17th December 2017
As an Autistic, I love repetition. As an Autistic, I love repetition. This week’s blog is all about repetition when it comes to media. By media I mean films, TV shows, music and books. It is well documented that Autistics love repetition, for example the very act of “stimming” where an Autistic person gets comfort from a repeated movement or action. It is comforting, helps the person to relax, reduces anxiety and is enjoyable. The same can be said for media repetition. It too helps us to calm down if we are stressed, relieves anxiety, is pleasurable and something we can get control from.
So what do I EXACTLY mean by media repetition? Let’s start with music. I can listen to the same song over and over again for hours on end. I remember one day listening to the theme tune to the TV show “The Sopranos”, a song called “Woke Up This Morning” by Alabama 3, on a loop for almost an entire day at work. I have even isolated parts of songs and listened to them over and over again.
I find that in songs there may be a certain lyric, line or musical phrase that for some reason strongly appeals to me. I find it pleasurable. It might be the meaning of the lyric or simply just the way the words sound. It is a kind of sensory pleasure. Imagine eating a piece of chocolate that is nice to taste. The first bite is great so you eat another and another. The problem with chocolate is that eating too much might make you feel sick eventually. Repeated sounds do not have this side effect and so can be enjoyed as long as the person wants.
I also like songs that have repeated lyrics within them – ones that are not just in the chorus section either. “The Smiths” are a great band for this and a favourite of mine. Morrissey (lead singer and lyric writer) often uses repeated words and in a large majority of the band’s songs. He repeats the lines of his words over and over again. I love this.
I am not sure if this is some form of Echolalia to an Autistic person, where a person repeats words they have just heard. I do not think it is, as the words are not said by an individual in the same way, but it is quite similar. I would love to hear if anyone has any thoughts on this. I just know I enjoy these types of songs where lyrics are sung over and over again.
The next form of media where I enjoy repetition is reading, although this is a minor one. I do not really read novels but sometimes when I do, that book becomes something that I will re-read over and over again.
So doesn’t everybody read favourite books more than once, Autistic and Neurotypical? Well, yes, but I think I have read some books a lot more than a few times. I have a favourite “Brighton Rock” by Graham Greene which I have read many, many times. I am quite a fast reader though, which means I can re- enjoy the story without taking up too much time.
Why read something though that you already know what is going to happen? Quite simply, there are no surprises, you know when the best bits are coming and the outcome of the book will be to your liking. If you had not read it before then there is a chance that the ending might disappoint you.…
TV shows and films are next and they are really both the same thing. In the following paragraph feel free to substitute the word “film” for “TV show”. Similar to books, I have favourite films that I have watched over and over and over again. Like “The Imitation Game” about the breaking of the Enigma code and one of my heroes, Alan Turing. In fact I think I enjoy watching a film I have seen several times before, better than watching a film I have never seen. Why? Because I know exactly what is going to happen. And since I am watching it again I know that I am going to enjoy it. Every scene, every line is known to me. Don’t get me wrong – I do watch new films but there is nothing like watching an old favourite.
At this point you might be thinking “Well, everyone has a favourite movie?” And that is true, but for me as an Autistic it almost becomes an obsession with some films. Even to the point where I have watched them so many times I can quote them line for line. This is so pleasurable to be able to say the words and then hear them being repeated back to you. Although I know it can be extremely annoying if you are watching a film with somebody else. Sometimes though it is not easy to refrain from doing this and the words just flow from the tongue. I have also been told that it is also a weird talent and strangely impressive.
I do not always understand these attitudes. Everybody sings along to their favourite songs don’t they? Why is that any difference from speaking out loud to movie lines for an entire film? It is pleasurable to sing along to a tune and likewise, it is a pleasure for me to speak the dialogue of a film, as the film plays out.
To me there is no difference. Most people can quote a few lines, especially famous movie quotes but to go through the majority of the film can only be achieved by watching the it over and over again. So to experience this, a person must enjoy the repetition of the movie. I am sure though that there must be some talented individuals out there who can watch a film once and then recall the whole dialogue. But for me this would remove the thing I like most about movie watching.
So why is repetition so important for Autistic people? Well it helps us to relax when we are stressed, relieves anxiety, is pleasurable and something we can get control from. But I think I said this in the first paragraph of this blog. Sorry to repeat myself again but I really do enjoy it that much….!