TV Tuesday: Despicable Me

Nickelodeon's new, computer animated movie, Despicable Me, is yet another example of an animated "kids" movie really intended for adults. The first sign of this fact is the casting of Russel Brand as the voice of one of the supporting characters. Russel Brand is best known in Britain for his typically vulgar and often off-color humor--distinctly an adult entertainer. Often, when such performers make their first forays into children's entertainment, their scripts are less than child appropriate. The presence of an actor best known for adult humor always makes me question the child appropriateness of a movie--even when that actor is Eddie Murphy or Robin Williams (both of whom have participated in true children's entertainment).

Beyond this issue of casting, the blurring of the line between hero and villain (in this movie taken to an extreme only surpassed by Batman) is a concept far more appropriate for an adult audience than for a young one. Children are, by definition, learning the rules of their culture and about the different roles people play--that includes the difference between right and wrong. While real people are never purely good or bad, it is far easier for children to learn about good and bad from less realistic, more purified examples, which is why fairy tale characters are written the way they are. When heroes have to struggle with real inner demons or psychological issues as part of the plot, it can easily look to a child like a justification of bad behavior. This is especially so for children on the Spectrum. Our "hero" in Despicable Me is one of the "world's great villains" who is competing with another villain to pull off the ultimate heist. In the process, and through a villainous deception, he learns about the importance of family and love, turning him into a hero. Moreover, the little girls in the story (truly good characters) are impressed by some of our "hero's" more sinister characteristics, further blurring the line between good and bad.

The story itself is surrealist. Our hero wishes to steal the moon to one-up a villain who stole a pyramid. In the process, we encounter all kinds of logic defying devices that distract one from the story line and depart from any frame of reference (a piranha gun, for example). While I think Nickelodeon was attempting to take their cue from Disney's Meet the Robinsons, they overdid it, using bizarre imagery to cover up a disjointed plot.

On a smaller scale the movie runs into more problems, especially where children with AS are concerned. First, the movie opens with the discovery that a pyramid at Giza has been replaced by an inflatable replica. This is discovered when a group of American tourists disembark from a tour bus and a wayward child from the bus falls on the pyramid. The American tourists are portrayed as rude, inconsiderate, uneducated, disruptive, and unconcerned about the needs and comfort of others--especially the ones with southern accents. First of all, I object to that stereotype, both about Americans in general, and especially about Southerners. However, regardless of political beliefs about America's behavior towards other peoples, the fact remains that American children (especially those with AS, who can easily take these things too far) should not be made to feel bad for something over which they have no control. An American-born child has absolutely no control over where s/he was born, and a naturalized child has no control over his/her parents' citizenship decisions.

Another smaller scale problem is the centrality of one-upmanship to the plot. Children are easily led into poor sportsmanship (of which one-upmanship is perhaps the worst characteristic). Children with AS are especially drawn to it, particularly when they harbor fears of their own inadequacy or have experienced bullying. Many video games, computer games and anime programs often nurture this unfortunate trait as well. The last thing our kids need is a movie centered on it.

Overall, I would not recommend Despicable Me even for adults, and think it sets a very poor example for children.

TV Tuesday: Prince of Persia

Disney's most recent video game adaptation has been the film Prince of Persia. As with any movie based on a video game, I had very low expectations with regards to plot and high expectations with regards to special effects and action film fun. Overall, though, I was disappointed.

The plot was lacking, as I expected, so I was not disappointed in that way, but the poor acting made the fact glaringly obvious. The actors did not mesh well, and their body language was pretty flat. It was apparent much of the time that they were just reciting lines.

The special effects were there, but their quality was far below the standard I have come to expect of Disney and other major film houses. Pirates of the Caribbean this movie is not.

The action sequence are pretty fun, with plenty of running, jumping, chasing, and hand-to-hand combat. And this was the primary strength of the film, especially since the action (even in battle scenes) neatly avoids bloody or gory imagery.

For Aspies, my review is mixed. On the one hand, I like the film because the action is neither graphic nor realistic, and there really is no sexual content (the female character could definitely wear more, but it's nothing worse than we are accustomed to seeing in day-to-day advertising), making the film fairly appropriate for young teens and some preteens.

On the other hand, the poor acting and the bad behavior of some of the characters (for which there is no apparent consequence) reinforces the poor social skills so common among children with AS. Moreover, the transparency of plot and characters does not challenge the Aspie child to see situations or people as being potentially multi-faceted. The bad guys are bad. The good guys are good, even when they behave badly. The damsel in distress is generally annoying and useless, although attractive. There are no surprises.

So, if you want to take your child to a fun movie purely for the sake of entertainment, Prince of Persia is probably a decent choice. If you want to find something with a little redeeming value, move on to something else.

TV Tuesday: Toy Story III

The latest installment in the Toy Story franchise follows very much in the same vein as its two predecessors. The film is very family friendly, with a well-written plot, and the continuing message the friendship and commitment are important values.

