Grange Hill

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Well, I saw Grange Hill yesterday and today, and noticed that it has an Aspie character, Martin.

The storylines involving Martin in the past few days have involved the school incinerator; in yesterday's episode smoke blew all over the school. The school had to be closed for the afternoon. This was because no-one would listen to Martin about how to operate the incinerator properly, an area where he was obviously skilled.

In today's episode things worked better with the incinerator because of Martin's knowledge, he pointed out the incinerator had to be fed more regularly. Not that many people listen to Martin, or they argue over whether or not he's right.

I noticed also: Martin's best friend in the school is a girl with speech difficulties. He was talking to her about his worries surviving university, and future employment. He mentioned in today's episode that he used to be obsessed with pencils, and then with elastic bands.

For those outside the UK, Grange Hill is a long running drama (about 30 years I think) set in a high school. I hadn't seen Grange Hill in years before now. Can anyone tell me how long Martin has been in the programme and what adventures he has had up to now?

His friend in the programme is severely deaf; the character, that is. In real life the actress is profoundly deaf (ie more than severely) and she's had to work very hard at her pronounciaton in order to 'sound less deaf.' I think it's silly - why can't her character be profoundly deaf too, then she'd not have to worry?!

It struck me that these two were friends - two social misfits? I don't mean that harshly, but the stereotype of Aspie and deaf person are those of social misfits. (at least, that's what I've found anyway.)