| You’re autistic?! Yada, Yada, you’re not helping the autism community… |
Jerry Seinfeld’s autism revelation to NBC’s Brian Williams
“I think, on a very drawn out scale, I’m on the spectrum,” Seinfeld told the NBC Nightly News host. He then elaborated about what exactly he has noticed that indicates to him he may be on the autism spectrum. “[I’m] never paying attention to the right things,” Seinfeld said. “Basic social engagement is really a struggle. I’m very literal. When people talk to me and use expressions, I don’t know what they’re saying.”
Seinfeld went on to say that he doesn’t view this self-diagnosis as dysfunctional. “I just think of it as an alternate mindset,” he said.
Let me start out by saying that the wife and I are HUGE Seinfeld fans! We know the show like the back of our hands and we make Seinfeld references in our lives every day…
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Especially that last line…
Seinfeld went on to say that he doesn’t view this self-diagnosis as dysfunctional. “I just think of it as an alternate mindset,” he said.
That gets into the debate whether autism is a disorder or just a different way of thinking. And y’all already know I feel about that. My son’s autism is a disorder. It prevents him from doing so much stuff that his typical peers do. yep, I compared my son to a typical kid, you got a problem with that?
🙂
And to have such a HUGE celebrity that we all know so well, for so long, just throw his hat into the ring and say he’s autistic, in my mind it’s almost like he’s saying something to the effect of, yep, I’m autistic too, and I’ve lived an amazing life up to this point, so it’s not a big deal…
To me it just diminishes the type of autism that my son has… and the struggles that my son has due to his autism. Seinfeld saying that makes me feel even less connected to those on the mildest end of the spectrum.
How can Jerry Seinfeld have the same “disorder” as my son? The aspies & people on the highest end of the spectrum must be living on a complete different planet from my son! How can these be the same condition? Do they share any of the same traits?!
And Jerry should know better. The one time we saw him do stand-up was at an Autism Speaks benefit show in NYC. He’s done a lot of charity work for the autism community. He’s seen the kind of debilitating autism that I and many others are dealing with…
Jerry, what good does it do to add your name to the list? How does that help you… or us in the autism community?
I’ve written this in a previous blog post, but I think it’s fitting in this setting…
“…lately when autism is on the news it’s a feel good story about a high functioning kid doing something great and profound. And I think that spins autism in too positive a light. It makes people think that autism is not that bad. They’re just a little quirky like the Asperger’s rocker on American idol. I think America needs to see the dark side of autism more often, like my son, the nonverbal, non-potty-trained 8 year old who bangs his head, won’t eat, has crazy stomach/ bowel movements and severe ADD & ADHD on top of his severe autism.
I like to read the feel good stories too…but the feel good stories are all you hear/ read/ see about autism in the mainstream media. And I honestly think when we are fundraising or trying to get more government $$ for autism if all people know are the feel good stories, “why give them research $$, they’re just quirky kids….” the kid that scored 15 points in the basketball game, the aspergers guy on amazing race, etc…”
And now we can add the newest poster child for quirky fun loving autism, Mr. Jerry Seinfeld.
Thanks a lot Jerry! Not!
Now “Get Out!!”
THE END…
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Thank you so much for writing this. I totally agree on where you are coming from in response to his casual remark of having autism. I feel like he's demeaning what autism is really like day to day. It's almost like having autism is the latest crave so it's cool to announce you have autism. I'm just disappointed in him right now and am worried that other "famous" people will be jumping on the bandwagon.
I totally agree with you. My son hss several "meltdowns" daily. I have tons of holes in the walls of my home, trashed furniture, have to pay for broken windows on a regular. Then add you mentioned, there is the soiled underwear from accidents, bed wetting, he constantly needs to be watched because he errors from my home out of Windows etc and had no concept of danger. He just reacts without reason of cause and effect. Did I mention my son is 9. We also had the misfortune of being diagnosed with Epilepsy this year too. My son is one the children. His siblings are 14 & 2. Our lives have been turned upside down from autism. We have tried everything! Starting on a tight schedule, ABA therapy, sensory therapy etc you name it. Meds, diet... It helps but very little. We cannot go to Disneyland etc, because of his sensory issues, plus he has severe anxiety and major social disconnect. I cry a lot at night, I pray a lot. Some days I sit and envy the other mother's who complain about their lives and seriously want to punch them square in the jaw and shoot "Hello! Do you realize how lucky you are! Sounds a day in my life!!!" These ate the stories they need to post to get recognition on what life with Autism is really like. I could go on and on about hospital visits, doctors appointments, blockages in his intestines, you name it! I know you already know this though. Anyhow, I totally agree with you and appreciate your blogs. Most days I feel so disconnected from society and feel like an alien... life I have nothing in common with anybody. Your blog gives me an outlet and reminds me I'm not alone.
I agree too and I was a Seinfeld fan. Not now. I'm sick of public grandstanding with whatever mental illness fad happens to be popular. Meanwhile we live with children who wear diapers sometimes for their entire lives. I am also sick of people self-diagnosing because if you give the right answers, and we all know what they are if we want this diagnosis a doctor will give it to you.
