Chris Packham's BBC show Inside Our Autistic Minds wins huge praise
Springwatch presenter Chris Packham's new documentary Inside Our Autistic Minds has received high praise for furthering understanding of the condition and giving people with autism the chance to share their stories in their own words.
Packham revealed that he was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome back in 2005, and has fronted multiple shows about autism since then.
This new documentary aired its first episode last week, and ahead of its second and final part airing tonight (February 21), the National Autistic Society has issued a statement commending him.
"We would like to congratulate our Ambassador, Chris Packham, on his brilliant and deeply moving BBC documentary Inside Our Autistic Minds, which shares the stories of four autistic people, Flo, Murray, Anton, Ethan and their families," the statement reads.
"We’ve received an overwhelming response on our social media channels from autistic people and their families who saw their experiences reflected in the programme, but also from viewers who have learned more about autism through watching it.
"This is why autistic representation on our TV screens is so important to increase understanding of autism.
"Almost everyone has heard of autism now, but too few people appreciate what it’s like to be autistic, both the different perspectives, passions and skills autistic people can have, and how hard life can be without the right support.
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"This is slowly changing as more people in the public eye, and from a range of backgrounds, talk openly about being autistic and as representation continues to improve, including through documentaries like Inside Our Autistic Minds.
"Better public understanding of autism across society could transform hundreds of thousands of autistic people's lives."
Viewers were also full of praise for the first episode, which featured Ken Bruce's son Murray as one of the people whose stories we followed:
I have no voice but yearn to say so much - Very moved by Murray Bruce's plea to hear the words of those non-verbal people with autism. Chris Packham'a perfectly judged #InsideOurAutisticMinds pic.twitter.com/DCvPZNKfVB
— David Wright (@DWUnabridged) February 14, 2023
I was not prepared for tears on a train watching the remarkable #insideourautisticminds The care taken by the creative team to truly listen, create & represent such deep & complex feelings of Flo & Murray was exemplary. A beautiful doc that will have a huge impact @ChrisGPackham pic.twitter.com/5vSMBgm1Xz
— Rosie Stancliffe (@RosieStancliffe) February 19, 2023
What I took from a brilliant programme #insideourautisticminds #autisticandproud pic.twitter.com/JBD9B3IzSo
— Aston Avery (@avery_aston) February 16, 2023
Hearing the beauty, intelligence and poetry in Murray’s thoughts was a revelation. Thank you Murray and @RealKenBruce for sharing your family’s personal experiences. Such an important film that needs to be shown everywhere. @ChrisGPackham #insideourautisticminds #AutismAcceptance pic.twitter.com/s8wsEN7efY
— Anna Park (@Annagoge) February 15, 2023
Watched #InsideOurAutisticMinds and I have to say I really appreciated how Chris Packham responded to the neurotypical "hi, how are you?" with "I have a bad back". For the sake of us all, please can we just normalise honest responses.
— Beth Breeze (@BethBreezeEdu) February 15, 2023
#InsideOurAutisticMinds was an incredibly moving, heartfelt & honest insight into #autism. It offered powerful statistics. But crucially it also provided hope that by raising awareness & understanding, lives can be transformed. Thanks to @ChrisGPackham https://t.co/aUFv4x53Kg
— Rob Carnevale (@RobCarnevale) February 15, 2023
Why representation matters: Flo was the first time in almost 40 years I’ve ever seen anyone like me represented on TV and I ugly-cried for more time than was probably necessary. Outstanding. #InsideOurAutisticMinds
— Æ𝓱𝓷𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓝𝓓𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼 (@ankothtybi) February 14, 2023
WOW! Absolutely lost for words! #insideourautisticminds thank you so much to all the wonderful people who made this episode so amazing! 🤩 I am so excited for more people to watch this! 🙌🏻 Autistic women, girls and non speaking people- we hear you ♥️ pic.twitter.com/EUs3vCie1z
— Melissa Morris💚 (@MelissaMorris__) February 15, 2023
The second episode of Inside Our Autistic Minds, which will explore the topic of sensory overload, airs tonight on BBC Two at 9pm.
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