Not All Aspies/Auties are Created Alike

[Sportster]

I will be the first to admit that I am narrow-minded when it comes to TV and/or movies, as I prefer westerns and action/adventure. Still, it is nice to see some representation for those on the spectrum in such venues. However, I can’t help but wonder if the portrayal is actually fair or accurate.

 

[SunnyDay16]

I don't think it's a matter of whether or not they are "accurately" portrayed, because I feel they are. I'm sure there are many on the spectrum that are like Comic Con or Bill Gates. I think the problem lies in that those types of people are usually the only people ever portrayed with autism. They should portray people who have less noticeable ASD traits or different manifestations.

 

[Ambi]

I think the portrayal of Temple Grandin was probably pretty accurate, since Temple herself said so. Perhaps I am alone in this, but I definitely do not think Sheldon on Big Bang Theory accurately portrays ASD anymore than the other characters accurately portray real life nerds, physicists, engineers, etc. It's all got to be entertaining for people - and most people don't even like us, let alone want to watch us faithfully every week because they just can't get enough. About Sheldon, I do like that he portrays and eve explains certain Aspie characteristics - but he is usually good at conversational skills like turn taking, not monologuing, etc. Things that would derail a TV show. So in that sense, I think they can't really truly accurately portray ASD and get really good ratings (unless if it were a documentary). That's why I may also be alone in thinking it is a good thing that Sheldon is not diagnosed with ASD on the show - I believe his mother once said he was tested as a child to see if anything were "wrong", but nothing was - so he is borderline or just shares some traits. That makes it more accurate I think, to not label him as having ASD. But the fans assume it, and then you get people on here saying, "my boyfriend/friend/co-worker totally acts like Sheldon, I know he has autism", lol

 

[dragoncat16]

As an aspie who actually is a genuine astrophysicist, I find that they portray neither Aspergers or scientists perfectly accurately on Big Bang Theory, but they also don't ridicule aspies either, which is a good thing. I would go so far as to say that all 4 of those guys on BBT exhibit some aspie traits, so that is, I suppose, the show that goes farthest toward portraying various different sides of autism, even if they don't label them all as autistic.

As to the way they don't show all types of autistic people on TV, well, they usually don't show all types of NT people on TV, either. Usually, all TV characters are "larger than life" and exceptional in some way. Otherwise, why would anyone want to watch them? Even with reality TV that is purported to show "regular people", the people they show on those things are definitely not "regular".

I think that as long as there are some representative autistic characters on TV, showing that they have a place in society too, and showing that they have something to contribute, and, most of all, showing that they are human beings with valid and important feelings (that is the most important one), they're all steps in the right direction.

I think that they need to have more autistic writers for TV shows, because, without that unique perspective on how we see the world, it just won't be accurate. I also think that, in the future, it will be perfectly reasonable to expect that autistic characters would be played by autistic actors. Several other groups have protested in the past the fact that e.g. non-disabled people are chosen to fill disabled roles, and similar issues. They already have shows, like Grey's Anatomy, for instance, where the roles are filled by the best actors for the job, without any predetermined idea of the race of each character. The next step toward a truly tolerant (I hate that word because it implies there is something that needs to be tolerated, but you know what I mean) society is to do the same with disabled and neurodiverse people.

I actually think the place to start is kid's shows. When I was a kid, there was Sesame Street, with representatives of different races and sexual orientations (though I'm sure I'm not the only person who had no idea that Bert and Ernie were supposed to be gay, am I?), and all of a sudden, when my generation grew up, it wasn't cool to be racist or discriminate based on sexual orientation anymore (not that it was ever cool, but lots of people did it, and not that the discrimation stopped completely, but it was not so prevalent). Now, there is an autistic character on Sesame Street, so my prediction is that in a decade or so, it will be "socially acceptable" to be on the spectrum.

