Viewers of EastEnders have been left annoyed as they have accused Mick and Linda Carter of treating Ollie’s autism like a terminal illness.
For months, the couple have been worried that their son has Autism.
In this week’s episodes they took him
for some assessments.
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In last night’s episode (November 12 2019), before going in for the assessments, Linda spoke to a woman in the waiting room who told her she was there with her son, and her daughter had been assessed last year.
When will Mick and Linda realise that autism isn’t a terminal illness?
The woman told her autism is common in siblings and Linda responded by saying: “Well he’s got two brothers and a sister and there’s nothing wrong with them,” but she quickly apologised for her choice of words.
After Ollie had his assessment, Dr Fremantle told the Carters that Ollie demonstrated good attention to detail and carried out most of the tasks the practitioner set him with a high degree of accuracy.
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However she also said taking into account the outcome of the assessment, the information Mick and Linda had given, and the findings from the school’s observations, they had concluded Ollie has Autism Spectrum Disorder but is at the milder end.
After confirming everything would be explained in a full report, Mick said: “So he’s autistic then? And the report, it’s definite, yeah?”
However viewers weren’t impressed with Mick and Linda’s reaction and felt they were acting as if Ollie had a terminal illness.
When will mick and Linda realise that autism isn’t a terminal illness? #Eastenders
— ViewsAreNotMyOwn (@SeasonOneTV) November 12, 2019
Sorry but Mick and Linda thinking it is the end of the world that Ollie is Autistic is offensive! Autism is NOT a terminal disease! 😠 #Eastenders
— MIB (@MibIH) November 12, 2019
Are Linda and Mick confusing autism with leukaemia?? #EastEnders
— Rich (@richggall) November 12, 2019
This autism storyline has been really annoying me because of the way Linda and Mick are coming across about it all. They seem rather snobby about it and making a huge deal. Just love your son it’s not that terrible? #eastenders
— Luce (@LuceValentine1) November 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/tvfan6990/status/1194366122763653121
Geez. Could Linda look any more ashamed that her son Ollie has been declared autistic?? 🙄😔#EastEnders
— Daniel_Bevis 🎨🌈 (@Daniel_Bevis) November 12, 2019
Linda acting like Ollie might be the only one of her kids NOT 'Normal' cos of his Autism diagnosis really? Has she totally forgot she also has a Son Lee who has PTSD & a Daughter Nancy whose got epilepsy? #EastEnders ♥️
— Grianne Doherty (@GrianneDoherty1) November 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/anthonyfrost96/status/1194340528017379328
However, some viewers are looking forward to seeing how the storyline plays out and think Mick and Linda’s education about the diagnosis will be part of the process.
https://twitter.com/heevvs_x/status/1194347557314387968
This is Eastenders, they have an okay record of dealing with social issues and topics like this and i think the education of the carters about autism will be part of the story.
— JULIEMANN (@JULIEMA91088985) November 12, 2019
Everyone criticising #EastEnders for their portrayal of Autism need to understand everyone is different around that subject, especially when parents don't fully understand it and Linda is the sort of person to fear the worst over this. #EastEnders
— Alan (@alanactor123) November 12, 2019
Fans know Linda will turn to alcohol to cope with the diagnosis.
And it’s also been revealed the Carters eldest son, Lee, will return as part of the storyline.
EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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