The portrayal of autism in film and TV has been a mixed bag, ranging from sensitive and authentic depictions to harmful and mocking stereotypes. While progress has been made, there's still a long way to go to ensure accurate and respectful representation. Let's examine some key examples and discuss how we can foster greater understanding and acceptance.

The 1988 film, Rain Man, while a classic, presents a complex case. Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond, an autistic man with significant support needs, is undeniably powerful. However, the film's narrative, centered around Raymond's brother, Charlie's (Tom Cruise) initial exploitation of Raymond for financial gain, perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Charlie's early treatment of Raymond, marked by mockery and even physical aggression (Charlie grabs Raymond by the back of his neck in a restaurant and refers to his unexpected behavior with the derogatory "r" word), is deeply disturbing. 

While the film later shows Charlie's growing understanding and acceptance of Raymond (an ending scene involving the decision of Raymond's legal guardianship is particularly touching), those early scenes are difficult to reconcile with a truly positive portrayal. The "kiss" scene, in which Charlie's girlfriend, Susanna, sympathetically kisses Raymond in a casino elevator, in a heartwarming gesture of compassion and understanding, where many others would not show an autistic person that type of understanding in that manner. Rain Man offers a nuanced, if imperfect, depiction of the evolving bond between two brothers, but its initial reliance on harmful stereotypes cannot be ignored. 

In contrast, The Big Bang Theory, while a popular sitcom, often relies on Sheldon Cooper's (a character widely interpreted as autistic, though never explicitly diagnosed) social challenges as a source of humor, frequently at his expense. The constant barrage of insults, like "crazy," "nuts," and "wackadoodle," directed at Sheldon, reinforces negative stereotypes and undermines the very real struggles faced by autistic individuals. While intended as comedic relief, these jabs contribute to a culture of ridicule and misunderstanding. How can we expect greater acceptance when a mainstream show normalizes such disrespectful language? This kind of "humor" perpetuates stigma and creates a hostile environment for autistic people.

A shining example of positive representation, however, can be found in Sesame Street's introduction of Julia, an autistic puppet. Julia's portrayal is remarkably sensitive and authentic, showcasing the diverse ways autism can manifest. Her struggles with communication, sensory sensitivities, and social interaction are presented with empathy and understanding. The show's approach, particularly Big Bird's initial confusion and subsequent acceptance of Julia's differences, provides a valuable lesson in inclusion and kindness. Sesame Street demonstrates how the media can be a powerful tool for education and fostering empathy, paving the way for greater understanding and acceptance of autistic individuals.

As far as solutions to address accurate and sensitive autism representation in films and television, if filmmakers and television producers intend to create a program with characters who are autistic, I have some suggestions as a person who is autistic. My first suggestion is that filmmakers and television producers research the autism spectrum through the various advocacy and autism awareness organizations to improve understanding of how autism manifests; that way, the characters are presented and perceived as authentic to how an autistic person would be. My second suggestion is that filmmakers and television producers reach out to and consult autistic people to allow the autistic community to provide insights about what isn't perceived as respectful and what is more respectful within the films and television shows.

A third suggestion is to film scenes with the autistic tendencies and behaviors being manifested in various scenarios to allow autistic people to feel empowered and provide a sense of vulnerability that autistic people can unwind with shielding those behaviors, as so many autistic people have done and continue to do. That way, more people who are neurotypical will see what those tendencies look like and will hopefully come to recognize how those tendencies are not as uncomfortable as initially perceived, which could lead to increased social opportunities for autistic people and neurotypicals.

These examples highlight the critical importance of accurate and respectful autism representation. Film and television have a profound impact on public perception, and it's crucial that these platforms are used to promote understanding rather than perpetuate harmful stereotypes. As an autistic individual, I know firsthand the challenges of navigating a world that misunderstands and misrepresents our community. Organizations like Anvaya Feats, which empowers individuals with diverse abilities, are vital in amplifying our voices and advocating for change. Let's continue to push for more inclusive and authentic storytelling, one that celebrates neurodiversity and fosters a world where everyone is valued and respected. The future of autism acceptance depends on it.



References:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvyJ93k_AH8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTgHLUGT2ZA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUwa6ZkHtnY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJgi-Lou1NA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCdV20zLMs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn-a10Ko_38&list=PL8TioFHubWFtrZ_oqh1uqmijgSPt2ii_0&index=28

PWDs in Nigeria struggle daily with mobility, education, and employment inclusion, made worse by stigma, government neglect, and poor infrastructure.

