has become a modern day Aged "Bruno" who needs to worry about his need for rear bleaching than serious movie reviews. I basically think, Reed is jealous that it was not about him. I also feel Aspies are brighter than he is, and that is why he is so bitter. Yes, I am an Aspie woman married to an NT man for 35 yrs. We are happy. Sorry to break your scientific explanation about autism, Rex. As a reward for this last review, I am sending you a box of Prunes.

So Rex Reed knows "at least two people" with Asperger's, and he's qualified to paint everyone else with a broad brush of stereotypes? I don't doubt that some people with Asperger's are exactly as he describes, but it's the height of ignorance to say this is true of all people with this condition. I happen to know a few, and I think it would be news to them that they are "emotionally blocked," "unable to look people in the eye" and generally insufferable. It would also be news to their friends, family members and the people with mad crushes on them.

He did get one thing right, though. Hugh Dancy is on his way to superstardom, and I look forward to seeing him in "Adam" and many other films to come.

I hope Mr. Reed will print an apology and acknowledge that his "facts" about Asperger's were anything but. I have Asperger's and have been in a loving marriage for almost six years. I am capable of thinking about people other than myself. I love being touched and I don't say rude things to people. While I'm not 100% comfortable with it all the time, I am capable of looking people in the eye (especially my wife). I'm sure my wife would tell you that there's nothing "lethal" about our romance, and that I love her dearly, and I don't make her depressed.

Mr. Reed would be probably be surprised to learn that some of the greatest movie directors have/had Asperger's. People like Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, Tim Burton, and Quentin Tarantino (to name a few). Would he consider them to be "high-class idiot savants" incapable of explaining things to other people? As movie directors, their job is to explain to the actors and the rest of the crew how they want the movie to be.

I hope Mr. Reed will print an apology and acknowledge that his "facts" about Asperger's were anything but. I have Asperger's and have been in a loving marriage for almost six years. I am capable of thinking about people other than myself. I love being touched and I don't say rude things to people. While I'm not 100% comfortable with it all the time, I am capable of looking people in the eye (especially my wife). I'm sure my wife would tell you that there's nothing "lethal" about our romance, and that I love her dearly, and I don't make her depressed.

Mr. Reed would be probably be surprised to learn that some of the greatest movie directors have/had Asperger's. People like Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, Tim Burton, and Quentin Tarantino (to name a few). Would he consider them to be "high-class idiot savants" incapable of explaining things to other people? As movie directors, their job is to explain to the actors and the rest of the crew how they want the movie to be.

I hope Mr. Reed will print an apology and acknowledge that his "facts" about Asperger's were anything but. I have Asperger's and have been in a loving marriage for almost six years. I am capable of thinking about people other than myself. I love being touched and I don't say rude things to people. While I'm not 100% comfortable with it all the time, I am capable of looking people in the eye (especially my wife). I'm sure my wife would tell you that there's nothing "lethal" about our romance, and that I love her dearly, and I don't make her depressed.

Mr. Reed would be probably be surprised to learn that some of the greatest movie directors have/had Asperger's. People like Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Woody Allen, Tim Burton, and Quentin Tarantino (to name a few). Would he consider them to be "high-class idiot savants" incapable of explaining things to other people? As movie directors, their job is to explain to the actors and the rest of the crew how they want the movie to be.

(sorry if this ends up being a multiple post...having problems with the Word Verification CAPTCHA)

Your description of people who suffer from aspergers is so factually incorrect, it is just painful. I would like to just laugh this off, but I can't. As an aspie, it hurts me to read this garbage. Before you make anymore statements about Aspergers, I suggest you actually learn about what aspergers actually is.

We are still human beings y'know!

The Gift of Asperger’s Syndrome

I normally don't pay much attention to movie reviews. However, with the movie "Adam" coming out, I've been reading some of them here and there. And then I read this review of the movie.

http://www.observer.com/2009/movies/hugh-dancy-his-way-superstardom

I honestly didn't think my dropped jaw would be able to make it back up from the floor. I was shocked, upset, indignant and sad. I can't even begin to list all the things that went through my mind. But the one thing that stuck there after reading it was that people are going to read this and get completely wrong ideas about people with Asperger's Syndrome. They will think this guy knows what he's talking about, but he clearly, VERY clearly, doesn't.

Below is the paragraph I wish he would have researched before he'd written. I wish he would’ve talked to doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, even -- I know it's a stretch here but -- maybe even talked with some Aspies? Hugh Dancy, who portrays Adam (and does so very well), will tell you "no two persons with Asperger’s are the same.”