A lot of doctors can't or won't diagnosis adults..I knew I had P.D.D,it took my fifth psychiatrist to diagnosis me as PDD-NOS. I am 25, never had a girlfriend or job, can't maintain friends, very ADD minded...but could take AP history, but needed to be taught basic social skills through High school
So then because my son is high functioning his Autism doesn't matter?
Is your son as high functioning as Jerry Seinfeld?
I run into the same kind of issues. It is a shame that my son isn't challenged enough. I am sure it will have a positive effect to slam someone who has been helpful to the Autism community because they aren't severely affected.
My son is highly functioning and with time and help , perhaps, can be better functioning that Jerry Seinfeld. There are a lot of services that are not aimed to help improve a highly functioning child. Although I empathize with people with more severely affected children, some do not have my sympathies because although I see their challenges they always seem to trivialize mine. I am tired of apologizing or explaining why my son can do certain things, why he doesn't "look" autistic, why a little better is not a place to plateau. I have worked hard and used every resource at my disposal and ultimately my only measure of success will be his happiness.
His whole point is that there is good and bad! Yet, everyone only reports on the good side of Autism. Like he said what about the bad? I have two on the spectrum and one is potty trained the other is not. One that is is more severe then the other, goes to the potty but the other still goes in his pants, but on the occasion he goes to the toilet. But he gets so in to what he is doing, like his homework or reading or playing a game or just playing he forgets or doesn't want to leave and miss out. I understand where he is coming from but just by claiming you may be on the spectrum doesn't mean you are! But as he stated the only stories they report is the good ones, then the ones that fund it may start thinking that why fund all of them, why not the ones that make the best progress. And I'm sure that one day they will think that. Just sayin'.
Testing by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, a must! Specialists in the field; groups; etc. The above parents are exactly correct...thanks for sharing!
I work in autism support for low functioning adults, so I do understand the gravity of what you are dealing with - albeit not in my home. I also, like Seinfeld, see myself on the spectrum. I think this makes me very good at my job as I can empathize, and I can help to broaden the capacity of the people I work with. And I do.
I am not sure I agree with your post. There is a spectrum, it is fluid and vast. Some people suffer untold misery, some are still quite debilitated and live as if separate from their world - but can manage. A lot of people improve as they get older. Autism really is a verb not a noun.
A while ago I sent you a link to my book. I really hope you read it. I would love you to review it. It explains via the 'Polyvagal Theory' by neurobioloogist Dr. Stpehen Porges, why there is a spectrum and why there are so many physical/digestive problems with associated with autism. It is smart and helps us to see autism as a process, rather than a disease.
http://www.amazon.com.au/Reframe-Your-Thinking-Around-Autism-ebook/dp/B00NQMJTXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411286026&sr=8-1&keywords=reframe+your+thinking+around+autism
Autism Daddy's a curist blog. it would be best to find another anti-cure blog
Another thought provoking post. I am so disappointed with the celebrities that jump on the latest 'disorder' that is in the news. I think it demeans the families that truly are impacted. We are lucky in that our daughter is very high functioning and we don't have many of the other health issues so many families face. Thank you for being the one who is willing to talk about the bad as well as the good.
Seinfeld's comments are disappointing. If he really is autistic, koodo's to him for his progress. He just make sit sound like its no big deal. My daughter is higher function with her autism, but is still like a 6 yr old in so many ways, and will probaly always will be. She turns 14 this year. Dealing with autism is hard and its like he disregards the struggles that many of us face. Goodness I wish my daughters disorder was just "a differant way of thinking". My heart goes out to all the autism parents out there that deal with the good and bad of the severly autistic kids. I think you folks are amazing.
Autism is "a different way of thinking" , a different way of feeling, seeing, hearing processing. It is different in each case. To trivialize any person who feels they are autistic is to cause shame to the entire community. I do not feel that Seinfeld had anything to gain by this admission or said anything to diminish the challenge. I am encouraged by his comments just like I am when other people overcome a challenge. The same way I felt when I ran across an interview with Dan Akroyd and he explained that he felt he had Aspbergers. I think this is a perfect example of what is wrong with some peoples thinking. I tell my son he has a glitch and that I am constantly proud of how hard he works to improve to which he replied "That makes my heart happy" You can look for the good in the world or dwell on the bad. Trust me your bitter opinion of what you read into this interview will not make you or your families life any better (or worse). Why shouldn't kids on the spectrum have people to look up to?
Your commentary does not spell bitter to me at all. I'm not upset with Seinfeld, but this self-diagnosis is essentially meaningless to me. Hey, I could self-identify in this way too. I toe-walked and hand-flapped as a child ( probably still do on occasion). I am introverted with a few obsessive interests also,.I was a quirky, somewhat unpopular sort. BUT, I spoke on schedule, I graduated with honors in English, and I did very well in a customer service job for over 25 years. My communication skills are above average and I can read people fine. So, it would be a vanity exercise for me to wave the autism flag. My chilld, OTOH, is classically autistic. He is non-verbal and will never hold any type of job. Not the same thing, Mr. Seinfeld. BTW, my mom called me this morning because she was so excited about this revelation. Sigh....