The forum : time to rethink what is 'normal'?.

Radio documentary on normal behaviour in relation to mental health, presented by Bridget Kendall. She is joined by Indian journalist and novelist, Jerry Pinto, speaking from Mumbai, Lennard Davis, Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Disability Studies, at the University of Illinois, Chicago, speaking from New York State, and, in the studio, the pioneer of autism research, Uta Frith, Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Development at the University of London. Kendall begins by asking them all what 'normal' means to them and they then explore this theme further. Jerry Pinto talks about bipolar disorder drawing on his own personal experiences with it, and reading an extract from his novel, 'Em and the Big Hoom'. They talk about Pinto's novel and also about the word 'normal' not having the same meaning for everyone. Family attitudes and mental health are discussed. Lennard Davis contributes to the discussion suggesting that medicalised people often notice others change their attitudes towards them. He talks about the history of what is considered normal, and how people were viewed before the word 'normal' was used. He also mentions eugenics and how the idea of the perfect body has persisted. The panel discuss how variance from the norm can often be valued and whether there's a medical bottom line for when normal becomes abnormal. Uta Frith speaks about autism and its wide spectrum of disorder which allows for many variations. She then talks about Asperger's Syndrome and how it affects people. The panel then discuss whether labelling someone with a disorder is helpful or a hindrance. Finally they talk about the use of science in measuring aspects of these conditions and how far this can reasonably go. The programme finishes with the sound of the Eastern Screech Owl of North America.