Mum of two autistic sons slams “highly offensive” Channel 10 comedy sketch

A comedy sketch on Channel 10 has been slammed as “highly offensive” for making fun of people with autism.

The sketch aired last night during a new show called Skit Happens, parodying the Channel 7 show, The Good Doctor, which is about a young autistic surgeon.

The skit showed a group of doctors in an operating theatre displaying behaviour associated with autism.

A voice-over says, “From the makers of The Good Doctor comes The Good Hospital … where everyone is on the spectrum”.

Meredith Ward, Autism Spectrum Consultant at DXC Technology told Tom she was highly offended by the skit.

“I like to think I have a sense of humour,” Ms Ward said.

“But I was surprised by how offended I was.

“It really is offensive and in poor taste.

“I have two sons who have a diagnosis.

“If he (one of her sons) saw this it would do absolutely nothing to help his own understanding of himself.

“I was surprised Channel 10 has gone down this track.”

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Amaze, an organisation that raises awareness and influences positive change for people on the autism spectrum and their families, tweeted that the skit should not have been aired by Channel 10.

Ten @channelten shouldn’t have aired offensive @SkitHappensTV– that only seeks to further the stigma autistic people experience. Amaze’s @autismvictoria fantastic autistic trainers stand by to educate Ten about ableism/autism understanding.https://t.co/i9KJAlagf5@ACBucklow pic.twitter.com/FZSzKbR6Mc

— Amaze (@autismvictoria) August 20, 2018

“I don’t think it’s funny,” Tom said.

“I wasn’t laughing.

“And I don’t think if you substituted another form of disability it would be funny either.”