In this film, the toys' person (Andy) has grown up and is headed off to college. What will happen to the toys? Will they go to the attic? Be donated? Get trashed? Turns out it's a little of all three, but their ultimate fate is much more satisfying, if teary-eyed. It's an excellent family film.

My only reservation about the Toy Story franchise is that the basic premise (that toys can be sentient and have emotional attachments) promotes Disney's basic goal (to sell new merchandise). I could imagine small children, after seeing these films, having greater difficulty than they already do parting with unwanted toys, and this particular film does not paint a favorable portrait of donation. For small children, children who have difficulty distinguishing fantasy and reality, or children who easily for emotional bonds with inanimate objects, I would exercise caution with this film. Perhaps it would be best to watch it on the small screen with such children, or at the very least accompany the film with a discussion about imagination and fiction.

Overall, it's a wonderful movie for kids of all ages. Enjoy!

TV Tuesday: Clash of the Titans

While Clash of the Titans has been in theaters for a while now, I think it's a good example of Hollywood's perennial fascination with Greek mythology. On the one hand, the movie is fairly true to the myth of Perseus and Andromeda (links contain artistic nudity). The acting is good, the language and conversation are appropriate and exhibit more intelligence than most big budget films. The special effects are spectacular, and the violence is less gory than most fantasy films.



On the other hand, all those blessings don't necessarily make for a child-friendly film. Most importantly, Greek myths are pretty graphic by their very nature. They are especially full of sexual impropriety and violence. While movie scripts can refer to these things delicately, they are still there, often because they are instrumental to the story being told.

The other problem is that ancient tales are often given modern morals in order to be "relevant" to a modern audience. In this case, the behavior of the Greek gods is explained through the concept that the gods needed the prayers and offerings of humans to survive--they needed humans more than humans needed them. This theme recasts the tale of Perseus as one of rebellion against the irrational tyranny of religion. While this might not be problematic for some viewers, religious viewers will probably object and should know about it in advance.

The other problem with this message is more relevant for parents of Aspies. Given the human foibles of the Greek gods, Clash of the Titans and its anti-religious message could easily be interpreted as anti-authority. Since children with AS often have difficulty accepting or understanding hierarchies that do not put them on top of the totem pole. Movies that further undermine the concept of authority are not helpful in teaching them such an important social skill.

Personally, I think that passing on the Greek myths is a very worth while pursuit. These stories tell incredible tales of adventure and heroism, while highlighting humanity's flaws and weaknesses. They capture the imagination and can teach valuable lessons at the same time. But I think these stories are best shared as they were originally meant to be: orally. If your child will stand for it, find a good children's retelling of the Greek myths and read aloud from it. If your child is old enough and interested, take turns reading. Here is one of my favorites:

Media Monday: Food for Thought

This week, I thought I'd direct you all to an interesting episode of Frontline, entitled "Digital Nation" (trailer below). It explores the growing worlds of the internet and virtual reality from a variety of perspectives, some positive, some critical, and explores a growing body of research regarding living in a digital world.



I'd love to hear what you think.

TV Tuesday: Iron Man II

Iron Man II is a fun, comic book romp that lives up to the expectations set by the first movie and by Marvel Comics in general. That said, it is not a children's movie, as has been the case for every Marvel Comics movie I have ever seen. It is an action flick. It is about special effects, movie stars, and big guns. And that's what we, the audience, want in this kind of movie.

But this kind of movie is not for children. I will say, though, that it could be a fun movie for teens, especially mature ones. There is little offensive language, no nudity, and no blood or gruesome violence. The female characters (especially Scarlett Johansson) do wear rather form fitting clothing, but aren't in every scene.

There you have it.

TV Tuesday: Bakugan (Anime, Part 2)

This week I decided to address the popularity of anime among kids on the spectrum. Yesterday, I discussed the serious difference between American expectations of animated entertainment and those of the Japanese. But that's all theoretical. This post is where the rubber meets the road.

While many anime shows are very popular among kids with AS (and popular among the general population of American youth), I chose to review Bakugan, which was the easiest for me to find on Youtube :P However, I have watched other popular anime and I think Bakugan is a pretty typical example of the genre as it is represented in America. The theme is a science fiction universe in which a group of children work with a group of beings (bakugan) to save Earth and the bakugan home world, both in the "real" world and in a virtual duelling environment. My personal opinion is that the plot is anemic and tries to compensate with the inclusion of an overly complicated setting, but that's not the point of this post.

I do not recommend this program for young children at all and urge extreme caution in showing Bakugan to children with AS, and all for reasons that can be applied to many anime programs.

• First, the characters (both humans and bakugan) exhibit extremely poor sportsmanship. They try to one up each other and are constantly vying for a fight.
• Second, both the music and dialogue create a very high stress environment for the story. The characters treat each event as being of the utmost importance.
• Third, in part because the show was originally in Japanese and has to be dubbed in English, the dialogue is of a very poor quality, both in terms of content and of vocabulary.
• Fourth, the adults are bad guys.
• Fifth, good advice proceeds from bakugan, not from adults, not from one friend to another. Imagine a child looking for guidance from a Bionicle figurine.
• Sixth, the female characters, like so many in the anime world, are highly sexualized (both in shape and dress) and very ditzy.
• Finally, human characters exhibit very poor manners.