Mr. Reed states, “Far from just another exotic Disease of the Week, Asperger’s is an incurable neurological disorder similar to autism that turns outwardly normal-looking people into high-class idiot savants. I know at least two people with Asperger’s. They are incapable of thinking of anyone or anything outside of themselves. Challenged by social interactions and given to obsessive routines that revolve around a single subject of interest, they do not like to be touched, they feel incapable of explaining things and they cannot cope with people in general. Emotionally blocked, they say things that hurt and sting without meaning to be rude, and are weak at understanding, receiving or exchanging the emotions of others. They cannot look you in the eye. Adam is a fascinating study of a rare affliction in which all of these qualities are evident, in carefully researched scenes that are humorous and touching. It is lethal to get involved romantically with any person with Asperger’s syndrome, since they care nothing about other people’s feelings, needs or priorities.”

I read that and just shake my head. Apparently he has had some bad experiences with the Aspies he knows. Unfortunately, there are people who will read his words and take it to mean that all Aspies are that way, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Please know that I am writing this to be specific to Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). I realize that while Autism and Aspergers are included on the same “spectrum” there is a world of difference between the two. I’m not an “expert” on either of them by any means, but I am an expert on my own child who happens to have Asperger’s.

To tell you what I mean by “spectrum” I’ve copied and pasted the following from the website of NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) :

“AS is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Other ASDs include: classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).”

There are no two Aspies who are the same; there just aren’t. There are characteristics of the disorder which you will find in one Aspie, but not in another. And characteristics that you find in one won't even be a blip on the radar for another. My son Trace is 10 years old, and he has Asperger’s. However, he is not even remotely like the description that Mr. Reed gives us in his review. Trace is intelligent (in the top 5% of his class), yes, but not a "high-class idiot savant". He is a loving, sweet, funny and caring child, especially with family. He has a few friends, and their interests tend to run to the same activity which, right now, is Pokémon (especially the cards, but he also likes Transformers and Star Wars). He loves hugs and to be hugged, or to just sit next to us or playing with his little brother. Trace has no problem explaining things, unless it’s something he doesn’t know, and then he will ask. He is honest (almost painfully so) but I'd rather he tell the truth than lie. And he is not emotionally blocked -- he loves, he hurts, he cares. He will look you in the eye. To say that it is "lethal" to get romantically involved with an Aspie, well, it's apparent that was written by someone who is misinformed about Asperger’s and about those who have it. Trace may have certain things to learn and issues to deal with but that sounds like a pretty typical relationship to me. And with the right person, you work together to help the relationship thrive and make it past the speed bumps.

Mr. Reed also says, “Almost without exception, they leave you perplexed, riddled with doubt and totally depressed.”

Ah, the last sentence. Does Trace perplex us? Sure, but show me a child/person (with a disability or without) that DOESN’T perplex their parents/family/friends sometimes. I will admit to the being riddled with doubt point. I absolutely doubted myself when Trace was first diagnosed with Asperger’s. I doubted that I could be the parent I needed to be for him because, for one thing, it took my husband and I ten YEARS to find out what was wrong with our son. Also, there's a TON of research that needs to be done, and doctors and specialists to find and therapies to research, and IEP's to be fought for and teachers to talk to and the educating of family/friends/John Q Public and laws that need to be in place but aren’t … so they need to lobbied for. And more research to be done and advocating to do and ... and ... and ... and ..." Depressed, oh yes, even prone to panic attacks. I was overwhelmed with the diagnosis, by all the “things” that needed to be done, all the things that I need(ed) to learn.

But, see, one thing I’ve learned over the last year and three months is this. There will always be research to be done, advocating to be done, learning to do, laws that need changing or needing to be put in place. The medical community is learning more and more each day about Asperger’s. They are learning about the causes and the things that will help our kids -- so they can learn to cope, learn to be (at least somewhat) comfortable in social situations, and learn to recognize what emotion is playing across the face of the person they’re talking to. And as we learn more about this disorder, the less I doubt myself.

I realize now that while I may have "off" days (and who doesn't?) I am totally and completely blessed with this child of mine. Yes, Trace will always have Asperger's Syndrome, it IS incurable (guess Mr. Reed did get one thing right), he is intelligent, my 10-year-old 5th grader who reads at a 9th grade level and makes the “A” and "A-B" honor roll. He will probably not ever be totally comfortable in social situations (but neither are a lot of people I know who are neurotypical or, NT’s) but will learn to be more so than he is now because we have researched and sought out the help that he needs. He has the ability to focus and learn everything there is to know about whatever subject/topic that has caught his attention (and as that is subject to change every year or so, I expect that he will learn so much more than the average person). He will always hug me and accept hugs from those that he cares about.

