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By David Magallanes • Guest contributor
Decades ago, I had a student in my college classroom who was mathematically brilliant. His behavior, however, was sometimes a bit “unconventional,” and he seemed to have no desire (or ability) to interact with any of his classmates.
Recently, I decided to try to fathom this segment of our population, about which I knew little. I embarked on an exploratory journey that took me to a new, fictitious series, Astrid, on PBS Passport. This French-language program (with English subtitles) teaches viewers about the strengths and challenges of people who struggle with autism.
Astrid opens our minds to the varied tapestry of human experience. It invites us to explore with empathy and understanding the diverse ways in which individuals perceive and interact with the world around them.
The character of Astrid Nielsen is an autistic young woman who, to make a long story short, is working in the criminal records department of a police station in Paris. She and one of the female officers, Raphaëlle Coste, become a powerful duo, proving themselves to be a highly competent team of crime investigators.
One of the signs of autism is being extremely knowledgeable about specific, narrow topics. There is one autistic person I know who cannot read music but is exceedingly talented at playing the guitar despite never having taken any lessons.
I know another who could easily have passed as an authority on reptiles since his preteen years, though he had never studied them formally. He could recite the Latin names of species of snakes, for example, and could tell you all about their habitats, diets, and characteristics, almost as if he were a degreed herpetologist (a specialist in the classification and biology of reptiles and amphibians).
Astrid may work as a clerk in the records room, but her colleagues soon discover that she has an enviable, astounding, and wondrous talent for solving crimes. Part of her success is her intense fascination with solving puzzles, which many crimes are. She listens to the complex and mathematically precise music of J.S. Bach, the German baroque composer born in the 17th century.
As much as Astrid’s affliction allows her to excel in police work, she conversely suffers due to some of the other common symptoms of autism. For instance, she finds it exceedingly difficult to relate socially with others.
Relationships as we who are “normal” (in the statistical sense) experience them are often entirely foreign for those on the autism spectrum. Though Astrid and Raphaëlle have slowly developed a working and personal relationship based on mutual trust, admiration, and respect, Astrid struggles in her interactions with the rest of the world around her.
She can hardly express emotion. She cannot look others in the eye as she explains her theory of a crime or when she buys bread. She often misunderstands or misinterprets or simply doesn’t “get” what others are saying to her when they are using sarcasm or humor in their speech.
Astrid cannot tolerate physical contact, such as a hug (much less a kiss), with another. Her behavior suggests that she has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which imprisons her in a routine from which she cannot deviate without great emotional pain.
To her credit, Astrid attends weekly meetings for adults who are coping with autism. Here, they share their experiences with the “neurotypicals” (people with normal brain function). They understand that they are “neurodivergent” and strive to improve their understanding of, and interactions with, the world around them.
A touch of romance added to this story portrays Astrid as a woman who, in her own enchanting and innocent way, is occasionally the target of affirmative male attention. The men who are drawn to her appear to be intrigued by this woman who is evidently “special.” They see in her an innate goodness, polished intellect, and endearing naïveté that renders her, indeed, loveable.
The PBS series makes it clear that Astrid faces massive disadvantages and challenges in her life. Still, she comes across as someone who is exceptionally intelligent, who enthusiastically contributes to society, and who is ready and willing to learn.
In Astrid, PBS succeeds in educating the neurotypical population about the fascinating perspectives of the neurodivergent.
— David Magallanes is a retired professor of mathematics.
***
Un Vistazo al Autismo
Por David Magallanes • Columnista invitado”
Hace décadas, tuve un estudiante en mi clase universitaria que era matemáticamente brillante. Sin embargo, su comportamiento a veces era algo “poco convencional” y parecía no tener ningún deseo (ni capacidad) de interactuar con ninguno de sus compañeros de clase.
Recientemente decidí intentar comprender este segmento de nuestra población, del que sabía poco. Me embarqué en un viaje exploratoria que me llevó a una nueva serie ficticia, Astrid, en PBS Passport. Este programa en francés (con subtítulos en inglés) enseña a los espectadores sobre las fortalezas y dificultades de las personas que luchan contra el autismo.
Astrid abre nuestras mentes al variado tapiz de la experiencia humana. Nos invita a explorar con empatía y comprensión las diversas formas en que los individuos perciben e interactúan con el mundo que los rodea.
El personaje de Astrid Nielsen es una joven autista que, para resumir, trabaja en el departamento de registros de penados de una comisaría policial de París. Ella y una de las agentes, Raphaëlle Coste, se convierten en un dúo poderoso y demuestran ser un equipo de investigadores muy competentes de delitos.
Uno de los signos del autismo es tener un gran conocimiento sobre temas específicos y limitados. Conozco a una persona autista que no sabe leer música, pero tiene muchísimo talento para tocar la guitarra a pesar de no haber recibido nunca ninguna lección.
Conozco a otro que fácilmente podría haber pasado por una autoridad en reptiles desde su preadolescencia, aunque nunca los había estudiado formalmente. Podía recitar los nombres latinos de especies de serpientes, por ejemplo, y podía contar todo sobre sus hábitats, dietas y características, casi como si fuera un herpetólogo titulado (un especialista en clasificación y biología de reptiles y anfibios).
Puede que Astrid trabaje como empleada en la sala de registros, pero sus colegas pronto descubren que tiene un talento envidiable, asombroso y maravilloso para resolver crímenes. Parte de su éxito es su intensa fascinación por resolver acertijos, como lo son muchos crímenes. Escucha la música compleja y matemáticamente precisa de J.S. Bach, el compositor barroco alemán nacido en el siglo XVII.
Si bien la aflicción de Astrid le permite sobresalir en el trabajo policial, ella, por el contrario, sufre debido a algunos de los otros síntomas comunes del autismo. Por ejemplo, le resulta extremadamente difícil relacionarse socialmente con los demás.
Las relaciones tal como las experimentamos nosotros que somos “normales” (en el sentido estadístico) a menudo son completamente extrañas para quienes se encuentran en el espectro del autismo. Aunque Astrid y Raphaëlle han desarrollado poco a poco una relación laboral y personal basada en la confianza, la admiración y el respeto mutuos, Astrid tiene dificultades en sus interacciones con el resto del mundo que la rodea.
Apenas puede expresar emociones. No puede mirar a los demás a los ojos mientras explica su teoría sobre un delito o cuando compra pan. A menudo entiende mal, malinterpreta o simplemente no capta lo que otros le dicen cuando usan sarcasmo o humor en sus conversaciones.
– – David Magallanes es un profesor jubilado de matemáticas.
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