Response to the portrayal the new doctor on Grey's Anatomy

What does everyone think of the portrayal new Asperger's doctor on Grey's Anatomy?

Spoiler about new character

First of all, I was happy that they picked Mary McDonnell, one of my favorite actresses to portray the new cardio
doctor, Dr. Virginia Dixon.  The chief, instead of revealing the disability (maybe he couldn't for legal reasons) tells the staff that they really need her (she is good but "off").   We are told that she is an aamaxing surgeon nd an excellent researcher.

I didn't mind the stunted introduction, or her randomly talking about "heart" facts but they introduced her as seemingly slow.  Over the years, we have had one doctor who acted like this one - and it was an unsettling experience - but supposedly she is the best - but it was never as extreme as the one portrayed on Grey's Anatomy.  Also, I think it was strange that they made her a surgeon - most people with Asperger's have fine motor skill problems - but this is TV.  The one doctor one of my kid's has that I suspect is on the spectrum (and the office visits can be so weird that I admit to getting a little uncomfortable and looking at my watch) never seemed to be as dull witted as this doctor - just exasperating because she loved the data so much.  She even pulled out medical books so that I could look at all the charts with her and go over all the chemicals in the blood.    She reminded me of my son who just assumes that I have all this prior knowledge of whatever he is working on.  I am so happy that I was treated like a person with advanced degrees in hematology but I kinda was lost after the first two minutes.  Well anyway, Bailey figures out quite easily what is wrong with the new brilliant doctor and uses the woman's disability to get what she wants - a human heart for a religious ritual which the doctor says is against the rules.

I do like that in the middle of her surgery, Bailey was screwing around with her, she stopped, spent a few seconds processing the manipulation, then asked to go back to her surgery.  The patient's heart did an atypical thing (so she had a brrief freak out) that threw her off - but later she was happy to find references for it.  

At the end of the episode, she was debating whether to stay at the hospital (the Chief is desperate for her to stay).  She turned to Bailey and asked her if she knew what Asperger's was.  Bailey says it is a social impairment disorder.  The doctor explains to her that though social interaction is hard, and she fails to get alot of humor and sarcasm, that she knows when she is being manipulated by introducing a rule that she was obviously compelled to obey.   She knew when she was being manipulated and that the hospital probably wouldn't be a nice place to work at.  That was probably my favorite scene - they know when people are doing things to them - but it is hard to place a finger on it.  Her description about her obsession, the human heart, was quite poignant.

I know this is going to be a several episode arc - so I hope that they portray the character with kindness.  I hope that they let her supposedly remarkable talents shine.  It would be great to see a person with Asperger's portrayed in a positive light.  I like that they used Bailey (an African-American female doctor who has episodes that dealt with racism) be the one that was manipulating her - some discrimination is more subtle.

[MJIthewriter]

I haven't watched Grey's Anatomy in a long time, but that does sound interesting to see a more positive aspergers figure.  We have enough "Rain Man" thrown at us it's nice to have some change.

I disagree on the fine motor skills. I do believe it is very possible for someone with aspergers to have fine motor skills, but it does seem to depend on level of stress as well as whether or not the task is interesting.  At least I observe that with myself. I have pretty good finger dexterity. I can pick up tiny ants without injuring them. I can even hold them by the legs without hurting them too.  That takes skill.  

But it seems with me gross motor skills, when it comes to moving my elbows and arms, that's where I notice weakness.  I tend to knock over things and is one of a few reasons when I am eating I insist on having a lot of elbow and arm space around me. Pouring things is also another area I don't do so well. I tend to slop. If the jug is full and I'm pouring, that's when I especially have difficulty.

When people observe me around dinner time they say I flop around or move too fast.  I have a feeling it's because moving slower for some reason puts strain on my muscles and feels unnatural.  I'm not sure if this is common with people in the autism spectrum or not.

[dparedes]

I did see the episode and was a little disappointed with it. My son has aspergers and is high functioning but I was upset that people are going to associate aspergers like that. Not all aspergers are that severe. I know it is for show and I am happy that they are getting this out and people can be more aware but it just seems to make everyone think that everyone with this diagnosis is that extreme. Just like the "rain man" stereotype.

[SueNYC]

Kinda reminds me of that scene in Tropic Thunder that got everyone so upset - Ben Stiller was making a brilliant statement that you have to play it full on in Hollywood to get the emmy or Oscar.  

[LynneSoraya]

All I can say about the character arc is...disappointing.....
http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/asperger039s-diary/200902/when-will-abc-get-aspergers-right

[SueNYC]

I agree.  She is getting weirder and weirder.  The freak out was okay - her needing to be hugged because Temple likes it is weird.  My Aspie kid wouldn't like that.  

[Damian259]

I agree with the previous comment on here. Not too sure about the fine motor skill problems, I haven't come across anyone with a diagnosis with those problems. I in fact have naturally had very good fine motor skills, it took years for teachers to get me to write bigger, I used to write all my words a few mm tall just because I could easily. I like a lot of other aspergers I've come across also use a very precise patterns and lines when drawing, also come across a lot of people with a diagnosis who draw lines as straight as a ruler no problem. Its the gross motor skills that I have the problem with, I can do all that when drawing or writing but still stumble when I walk.

I agree it was great for them to have bailey as the one to manipulate. I do hope they have more story lines with her.

[SueNYC]

I'm hoping they can continue it - the actress, Mary McDonnell, is fabulous.  I just wish they would tone it down a little.  My son ca be plenty enough strange and entertaining without all of the overboard.  Why I think it was alright to show her so stressed out as the emotions and the failure to follow protocol upset her - I was upset at that bizarre hugging scene.  My son, over the years (he is 9), though upset is learning to control his reactions when he feels things are out of control.  By 50, I hope we are there to some extent.  

As far a her being cold, I have seem my husband;s family (they almost breed doctors exclusively) talk about their cases just as coldly.  When my daughter almost died of a rare disease at 3 1/2, my sister-in-law (who is peds picu) told me straight to my face what the other doctors wouldn't - that she could die and it was just getting worse.  In fact, she has just the after care of a 5 year old who needed a triple bypass after he was affected.  It was all said in a clinical matter.

She had her baby that week.  A few months later she had to inform her first set of parents that her child died.  She said for the first time in her career she really understood what she was doing and broke down in tears with them, absolutely aware of how deeply they felt their pain.   Shortly after she moved to the ER - at least most people don't fie there.  This was after a career that spanned 20 years.  Cold, clinical doctors are not a new thing - so why the show is making such a big thing about it I don't know.  The show is not showing Asperger's from a true perspective - if they would just lighten up it would be more comfortable for the audience too.  Like for instance, they could gently chide some Aspie's gifts in punning - or some of the very literal translations they make of language.  But the three hour hug was a bit insulting.  

I thought the worse one was when she was after a young woman died on the table.  Being a good heart transplant doctor she noted that the organs were very angry and would be perfect for transplant.  All the other doctors looked at her in horror.  Yet, secretly, you would think that most doctors would agree. She had no connection with this girl - so why wouldn't she think this.  She was just lacking the social grace to say it nicely.  And why, for the love of Heaven, was she the one who was there doing the asking?  If the hospital knows she is going to botch that up (they are aware of her disability) you would think they would send in a nicer doctor to ask.  Actually, most hospitals have a specially trained team for this sort of stuff - with a nice asker.  

In the end, I hope Rimes lightens up.  Quirky is one thing, but stop making the woman look like a clueless dolt.