A Review of Netflix's Atypical: Why We Need More Thoughtful Representations of Autistic Identities
Perhaps it was a deliberate stylistic choice by the writers, but the Netflix original series Atypical (2017-21), created by Robia Rashid and Seth Gordon, feels tonally confused. To begin with, it oscillates between appearing to be a comedy and a drama and it slides on a spectrum between teen soap and family sitcom, with its narrative interrupted by the occasional voice-over that seems to belong to an entirely different show.
The first season, which consists of eight thirty-minute episodes, premiered in August 2017 and explores the life of Sam (Keir Gilchrist), an autistic, eighteen-year-old high school senior. The storyline revolves around the following question: what does it mean to be ‘normal’?
Since the late 1980s, in conjunction with the rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses, there has been an increase in portrayals of autism on the big and silver screens. From the award-winning dramedy, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), to Sia’s controversial debut film, Music (2021), today, more than ever before, autism is part of the international conversation about identity and societal inclusivity. However, while Atypical arguably raises awareness of the diversity in our identities, it is important to recognise that it features only one autistic character and that the complexities and nuances of autistic identities are not capable of being represented through a one-size-fits-all portrayal.
In addition, such portrayals can have negative consequences, including stigmatisation and the strengthening of stereotypes. As a result, the accuracy of Atypical’s presentation is subject to intense debate, with many autistic individuals rightly expressing criticism of the show and the director’s choice to cast a non-autistic actor.
Like many other TV series and films which portray autistic characters, one main criticism of Atypical is that it often feels like the writer combed through all the available literature, extracted and amplified behaviours that were thought to be characteristic of autism, and implemented them into one character. For example, Sam talks in a fairly monotonous voice, struggles with social cues and has an all-consuming interest in the Antarctic, especially penguins. As a result, Sam arguably embodies a caricature of autism, risking the sensationalism and pathologisation of diverse and complex identities en masse.
Nevertheless, the series also provides invaluable representation of certain issues that some autistic people face. For example, the show depicts Sam’s struggles with auditory hypersensitivity, which some autistic individuals experience, and portrays him wearing noise-cancelling headphones in response to environmental stimuli. Furthermore, it shows the impact of his peers’ ignorance of his identity, including scenes in which they laugh at him and tease him for his struggles, thereby highlighting the general lack of awareness that many autistic people encounter in social circles about the intricacies of their identities.
A common misconception about autism is that autistic people are incapable of, or shun, having serious friendships or relationships. Debunking this misconception, the series’ arc revolves around Sam’s search for a girlfriend, just like his peers around him, and affirms a frequently-ignored truth: that, like neurotypical people, he possesses the same, basic human need for closeness.
Additional storylines follow Sam’s family. His mother, Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), is overprotective and underappreciated, consumed with caring for her son. His father, Doug (Michael Rapaport), is portrayed as being ashamed of his son’s autism, but then learns to appreciate him for who he is. And his sister, Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine), is often side-lined by her family due to her brother’s difficulties, but is a champion for her brother. Casey comes the closest in Sam’s family to accepting him for who he is, and treating him as she would anyone else, and therefore demonstrates the most important message of the series: that autistic people deserve to be treated equally to neurotypical individuals.
Popular portrayals of autistic identities have a significant impact on how autism is understood in mainstream consciousness. Stereotypical narratives frequently lead to people boxing the diversity of autism into an unrealistic expectation of savantism, for instance, as occurred after the premieres of Rain Man (1988) and The Good Doctor TV series.
While Atypical is not perfect in its portrayal of an autistic individual, it contributes to a much-needed conversation about the representation of autistic identities. Despite its promise, it also suffers from poor writing and unrealistic storylines, which render it somewhat frustrating for the viewer. On the whole, it is entertaining, albeit superficially so.
Star rating: 2/5 stars
Summary: An interesting take on the experiences of an autistic individual, albeit somewhat unrealistic and stereotypical. Atypical is a series that provokes broader questions about the representations of autism in popular culture.
Article tags: | -ism | autism | disability | diversity |
While Atypical is not perfect in its portrayal of an autistic individual, it contributes to a much-needed conversation about the representation of autistic identities. Despite its promise, it also suffers from poor writing and unrealistic storylines, which render it somewhat frustrating for the viewer. On the whole, it is entertaining, albeit superficially so. Image Source: Atypical / Netflix
Like many other TV series and films which portray autistic characters, one main criticism of Atypical is that it often feels like the writer combed through all the available literature, extracted and amplified behaviours that were thought to be characteristic of autism, and implemented them into one character. Image Source: Atypical / Netflix
Search by Tag
-
While it may be unbeknownst to some, references to Greta Thunberg's U.N. Climate Action Summit address as a "meltdo… https://t.co/5kEEFQELep
Related articles