Most importantly, he is, and always be, my quirky “Little Professor” who is intense in his focus on certain things, who pals around with his little brother, who won’t always get the idioms that we utter, who will read and re-read books that he loves, who may say something “politically incorrect” but still be 100% honest, who may always include an awkward little pat on the back when he hugs, who may not always express his emotions outwardly, or understand the emotions playing out in front of him, who probably won’t look you in the eye for more than 2 seconds at a time because it’s just “too much”, who may never take a picture where there is no light in his eyes and the smile isn’t forced, who will never (by his own admission “Mom, I don’t DO spontaneous”) do anything spontaneously and will always get so intensely focused on his Nintendo DS game that he won’t hear you call his name when you’re right next to him. But he will always, without fail, tell me “I love you MORE” when I tell him that I love him.

You, Mr. Reed, have no idea what it means to be gifted with Asperger’s Syndrome.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

I spent significant time and brainpower earlier commenting on this dinosaur/film critic's review and then it apparently vanished into cyberspace- @#$%^!!!

The ignorance demonstrated by this "professional" is appalling...with rates of autism climbing to 1:100, this clueless wonder really ought to spend 7-9 minutes or so online researching the neurological disorder known as autism before being permitted to publicly offend millions of people worldwide with his grandiose display of arrogance and complete ignorance.

It's clearly time for the New York Observer to send this particular fossil into permanent storage.

Sorry for all of the duplicates- I kept getting messages that it wasn't going through and I should try again- YIKES! If someone can delete the extras I would appreciate that. Thank you!!

Reed indeed reveals his ignorance of ASD in this review but I'm not offended by it because he seems to simply be uneducated, and there's no shame in that. But I do expect to see some sort of correction/apology from him in the future. Though as ignorant as he is about the subject, it says a lot that even he knows more about it than many self-proclaimed experts like Jenny McCarthy and her fellow autism-denying cranks.

I want to thank Rex Reed for acurately stating the truth about Asperger's Syndrome in his review of Adam. The only thing I take issue with is the 'Idiot Savant' comment. Not all Aspies are savants. In fact most have ordinary intelligence. There are no more genius Aspies than there are geniuses in the general population. It is time the truth was told about this disorder.

I support the above comment. Members of discussions forums such as Wrongplanet (mentioned in the first comment) rally against Rex Reed's review because they apparently do not like it. We (sometimes fall in) love (with) people who have Asperger's, we research the condition after their life derails (taking us, unprepared, along), we feel compassion, and we take their angry meltdowns caused by the aspergery anxiety. The constant turmoil they have inside of them does not make their action towards fellow human beings different from how a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder acts (so much that in fact one is being routinely misdiagnosed as the other). So let us all educate ourselves. Asperger's is maybe incurable, but cognitive therapy and learning indeed does wonders (howeever, if you ask a regular Wrongplanetter, the consensus there is that ASD should be further bred to make (or rather to take over) the world "a better place").

I found Rex's post offensive - all the other commentators here are far too generous.

I get the impression that Rex here is exited at the prospect of finally finding a minority group of human beings he can still abuse and victimize. How relieved too he must feel to discover that America has not yet run out them.

I'm sorry I thought this was supposed to be a movie review. But hey. And it turns out Hugh Dancy is a lousy method actor, but alas Rex hardly noticed the extremely poor portrayal of an *aspergers* gifted individual. Full-on stereotypes were all included here which only just fall short of marching around with a placard labelled "retard".

Like other commentators here i too would urge Rex to do his research. I hope his ignorance *disorder* is ultimately curable. Doubtless Hollywood are about to have a run of such films, as is often the case. If any directors out there are reading this please take note - this was a lousy review. But hey you *can* do better.

Me, I'm waiting for the next X-Men. A much more enlightened and relevant movie. Hey Rex, we may be coming for next ;-)

(X)

I found Rex's post offensive - all the other commentators here are far too generous.

I get the impression that Rex here is exited at the prospect of finally finding a minority group of human beings he can still abuse and victimize. How relieved too he must feel to discover that America has not yet run out them.

I'm sorry I thought this was supposed to be a movie review. But hey. And it turns out Hugh Dancy is a lousy method actor, but alas Rex hardly noticed the extremely poor portrayal of an *aspergers* gifted individual. Full-on stereotypes were all included here which only just fall short of marching around with a placard labelled "retard".

Like other commentators here i too would urge Rex to do his research. I hope his ignorance *disorder* is ultimately curable. Doubtless Hollywood are about to have a run of such films, as is often the case. If any directors out there are reading this please take note - this was a lousy review. But hey you *can* do better.

Me, I'm waiting for the next X-Men. A much more enlightened and relevant movie. Hey Rex, we may be coming for next ;-)

(X)

I found Rex's post offensive - all the other commentators here are far too generous.

I get the impression that Rex here is exited at the prospect of finally finding a minority group of human beings he can still abuse and victimize. How relieved too he must feel to discover that America has not yet run out them.

