Child star Max Vento has wowed fans and critics with his portrayal of autism in The A Word.
The young actor gives such a convincing performance of Joe Hughes that fans have asked if Max has autism in real life.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Does Max Vento have autism in real life?
Max Vento does not have autism in real life.
However, he does portray the condition excellently on screen.
READ MORE: Will there be another series of The A Word and how does season 3 end?
There was some controversy initially when he was cast to play Joe.
Some thought the part would have been an incredible chance for a child with autism given how few opportunities exist.
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Peter Bowker, the show’s writer, spoke out to explain why they deliberately made the decision to cast Max.
“I have always been committed to casting people with disabilities to play characters with disabilities,” he said during an interview with the Mirror.
“But it was too big an ask for a six-year-old on the autistic spectrum to imitate a whole range of emotions in keeping with the piece. By definition they have difficulty processing and imitating.”
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The writer went on to explain that Joe has less severe symptoms of autism and that it was important the role wasn’t over-dramatised.
Prior to penning The A Word, Peter spent 14 years working with children who have special needs.
What happened in The A Word series 3 finale?
At the end of The A Word series three Rebecca (Molly Wright) took centre stage when she drove up to Manchester to visit Joe’s (Max Vento) school.
READ MORE: Why did Paul and Alison split up in The A Word?
However, drama struck when the siblings travelled back home to the Lakes as Rebecca went into early labour and her phone battery was dead.
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Due to his autism, Joe became frightened when Rebecca started screaming in pain.
But the baby arrived safely, setting up a new chapter for the family…
Will there be The A Word series 4?
Well, there’s good news and bad news here. The bad news is the BBC has not confirmed that the popular drama will be commissioned again.
The good news is that no one has said it won’t happen!
Unfortunately for Alison, he doesn’t have good news.
Back at the Lakes, Sarah (Gemma Paige North) also has disappointing news for Paul (Lee Ingleby).
Fortunately, not everyone’s love life is going quite so badly.
After tying the knot last week, Katie ( Sarah Gordy) and Ralph (Leon Harrop) move in together – leaving Louise (Pooky Quesnel) struggling with empty nest syndrome.
READ MORE: Does Travis Smith have autism in real life? Actor plays Mark Berwick in The A Word
Maurice tries to put a smile back on her face with a grand gesture but is Louise ready to take the next step?
You can catch up on The A Word series three on BBC iPlayer.
What is autism?
The NHS states that autism is not an illness or a disease.
Having it simply means that your brain computes information and reacts differently to other people.
People with autism may experience the following:
- Struggle to communicate and interact with others
- Have difficulty in understanding other people’s thoughts and emotions
- Find bright lights or loud noises stressful
- Get anxious or distressed when in unfamiliar surroundings and situations
- Repeatedly do and think the same things
- Take longer to process information
Autism is a condition that people are born with.
Children will typically show signs of autism while they are still very young, however, it is possible to get diagnosed later in life.
It is a life-long condition with no treatments or “cure”, although some people do benefit from different forms of support.
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