I have Asperger's and I have never had an imaginary friend, I never freak out like Max did, never stand in a corner. I don't take valium (although I am on a low dose of anti-depressants). I've never spent a single day in a hospital either, and I'm a normal weight. I think Max has other mental issues in the film.
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I agree. Aspergers in general is incredibly misunderstood and stereotypes abound...Poor Max, his life is truly awful.
shareClearly Max Horowitz, the fictional character in this film, whom has Asperger Syndrome, also has a number of comorbid conditions that he has to deal with, in addition to his underlying condition of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. And I think that if it weren't for such comorbids, Asperger Syndrome would not necessarily be such a psychopathology affliction, as Max says in the film.
shareAgreed with what everyone else said - and I add: he was an orphan at a young age, and immigrant, etc., etc. Lots of things to deal with.
Specifically re: Valium - the movie begins in 1978 I believe, and then, there weren't many anti-depressants (just the MAO inhibitor kinds I think, with loads of side effects), and Valium was a really common treatment for anxiety. I'm sure in this day and age pharmacologically he'd be treated totally different.
As some one with Asperger's as well, I do agree, they were overdoing it a bit. Especially the literal thinking part ("take a seat"). Also, I don't believe Asperger's Syndrome was a recognized DX until the mid-1990's...so there's another flaw.
He suffers from depression as well. We see a glass/jar labeled 'Zoloft' in one of the hospital scenes; Zoloft is an antidepressant medicine.
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