Max Braverman on "Parenthood" (NBC)

NAME OF CHARACTER: Max Braverman

PLAYED BY: Max Burkholder

SHOW (NETWORK / RUNTIME / GENRE):  "Parenthood" (NBC / 42 Minutes / Drama)

GENERAL SYNOPSIS: "A family tree with Zeek  (Craig T. Nelson) and Camille Braverman (Bonnie Bedelia) serving as the patriarch and matriarch. After forty-six years of marriage, they've managed to keep their foundation intact by burying their problems underneath the surface for the sake of their now-adult children. Adam (Peter Krause) is the first-born and the ripest apple the tree has to offer. He runs a shoe company, has a supportive wife, two children (boy and girl) and a beautiful home to share with them. He's a dog short of "The American Dream". Sarah (Lauren Graham), is the unstable daughter returning home at thirty-eight years of age with her rebellious daughter and sensitive son to live with Zeek and Camille. Crosby (Dax Shepard), is a happy-go-lucky bachelor living in the now, on a docked boat. He has no idea that his frivolous life is about to change tremendously. Then there is Julia (Erika Christensen). She is the bread-winning shot-calling lawyer, whose husband mans the stay-at-home-dad duties. Each family will face their own challenges, but how they propose to deal with them is what will keep them together or tear them apart." (IMDB).

TITLE OF EPISODE WATCHED (ORIGINAL AIR DATE): "Pilot" (March 2, 2010)

SUPPORTING/ MAIN: Supporting

AGE: Enrolled in elementary school

GENDER: Male

OCCUPATION: Student

ASD IGNORED / MENTIONED ON-AIR: Mentioned. The storyline arc relating to Adam Braverman and his wife, Kristina, in "Pilot" focuses on their son's (Max's) diagnosis for Asperger's Syndrome. However, as discussed later in this post, I believe he qualifies for a diagnosis as autistic.

IN MOTION / VISUAL DIAGNOSTICS:

(Although the following is a YouTube clip gives a "Max Braverman Mashup" over multiple episodes and seasons, I reiterate the fact that, in formulating this response, I considered only the first episode of the show's first season. The video is nonetheless entertaining and provides a good sense of "who Max is.")

WOULD S/HE LIKELY MEET DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR AUTISM (DSM-IV)*: YES

In the first set of diagnostic quota (I), he demonstrates a total of six (of the required six) items from (IA), (IB), and (IC), with four of the required two from (IA), one from (IB) and one from (IC). He demonstrates (IA) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by (IA1) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze (e.g., before knowing any better, his mother begs him to "look kids in the eyes to make friends"), facial expression (e.g., often unchanging), body posture (e.g., often hunched), and gestures to regulate social interaction; (IA2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level (e.g., having few friends and being bullied); (IA3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people); and (IA4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity. He also presents (IB) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by (IB1) (IB2) marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others (e.g., not responding to classmates who say "hello") (IB3) (IB4). Also, there is mention of (IC) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by (IC1) (IC2) (IC3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., "tantrums") (IC4). It appears that there are (II) delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the target areas (IIA) (IIB) (IIC), and that (III) the disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

. . . DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ASPERGER'S SYNDROME (DSM-IV)*: YES

He shows (I) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by both (IA) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors (such as facial expression and gestures to regulate social interaction, among others), (IB) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level (e.g., he does not interact with his teammates or classmates), (IC) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people (e.g., baseball is "no fun" for him), and (ID) a lack of social or emotional reciprocity. He also demonstrates (II) restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by (IIA) (IIB) (IIC) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., "tantrums") (IID). (III) This disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, although (IV) there is no (apparent) clinically significant general delay in language or (V) cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood. Finally, (VI) criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia."

WHAT'S REALLY RIGHT:

• Max goes on a major "lego binge," and he is said to have taken to wearing a pirate costume to school. He also avoids eye contact and reciprocating salutations (e.g., saying hello to other classmates) / emotional sentiments (e.g., saying "I love you" to his father), and he has "non-starters" like wearing certain uniforms (baseball, anyone?). 

• Portrayal of parent denial, which quickly leads to one of parental acceptance/ understanding (e.g., what begins as "you must play baseball" turns into "you shouldn't have to play baseball if you don't want to do so").

WHAT'S REALLY WRONG:

• Why, if Max really presents as autistic, do the writers of "Parenthood" feel compelled to treat him as only an "Aspie"?  They take the time to express how he is "high-functioning," or "not like autistic kids." As Adam quips while in denial, "I've seen those autistic kids. The hand-flapping and … No! No!" Certainly, he's seen those presentations of autism (as have countless other viewers, most likely), which would make this one all the more powerful.

GENERAL RATING: ★★★★ ("Good")

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: Jason Katniss, the show's Executive Producer, based the character on real-life occurrences. As Katniss later revealed, his son has Asperger's. The actor who plays Max (Max Burkholder) has become a great advocate for ASD awareness and debunking common myths, as shown by an interview with "Disability Scoop" in which he discusses how he approaches the role.

*For explanations, it is necessary to click on the link and see the corresponding numerals being referenced. Letters/ Numbers crossed out do not apply.