Autism, Children and Society - Ben X Review

 

     Ben X (2007), from its very beginning to its resolution, delivers a clear social message. The film provokes the audience to think about one of the problems, at once prevalent and less emphasized in our society, autism. How do most people think of this issue? It would not be a serious exaggeration to claim that all of us believe in equal treatment, respect and rights for every individual without discriminating one’s physical and psychological disadvantages. In other words, everyone thinks that we should not disregard the disabled. Nonetheless, reality is foul, truth inconvenient and society corrupted – humans are fond of ridiculing those who look different from themselves. Rulers imposed by the majority and the powerful binds the weak and less represented. Classrooms are never exceptions.

     Personally, I do have some experiences interacting with a classmate with autism during my middle school years. Based on my observations, it seems inevitable that autistic kids often are subject to spotlight. They show distinct behaviors, somewhat peculiar ones. One kid was known for his aggressiveness. He wasn't bulky and brawn but still he had extraordinary physical abilities. Walking down hallways, he sometimes clapped his hands so loudly that the clinging noise rang the whole school. Once he became famous for his weird claps, mean kids teased by clapping with silly faces whenever the boy passed by. The innocent kid never noticed the animosity hidden. The autistic boy thought that the sneers were smiles and their teasing, affection.

     However, the problems that autistic students suffer at public schools are much serious if the victims are females - a part of reality that even Ben X couldn't fully picture. There was actually one case of such tragedy in our school. She wasn't aggressive by a slightest sense. She didn't make much noise - she only stayed at her seat. She just stayed, still and quietly. However, middle school students, I guess, are yet too immature. I didn't get to learn what exactly happened, but I am sure something happened, and something horrible. I think it was some sort of harassment. The boys responsible were punished by the school board and later, some were transferred to different schools. 

     Watching such sad incidents, I felt that we really need much more care towards autistic students. Of course, these kids have choices of attending special schools were there are private tutors always ready for help and classmates with similar disadvantages and issues. However, according to what I have heard from one of the parents, the main reason why parents send autistic children to public schools is that they want their kids to get along with others, learn social life and do not get secluded from the society totally. Thus the parents and their children are showing great courage. What we should do, as a response, is to give them great care and attention, not teasing and discrimination.

     In short, it seems that the movie Ben X reminded me of such stories and experiences. I hope I get to think more about many problems and issues in our society, starting from ones close to my daily life. And also, I believe others who have watched this movie, would have felt in the same way as I have done. If more people get to think twice about autism, children and society, Ben X can never be a failure, but a powerful medium of enlightenment.