As many of you may know, April is Autism Awareness month! While autism is widely-known, its positive representation is still very important when it comes to arts and entertainment. In light of kicking this month off, here are 4 shows I recommend that show how autism looks in different settings, family units, and everywhere around us. As well as all the different forms autism can take from the wide variety the spectrum has to offer.
- “The Good Doctor”
This series shows an autistic doctor and surgeon in the fast-paced world of the trauma unit in a hospital. As Shawn navigates collaborating with his colleagues who don’t always believe in his expertise, the show dives into what it really means to validate and include those who are neurodivergent just as much as the next person. The show however is critiqued for its stereotypical depiction of autism, showing an issue in media in regards to authentic portrayal of all kinds of autism.
- “Atypical”
Atypical is a series based around a high school boy named Sam who, in a world of people he is new to, wants to find love and acceptance. Sam finds new experiences in his job, with a new girlfriend, and alongside his friend who shows him the high school experience he deserves to enjoy. Sam is high functioning, which is an important kind of autism to be portrayed in the media, to further represent the people with autism who are perceived as “normal.”
- “Love on the Spectrum”
This reality series shows people on the autism spectrum looking for love and new romantic experiences with others on the spectrum. They go on dates and experience new places all while navigating the changing world of love and relationships with others who share their experiences.
- “Heartbreak high.”
This is an Australian television series made for Netflix by Hannah Caroll Chapman. It is a soft reboot of the 1994 series and follows a group of students at Hartley High as they navigate the world around them. A canonical (factually) autistic character within this show is Quinni Gallager-Jones, who is played by autistic actress Chloe Hayden. This is a strong representation of autism in women, which is an under represented group of people. Lack of all kinds of autistic representation can lead to misunderstandings, intolerance, stereotypes and other harmful behavior.
I hope you try one of these or two when looking for a new binge-worthy series on Netflix! Inclusion is critical and vital in the media surrounding autism. The experiences of those on the spectrum are important, valid, should be normalized, and deserve to be talked about!