For children with social deficits, all of these things can be very alluring, but they set an extremely poor example. They do not need to see programs that glorify the very behaviors that make learning, relationships, and social hierarchies so complicated for them.

What do you think?

Media Monday: Anime

Anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comic books and graphic novels) are very popular among children with AS, but should be approached with caution. Most anime and manga use as themes many of the difficult and maladaptive behaviors with which children with social deficits struggle, among them:

• lack of discipline


• difficulty prioritizing (everything is a crisis)


• good sportsmanship


• confrontational behavior


• being in a social hierarchy where they are not in charge


• an innapropriate approach to sexuality (especially for girls)


• overly simplistic vocabulary and verbal interactions (for teenagers)
  
  

Part of the reason that all of the above are a problem is that a significant culture gap exists between the intent of the Japanese animators and the perceptions of American viewers. For a Japanese audience, anime is mostly adult programming and is viewed as satire. Japanese culture has many strict rules of behavior that are socially enforced (by American standards, at least), and the behavior of anime characters often involves the exact opposite of Japanese social mores. Japanese viewers (young and old) know this and are able to laugh at it.

Such is not necessarily the case for American viewers, especially the young ones. I have personally observed avid anime viewers with AS adopt the speech patterns and social behavior of their favorite anime program. It is not a good social habit and is, quite frankly, counterproductive to the teaching of social skills.

Children with AS often have difficulty reaching out of their own sphere. It can be difficult to empathise or interpret the intent and behavior of others, and very easy to assume that the world is out to get you (especially if you have prior experience of being bullied). Thus, prioritizing people, things, and activities can be very difficult; frustrations abound; competitive behavior can be taken to an extreme; and hierarchy can seem like mass persecution. Programs that treat the resulting poor behavior as normative can therefore be a very bad influence.

Since anime is largely intended for an adult (male) audience, the appearance and behavior of female characters is often highly sexual. A ridiculously exaggerated figure is a normal appearance, as is idiotic behavior. For the AS child (especially teens), the abundance of sexual imagery in American culture can send a lot of mixed messages that don't need to be compounded by unhealthy stereotypes. And girls on the spectrum are often easily drawn in to a highly sexualized image of female behavior, both because it gives them a false sense of popularity and because it allows them to manipulate men (or feel that they are doing so). Female aspies can also be easily seduced by the apparent social acceptability of ditsy behavior, an image promoted by many female anime characters.

Most importantly, though, is the innately adult intent of Japanese animation. Japanese people of all ages watch anime and read manga, and some forms of anime can be very serious (dramatic) or sexually explicit (even pornographic). Entering the world of anime puts one in very close proximity to extremely adult content. In fact, by doing an image search for "anime" two images on the first page of search results were distinctly x-rated. While these things are generally inappropriate for children and teens, they are especially complicated for children and teens on the spectrum who may not fully understand the implications and consequences of sexual behavior.

Overall, I think that Japanese animation must be approached with extreme caution, bearing in mind the cultural context of the imagery itself, the maturity of the viewer, and how confident the parent is of his ability to discuss any resulting issues with his child.

TV Tuesday: The Clone Wars

The Clone Wars is a cartoon series, currently in its second season, aired on Cartoon Network. It is a computer animated account of the Star Wars saga during the period between movies 2 and 3. Obviously, the primary target audience consists of Star Wars fans, but it is marketed to (and in some ways written for) children as well.

I think this series is a good one for teens, although younger people could watch it too with parental supervision and input, depending on family values, of course. For the most part, the stories are well developed, but easy to follow, with some being more mature and others less to appeal to the broadest audience.

I like that, while each 30-minute episode contains a complete plot, they are all part of a larger story leading to an ultimate resolution. They also explain different things and characters found in the movies but left undeveloped. This kind of detail can be hard to find in modern entertainment. The series also explores a lot of political and philosophical ideas through its setting. For example, many episodes involve conflict between soldiers and pacifists, forcing an examination of the motives of each group and the breadth of their principles (Should a pacifist engage in violent behavior for self-defense?).

However, the show is naturally a violent one--it tells the story of a war, after all. While it does depict a certain amount of torture when characters are captured, there is never any depiction of blood. Also, female characters are generally depicted in a very sexual manner, regardless of their role in the story. Their clothes are often tight or revealing, their body shape is exaggerated, and they move in a seductive manner. While female characters are also often intelligent, strong, and powerful (featured as heroes, villains, soldiers, civilians, and politicians), they are clearly visually designed to appeal to a particular audience.

Overall, The Clone Wars is an engaging and amusing show with plenty to engage adults and children alike. However, I do not think it is appropriate for young children.

