OU academics’ guidance in poignant BBC programme on autistic adults

Posted on 15 February 2023 • Education, languages and health, TV and radio

A new two-part BBC series Inside Our Autistic Minds has started giving a revealing look at what goes on in the mind of autistic adults with the help of naturalist Chris Packham who was diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2005.

With the contributions of two OU academics, Kieron Sheehy, Professor of education, and Fiona Henry senior lecturer in education, the programme sees Chris help people reveal to family and friends what’s really going on inside these autistic adults.

And he enlists the support of top filmmakers, graphic designers, animators and musicians to help autistic people create short films showing family and friends how they’re truly feeling inside.

In the first episode, available on iPlayer on BBC Two, Chris helps an autistic comedian connect with her mum and a non-speaking man find a voice.

In the second episode, which airs on Tuesday, 21 February, BBC2 at 9pm and on iPlayer following the broadcast, he helps an autistic football fan explain to his friends the impact any changes in his life can have on him.

Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast and Partnerships, said:

“The approach taken within the series foregrounds the importance of examining the diversity of individuals’ experiences with autism and provides viewers with a better understanding of the lives of people with autism.

“It’s important that OU/BBC co-productions are able to give a voice to under-represented groups. We have also produced an interactive to support this series which explores how technologies are being used to represent the lived autistic experience and an interview with Chris Packham has been recorded for use in a new module, Introduction to Childhood Studies and Child Psychology.”

The film came about as since Chris shared his own autism diagnosis he says he’s been inundated with letters and emails from other autistic people, frustrated that the people in their lives don’t understand them. The programme sees Chris helping to bridge the gap.

This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of WELS, with particular relevance to:

Q23 BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies

Q94 BA (Honours) Education Studies (Primary)

F70 Masters degree in Education (Inclusive practice)

• Commissioned by: Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast & Partnerships
• Academic Consultants: Dr Kieron Sheehy & Fiona Henry
• Media Fellow:  Simon Rea
• Broadcast Project Manager: David Bloomfield
• Digital Content Producer: Chris Belson

Online: 

Visit our Broadcast pages where you can discover more about Autistic minds, and OU Connect to find out how technology is helping to represent the lived experience of autistic people.