Pieces like this are what people need to understand autism and other disorders. People do not understand any mental disabilities or disorders and the research and solutions are way behind because this is hidden in our society.
Recent statistics of child autism are harrowing:
Cases in the state of California have increased 273 percent in the last 10 years. The State of Missouri reports an eight hundred fifty percent increase. No one knows why; nor does anyone really know what causes child autism.
In this story you hear what it's like to learn that your toddler son has a lifelong disability and about the stresses and strains that come with it. It's a touching, poignant portrait of a family, but mainly about how mom and dad cope. This young couple are open and honest; vital and strong. Good journalism tells you something about the real lives behind troubling statistics. There's lots of hooks for this -- lots of new autism studies and research. Could be paired with a two-way on the science/medicine.
For me, as it will be for thousands of other parents, this was an intimately personal piece. I have an autistic child. I thought the producer did an excellent (and tasteful) job of capturing the feelings parents have as they slowly realize that, yes, something is wrong with your kid. The fear, doubt, concern, it's all there in this piece. It will rivet any parent, or any person close to a parent, of an autistic child.
Rather than focusing on what it means to be autistic--this piece observes how the family dynamic changes in the presence of autism. The psychological demands that Thomas' parents have endured are revealing of both the complexities of autism and parenthood. The producer does a fine job of editing his interviews with the parents and integrating narration so that you have a substantial understanding of the family but you are also given enough freedom to draw your own conclusions about how they are managing. This piece is poignant and satisfying emotionally and intellectually. You could broadcast this on any show that deals with family dynamics, behavioral disorders, or coping mechanisms--or simply broadcast it because it's a good piece and you have the time.
This is the type of story that public radio does best. It takes its time to build a relationship between listener and subject matter then dives into some powerful issues. It's not a story about the science of autism but rather a piece about the people touched by the illness. Thomas's parents are the only voices in the story, but they're very articulate and open about their feelings and offer some poignant anecdotes about dealing with their son's problems. The obvious choice would be to use this story as a companion piece to a health or science story, but it would also be excellent paired with a show such as "Parents Journal" as an example of the challenges of parenting today.
Comments for The Problem with Thomas
Produced by Aaron Henkin
Other pieces by Aaron Henkin
Rating Summary
5 comments
Margaret Westlake
Posted on December 30, 2004 at 11:33 AM | Permalink
Review of The Problem with Thomas
Pieces like this are what people need to understand autism and other disorders. People do not understand any mental disabilities or disorders and the research and solutions are way behind because this is hidden in our society.
Mary McGrath
Posted on October 07, 2004 at 06:35 PM | Permalink
Review of The Problem with Thomas
Recent statistics of child autism are harrowing:
Cases in the state of California have increased 273 percent in the last 10 years. The State of Missouri reports an eight hundred fifty percent increase. No one knows why; nor does anyone really know what causes child autism.
In this story you hear what it's like to learn that your toddler son has a lifelong disability and about the stresses and strains that come with it. It's a touching, poignant portrait of a family, but mainly about how mom and dad cope. This young couple are open and honest; vital and strong. Good journalism tells you something about the real lives behind troubling statistics. There's lots of hooks for this -- lots of new autism studies and research. Could be paired with a two-way on the science/medicine.
Monk Theman
Posted on October 06, 2004 at 08:06 PM | Permalink
Review of The Problem with Thomas
For me, as it will be for thousands of other parents, this was an intimately personal piece. I have an autistic child. I thought the producer did an excellent (and tasteful) job of capturing the feelings parents have as they slowly realize that, yes, something is wrong with your kid. The fear, doubt, concern, it's all there in this piece. It will rivet any parent, or any person close to a parent, of an autistic child.
Chelsea Merz
Posted on September 24, 2004 at 10:16 AM | Permalink
Review of The Problem with Thomas
Rather than focusing on what it means to be autistic--this piece observes how the family dynamic changes in the presence of autism. The psychological demands that Thomas' parents have endured are revealing of both the complexities of autism and parenthood. The producer does a fine job of editing his interviews with the parents and integrating narration so that you have a substantial understanding of the family but you are also given enough freedom to draw your own conclusions about how they are managing. This piece is poignant and satisfying emotionally and intellectually. You could broadcast this on any show that deals with family dynamics, behavioral disorders, or coping mechanisms--or simply broadcast it because it's a good piece and you have the time.
Annie Wu
Posted on September 24, 2004 at 07:01 AM | Permalink
Review of The Problem with Thomas
This is the type of story that public radio does best. It takes its time to build a relationship between listener and subject matter then dives into some powerful issues. It's not a story about the science of autism but rather a piece about the people touched by the illness. Thomas's parents are the only voices in the story, but they're very articulate and open about their feelings and offer some poignant anecdotes about dealing with their son's problems. The obvious choice would be to use this story as a companion piece to a health or science story, but it would also be excellent paired with a show such as "Parents Journal" as an example of the challenges of parenting today.