•  Architectural Barriers

A 2021 study by a Nigerian civil engineer showed that most buildings are not wheelchair accessible, with 80% of construction firms failing to consider PWDs in their designs. The research also concluded that the National Building Code (2006) lacks clear accessibility guidelines. It is therefore not a surprise that public buildings are largely inaccessible.

•  Educational Barriers

Only 2% of PWDs have access to education. Schools lack braille materials, sign language interpreters, and assistive technology. Many institutions fail to accommodate students with disabilities, particularly during exams— I experienced this firsthand when my school had no alternative solutions after my surgery. Students with disabilities suffer name-calling, bullying, and other negative attitudes from both teachers and students. 

• Employment Barriers

In Nigeria, less than 1% of PWDs work in the formal sector. PWDs are denied employment due to discriminatory hiring and inaccessible workplaces. Many companies do not offer wheelchair access, flexible work hours, or adaptive technology. This barrier forces PWDs into poverty and economic dependence. Without urgent action, PWDs will remain isolated, excluded, and economically marginalized.

The Nigerian Government in 2019 enacted the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure accessibility in public spaces.  The law primarily states that:

• No person or institution shall discriminate against a person based on their ability.

 

• All public structures and buildings, whether immovable, movable, or automobiles, must be modified within five years to become accessible to PWDs, including those using wheelchairs.

 

• PWDs have equal rights to education, healthcare, and employment.

 

• At least 5% of all recruits must be persons with disabilities. 

 

• Discrimination carries penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Yet, six years later, not so much has changed. Today, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are still clamoring for enforcement of this law. Government buildings remain inaccessible. Private businesses continue to exclude PWDs. There is no enforcement, no accountability, and no urgency. What good is a law if it exists only on paper?

The exclusion of PWDs is a human rights issue. If Nigeria is serious about inclusion, action must replace empty promises.

​Having the law enacted is not enough, there is a need for strict enforcement of the 2018 Disabilities Act. Stronger penalties should also be meted out for institutions that refuse to comply. In addition, construction stakeholders should include accessibility to Nigeria’s National Building Code, and finally;  nationwide awareness campaigns should be carried out to dismantle harmful stereotypes. Finally, the role of NGOs and Civil Societies can not be underestimated. Hence, these bodies should not relent in pursuing the implementation of this law until real actions are taken. Above all, PWDs must have a seat at the table when policies that affect them are being made. ​

As an autistic man, I've navigated a treacherous path, riddled with both triumphs and the sting of societal indifference. While I've experienced the cruelties of misunderstanding and the deliberate ignorance of my autistic tendencies, I've also had the fortune to access resources that have nurtured my growth into a confident and self-assured individual. 

My social experiences, both within and outside the autistic community, have profoundly shaped my understanding of the social world. These experiences have led me to an undeniable truth; society harbors deeply ingrained double standards against autistic individuals, particularly those striving to acquire neurotypical social skills. These double standards demand immediate attention and radical change.

Let me illustrate with three glaring examples.

Reciprocal Conversations:

• I was rigorously trained in social skills therapy, learning that neurotypical conversations are a delicate dance of give and take (Orsini, et al., 2024). However, autism often presents unique challenges in this area, sometimes leading to conversations dominated by autistic individuals and their areas of intense interest. This, in my experience, is often met with immediate disapproval from neurotypicals. 
• While I understand the importance of balanced conversation, I've witnessed neurotypical individuals exhibit self-centeredness in their interactions with alarming frequency. Yet, this is rarely met with the same level of criticism as it is within the autistic community. Autistic individuals, despite genuine care and kindness, are frequently labeled as "selfish" and "uncaring" for their communication style.
• This double standard is not merely hurtful; it's a profound injustice. It undermines the immense effort autistic individuals invest in learning neurotypical communication styles and devalues our genuine desire for connection. Research consistently reveals alarmingly high unemployment rates among autistic people, ranging from 50% to 90% (Weiner, et al., 2022). This devastating statistic is directly linked to social communication challenges, highlighting a critical gap in societal understanding.
• The research underscores that these challenges manifest in various ways, from struggling to present oneself effectively in interviews to navigating the complexities of workplace social dynamics. It is a glaring indictment of our society's failure to accommodate neurodiversity. Many autistic individuals possess the skills and the drive to succeed in the workforce, but they are systematically hindered by a lack of understanding and support.
• These challenges are not confined to the workplace. Research indicates that teachers in general education classrooms often lack the necessary training and understanding to effectively support autistic students (Weiner, et al., 2022). Combined with prevalent negative perceptions of autistic students, particularly those with more significant challenges, this creates a hostile learning environment. This leads to social isolation, diminished self-esteem, and significant academic setbacks for autistic students. 

