“When George met Carl”

This episode of the cartoon series “Arthur” is a good explanation of Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism. In this episode, George introduces his friend Carl, who has Aspergers. George learns about Carl and his different abilities that make him a special individual and a special friend. George also learns to understand how people with Aspergers think and how they perceive their environment, as well as the need for them to feel comfortable with their surroundings. How their brain works, makes them see, feel, and respond to their environment differently from the way we would to the same environment.

People with Aspergers are often found to have above-average skills in playing musical instruments, arts & crafts, writing, or information technology and so on. In Carl's case, he is very good with drawing.

People with Aspergers often express themselves most through what they are good at, and they do it in a much better way than we can. They also display keen interest in what they like, to the extent that they can remember even the smallest details about their area of interest. From a different perspective, this may appear as slightly obsessive. But for me, this is a strength that many of us do not have and so, should appreciate.

George shows that he is a very good friend, by making an effort to learn more about Carl's world and appreciate Carl's strengths. As George said, he learned so much thorough befriending Carl and grew to love Carl's honesty and his differences. Carl enjoys George's friendship too even though he does not communicate it in the way that we are familiar with.

Remember, if you know someone with Aspergers and he or she does not give an immediate response to you when you’re talking, it doesn't mean that you are being ignored or disliked by them! People with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism have a lot of love to give and I can guarantee that the friendships you share with people across the autism spectrum are friendships which are most sincere, and are to be treasured. 

Written by, 

Lee Yu Ying

Consultant, EAP Malaysia