What Anthony Hopkins Teaches Us About Living with Autism
Why his 2021 Academy Award for Best Actor was not received in vain
Anthony Hopkins is autistic. The octogenarian talked to The Daily Mail in 2017 about his disorder, with which he was diagnosed in 2014.
Bang out a quick Google search: “Anthony Hopkins and Autism and 2021 Oscars,” and you’ll find little literature written about how his win reflects the challenges and successes of those living with ASD (Autism Spectrum “Disorder”).
It’s Autism Awareness Month in America, whatever that should mean to the dominant culture. A confusing “celebration” which used to be called Autism Acceptance Month — coined by Autism Society in 1972 — that consistently stokes the ire of autistic people and their allies. And rightly so.
Autistic people should not need a “day” or “month” for others to become aware of the unique journey those living with ASD endure — especially since “National/World (Insert Cause) Days/Months” can sometimes have the Christmas effect. Do good while you’re being watched, but only while you’re being watched.
As Emily Willingham puts it, many “autism awareness” campaigns have “devolved into yet another feel-good moment with low-threshold investment.”
