Media Monday: Take it for a Test Drive

Almost two years ago now, my husband's sister and her children stayed with us for a couple of months. While they were with us, we made a point of renting fun movies and video games from our local movie rental for the kids.

One week we rented a car racing game for my nephew. It seemed innocent enough. It was rated "E" and stored in the children's section of the video game area. My nephew loved it. But that week, we noticed that his behavior seriously went downhill. He became more aggressive and argumentative, both with his sisters and with the adults. He became destructive. And his outdoor play centered on crashing the remote control car we bought him. We found ourselves wondering what happened to the sweet, responsible, curious boy we all knew.

Then we remembered that the change occurred around the same time that he started playing this game. We started paying attention during his game play time. It soon became apparent that the game encouraged the player to crash rather than try to win the race. The graphics for crashing were high-tech (like something out of an action movie), slow motion, and generally really cool. When you won the race? Not so impressive. There was a banner and some low quality fireworks graphics. Crashing was far more fun.

We returned the game at the end of the week rather than giving it the full two we had paid for. We replaced the game with something from the Mario franchise (I don't remember which one at this point). My nephew's behavior returned to normal within a couple of days.

This incident was a fascinating example of how digital media use can effect behavior. And the example was in real time. But the real lesson for us had more to do with our purchasing behavior. We learned that just because a game is approved for a certain group doesn't mean it's an appropriate game. There are just some things that rating systems can't account for.

The fact that the racing game was a rental was a godsend. For us, the real lesson was to rent before we buy. We won't buy a game until we know that it's a good one for us. I highly recommend making your local video rental store your friend when it comes to video games.

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!

Media Monday (umm...Tuesday?): Attention Span

I recently found this article from USA Today's website. Granted, it was published in 2005 and a lot of research has been done since then, but I think the article is interesting nonetheless. The article examines attention span and its relationship to digital media exposure in a rather shallow review of a study on the topic. The research in question found that lower grades in school were inversely correlated to video game play time, but that exposure to television and computer use bore no correlation. It also found that time spent reading books was correlated to grades in school.

However, the article focuses on a complaint common among modern parents and teachers that kids just can't sit still like they used to. In addition to diagnoses of learning disabilities, social deficits, and ADHD going through the roof in frequency, "neuro-typical" kids are increasingly unable to sit still or concentrate on one thing at a time. They don't know how to tune out extraneous stimuli, and they don't have the patience to work through challenging activities.

Personally, I think that focusing so much on the use (and overuse) of high-tech devices as an explanation for these problems is kind of like blaming obesity in America entirely on the popularity of ice cream--the consumption of vast quantities of ice cream doesn't help, but it's not the sole cause of the problem. American culture increasingly demands multi-tasking and inattentiveness of all its citizenry, not just the kids. I've worked in retail, and I've seen customers unable to focus on making purchasing decisions for more than a couple minutes without taking a break to regroup. I've also driven on American roadways and seen multi-tasking there!

But it's not just that. In modern American family life, where exactly are kids supposed to pick up the ability to focus on one thing at a time and sit still? Is it when they're doing homework and eating dinner in the back of the car en route from soccer to karate class? Or is it at home, during "family time," when dad is watching the game while talking on the phone and checking his email; mom is helping with homework, compiling the grocery list, and fixing a snack while also on the phone; and the kids are playing, eating, doing homework, and enjoying the game with dad? Perhaps it's at school. Nope, not there either. At school, they have to do their own portion of work while coordinating team activities, listen and respond to the teacher, ignore the sounds of some other class in PE outside, and secretly chat with friends about last night's episode of their favorite show.

Now that I think of it, it's no wonder these kids spend so much time glued to some kind of screen during their down time. How else can they assimilate all the information being thrown at them? Sleep doesn't provide enough time for it.

I'll admit that the way video/computer games and television shows/movies are formatted doesn't help. There's plenty of evidence of that. But often, when we see something in others that we find disagreeable, it's actually a reflection of our own behavior or character that we dislike. I suspect most Americans would be happier if we could slow down a little and do a little more focusing and a little less multi-tasking, but it's hard to break the habit, especially when the realities of life so often demand it.

Dear readers, please understand that this article is not to accuse anyone of bad parenting or make any parent feel bad for the life they lead. I know I personally spend way too much time glued to the computer or trying to do too many things at once, so I can hardly blame anyone else for doing the same. What I am saying is that many of the problems that plague Aspies seem to be problems, albeit to a lesser degree, for the larger population--problems stemming from the need to adapt to our own lifestyles. Perhaps it's time that we, as a country, reexamine those choices and decide which aspects of our lives really matter, and which aspects are superfluous or distracting.