TV Tuesday...ahem, Wednesday: How to Train Your Dragon

Sorry for the delay! I forgot it was Tuesday yesterday =P

This week, we watched the latest from Dreamworks: How to Train Your Dragon, an animated tale of a young Viking misfit who forms an unlikely relationship with his people's worst enemy.

It's a charming film. Our hero, Hiccup, is a geek. He does not fit in with the other Vikings physically, intellectually, or any other way, but desperately wishes to attain greatness and recognition from his community. As a teenage boy, he would also like a little recognition from his female classmate, Astrid. But all that changes when he tames and makes friends with a dragon (these Vikings hunt dragons, because the dragons pillage Viking villages and flocks). Over the course of the movie, Hiccup not only proves himself a loyal and brave friend, but sticks to his principles, stands up for a worthy cause, exercises diplomacy, and protects the innocent.

More importantly, though, Hiccup shares much in common with many Aspies. He doesn't fit in with his peers, and doesn't know how, even though he would like to. He has lofty goals that seem ridiculous to everyone else, but lead him down strange paths to unexpected goals and interests. He has excellent analytical skills, and, when given a good context, can apply them well.

Overall, How to Train Your Dragon is an excellent film.

There is some mild use of profanity and a few jokes thrown in to amuse parents, so use your own judgment in taking younger children. Other than that, I recommend seeing it with no reservations.

TV Tuesday: Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton's recent reformulation of Lewis Carroll's classic tale of girl who falls down the rabbit hole has been a box office success to say the least. The dialogue is clever and the sets, graphics, and costumes are as lush and vivid as we have come to expect of Burton's work. In short, it's a beautiful movie.

But, it is not the book. Disney's prior version (1951) of the story is far closer to the original work. Burton's retelling is supposed to take place more than a decade after Alice's original adventure in Wonderland, and is more a modern epic movie than a sequel, but uses Carroll's characters too great advantage.

This movie is not for very young children, however. It is a Tim Burton film, and like most of his work, has a somewhat disturbed quality that includes some rather creepy imagery (a field of disembodied heads, for example). And Alice spends a great deal of time having difficulty with her clothing.

It is definitely worth seeing, but the book is also definitely worth reading.

Media Monday-Safe Screen Time

Digital media are ubiquitous in today's society. They are a source of entertainment, of information, and of vice. Kids need to be (and most are) proficient in them for their future livelihoods and social awareness, and schools increasingly expect children to do research through the Internet.

Parents naturally pay attention to the negative things that can be found on digital media, ranging from inappropriate content on the afternoon soap operas, to pedophiles lurking on Internet chat rooms, to violent material in video games, to hateful speech in popular music. But while we focus instinctively on the dangers to a child's mind and development, we ignore physiology.

Safe screen time requires good posture, frequent breaks, and exercises to prevent injury in addition to parental supervision and controls.

• Make sure that your child's seat and desk are of an appropriate size and shape to discourage slouching. It used to be that slumped shoulders were a sign of age, but they are increasingly a sign of frequent computer use.

• Frequent breaks are necessary, not only for the sake of posture, but for good circulation and vision. The nature of digital screens discourage sufficiently frequent blinking, leading to dry eyes, so have your child take breaks and look at other things (this link has many useful suggestions). Since shiny surfaces found indoors can compound computer eye strain, encourage your child to go outside at least daily.

• Any activity that involves sitting for long periods of time should be interrupted hourly to maintain proper blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Occasionally tensing and releasing the leg muscles can also help maintain proper circulation.

• Encourage your child to stretch frequently, especially his hands and arms, to prevent repetitive stress injuries, which are painful, debilitating, and expensive to treat. Simply wearing wrist cuffs or fingerless gloves can provide sufficient support and increase blood circulation through warmth to head off carpal tunnel syndrome.

These are all important habits and adjustments that too few of us think about. The best way to lead is by example. While it's a lot to instill in your child, try one at a time and gradual improvement. Forming good habits at an early age can save money, improve life quality, and will last a lifetime.

TV Tuesday: Handy Manny

I've written so much about shows for adolescents I think it's about time to post something for younger children.

Handy Manny is a Disney Cartoon, targeting preschoolers, about a young man who, with the aide of his trusty tool friends, goes around his town helping his friends, family, and neighbors. At first blush, I was skeptical of this program because it reinforces the stereotype associating physical labor (especially construction work) with Mexicans immigrants. However, having watched a few episodes, I heartily approve of this show.

While Manny and some of his tools do have Spanish accents, many of the secondary characters in the show do as well. The show does not reinforce a stereotype, it portrays a culturally diverse town. Considering the current make-up of America's population (especially in urban areas), the show is accurate. Since part of the purpose of the show is to teach a few words of Spanish, the diversity makes a lot of sense. I also like that the show's main character is male, since most preschool boys I've met would not be interested in watching a show starring a girl (Dora the Explorer).

As for Manny's occupation, I think he promotes behavior and knowledge that need to be more popular in general. It's a good idea to know how to be self-sufficient, to be able to fix things, to be active in your community, and to be eager to help. Most young children want to be able to do all of those things, but that desire needs to be nurtured with knowledge.