I'm sorry I thought this was supposed to be a movie review. But hey. And it turns out Hugh Dancy is a lousy method actor, but alas Rex hardly noticed the extremely poor portrayal of an *aspergers* gifted individual. Full-on stereotypes were all included here which only just fall short of marching around with a placard labelled "retard".

Like other commentators here i too would urge Rex to do his research. I hope his ignorance *disorder* is ultimately curable. Doubtless Hollywood are about to have a run of such films, as is often the case. If any directors out there are reading this please take note - this was a lousy review. But hey you *can* do better.

Me, I'm waiting for the next X-Men. A much more enlightened and relevant movie. Hey Rex, we may be coming for next ;-)

(X)

The movie sounds good. It's probably something I'll go out and watch. Your review of the movie is good but your review of Aspergers Syndrome itself is extremely poor.

Please, in future, refer people to sources which can do these subjects justice; Even Wikipedia is better - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

Your statement "I know at least two people with Asperger’s. They are incapable of thinking of anyone or anything outside of themselves." really clinches things. I know at least two movie reviewers who aren't very nice people but I wouldn't presume to assume that I could infer that all movie reviewers are like that. It's just not scientific.

The majority of people with Aspergers aren't even aware that they have the condition. Your two "acquaintances" with aspergers probably represent two of the least well adjusted people with the condition. Surely you should be basing opinions on the median rather than the extremes.

The movie sounds good. It's probably something I'll go out and watch. Your review of the movie is good but your review of Aspergers Syndrome itself is extremely poor.

Please, in future, refer people to sources which can do these subjects justice; Even Wikipedia is better - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

Your statement "I know at least two people with Asperger’s. They are incapable of thinking of anyone or anything outside of themselves." really clinches things. I know at least two movie reviewers who aren't very nice people but I wouldn't presume to assume that I could infer that all movie reviewers are like that. It's just not scientific.

The majority of people with Aspergers aren't even aware that they have the condition. Your two "acquaintances" with aspergers probably represent two of the least well adjusted people with the condition. Surely you should be basing opinions on the median rather than the extremes.

I felt very bad for other Aspies being quelled that way posting wrong information especially about being lethal to a romantic relationship. All Aspies feel emotion but it could be difficult to express it like Neuro-typicals do and that creates a problem obviously. These posts of poor knowledge without resources and of Asperger's are like venom giving the wrong impression of Asperger's like a disorder from hell and influencing people with wrong information and place negative thoughts resulting in maintaining a destructive society towards all the Aspies. Before posting its preferred to obtain knowledge necessary, be considerate, and review the bigger picture.

I felt very bad for other Aspies being quelled that way posting wrong information especially about being lethal to a romantic relationship. All Aspies feel emotion but it could be difficult to express it like Neuro-typicals do and that creates a problem obviously. These posts of poor knowledge without resources and of Asperger's are like venom giving the wrong impression of Asperger's like a disorder from hell and influencing people with wrong information and place negative thoughts resulting in maintaining a destructive society towards all the Aspies. Before posting its preferred to obtain knowledge necessary, be considerate, and review the bigger picture.

I felt very bad for other Aspies being quelled that way posting wrong information especially about being lethal to a romantic relationship. All Aspies feel emotion but it could be difficult to express it like Neuro-typicals do and that creates a problem obviously. These posts of poor knowledge without resources and of Asperger's are like venom giving the wrong impression of Asperger's like a disorder from hell and influencing people with wrong information and place negative thoughts resulting in maintaining a destructive society towards all the Aspies. Before posting its preferred to obtain knowledge necessary, be considerate, and review the bigger picture.

I felt very bad for other Aspies being quelled that way posting wrong information especially about being lethal to a romantic relationship. All Aspies feel emotion but it could be difficult to express it like Neuro-typicals do and that creates a problem obviously. These posts of poor knowledge without resources and of Asperger's are like venom giving the wrong impression of Asperger's like a disorder from hell and influencing people with wrong information and place negative thoughts resulting in maintaining a destructive society towards all the Aspies. Before posting its preferred to obtain knowledge necessary, be considerate, and review the bigger picture.

I felt very bad for other Aspies being quelled that way posting wrong information especially about being lethal to a romantic relationship. All Aspies feel emotion but it could be difficult to express it like Neuro-typicals do and that creates a problem obviously. These posts of poor knowledge without resources and of Asperger's are like venom giving the wrong impression of Asperger's like a disorder from hell and influencing people with wrong information and place negative thoughts resulting in maintaining a destructive society towards all the Aspies. Before posting its preferred to obtain knowledge necessary, be considerate, and review the bigger picture.

This commentary might lead an Aspie to conclude that it would be lethal to get involved with "NeuroTypicals" like Rex Reed, and have to deal with their emotional neediness, negative judgments of harmless personal mannerisms, hypersensitivity to imagined slights, and lack of respect for other people's routines and interests!