TV Tuesday: Robin Hood

While it's fairly obvious to the casual observer that the new Robin Hood movie is not for children, I think it bears reviewing. Even though most people would not take a small child to it, it is tempting to share the classic story through the silver screen with teenagers.

Overall, I think this latest rendition is fairly well done. It strives for historical accuracy in its sets, costumes, and props and the acting is very good. Moreover, this film is a new twist on a familiar plot. Rather than simply telling the legend, Robin Hood tries to put a more realistic spin on the story by placing it in an historical context (the baron's revolt against King John Plantagenet), which I like, even if the context is watered down to be more palatable to a modern American audience.

That said, I don't think many teens would appreciate it, least of all those with short attention spans. The story does have plenty of action, but the plot involves a lot of political intrigue and detail for which most teens will not have patience. As a geek with a fascination for the Plantagenet dynasty (of which King John was one), I found the politics added a sense of authenticity to the story, but was overdone for the scope of the film. Even I wanted "less talk and more action" by the middle. In short: good movie, but leave the kids at home.

Urine Test for Autism?

Recent news stories about a urine test for autism caught my attention this week. Many studies have shown that individuals on the autism spectrum have difficulties with digestion. In many cases, although certainly not all, people on the spectrum tend to be very large or very thin. This tendency to cling to the extremes is curiously obvious at most Asperger social groups. Digestive "issues" are pervasive. Many aspies complain about these. I have noticed, for example, that under stress my stomach is easily upset and takes time to return to normal. Others can consume vast quantities of food without gaining a pound of weight for it. Yet others have difficulty losing weight despite diets and medicine. Aspies also tend to be picky eaters, betraying digestive sensitivity.

Researchers have homed in on these digestive problems and now believe they can detect autism, in some cases, with a urine test. Although it sounds ridiculous it just might work. No gene has been identified as "causing" autism and it has been noted that individuals on the autism spectrum almost always have a series of neurological and physical difficulties. The fact that these other problems accompany autism is to me a clue that there is more than one cause. It may be a series of genetic, environmental, and developmental causes that lead to autism. Whatever the case, the prospect of better diagnosis offers an opportunity to improve conditions for those on the spectrum. Perhaps children will not have to be terrorized in kindergarten, as I was, and spend many years suffering from symptoms of a condition they have never even heard of.

The availability of a detection method only underscores the growing need to spread neurodiversity and educate the general public about Asperger's and Autism.

~Isaac Kight, President

The Asperger Society

Asperger's and the Law

I have always been a strong advocate for neurodiversity. Far too many people have been mistreated due to their neurological condition. People with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) do know the difference between right and wrong, or can be taught, and cannot use their condition as an excuse. In the case of John Patrick Rogers of Huntington Beach, California, AS can neither explain nor defend his actions. This man has two convictions, to both which he plead guilty, of assault with a deadly weapon. He is terrorizing his neighbors, and he is now facing a third felony conviction. NA third strike felony conviction could mean a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

While the three strikes law has had the benefit of lowering crime, it also has some drawbacks. I personally oppose laws that remove discretion from juries because juries should have the right to determine how the law is applied, a power that for the last century has been usurped by judges. For a while judges were too lenient and more people fell victim to serious crimes by repeat offenders. This has led to a series of laws supported by victims advocates like the three strikes law. I can understand the reasons for these laws although on principal I do not support them.

I cannot see any reason why John Rogers should serve a life term. Such a sentence would be a serious miscarriage of justice. The most serious crime he has committed this time seems to be causing $400 worth of damage to a car and a long series of similar small incidents. In this news report we can see that the media is not favorable to neurodiversity:

1 While Asperger's Syndrome is reported as being a form of autism, the media continues to use the word autism afterward instead of Asperger's.

2 One man interviewed said that Rogers was "close to going over the edge." Over the edge of what? He seems to be implying that Rogers is somehow insane and will soon "lose it." This is a common problem, many people do not understand the difference between neurological challenges and mental challenges.

3 Toward the end of the report a second interviewee refers to mental issues. Again, Asperger's Syndrome is not a mental disorder, it is a neurological one. The reporters should have made some effort to clarify this point.

I do agree with the District Attorney that Rogers does know right from wrong. I disagree with his being prosecuted this way. Clearly he needs treatment and support to change his habits, but he does not need a 25 year jail sentence. Once again, Aspies find ourselves being punished for having AS.

Finally, I wonder if this story would have made the news if Mr. Rogers did not live in a gated community in an upscale part of southern California...

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: