My Name is Khan
(My Name is Khan) Release Date: February 12, 2010 Genre: Drama, Romanc
Summary:
My Name is Khan is a poignant film released on February 12, 2010, that tells the story of Rizwan "Riz" Khan, an Indian Muslim who suffers from non-severe autism, specifically Asperger's Syndrome. After his mother's death, he moves to the United States to live with his brother Zakir.
In the United States, Rizwan meets Mandira, a single Hindu mother with a son from a previous marriage. A beautiful love story unfolds when Rizwan falls deeply in love with Mandira. However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn after the collapse of the Twin Towers, leading to increased persecution of Muslims.
The situation gets worse when Mandira's son becomes the victim of a hate crime, and Mandira, feeling responsible, urges Rizwan to meet the President of the United States. His mission: to remove misconceptions about Muslims and confirm that they are not terrorists.
Thus begins Radwan's journey, full of challenges and confrontations that reveal the American perspective on the Islamic faith. The film explores themes of love, tolerance and the impact of societal bias, and presents a powerful narrative that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. “My Name is Khan” delves into the complexities of identity, acceptance, and the pursuit of justice in a post-9/11 world.
Understanding Asperger Syndrome
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant challenges in social interaction, nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors and interests. It is noteworthy that Asperger syndrome, which was once considered a distinct diagnosis, has been combined into what is now known as autism spectrum disorder. In the past, Asperger's syndrome has been distinguished from other conditions related to autism spectrum disorder due to its relatively intact verbal language skills and intelligence.
Named after Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger, who first described the condition in 1944, Asperger syndrome was recognized in children under his care. He noted their difficulties in making friends, difficulty understanding others' gestures or emotions, engaging in one-sided conversations about their specific interests, and displaying their idiosyncrasies. In 1994,
Asperger syndrome is listed in the fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). However, when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published in 2013,
Asperger's syndrome was eliminated, and its symptoms were combined into autism spectrum disorder, along with classical autism and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Likewise, in 2021, Asperger syndrome was included as an autism spectrum disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
Informally, the term "Asperger's" is sometimes used to distinguish between individuals who fall on the classic autism spectrum with delays in language and intelligence and those who fall along the spectrum without delays in language and intelligence.
Genetics plays an essential role in shaping the brains of individuals with Asperger syndrome. Their brains process and deal with information differently, leading to challenges in social relationships that can affect their professional development and family stability. Understanding and embracing neurodiversity is essential to fostering a supportive environment for individuals with autism.