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.