Autism and Me

Full Title: Autism and Me: DVD
Author / Editor: Rory Hoy
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley, 2007

Review © Metapsychology Vol. 11, No. 50
Reviewer: Christian Perring

Autism and Me is a 20-minute DVD: Rory Hoy, who was 18 when he made this film, has autism and he explains what it is like. He says he is different from normal people because he cannot pay attention to different things at the same time, but instead can focus only on one thing at a time. He goes on to explain how he takes other people's words very literally and finds metaphors confusing. He goes on to say that autistic people often have obsessions; he had an obsession about soap powders and he would have to touch the soap boxes whenever he saw them. It seems though that Rory has used his singlemindedness to his advantage, since he has made many short films and he also makes his own music.

This short DVD could be useful, mainly for UK viewers, since Rory is from the UK, and many of his explanations are based on UK language. For example, what he calls "soap powder" is known in the USA as "solid laundry detergent" or "washing powder." Rory also a great deal of generalizing about autistic people, basing his explanation of autism on himself. But he is very high-functioning; not only does he make his own films and music, but he finished high school. One might wonder whether he has a diagnosis of Asperger's. So his characterization will not fit those people with severe autism, who are non-verbal, for example.

However, Autism and Me is charming in a home-made sort of way and does provide useful information. It comes with a short booklet containing basically the same information and wording as the film, illustrated with images from the film. The music on the film is done by Rory's father Tom. The DVD is double sided, with an NTSC version on one side, so it can be played in just about every country.

Links:

Christian Perring, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dowling College, New York.

Categories: ChildhoodDisorders, Movies