 

[InfinityRose]

While I think that there are certain aspects of Sheldon Cooper's character that many aspies/auties have... he's definitely more of a caricature of the stereotypical autistic person, rather than an accurate representation. But then again, the Big Bang Theory is a sitcom, and most sitcom characters are intentionally over the top. I also agree that the show doesn't portray scientists and engineers accurately either. Almost all of the classes I took last year consisted of mostly engineering majors, and the vast majority were far from being shy and socially awkward. In fact, a lot of them acted more like stereotypical jocks than anything else. Of course, that might not be the case everywhere, but it was where I went.

One character that I know several people think is autistic (including some people with autism) is Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony. This is due to the fact that she struggled to make friends, was obsessed with her special interest (learning magic) to the point of it taking over her life at the beginning, and even needed to read a book about sleepovers in order to host one, following the instructions to a T. I'm still not quite sure if I'd say she's autistic or not myself, but I do relate to her about quite a few different things, and I see how she easily could be. If she is, I think she'd be a good example on how to write an autistic character that isn't stereotypical or over the top.

 

[dragoncat16]

I just watched the first episode of Young Sheldon (Sheldon Cooper as a kid), and he displays even more aspects of autism: sensory overload, memorising long lists of rules and calling people on them, being completely clueless about how others around him are feeling, etc. Unfortunately, the writers refuse to let him have any kind of diagnosis, because then that will force them to be careful about how he's portrayed and treated. If he had a diagnosis, he couldn't be a joke. But, really, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck...

It makes me wonder how long it would take people to get upset if, instead of autistic traits, he had something like a limp, suggesting a physical disability, and that was made fun of. Would the writers be able to simply say "he isn't actually disabled, he just walks funny, so it's ok for us to get people to laugh at him because of it"?

Is it not still discrimination by perception if people make fun of someone for traits of a disability (with the widespread assumption that the person has that disability - people post all over the internet about Sheldon's perceived Aspergers), even if the person is claimed not to have that disability? I think it's time that TV stopped making it ok to make fun of characters with social awkwardness, because, for most us us, that hits too close to home (i.e. too many of us have been bullied and mistreated in real life because we are socially awkward and for no other reason).

 

[Judge]

Is it not still discrimination by perception if people make fun of someone for traits of a disability (with the widespread assumption that the person has that disability - people post all over the internet about Sheldon's perceived Aspergers), even if the person is claimed not to have that disability?

Which IMO is precisely why Hollywood writers Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady refuse to categorically state that Sheldon Cooper is on the spectrum of autism. So they can successfully avoid any political correctness or schadenfreude concerns associated with their fictional characters.

Kind of like when people ask Mark Burnett is his "reality" shows are more or less staged or orchestrated. Where he just smiles and refers to it all as "unscripted drama".

Of course in Washington it's called "plausible deniability".

 

[dragoncat16]

But for discrimination by perception, they wouldn't need to actually admit that a character is on the spectrum. All that has to happen is for people to perceive him to be on the spectrum.

What I am saying is that they are claiming to have plausible deniability because they won't admit he's on the spectrum, but that is not true because enough people who watch the show think he is on the spectrum.

 

[Judge]

What I am saying is that they are claiming to have plausible deniability because they won't admit he's on the spectrum, but that is not true because enough people who watch the show think he is on the spectrum.

In the interviews of them I've seen, they aren't claiming much of anything. Much like a politician, the trick is in the words they use to actually say nothing.

Whatever their audience perceives is on them- not the creators or writers of the show. Although lone cast member Mayim Bialik has publicly stated that in her professional opinion Sheldon Cooper's behavior is often most indicative of OCD.

So regardless of what the audience may think, the production and the network manage to maintain good public relations with little to no legal repercussions involving liability. CBS and Viacom lawyers and $hareholders like that. Enough to venture further in this area with other shows like "Scorpion". Which not surprising is yet another show that seems to dance around autism or ASD but certainly implies it from time to time.

Think of this not literally in terms of "plausible deniability", but rather what its ultimate purpose is. In this context the production and network has succeeded.

 

[Fitzo]

In my relatively brief journey towards getting a diagnosis, it seems GP's and mental health professionals are still falling into the trap of looking for stereotypes! It's hardly a surprise that TV producers would do the same.

