10 TV actors with autism spectrum disorder

Television characters with autism have come a long way over the years. When I was growing up, children on the autism spectrum were rare. Most autistic characters were exasperated as academics who could do almost anything.

Although more autistic traits are being shown and more broadly represented today, there is still a long way to go before the entertainment industry is truly representative of the autistic community. Still, he looks at 10 TV characters who help provide some representation for the autism community.

Julia – Sesame street

Julia may be many children’s first introduction to an autistic television character. When she first appeared in the Sesame Street comics in 2015, Julia quickly burst onto TV screens and was quickly recognized by viewers as the first autistic character in the show’s history. In her debut episode, she showed that she was sensitive to loud sounds, so Big Bird needed to be taught how to interact with her. When my wife and I first saw her debut film with her eldest son Jeremy, he immediately remarked that Julia’s behavior was a lot like her younger brother Joey. This was important because her TV debut came shortly after Joey was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and we were looking for a way to explain the situation to Jeremy. Julia and Sesame Street provided us with that path.

Abed Nadir is a character who is not officially recognized as having Asperger’s syndrome. Yet, in the pilot episode, his fellow characters lash out at him and tell him he has it. Throughout the rest of the series, it is heavily implied that Abed is autistic in some way. Abed exhibits echolalia because he repeats the word “cool” three to five times when approving something. He also doesn’t like change. In one episode, two friends calm the janitor while he adjusts his time for daylight saving time. He also displays an affinity for television and pop culture that goes beyond appreciation, almost obsessively. However, many episodes show that he has difficulty understanding subtle emotional expressions, so he uses pop culture to gain sympathy.

Max Braverman – Parent-child relationship

It has been hailed as one of the better representations of the autism community on television. Executive producer Jason Katsims said the character was based on his experiences with his son. Throughout the show, Max exhibits limited eye contact and an honest, insightful look at the world around him. Many of his scenes are considered heartbreaking because they are very real to parents of children on the autism spectrum. The show also expands as the characters grow older, including the dating struggles of an autistic teenager. It is widely considered to be one of the most comprehensive representations of autism ever shown on television.

Dr. Isidore Latham – chicago med

Dr. Latham, who appeared in the second season of this long-running medical drama, is eventually discovered to be autistic. While he certainly excels at the clinical side of medicine, he often struggles with social interactions, known as “bedside manner.” His diagnosis allows the show’s creators to explore how people can become skilled at certain aspects of their jobs while having great difficulty doing things that others find easy. One episode also tackles a controversial therapy that allows people on the autism spectrum to understand human emotions, which may be temporarily conflicted. This show brings to light many moral issues, but it also opens up many conversations for parents who struggle with human emotions with their children.

Dr. Sheldon Cooper – big bang theory

Although Dr. Sheldon Cooper does not have a formal diagnosis of autism, he exhibits many of the characteristics associated with the outdated diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, specifically Asperger syndrome. On his show, he said he was “not crazy” and that his mother got him tested. At the same time, many may see it as making fun of the autism community. He has given people on the autism spectrum a sense of expression. Most notably, his eldest son Jeremy, who received an official diagnosis, sees much of himself in Sheldon.

Dr. Sean Murphy – good doctor

Dr. Sean Murphy is the surgeon who was discovered to be autistic on the hit ABC TV show good doctor. He is a talented surgeon, but struggles with social interactions, like many other doctors who are portrayed as autistic characters. He has an eidetic memory similar to Sheldon Cooper and can recall minute details that others cannot understand. He’s kind of an example of TV’s tendency to show autistic characters with savant syndrome, but still provided positive representation for many on the spectrum.

Sam Gardner – atypical

As the protagonist of a Netflix show atypical, Sam Gardner represents an 18-year-old boy on the autism spectrum in this coming-of-age series endeavor. Although the show focuses on his entire family, he tackles numerous topics related to autism throughout the show. The actor who plays Sam is not on the autism spectrum, and the show’s first season was heavily criticized for its lack of autistic actors and writers, but the show continues to tell more authentic stories. and hired more actors and screenwriters on the autism spectrum.

Jerry Espenson – boston legal affairs

This autistic character posed a bit of a challenge to the autism community. Presented at a time when there wasn’t much representation on television, Jerry Espenson’s character had his moments. boston legal affairs Some showed textbook autistic traits, while others were clearly exaggerated for dramatic effect. Although Jerry struggled with eye contact and social interaction, his concentration was also very high. Still, the show also showed moments of intense anger that don’t match what’s known about most people on the spectrum. It’s great to have great lawyers at the time, but better lawyers have come along in the years since.

Dr. Spencer Reid – criminal mind

Another case of an autistic character exhibiting what is considered savant syndrome, Dr. Reed was considered the genius of the group on the show. criminal mind. Although it is never actually confirmed on the show that he is on the autism spectrum, Matthew Gray Gubler has self-diagnosed the character as having autism and other neurodivergent disorders. In addition to being highly intelligent, Dr. Reed also has a very outspoken personality, which is often associated with autism.

Sherlock Holmes – sherlock

Known as “the world’s greatest detective,” Sherlock Holmes is known for his attention to detail, which allows him to solve almost any case. In the BBC series Sherlock, it was the first time the character was openly said to have some form of autism, with Watson identifying him as having Asperger syndrome. Sherlock has actually described himself as a high-functioning sociopath, although he is highly focused and exhibits many social anxieties consistent with people on the spectrum.

conclusion

The representation of autistic people on television has come a long way, especially over the past decade. This list includes everyone from adult boys and young adults to doctors, scientists, detectives, and lawyers. There are some great expressions that stand the test of time. Even if it’s good in the moment, it may not be viewed as favorably over time. Still, they are part of the growth the autism community needs and should be truly embraced. Television has come a long way, and the evolution of autistic television characters is an important step on that journey.

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