I watched a bit of 'Twisted Nerve' and loved Bernard Herrmann's score (of course)... but switched off at the point when it was suggested the Psychopath might be Autistic... it was one mention during the Downs Syndrome lecture sequence. I've read that the beginning of the movie (which I did not see) carrys a disclaimer in regards to Downs Syndrome because of the outcry at the time of its release.
The attitude towards Downs Syndrome and mis-information about both it and relatives of people with Downs Syndrome is really really distasteful.
Being diagnosed with Autism myself, when it was mentioned I just didn't wish to continue with the movie. Autism and Psychopathy (Sociopathy) are almost direct opposites to each other and neither has anything to do with having Downs Syndrome in the family... not one of the three have any connection whatsoever.
I was only diagnosed with Autism in 2002 having spent most of my life being completely misunderstood. Autism itself is bearly understood currently. I admit I am rather sensitive to public misunderstanding of Autism (discovering I am Autistic, lifted a burdon of self hate and self blame from my shoulders, after a lifetime being misunderstood)... especially in the ways it is being abused by certain newspapers and legal representatives who see it as the new tool for getting criminals off.
The fact of the matter, as an examination of how Autism generally affects individuals with it (rule following, strong notions of justice, difficulty being dishonest, social uncertainty), is probably that Autistics are much less likely to commit pre-meditated or cold crime than the non-autistic community. Crimes of passion, maybe... some Autistics can have quite a temper, but no more so than many non-Autistics.
OK, its only a movie. However, movies can colour people's notions just as the press can... movies have been used for propaganda purposes, so this is recognised. Excuse me my sensitivity, like I've had to excuse the insensitivity of many others during my life time.
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