posted
To be specific, autistic symptoms relating to Aspergers'. You see, I suffer from Aspergers' Syndrome, which is a form of high-functioning autism. I often feel like I'm the only one with this disability. I then started wondering...
I'm an 80s fanatic. Maybe there are examples of 80s movie and TV characters who are autistic or have autism symptoms.
With the assistance of a list of common symptoms, I'm going to compile a list of 80s movie and TV characters who have Aspergers' traits, if not full Aspergers' Syndrome. Forgive me if a lot of my ideas seem far-fetched...It's just that there are very few real people I can think of who have what I do. This is a work-in-progress...I would appreciate some assistance from you guys.
----------------------- Symptom: Deficiency in social skills
Characters:
-Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) in "After Hours" -Tony Montana (Al Pacino) in "Scarface" (NOTE: One could argue that dropping the F-bomb every other word and constantly packing heavy weaponry could drive people away even if you weren't autistic) -George McFly (Crispin Glover) in "Back To The Future" -Arabella McGee (Kathleen Wilhoite) in "Murphy's Law" -Harry Stone (Harry Anderson) on "Night Court" -John Bender (Judd Nelson) in "The Breakfast Club" -Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy) in "The Breakfast Club" -Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) in "Working Girl" (Note: Why? Outside of Joan Cusack's Cyn, McGill has no real friends [most of the friends at her birthday party are probably Mick Dugan's friends, Dugan being played by Alec Baldwin] and Tess has to get plastered to get close to Jack Trainer [Harrison Ford]) -Miles Harding (Lenny Von Dohlen) in "Electric Dreams" -Eric Gibb (Jay Underwood) in "The Boy Who Could Fly" -Roz Russell (Marsha Warfield) on "Night Court" ----------------------- Symptom: Difficulties with transitions or changes/Preferring sameness
Characters:
-Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman) in "Rain Man" -Janis Zuckerman (Mary Gross) in "Feds" -Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck) in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (NOTE: I included Ruck's Frye because the character seemed resigned to and okay with a normal, dead-end life before Ferris took him on the joyride that he was afraid of)
-----------------------
Symptom: Obsessive routines/Preoccupation with a certain object of interest
Characters:
-Roberta Glass (Rosanna Arquette) in "Desperately Seeking Susan" (Obsession: The want ads) -Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) in "Lethal Weapon" (Obsession: Wanting to end it all) -Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) in "The Little Mermaid" (Obsession: Life on dry land) -Ted Striker (Robert Hays) in "Airplane!" (Preoccupation: His military past) -Sledge Hammer (David Rasche) on "Sledge Hammer!" (Obsession: His gun) -Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) in "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" (Obsession: His bike) -George Newman ("Weird" Al Yankovic) in "UHF" (Preoccupation: His daydreams) -Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (Preoccupation: His brother's murder) -Daryll Deever (William Hurt) in "Eyewitness" (His obsession: Sigourney Weaver's character Tony Sokolow) -Leo Getz (Joe Pesci) in "Lethal Weapon 2" (His obsession: The word "OK") (Thanks to Isis)
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Symptom: Difficulty reading non-verbal cues and determining proper body space
Characters:
-Farmer Ted/"The Geek" (Anthony Michael Hall) in "16 Candles" -Dan Fielding (John Laroquette) on "Night Court"
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Symptom: Overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells and sights
Characters:
-Anna Zimmerman (Martha Byrne) in "Anna To The Infinite Power"
To be continued, but before I go, I got my Aspergers' information from O.A.S.I.S, which stands for Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support.
Sincerely,
John Kilduff...The Rock Steady Flamethrower
[ 22. November 2004, 22:17: Message edited by: rocksteadyflamethrower ]
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posted
In the 80's TV show "St. Elsewhere", Dr. Westphall has a son or relative who has autism. I didn't regularly see the show that often, but I once happened to catch an episode where there was a slight reference to it.
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posted
I was too young to see the show, but cultural osmosis has sort of hepped me to it. I would've included Westphall's kid, but I haven't seen enough episodes of the show, nor do I know the name of his character.
Sincerely,
John Kilduff...The Rock Steady Flamethrower
Posts: 1545 | From: Greenwood Lake, New York, USA | Registered: Jul 2002 | Site Updates: 0
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posted
John-Honestly I believe a ton of people on here semi suffer from some of those symptoms, as do alot of real life people. Everyone gets social anxiety at different times, maybe not so bad as others.
I am very obsessive/compulsive-not like Jack Nicholson in As Good as it Gets, with the flicking the light switches, and washing the hands and throwing the bar of soap out, or taking silverware to restaurants.
But, I am very much a neat fanatic, I can't stand it if someone else attempts to make my beds-just ask Muffy, I don't go crazy or nothing, I just like things done a certain way. I got rid of any kind of rugs that had fringe on them, because if the fringe was all messed up, it would drive me crazy, not to the point of not functioning, but just little things would irk me.
But, I know people that are obsessive, like they continuously have to check their answering machine to see if anyone called them, I know someone who hords everything. I think it is so common any more.
I really don't believe there is such a thing as being "normal", everyone has had things happen to them in their life time that has made them become the person they are, and alot of the things people do they aren't aware of it. I think when you at least have a grasp on the fact you have some "issues" your doing better than most people.
And your right about alot of those characters.
What about Leo Getz from Lethal Weapon, what was his deal-ok ok ok??
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posted
There have been many famous people who are now being considered as Aspergers' sufferers -- Einstein, Bill Gates, to mention a few. I am very close to a 12-year-old boy who has it...he's totally obsessed with Star Wars but lacks to ability to carry on a conversation with you about your interests...very isolating indeed.
I always thought I just had an amazing memory for useless-though-sometimes-useful information...maybe I'm OCD in my own way.
OTOH there are few people who don't have a degree of social neurosis...dealing with other people is the hardest thing about daily life...it's the coping strategies you have in place that help you get thru this crazy thing called LIFE.
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The Wizard
The 80s Hero you've been holding out for....
Member # 533
posted
quote:Originally posted by rocksteadyflamethrower: You see, I suffer from Aspergers' Syndrome, which is a form of high-functioning autism. I often feel like I'm the only one with this disability.
Join the club! seriously, I have Aspergers Syndrome too.
Oh and another one for your list:
Jimmy Woods (Luke Edwards) as the Autistic games wizard in "The Wizard".
Posts: 1334 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2002 | Site Updates: 0
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The Wizard
The 80s Hero you've been holding out for....
Member # 533
posted
Just remembered a couple more for your list:
Malcom Hughes (Colin Friels) in the film "Malcolm", shy, doesn't know how to socialise, is an amazing inventor. Pete Menzies (Stephen Kearney) in the film "Rikky and Pete", another film by the same people who did Malcolm, the character is another amazing inventor, sociable but doesn't really comprehend the consequences of his actions, especially when he plays tricks on the police
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