Autism story line in 'Parenthood' based on real life

HOLLYOOD — That NBC's family drama "Parenthood" rings true — even in its most painful moments — should come as no surprise.

Much of it is based on real life.

And that includes the ongoing story line in which parents Adam (Peter Krause) and Krisina Braverman (Monica Potter) deal with their son's autism.

"Well, I have been researching it steadily for the past 13 years because I have a son with Asperger's," said executive producer Jason Katims, whose credits include "Friday Night Lights," "Boston Public" and "Roswell."

Both Katims' son and Max Braverman (Max Burkholder) have Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism that is marked by impaired social reactions. Symptoms range from mild to severe, but include difficulty developing meaningful relationships; inability to understand subtleties of communicating through eye contact, body language or facial expressions; and inability to show affection.

Asperger's is less severe on the autism scale than many forms, but it definitely sets kids who have it apart. And makes it tough on their parents.

"(It) is very important for me to depict that as realistically as possible," Katims said. "And not only meaning to depict Max ... but also the parents and how the parents are dealing with it and everything that they go through."

It's been an acting challenge for 12-year-old Burkholder — who's done such a good job that he's been asked if he actually has Asperger's syndrome.

Burkholder said he knew "next to nothing about autism and Asperger's" when he auditioned for the part. But the producers "brought in someone who was an Asperger's doctor and his son had Asperger's himself."

"So that helped a lot. And every couple of episodes, I get to together with Larry, an Asperger's doctor, and we discuss things that Max might be doing, things he might be looking at, stuff like that," Burkholder said. "It really helps me a lot. And I've done some research on my own for the role."

Similarly, Krause and Potter have learned what it's like for parents of kids with autism. And it hasn't been easy for Adam and Kristina to deal with. First because Max was struggling to fit in, both in school and at home. Second because the Asperger's diagnosis was a shock.

In the pilot episode, Kristina is in tears as she tells her husband the doctor "thinks that he may have Asperger's."

"Asperger's?" Adam said in disbelief. "Like autism? Max is not autistic! I've seen autistic kids!"