DARYL HANNAH: One Year Later; A New Face for Autsim Awareness by Scott Lentine, with Elizabeth Searle
One year ago, Daryl Hannah boldly became a public face for Autism. Author and Autism activist Scott Lentine had this update to add to his comments a year ago:
” Within the past year, numerous celebrities have forward with their diagnoses of autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. In September 2013, Daryl Hannah revealed her diagnosis to People Magazine after years of much speculation by the press.
Not long after Daryl Hannah’s interview, Scottish singer Susan Boyle disclosed her diagnosis of Asperger’s to the public. Having these stars come out of their inner shells about their status on the autism spectrum will help bring autism issues to the forefront of the public in the coming years.”
Thanks to SCOTT LENTINE for the update and for his words below, from September of 2013:
Because I taught autistic students for several years as a Special Ed. aide, I was moved by Daryl Hannah’s recent announcement that she has struggled with Autism.
I decided to ask fellow writer and Autism activist Scott Lentine for his reaction.
Scott had this to say:
“I posted that link on my wall since Daryl Hannah is perhaps the noteworthy Hollywood celebrity on the spectrum. I know for a few years that she was somewhere on the higher end of the spectrum. As a person with high-functioning autism, this announcement from Daryl H. mean a lot to me since Hollywood hasn’t always accurately pictured autism in the movies, with “Rain Man” and “Temple Grandin” so far being the best movies about autism. In general, Hollywood is still lagging behind on autism compared to the other social issues they have tackled over the century. Personally, from Daryl, I have enjoyed Splash, Wall Street, Roxanne, Blade Runner, and the Kill Bill movies. Perhaps, someday, Daryl Hannah could get invited to autism functions across the U.S., including at AANE in Watertown.”
Hope that Daryl Hannah hears Scott and other voices in the Autism community urging her to keep speaking out and stepping out as a new and beautiful face in the forefront of Autsim awareness.
Cheers and thanks to Scott Lentine, who blogs at:
(photo: Independent.com via GoogleImages)
Memphis Earlene and I agree that JFK Junior would be alive today if only he’d married Darryl Hannah. More than just a pretty face–a Woman of Valor.
Hi Judith– Wow, I agree with this wholeheartedly– about the woman of Valor! Not to cast any blame but I have always felt that terrible crash would never have happened had Jackie lived. And yes, i always liked JFK Jr and Daryl together. I think this announcement of hers makes me know why she’s always had such an intense arresting quality. Valor, indeed. Always good to hear from Memphis E! Cheers– E
Lovely piece, Elizabeth. The general issue with developmental disorders and autism is that we tend to think of it as one size fits all.As Scott said, the impressions and images people have of autism spectrum and similar disorders are often wrong. Thanks for sharing his thoughts and yours.
Hi Jan– Good to hear from you and yes, so true, people get a One Size idea about something as complex as autism. I am no expert but even just working a few years in Special Ed, I can see there is a huge range in autism. Scott gives a great window into his own experience in his blog. And it does seem to me one of the real ‘uses’ of the phenom of celebrity is when someone like Daryl Hannah steps forward as a public face that can change minds. Cheers to you– E.
I want to thank all of you who reacted positively to my quote in this piece. I hope it will draw more attention to the autism community. Maybe, Daryl Hannah will get invited to autism conferences across the country in the future. I was a patient of the legendary autism physician Dr. Margaret Bauman in the 90s and 2000s.
Hi Scott–
Very happy to have your words on my blog! So far this post has gotten a lot of ‘hits’ and maybe Daryl H. herself might see these words. Cheers and best wishes to a fellow WordPress blogger- Elizabeth
Also, watching the 1989 interview of her with the Uk’s Terry Wogan gave some insights into her autism through the giggling, rocking, and hand ringing. I do hope that they release a 30th anniversary Blu-Ray of Splash next year.
Hi Scott– Interesting about the 1989 interview– Yes, it would be interesting too to re-view SPLASH and other classic Daryl H. performances. My favorites are BLADERUNNER and ROXANNE. Cheers to you– Elizabeth
Nearly a year later, this piece still resonates. I know that Daryl Hannah is now dating Neil Young.
Hi Scott- Yes, good to know this update. And I believe that since Daryl Hannah, some other prominent people have talked about different challenges they face in a more open way. I agree your piece still resonates! Thanks!