TV Characters with Asperger's Latest Trend

Introducing a character with Asperger's or autism on a TV show is hardly a new phenomenon, but it does seem to be more prevalent in pop culture lately. Is this trend on TV just the new, popular character quirk, or is it a sign of society's efforts to embrace and personify a disorder that has become more and more prevalent?

Autism on television: How real is it?

Jean Winegardener writes a personal blog at Stimeyland and at Autism Unexpected in the Communities at the Washington Times.

SILVER SPRING, Md, March 18, 2011 — When you are raising a child with autism, seeing television portrayals of families like your own and grown-up versions of what your child could be someday suddenly become very important.
There was a time when Tommy Westphall on "St. Elsewhere" was the only character with autism that you could find on television.