I really like that Manny and his friends are very polite characters, and in ways that seem to have gone by the wayside in many parts of the country. They say "Mr." and "Mrs." and "Please" and "Thank You." They make a point of knowing their neighbors. And like I said above, I really like that Manny knows how to do things for himself and is eager to help people. Moreover, the people he helps are grateful for the help, value his work, and also try to do things for themselves.

My only reservation about Handy Manny is that transactions at the hardware store do not include Manny paying for anything. While some might say that such a detail is too complex for the preschool set, I think it is important for young children to see that from very early and have the monetary value of objects ingrained young. But of all things, I think that is a very small complaint.

I really feel good about this show, and highly recommend it for young children. Any kid who is willing to watch it should not be discouraged from it.

TV Tuesday: iCarly

iCarly is a popular Nickelodeon sitcom about a high school student and two of her friends who start an Internet show. In the series, the characters explore a lot of social difficulties that teens encounter among their peers and with the adults in their lives.

One of the things I like about iCarly is that actions have consequences. When someone does something inappropriate or stupid, bad things happen. And what's more important for our Aspies to see is that there are negative consequences when Carly's actions are misunderstood. She has to solve the confusion and communicate it in order for her relationship with the other person involved to be healed.

Another thing I like about iCarly is the presence of adults in the series. There are adults who are authority figures (both good and bad) and adults who are friends. Not all of them are stupid. While Carly's parents are absent (her father is stationed overseas and her mother doesn't seem to be in the picture), she has a close relationship with her older brother who acts as her guardian. In many respects, Carly's brother is just as immature as his sister and her friends, but his behavior generally reflects that of young American men (unfortunately, in my opinion). It's also acknowledged in the show that he is quirky. He is, after all, an artist. However, Carly does respect that she has to ask his permission to do things. And he voices concerns about money and makes sure he and his sister eat dinner together as a family.

Because Carly's show airs on the Internet, Carly also has to navigate the consequences of putting content where the entire world can see it. In the pilot episode, Carly makes fun of one of her teachers online and the teacher sees the footage. Carly then has to bear the consequences to that relationship. In another episode, a tech-savvy peer uses audio editing software to pick a fight between Carly and another girl. The point is frequently visited that when you publish something, you can't take it back, and people can manipulate what you published.

While there are some aspects of the characters' behavior with which I disagree, I think iCarly is a good show overall for kids middle school aged and up. As always, I recommend that parents view for themselves before showing it to their kids, watch the show with their kids, and discuss the behaviors and plot devices portrayed. Whenever possible, I also recommend that the show be watched online or after being DVR'd so that advertising may be avoided and parents can pause the show to discuss it in real time.

TV Tuesday: Wizards of Waverly Place

Wizards of Waverly Place is an award-winning Disney sitcom about the life of three siblings. In it, the father is a wizard who had to give up his powers in order to marry a mortal, but continues to teach wizardry to his children. When all three children have reached the age of 18, they will compete with each other in a magical contest, and the winner will become that generation's family wizard, while the other two siblings will lose their powers. In the show, the children frequently use magic and have to navigate the challenges and pitfalls of life as a wizard-in-training, but also have to navigate life among mortals, especially in school and working in their parents' sandwich shop.

I personally think the premise is an interesting one, especially since it creates a purpose behind any sibling rivalry that arises.

Wizards is a pretty typical example of Disney Channel sitcoms. It uses fairly low-budget sets, and the acting is pretty stilted, both of which can be construed as good or bad for the Aspie audience. On the one hand, poor quality is poor quality; but on the other, it can help establish for the Aspie child a firmer grasp of the difference between fiction and nonfiction. It is easy for parents to find examples of how the show does not mirror one's experience of reality.

Unfortunately, as with many children's sitcoms, there is no "straight man." Most sitcoms overall have one or more characters who anchor the show. They often have humorous lines, but stay away from slapstick comedy or humor based on ill-conceived plans and actions. The more physically comedic characters are thus enhanced by the contrast. This dynamic also allows for occasional episodes that portray the goofy characters in a more serious light, while the more serious character embarks on some misadventure. And the resulting depth of character lends itself to plots that stretch over multiple episodes.

With Wizards, no character has the intellectual upper hand. They are all shallow, flat characters. Since stupid behavior is the basis of the show, consequences for that kind of behavior have to be limited. In one episode, for example, it comes to light that the daughter (middle child) is 14 assignments behind in school and has to take a science class during spring break. Meanwhile, her older brother wins an essay contest, landing him and his siblings a teens-only cruise. At first, the parents insist that their daughter stay behind and miss the cruise as a punishment for not doing homework. But on learning that the cruise includes a marine biology course, they allow her to go. In the absence of any adult supervision on the cruise, the daughter naturally talks a friend into taking the class for her so she can enjoy the cruise to the fullest. In the end, she is found out, but there is no consequence for her betraying her parents' trust.

