"In the movie, Adam is portrayed as having Aspergers Syndrome. He is college educated and is self aware of his challenges. Many people associate autism with savant gifts, such as counting cards (as in Rain Man). This is more atypical than most people know, but in the movie Adam's gift is that of astronomy.

My personal opinion about the accuracy of the film has to do with the diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome as related to other levels and spectrums of the autism scale. Adam slaps himself in the face, has anxiety attacks, demonstrated destructive tendencies, and even hit his head in a mirror. I would suggest that these behaviors are slightly downscale from a conventional Aspergers Syndrome diagnosis.

Now, in all fairness, the discussion and parameters associated with different levels of autism are still vague and ambiguous. Also, in all fairness to the movie itself, Adam had recently lost his father resulting in him being left alone, fired from his job, had a fight with his girl, man-handled by the police, and was overall extremely stressed from situations that infrequently occur; especially all at once. Most autistic people have developed complex coping mechanisms. Stress can shed those coping layers back to reveal a less capable and more vulnerable autistic person.

I am grateful that the movie sheds more light on the world of the autism. The years between the institutionalized Rain Man and this independent living Adam have hopefully removed and/or at least changed the perception/stereotype of the high functioning atypical autistic person.

You can read the story about my autistic son at: -362764"