      
       Unexpected Behaviors:

• Autistic individuals often exhibit "unexpected" behaviors, such as stimming (like arm-flapping), which are direct manifestations of neurological differences. These behaviors, frequently misinterpreted as "strange" or "inappropriate," have subjected me and countless others to judgment, ridicule and even outright ableism.
• The double standard here is undeniable. Neurotypical individuals are often afforded significant leeway for their quirks and idiosyncrasies, while autistic individuals are harshly judged for behaviors that are often essential coping mechanisms or expressions of sensory needs. This highlights a fundamental lack of acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity. 

     Romantic Relationships:

• The challenges faced by autistic individuals in navigating the world of romance are particularly daunting. The stigma surrounding autism often leads to the perception of autistic individuals as unsuitable romantic partners. This pervasive belief creates a significant barrier to finding love and connection.
• Imagine finding romance as a neurotypical as climbing a gentle hill, while for autistic individuals, it's akin to climbing a treacherous, snow-covered mountain. This analogy starkly illustrates the disparity in the effort required to find love while facing the additional challenges of autism. 
• The "friend zone" became an all-too-familiar and frustrating place for me, a consequence of the pervasive perception that my autism made me "just a friend." This experience, sadly, is not uncommon among the autistic community.

These are just a few examples of the insidious double standards that impede the full inclusion and acceptance of autistic individuals. By raising awareness, challenging societal assumptions, and fostering genuine understanding, we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive society where autistic individuals are valued for their unique perspectives and contributions.

The question now is not whether these double standards exist, but rather how we, as a society, choose to address them. Are we content to perpetuate a system that marginalizes and devalues autistic individuals? Or will we choose to dismantle those barriers and create a truly inclusive world for all? The answer lies in our willingness to educate ourselves, challenge our biases, and embrace the richness of neurodiversity.


References:

www.frontiersin.org/journals/organizational-psychology/articles/10.3389/forgp.2024.1328559/full

www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.873248/full

As a child living on the autism spectrum, I frequently encountered profound misunderstandings in social communication and situational context. Diagnosed in third grade, my early developmental challenges remained unaddressed due to a pervasive lack of education and awareness surrounding autism. This resulted in a childhood marred by mistreatment from peers, teachers and staff.

One vivid memory from first grade (2000-2001) involved a classmate's unkind words. When I responded by calling her a "dummy," the substitute teacher, unaware of the preceding provocation and my autistic difficulties with social filtering, punished me unfairly.

In third grade, despite my diagnosis, my teacher demonstrated a profound lack of understanding. Failing to submit an assignment resulted in a "pink slip" - a harsh disciplinary measure for a student with potential difficulties in comprehending due dates. Furthermore, the teacher's aggressive emptying of my desk in front of the class was deeply demeaning and humiliating. Her dismissive response to my mother's concerns ("I was trying to teach him a lesson") further highlighted her lack of sensitivity and understanding of autism's impact on organizational skills.

This teacher's mocking of my struggle to tie my shoes, a task complicated by my motor skill challenges, was another instance of insensitive and condescending behavior. While subsequent teachers in fourth and fifth grade were more understanding, social challenges persisted due to ongoing miscommunication and a lack of awareness amongst my peers. 

Junior high proved to be a particularly difficult period. In sixth grade, I endured relentless teasing from peers who failed to grasp my struggles with sarcasm and humor. This included a physical assault by a classmate who claimed it was "just a joke." The locker room environment was particularly toxic, with constant mockery of my appearance and interests. Teachers, either due to a lack of awareness or a misperception of me as the instigator, failed to intervene.

Seventh grade brought further escalation, including the use of derogatory slurs and an insensitive remark from the principal: "If he wasn't flapping, he wouldn't be being teased." This statement, from an educational professional, underscores the alarming lack of autism education within the school system.

The subsequent transfer to a specialized school offered little respite. Teachers continued to exhibit insensitive behavior, such as one teacher's degrading comment about my "disgusting" eating habits and another's dismissal of my attempted humor as "wise guy" behavior.

The school's approach to my arm-flapping, a common autistic stimming behavior, was particularly problematic. Instead of recognizing its potential sensory-regulatory function, it was treated as misbehavior, leading to demotions within the school's behavior-based level system. This experience instilled a deep-seated self-consciousness regarding my stimming behavior, despite the fact that it is a natural and often necessary form of self-regulation for many autistic individuals. 

High school brought gradual improvement, but occasional instances of teasing and insensitive remarks from both peers and teachers continued.