The older brother (who won the contest) is supposed to be "the smart one," but he behaves just as stupidly as the other two children, just without getting confused about concepts or words. Meanwhile, the youngest ("the stupid one"), whom I suppose to be about 13 appears to be functioning several years behind his grade level (I'd say his vocabulary and the topics about which he gets confused place him at about the 4th grade level). No one seems to think the youngest's lack of ability is a cause of concern. Indeed, the intelligence of the eldest is portrayed as an anomaly.

The parents are hardly an improvement over the children. They openly show their confusion in matters of parenting, and do not present an authoritative or united front to their children. Basically, they are older versions of their kids.

I know this sounds like a really bad review, and you're probably getting tired of my recommending against shows here. Honestly, I don't like the show at all. I found it boring, predictable, and generally insipid. However, I think it does have a use for our Aspies. If parents watch the show with their children, they can use it as a social learning tool. All of the acting is exaggerated, and the misbehaviors are very obvious, making it perfect for pointing out problems to Aspies.

I recommend recording Wizards on DVR. Watch the show with your child, pause it when someone chooses a bad behavior, and ask your child about it. Discuss what appropriate alternate behaviors would be and what the realistic consequences would be to the poor decisions made by the characters. So many shows that can be used for such teaching today deal with more difficult topics than avoiding homework or lying to friends. There's no reason to teach responsible behavior through extremities. Our kids need to learn about integrity in everyday life. It's just as important as staying away from drugs and gangs.

TV Tuesday...ahem, Wednesday: SpongeBob

Today's review is probably more for parents of younger children, rather than for parents of teens.

SpongeBob SquarePants, as most of you probably know is an incredibly popular, long-running, award winning cartoon series on Nickelodeon. Entering its eighth season, SpongeBob will celebrate his tenth anniversary in July. If TV Tuesday reviews were based on accolades, SpongeBob would receive a glowing review. Its tv.com rating is the third highest for any Nickelodeon program, behind Avatar: The Last Airbender (reviewed here) and The Fairly OddParents.

Our Aspies, though, need inspiration, and they glean it from any source available. They mimic what they see on television, in games, on the playground, and in the classroom. When positive examples are few and far between, they pick up on the negative ones. It's easy for them to get stuck in a rut, too comfortable with the status quo and too uncomfortable with the concept of change to exhibit meaningful ambition. SpongeBob and his friends encourage such stagnation.

SpongeBob is portrayed as an adult who exhibits very childlike tendencies. He works at his local hamburger joint and attends classes at the local community college. On the bright side, he is a loyal friend and passionate about his work. However, he shows no ambition towards greater things. He is content flipping burgers. For most of us, working in fast food is seen as a stepping stone, a job that bides the time until one has the skills or knowledge to achieve better employment. For SpongeBob, there is no such desire. Moreover, the characters who do exhibit ambition and who have made achievements are generally not people SpongeBob likes or who like SpongeBob. More importantly, they themselves are not likable.

So many parents of my acquaintance have complained that education and medical professionals alike will focus on a child's challenges to the point of ignoring strengths. They see no problem with the typically Aspie aversion to change and resulting lack of ambition, and they even encourage parents to adopt such traits in their expectations of their children. I've met mothers who have been absolutely crushed at being told by a psychologist that they should not expect their child ever to "leave the nest," or in reference to hopes for college being told that there are plenty of community college vocational programs, but not even to think about university. And, left to their own devices, many Aspie children would probably be happy to go along with such discouraging statements.

What does that have to do with SpongeBob? He embodies all of those negative messages, and tells his viewers that such a lifestyle is acceptable and desirable. While our Aspies struggle with interpersonal communication, and often academic subjects in which they have no interest, they also tend to exhibit real talent in one or two interests. Those interests can usually be nurtured towards valuable knowledge and skills that are marketable in the white collar workforce. Moreover, most of these kids do not have the social skills, patience, and sensory tolerance necessary to thrive in a blue collar environment.

I encourage parents to use extreme caution when including SpongeBob in their children's viewing. It may have a catchy theme song and humor your child (and perhaps you) find delightful, but it sends a very strong message that is counterproductive among those with social deficits.

TV Tuesday: Avatar (the movie, not the show)

Avatar seems to be everywhere these days. It's the season's blockbuster film. I'd guess that most of the people who were planning to see it have seen it already, but I'm going to post this review anyway.

I do not recommend it for children on the spectrum.

Let me qualify that statement by saying that I didn't really like the movie in the first place, so if you saw it and thought it was a fabulous movie, some of my reasons for not recommending it might not ring true for you. Warning: Spoiler alert!

