Autism in Media & Pop Culture

What is Media & Pop Culture?

● Media

○ Channels of communication, information, or entertainment in society.

○ Various platforms and technologies that help access and share information, ideas, and culture.

○ E.g., Print (newspapers, magazines), broadcast (television, radio), and film, as well as digital media like the internet, social media, and streaming services.

● Pop Culture

○ Mainstream culture widely accessible and consumed by the general public. It's the trends, fashions, music, movies, TV shows, and internet memes that everyone's talking about. Pop culture is often shaped and influenced by media, as it's through these channels that trends and ideas are spread and popularize

Change of Habit (1969)

● 1969 American crime drama musical film starring Elvis Presley and Mary Tyler Moore.

● In the movie, Amanda is a young girl who comes into the clinic with her aunt who is concerned that she is deaf due to her “non-verbal” and “unresponsive” nature. ● Elvis (who plays the doctor) is quick to accept this, however, Moore’s character (one of the nuns) objects; stating that she believes Amanda is autistic.

● Treated with “rage reduction therapy” (an outdated pseudoscientific treatment)

Rage Reduction Therapy

● Based off a discredited pseudoscientific theory that autism was caused by maternal attachment issues.

○ Likely influenced by Bruno Bettelheim's "Refrigerator Mother" theory from the 1950s.

● Used with adopted or fostered children with behavioral difficulties

● Involved the use of non-consensual physical restraints with the intent of triggering strong emotions, and believed releasing these emotions will help improve attachment issues.

● Scene featuring Amanda was eerily supervised by Robert Zaslow, one of the founders of rage reduction therapy

Common Stereotypes and Misconceptions

● Savantism: Portraying autistic individuals as having extraordinary abilities, often in specific areas like math or music, while neglecting their challenges in social interaction and communication.

● Emotionless: Depicting autistic people as lacking empathy or emotional depth, unable to form meaningful relationships.

● Aggressive: This harmful stereotype associates autism with violent behavior, which is not supported by scientific evidence.

● “Dumb”: Portraying autistic adults as childlike or immature, unable to live independently or hold jobs.

● “Weird”: Depicting autistic people as awkward, socially clumsy, and unable to understand

Savantism in Media

The Good Doctor (TV Show):

Dr. Shaun Murphy, the central character, is a brilliant surgeon with autism and savant syndrome. He possesses exceptional medical knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Rain Man (film):

Raymond Babbitt, a character with autism and savant syndrome who has extraordinary abilities in mathematics and memory. Inspired by real life autistic-savant Kim Peek.

Rain Man: A Controversial Portrayal

Summary

● Groundbreaking film that brought autism into the mainstream

● Challenged stereotypes about autism

● Acclaimed performance by Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbitt

Criticisms of the Film

● Overemphasis on savant abilities

● Underrepresentation of everyday challenges faced by autistic individuals

● Potential perpetuation of harmful misconceptions

Impact and Legacy

● Sparked discussions about institutionalization and support for individuals with autism

● Remains a complex and controversial film

● Important to remember that it is a fictional portrayal.

“Weird” in Media

Community (TV show):

Abed Nadir is a character who portrays as unusual and “weird” expressing behaviors similar to ASD, though the show’s creators have not explicitly stated he has ASD. Many autistic people felt that Community put Abed’s character in a posiitve light despite his quirkiness and social difficulties

“Faking” Autism on Social Media

● In recent years, an ongoing trend of people are pretending to have ASD (and other disabilities i.e., Tourette’s, tic disorder)

● “People are faking or mimicking [pretending to have autism] because it gives them a sense of identity, a reason to be considered as oppressed or unique…” (Stephany Bethany, 2022)

○ People might fake a disability to gain sympathy, attention, or special treatment

○ With social media constantly evolving, attention is so easily accessible on many platforms all over the world

Are Autism Memes Helpful?

● Relatability and Connection: Memes often capture the unique experiences and challenges of individuals with autism, fostering a sense of understanding and community.

● Breaking Down Barriers: Memes can make complex topics like autism accessible and relatable to a wider audience, including those who may not have personal experience with autism.

● Challenging Stereotypes: Memes can subvert harmful stereotypes about autism by showcasing the diverse experiences and strengths of autistic individuals.

● Promoting Empathy: By sharing relatable and humorous content, memes can encourage empathy and understanding for those with autism.

● Raising Awareness: Memes can quickly spread awareness about autism, reaching a large audience through social media and online platforms.

● Advocacy Tool: Memes can be used to advocate for the rights and needs of autistic individuals, raising awareness about important issues like accessibility and inclusion

The Infantilization of Autism

● Infantilization is the act of treating someone who is not a child as if they were.

● This often involves patronizing behavior, excessive coddling, or dismissing their opinions and capabilities. It can be a subtle or overt form of disrespect, and it can negatively impact a person's self-esteem and autonomy.

● According to one study (Stevenson et al., 2014):

○ Parents portrayed the face of autism to be that of a child 95% of the time on the homepages of regional and local support organizations

○ Characters depicted as autistic were children in 90% of fictional books and 68% of narrative films and television programs

○ The news industry featured autistic children four times as often

How Can Autism Representation in Media & Pop Culture Be Improved?

● Consult with Autistic Individuals: Collaborate with autistic individuals to ensure authentic and accurate portrayals.

● Diverse Representation: Show a wide range of autistic experiences, including different ages, genders, ethnicities, and abilities.

● Positive Portrayals: Highlight the strengths and abilities of autistic individuals, avoiding stereotypes and harmful tropes.

● Complex Characters: Create well-rounded characters with both challenges and successes, showcasing the complexity of autism.

● Avoid Savant Tropes: Move away from the "genius savant" stereotype, as this is not representative of most autistic individuals.

● Authentic Dialogue: Use realistic dialogue that reflects the communication styles of autistic people.

● Inclusive Casting: Consider casting autistic actors to play autistic roles.

● Educate Creators: Provide training and resources to writers, directors, and producers about autism.

● Amplify Autistic Voices: Give autistic individuals platforms to share their stories and perspectives.

● Challenge Stereotypes: Actively work to dismantle harmful stereotypes about autism