These experiences have profoundly shaped my understanding of the critical need for increased autism education and awareness. Educators, school administrators, and members of the general public must strive to gain a deeper understanding of the autistic experience, including the challenges faced in social communication, sensory processing, and emotional regulation.

While autistic individuals also have a responsibility to develop effective self-advocacy skills, it is crucial to recognize that many of the social challenges faced by autistic individuals stem from a lack of understanding and acceptance within the neurotypical world.

By fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment, we can create a world where autistic individuals are not only accepted but celebrated for their unique perspectives and contributions. My journey, fraught with challenges, serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of continued education and advocacy in promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society.

As far as my experiences with living on the autism spectrum and the special interests that come along with being autistic, my first special interest developed as a youth, around the age of six. Special interests in the autism spectrum entail that certain autistic people develop an interest and hobby in one or two areas and become so intensely focused on those hobbies that certain autistic people will dominate social conversations about their hyper-focused interests.

While the neurotypical population may have an interest or hobby that they like and talk about a lot, the difference is that the neurotypical population has enough self-awareness to reciprocate other people's interests, while with the autistic community, autistic people will completely revolve the conversation around their special interests and not reciprocate about other people's interests unless they are prompted to by others.

I am an autistic man who developed the self-awareness to learn how to reciprocate other people's interests, so that is less of a social barrier than in my youth, where I would not consider reciprocating and would dominate conversations about my hobbies.

I fell into that category when my special interest in the Pokemon franchise began as a six-year-old when I collected the Pokemon training cards, followed by the Pokemon movies, TV series, and video games.

I recall going to the local movie theater with my mother around that time to see the "Pokemon 2000" film, where the autistic self-stimulating motor movement of my legs shaking had to be regulated to avoid a commotion in the movie theater.

My favorite Pokemon characters were the Pokemon, Pikachu, and the human cartoon who carried Pikachu, Ash. I found the premise of Pokemon to be interesting and engaging at that time, the creatures with supernatural powers who used those powers in combat with each other. I am impressed that the Pokemon franchise has evolved all of these years later and I look back at my special interest in Pokemon fondly.

After I grew out of Pokemon, by the age of nine, my special interest transitioned into the hobby that I have retained since the age of nine and I intend on continuing that special interest for the rest of my life. That special interest is the professional wrestling industry, and that interest of mine has a very intriguing story to it.

I watched a movie called, "Teen Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain," which happened to feature a professional wrestling star from years ago named Hulk Hogan. My mother mentioned to me that Hulk Hogan was a professional wrestler, and my father had a professional wrestling event from the professional wrestling company, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), called WrestleMania V (5), recorded in the 1980s from an HBO airing on a video cassette tape.

I watched WrestleMania V on that video cassette, which featured the WWE's top stars of the time, and from there, I became interested in professional wrestling. I was flipping through channels one night and caught WWE's Monday night wrestling program, called RAW, and that date was August 4, 2003, two months before my tenth birthday.

I watched that episode of WWE RAW and began watching more regularly from there. My interest in wrestling progressed to watching the WWE programs very often, daily, and I then started collecting the wrestling action figures, along with a play wrestling ring, and would often irritate my family at home by banging the figures in that ring loudly.

The WWE presents monthly pay-per-view programs that feature certain wrestlers in high-profile match scenarios, some of those matches are more intense and some are just about a good athletic match, and before 2006, I could not watch those pay-per-views due to my household TV not having pay-per-view capabilities.

By 2006, my family had digital cable and pay-per-view, so my first WWE pay-per-view, which was recorded to watch since I had school the next morning, was WrestleMania 22.

WrestleMania 22 featured my favorite wrestler at the time, John Cena, in a WWE Championship defense in the featured match, the last match of WrestleMania 22, and Cena kept that championship in a scenario where Cena was heavily disliked by the fans and booed relentlessly throughout that match.

Ironically, Cena was meant to be the heroic wrestler against his rival at the time, a wrestler named Triple H, who was meant to be the villain. The WWE fans booed the hero and cheered the villain in that match, a highly unusual dynamic in professional wrestling at the time.

From then on, my wrestling fandom progressed even more, to getting the WWE merchandise, including the wrestler's T-shirts and similar apparel, and using the Internet to understand how professional wrestling works.

Professional wrestling often gets scrutiny and the fans get chastised for enjoying WWE due to the perception that the wrestling industry is based on the wrestling being "fake." People who do not watch wrestling with the passion that myself and other fans do, people I have interacted with socially, have questioned why I enjoy that "fake wrestling" so much. 

People who do not watch or follow WWE, but know the fact that the matches are choreographed and the outcomes are predetermined, meaning that the wrestlers are told they are winning or losing before their matches occur in front of fans, believe that wrestling is "fake" due to how that aspect of how wrestling operates.