• The storyline is not well developed. For example, humans want to mine on this alien planet for a valuable ore, but the audience never learns the use of the ore that makes it so valuable.
• Likewise, the dialogue is pretty anemic. For much of the film, characters' lines seem taken straight from video games. In my mind, this characteristic of the film further detaches the dialogue from the largely CGI environment. It also limits the degree to which any of the characters can take on any dimensionality. Which leads me to my next point.
• The characters are not well-developed. The bad guys have a goal, and that's all there is to them--no thought, no reason, no conscience, no back story. Our hero stands out because he is placed in extraordinary circumstances that make him do his own decision-making, but his motives and decisions are largely reactionary, rather than considered and logical.
• One of the primary messages of the movie seems to be that humans are fundamentally bad. Of the aliens, only one is not good, and he is redeemed in the end--no such luck for the human bad guys. Of the few humans who side with the aliens, only our hero survives, and he gets transplanted into an alien body. I think this is an especially bad theme for our Aspies, who often struggle with feelings of not belonging and worthlessness. If they had to judge from this story, the only way for a person to become worth while and productive is to become something other than human.
• Humans interact with the aliens through a kind of virtual reality device. By plugging into the device, they activate their "avatars"--alien bodies--which allow them to walk among the aliens. Since it is very easy for children on the spectrum to become wrapped up in gaming (as can be seen by adults who experience their entire social life through online RPGs), I do not think it is helpful for them to see a movie that glorifies that behavior as a viable lifestyle.
• There are four strong female characters in the film. Of them, two are human and two alien. Both the human women die. One of the alien women is a fairly incidental character (the tribe's medicine woman).
• I think that the insertion of a sexual relationship between the two main characters was unnecessary. But even if it had to be included, there ought to be consequences for such an obviously illicit choice (the man is human, and the woman is a high-ranking member of the alien culture engaged to someone else). At the very least, there should have been some context for the role of physical relationships in the alien society.
• While the plot is not well-developed, it is very broad. The viewer has to track both the hero's learning of and growing attachment to the alien tribe, not to mention all of the novelties of the alien planet, and the progression of the humans towards the climactic conflict.
• The climactic conflict (which is quite lengthy) is utterly illogical. The decision is taken for the aliens to stay and defend their home with spears and arrows against invading humans, armed with military aircraft. Through a miracle, apparently wrought by the "ancestors," the aliens win the battle.
• I personally found the "happily ever after" ending unsatisfactory. Even if we allow the miracle of the alien victory over the human invaders, it ought to have been a costly victory. Inserting an ending in which there are no negative ramifications to the preceding story made no sense.

While the last two points have more to do with literary preferences than anything else, I included them because it is important for our Aspies to be able to determine realistic expectations from unrealistic expectations, and this film does not work to that end.

Overall, the film is obviously a metaphor for the interactions between Westerners and indigenous peoples around the world, especially those in the Americas. These conflicts are important to know about. It is also important, in this technological age, for our children to be aware that cultures that use ancient wisdoms are valuable, to be respected, and to be learned from. However, I think this movie was too much about action scenes and CGI to communicate that as clearly as it could.

If you want to show your child fictional films about those topics, I recommend Medicine Man (tragic) and The The Gods Must Be Crazy (comic). There are also numerous documentaries and books about many indigenous cultures, non-Western belief systems, and interactions between Western powers and indigenous peoples.

Television Tuesday: The News

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(not for young viewers)

As children get older, it is important for them to become aware of world events. And watching the news can be a good way for them to learn how our government system actually works when they learn about the theory of it in history class. Moreover, we parents may want to watch the news in the evening, before the kids go to bed. How can we make sure this exposure is positive?

First, I think it is important for children to become aware of the fact that bad things do happen. I’ve personally know people who were sheltered from the realities of natural disasters, war, and even the nature of death throughout their childhood. When they finally learned about these things as teens, the shock was pretty traumatic. As long as parents are open about explaining things, answering questions, and allaying fears, learning about the bad things in life early makes for a stronger better-balanced individual.

That said, the news today exhibits many negative traits in pursuit of higher ratings. While we want our children to be educated and informed, it can be difficult to balance that with the poor behavior and sexual innuendo constantly pummeling the airwaves! So here are some tips:

• Find news outlets that make a clear distinction between reporting and editorializing.


• When news commentators start behaving inappropriately (yelling, interrupting each other, being insulting) turn off the tv for a little while and explain to your child that the adults on the show were not behaving properly.


• If possible, find a way to view or listen to the news without commercials. At the very least, try to DVR the show so you can fast forward through the ads. Many highly sexualized ads run during popular news shows (Viagra, Levitra, Trojan). News shows that advertise also make a point of sensationalizing in their commercials.


• Avoid shows that focus on celebrity gossip and sex scandals. It’s important for children (especially Aspies) to learn to prioritize properly. Seeing Tiger Woods’ marital problems alongside the Haitian earthquake aftermath doesn’t help.


• When a reporter steps outside their purview, stating an opinion during his report, point it out. With older children, ask if they noticed it.


• Subscribe to the paper or read it at the library. Find a newspaper you like, and have your child look through the front section on a regular basis. Then have them tell you about an article they read. Older children should also look at the business section.
  