 

[pjcnet]

TV and movies often use inaccurate stereotypes and not just for aspies, they often do it with nationalities too, E.g. an English person in an American TV show or movie is often all posh and well spoken. The problem is with aspies a lot of people are less educated and will actually believe that all aspies are as portrayed in TV and movies, also I'm not sure whether it's a good thing to use aspie traits for the purposes of humour.

 

[VioletHaze_03]

I agree with this. I think there should be more female aspies portrayed in the media, and i would also would like to see people with ASD who are talented with music and visual art. Not all auties are good at math :> also maybe a few black or asian or indigenous aspie characters would be nice too. Anyone can be born with ASD, So it would be cool to see that reflected in my favourite tv shows.

 

[Crossbreed]

I didn't give it much thought, but you're correct. Even though it has never been openly said, Donna Moss on West Wing struck me as the quintessential Aspie, as well as Abby on NCIS.

Don't forget Dr. Temperance Brennan of "Bones."

 

[Sabrina]

IMO, female characters that might be aspies:
-Lisa Simpson / The Simpsons
-Daria
-Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy /My Little Pony
-Hermione Granger, Luna Longwood /Harry Potter
-Peridot, Lapis Lazuli/Steven Universe
- Amy, Bernadette/ The Big Bang Theory.

 

[Gracey]

I'm not even sure it would be possible to accurately portray a whole spectrum on T.V?

The size of the cast and story lines would be phenomenal in order to represent everyone.

 

[OkRad]

I will be the first to admit that I am narrow-minded when it comes to TV and/or movies, as I prefer westerns and action/adventure. Still, it is nice to see some representation for those on the spectrum in such venues. However, I can’t help but wonder if the portrayal is actually fair or accurate. Please allow me to try to explain.

I have watched “Big Bang Theory” a few times, which seems good even though it lacks horses and gunfights. I also caught a small portion of “The Good Doctor,” as well as “Doc Martin” on PBS.

Here’s my concern, we are not all like those characters portrayed on the screen. I have had the privilege of communicating with all types of individuals on the spectrum and have seen some of your images. There are some here whose IQ’s come close to my weight whereas I do good to balance my checkbook. Some of us look as though we could whip a bear with a switch or we just came off a hard ride on a Road King. Many of us could easily pass through a crowd unnoticed.

So here’s my question, “Do you believe that those on the spectrum are accurately portrayed?” Using myself as an example, but I am not skinny; I do not act or look like Sheldon; I do not enjoy science fiction or Comic Con; my IQ doesn’t equal Bill Gates’.

Why do they seem to think we’re all like that?

OMG no. Sheldon is so not autism according to the people who laughed in my face. He looks at people. He makes conversation. He has no observable stim. He is engaging. ERRRRRRRRR. No.

Doc Martin? Maybe. The Good Dr? Have not seen.

I hate to say it because everyone hates Rain Man, but I actually liked Rain Man.

 

[the_tortoise]

I'm not even sure it would be possible to accurately portray a whole spectrum on T.V?

The size of the cast and story lines would be phenomenal in order to represent everyone.

You could never truly do it justice.

But a better job could be done with a show where most or all of the main characters were autistic, and all of them had notably different presentations of ASD.

 

[Sabrina]

Ugh, I am out of touch, because the only one that I'm familiar with is Lisa Simpson.

You are not out of touch. This is very specialized knowledge and only people in my field have it (my field being motherhood, in case you are wondering; or more specific, ‘mother of a fangirl’, like my daughter likes to call herself).

 

[Sabrina]

Just to add another fiction character to the list (From the book that I’m reading, Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline). He is not the main character, though (but the boy, the protagonist, is very aspish too). It will be a movie in 2018.

 

[dragoncat16]

When I was thinking about autistic characters on TV, I forgot about Cat Grant's son Carter Grant on Supergirl. Cat Grant is very protective of her son and described him as "special", or words to that effect. It was clear that he has some form of ASD or something similar, but he appeared on only one or two episodes.