Hey look, I’m (not) on TV : Autistic people reflect on autism portrayals in entertainment media

Portrayals of autistic characters in entertainment are becoming increasingly common across a range of media platforms, including movies, television series and novels. No longer is the autistic character a bit part or a minor story arc, we are seeing mainstream television series with autistic characters as protagonists and their autism as the focus of the story. The jury is out as to the educational value of these portrayals, with both positive and negative outcomes being posited. However, to date the ‘jury’ has consisted of non-autistic people commenting on the accuracy and impact of fictional portrayals of autism. This study sought the perceptions of autistic people on the ways they are currently portrayed in entertainment media, finding that the entertainment industry has a lot to learn about accurate, meaningful and respectful portrayal of the autistic experience