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.Points of interestThere has been a dramatic increase in the portrayal of autistic characters in entertainment mediaThere is disagreement about whether these portrayals increase autism acceptance or further stigmatise autistic peopleThis study, led by an autistic researcher, explored the views of 29 autistic researchers on autism in entertainment mediaThere was a consistent recognition that the majority of portrayals of autistic people in entertainment media reinforce existing stereotypes, use the autistic character as a plot device or present the autistic person as a burdenThe findings suggest that there is a need for more diverse, accurate and positive portrayals of autistic characters in entertainment media