My recommendations for news shows include:

• The Newshour with Jim Lehrer on PBS (no ads, clear reporting with an obvious distinction between fact and opinion, reporters and commentators are generally polite on the show, avoids scandals and gossip, reporters are appropriately dressed)


• BBC Radio (clear reporting, few ads, includes stories on science and historical finds, reporters and commentators are generally polite)


• The Nightly Business Report on PBS (I recommend this show for older children learning about the economy. NBR gives clear explanations of the market and relates the business news to the headlines when appropriate. No ads, reporters are appropriately dressed)


• The Wall Street Journal (solid news reporting without sensationalizing, editorials tend to be pretty well-thought out, too)


• News stations on MSN Radio (While MSN Radio includes many standard news stations, such as Fox and CNN, the advertising is minimal. I do caution, though, that many of the commentators can be pretty rude on these shows, and they talk about scandals and gossip a lot, so choose carefully)


• The Economist (in depth reports and editorials. This is for older kids who have the attention span for it)


• Science News For Kids

TV Tuesday: "Avatar: The Last Airbender"

For Television Tuesday’s first review I thought I’d start on a positive note. I highly recommend the Nickelodeon series Avatar The Last Airbender. It follows the story of a diverse group of children as they solve a major conflict in their world.

The main character (the Avatar) is a child whose station resembles that of the Dalai Lama. In this alternate world people are divided into four nations: earth, water, air, and fire. Within each nation are normal humans who possess no special powers and people who are able to manipulate the element for which their nation is named. The Avatar, while born an “airbender” must master each of the other elements in order to fulfill his office. Throughout the story, the audience encounters people from each nation and with many levels of ability.

Why do I think this is a good program?

• First of all, each character is distinct and three-dimensional.
  
• Second, all the main and secondary characters are well-developed and have to undergo some form of growth or transformation over the course of the story. The interactions between the characters are realistic in that they involve good morals and portray the process of conflict and responsible resolution.
  
• Third, while the show does portray violence, it is shown within the context of a just conflict, is not graphic, and does involve real consequences. For example, one character bears a facial scar, which we later learn was received when the character was being assaulted years before.
  
• Fourth, the line between the “good guys” and “bad guys” is distinct, although all the characters do have flaws and inner conflicts. And the “bad guys” are not bad simply as a matter of course. The series does ultimately explain how each group ended up the way they did.
  
• Finally, while adult authorities do not occupy any of the primary roles in the show, they are present. They serve as guides to be respected and obeyed in many instances, but are also shown as flawed, eccentric, or even bad—just like the youthful characters are. In the cases in which adults are bad guys, subordinate children struggle with their desire to obey and please the adult authority and the desire to do the right thing. In cases where parents are overly protective, resentful children ultimately appreciate their parents’ intent. The Avatar, whose parents are not present, openly misses his parents, as do the children of a man who is serving in his nation’s military.

While each episode contains a complete story or half of a two part story, all of the episodes work together to create an overarching story that has depth and nuance. And while the stories and characters are complex, they are not vague. I recommend using each episode as the launching point for a conversation about the social or moral lessons portrayed therein. As the overall feeling and appearance of the show is inspired by Far Eastern cultures, it could be used as inspiration for exploring Chinese and Indian philosophies. The show is also complex enough to be enjoyed by many age groups, including adults.

Join us next week for another TV Tuesday!

Television Tuesday: Inaugural Edition

In keeping with yesterday’s theme of promoting parental involvement, education, and general thoughtfulness with regard to their children’s exposure to mass media, Tuesdays here are going to be Television Tuesdays. Don’t be fooled by the name, Tuesdays won’t be solely about that box in your living room! Tuesdays are going to host a weekly review of some specific movie, video game, computer game, or, yes, television show. Reviews will involve our opinion of the overall quality of the item in question. Yes, we will cover violence, sexual content, and language, but we will also examine the overall themes of the show or game, both for age appropriateness and for morals.

Basically, these are the questions we will try to answer based on our examination:

What age group is this being marketed to and is the content appropriate for that age group? If not, why? Is it appropriate for a different age group?

Can this be used as an object lesson to teach good behavior or social skills beyond “don’t behave like these people”?

Is the story/theme easy to follow?

Is it easy to distinguish good guys from bad guys?

Would I want my child to emulate the good guys?

What is the role of authority figures (parents, police, etc.)?

Does this promote stereotypes about any specific groups of people? If so, are they good or bad stereotypes?

Obviously, these answers are just a matter of opinion, but hopefully, our opinions will lead you to form your own opinions.

We will also consider specifics about the positives and negatives of the show being reviewed. For example, not all violent content is the same. I, personally, would be more willing for my child to view violence that is portrayed somewhat realistically (people actually get hurt and don’t like it), has an explicit purpose, and as a negative thing overall. This is as opposed to more fictional portrayals of violence, in which nobody actually gets hurt from it (Lethal Weapon movies come to mind) or in which the violence has no purpose or redeeming value (the Saw franchise, for example). And, just as with yesterday, I welcome audience participation, and would absolutely LOVE to see discussion of the weekly topic over on the Facebook page. Please direct review requests to us in the comments or via email.

In the mean time, I will leave you with a useful link: Kids In Mind. This website provides parents with detailed reviews of current movies and shows.