As a WWE fan, I take exception to the stigma of the wrestlers I enjoy so much engaging in "fake wrestling" for the fans' entertainment, because the WWE wrestlers, and the other wrestlers in the wrestling industry, put their bodies through intense physical pain to entertain the fans.

Just because the truth of the predetermined outcomes is a fact, it does not mean that the wrestlers should have a reputation for their chosen jobs being "fake" and therefore, not worth watching.

The wrestling that WWE presents is painful to watch sometimes, and very difficult for the wrestlers to execute safely. Injuries happen a lot, and the wrestlers put a lot of effort into developing their skills for their matches and cooperating with their fellow wrestlers to ensure that the injuries are kept to a minimum.

I cannot count on ten fingers how often I was teased as a school student for enjoying professional wrestling, both because I had a hyper-focus on it due to being autistic, and for the general stigma of professional wrestling being "fake" in certain opinions.

I persisted as a fan of professional wrestling, and I am glad I did because as I aged, more people began respecting my fandom and I was able to enjoy social conversations about WWE.

I now enjoy WWE as a fan who understands very fully how wrestling works, and I enjoy it as much as if not more than when I started watching wrestling many years ago. I follow multiple wrestling companies simultaneously, and I will enjoy wrestling as a hobby for as long as wrestling is an active medium for entertainment.

Granted, I have been heavily encouraged to broaden my horizons to more hobbies for more social opportunities, since the neurotypical population may find conversing with me to be tiring if I overly elaborate about WWE more than the other person wants to talk about WWE.

However, I have more hobbies now. I have progressed in my reciprocal conversation skills to recognize when to discuss wrestling, minimize that habit, and ask my conversational partner about their hobbies. I have been praised by my family and people who know me personally for my growth in that habit, because for a while, my mother would have to interject in my prolonged wrestling chatter to say, "I don't want to talk about wrestling anymore, Mike."

I am more aware now of how to navigate conversations these days in the aspect of toning down the wrestling chatter to mainly other WWE fans, while certain people I know engage me in my wrestling chatter even when those people are not big fans themselves because they understand my passion for wrestling.

Between Pokemon and WWE, those two special interests have been at the core of my hobbies throughout my life, and in certain instances, WWE has been both an effective diversion on my challenging days and periods, as well as a cathartic hobby to enjoy and release some stimulation on my animated days.

As far as my special interest in Pokemon is concerned, I recall having a large book of Pokemon cards that I collected and organized in the book so that when I watched the Pokemon programs, I could be as immersed in the program with my book of cards as possible.

I am proud of my WWE fandom and grateful for it because, as a teenager in school, wrestling provided a good distraction from the challenges I had to deal with a lot. While I was mocked for my fandom, I stuck with it because I knew the truth about wrestling, and because it was a confidence booster for the struggles I navigated each day for a long time, in school and in general.

Overall, my special interests have been received with both understanding and much criticism due to a lack of understanding in some situations, and the encouragement to find new hobbies. Nonetheless, I stick to my wrestling because there are a lot of days when a WWE match is helpful for decompression and gives me some mental relief from stress, anxiety, and overall autistic life challenges. I love my special interests because I like myself for who I am.

If a person, namely a neurotypical, wanted to engage in a conversation but is not into professional wrestling as much as I am, a good way to connect is to understand that while WWE is my passionate hobby, I have other interests that I can discuss (e.g. sitcoms, the paranormal, certain documentaries about people in entertainment). 

People often think that all I want to discuss is wrestling, because that is the first thing I bring up; however, upon talking to me in a more lengthy manner, people will realize that my conversation can expand into more than just my special interest.

If a neurotypical is interacting with an autistic person, and the autistic person's special interest is overly discussed, a kind way to modify that habit is for the neurotypical to simply say, as I was told, "I understand that you like your hobby a lot, and I enjoy talking to you, you seem like an awesome person to talk to, but I would appreciate it if we could change the subject now please."

That is all that is needed to make the autistic person aware of that habit, and while I had that same sentence said to me more harshly, depending on the person, there is a kind way to let the autistic person know that without making the autistic person feel bad or inadequate to interact with.

It is all about the golden social rule: be nice, and try not to be too critical of the autistic community for that habit because it is not the autistic person's intention to sound that self-centered, that is how autistic people are naturally inclined to talk due to being on the autism spectrum.

If the habit of special interests in conversation is addressed and modified in a kind and constructive way, I guarantee that many autistic people will be receptive and learn from that, from personal experience.