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Special Needs
MirandaHobbes
member
I've got to ask..
MirandaHobbes
member
Is this young man on the spectrum? He's awesome, but I can't stop cringing at Ellen who keeps teasing him about his eye contact..
https://www.ellentv.com/2013/02/19/9-year-old-weatherman-william-hallman/?adid=home-feature-slot-2
This discussion has been closed.
Re: I've got to ask..
I only watched until Ellen's first "I'm over here." ::cringe:: Poor kiddo.
His awkward hand gestures -- not even flapping, just not being very fluid, like he's mimicking something rather than using a natural movement -- remind me of my DD1. The immediate spitting out of an exact date he got interested in weather, the lack of eye contact ... oooof. I can see why you thought ASD; I do, too.
DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
I'm a little baffled too. He's making the rounds on all the local stations- and I first read about this on public radio, where he is touted as being awesome- not in a condenscending or mean way, but in a "this kid's going to make an awesome reporter one day". I didn't pick up on any really negative vibe until the Ellen bit. Apparently he's going to be on the Today Show with Al Roker. None of the comment sections on any of the interwebz sites are mentioning ASD.
On the original airing the weather guy made a point to say "William is OBSESSED with weather"- so I just assumed he had ASD and that they'd mention it or something. My son loves him some weather. And the cowlicks, yeesh.
The Ellen Show needs a letter. Even if there was nothing wrong with the child, to make the childs nervousness a humorous joke makes me a little upset. I could see if maybe she was discussing the rain and cloud bit - but his lack of attention to her face and making a joke of his hand movements makes me disappointed in her - its not very tactful.
Remember where the boy was, there is an area on stage where a actor can see where he is staging himself in front of the camera and how he looks - its actually quite fascinating to see if your there. If this is a child/adults first time in front of the camera, and being on live television - tension in the voice & nervousness is quite common.
The world needs Bill Cosby & Mr. Rogers again
They never made fun of a childs attention skills an area to poke fun.