My Perspectives on Autism Representation In Film And TV Continued

Michael J. Westwood
Aug 22
6 min read

It is important to understand the complexities of the autism spectrum, as well as the unique ways in which autistic individuals navigate social situations. As an autistic person, I have often found it challenging to elaborate on my own experiences when faced with responses like, "Oh, I wouldn't have known," or "What is that?" Autism is a neurological condition where the brains of autistic people are wired differently, affecting their ability to engage in reciprocal social conversation and recognize non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.

The autism spectrum also encompasses a range of unexpected behaviors, including "odd" hand gestures, pacing while in deep thought or overwhelmed, repeating words and phrases, and shouting in inappropriate environments. The challenges posed by these behaviors vary from person to person; some autistic individuals require lifelong specialized care, while others, like myself, learn to adapt and acclimate to the social expectations of the neurotypical population, often in a "comfortably uncomfortable" way. Despite facing challenges with certain behaviors and misreading cues, I have demonstrated the ability to learn and adapt where necessary.

It is heartening to see that the entertainment industry has begun to introduce characters on the autism spectrum into films and television. While some of these efforts have been a mixed bag of positive and poor representation, they are nonetheless crucial for raising awareness about the challenges faced by the autistic community. Although autism's complexity can sometimes lead to an inaccurate portrayal of an autistic character, these efforts are still valuable for bringing much-needed attention to the topic.

As an avid television viewer, I have witnessed various TV programs incorporate autism into episodes to educate viewers on why an autistic character behaves the way they do. These portrayals can be both positive and instructive, depending on the specific situation. To demonstrate this, I will analyze three shows: a children's show, a show for teenagers and adults, and a show related to my favorite hobby of professional wrestling, to illustrate the varying degrees of success in autism representation.

Carl The Collector

Carl The Collector, a PBS Kids show that premiered in late 2024, features a cartoon raccoon named Carl who is autistic. His special interest, a common trait among people with autism, is collecting items. He interacts with a diverse group of friends: Sheldon the beaver, Lotta the fox, twin rabbits Nico and Arugula, and Forrest the squirrel.

The episodes of Carl The Collector are designed to spread awareness about autism and the neurodivergent community. One of the first episodes is particularly empowering. When his friend Nico the rabbit becomes upset and asks why he didn't notice her fall, Carl, who is self-aware of his autism, utilizes a mental script of prepared responses—a common strategy for autistic individuals navigating social interactions. After careful consideration, Carl explains how his autism affects his communication and behavior.

Carl apologizes to Nico for his inattentiveness, and Nico, in turn, apologizes for not being clearer about her expectations. This interaction powerfully demonstrates the effectiveness of self-advocacy. By taking responsibility for their communication, both characters learn and grow from the misunderstanding. The scene is made even more powerful when another character commends Carl for his vulnerability, highlighting his kindness and courage. Carl The Collector serves as a shining example of excellent autism representation, particularly for young audiences. It shows how autistic people learn to communicate and resolve misunderstandings, making it a crucial tool for promoting empathy and understanding from a young age.

As an autistic person, I commend PBS for creating Carl The Collector. The show's ability to emphasize social skills, development, and the varied ways the autism spectrum presents itself is truly remarkable. It is a testament to how far autism awareness has come, and I hope to see more programs of this nature in the future.

The Proud Family

The Proud Family has been a Disney Channel staple for many years, and its new iteration, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, takes a unique approach to autism awareness. In a powerful episode from the second season, Oscar and Trudy Proud, along with their daughter Penny, are informed that their toddler, Benjamin "BeBe" Proud, is autistic.

Oscar and Trudy’s initial reaction is one of shock and frustration, which, at first glance, may seem disappointing. Their lack of familiarity with autism leads them to perceive it as a burden or a flaw. However, once a professional explains that BeBe is intelligent and capable with the right support, guidance, and care, their perspective shifts. They embrace their son unconditionally, demonstrating a powerful journey from initial frustration to loving acceptance. The scene concludes with BeBe's teacher introducing him to his new classmates, a touching moment that reinforces the importance of inclusion.

While some might criticize the parents’ initial reaction, I believe it represents a combination of positive representation and realism. It accurately portrays the initial shock some people may feel when first learning about autism, and it shows how that reaction can be transformed into acceptance and care through education. This was not a poor representation; it was a realistic depiction of a common real-world scenario.

I admire how Disney introduced autism with BeBe Proud and hope that more of their future characters are autistic as well. This reinforces awareness and education, leading to greater understanding.

WWE

My third example of autism representation is, unfortunately, one of the poorest I have ever seen. While it occurred in 2004, a time when autism was far less understood, its portrayal was nonetheless disparaging. WWE, the professional wrestling company, created a persona for a new wrestler on its Monday night show, RAW. This persona, or gimmick, was based on a wrestler with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

WWE took a promising wrestler named Nicholas Dinsmore and gave him the name Eugene. Eugene was intended to be a wrestler with autism spectrum and intellectual disability, but the execution of this persona was deeply flawed. Dinsmore did his best to portray Eugene as a disabled person living his dream of being a professional wrestler, but WWE's portrayal focused on his aloof social skills and unexpected behaviors.

Eugene's persona included autistic hand gestures, hair-pulling, and putting his fingers in his mouth during uncomfortable situations—behaviors that are common in autistic people but were presented as childish to the neurotypical audience. Eugene’s manner of speaking was also inflected to accentuate his disability, adding another layer of disrespect. In one particularly insulting scene, Eugene, as an authority figure for one night, had his "office" in a bouncy house. Neurotypical wrestlers would also exploit Eugene's innocence, feigning friendship to manipulate him into interfering in their matches.

This portrayal implied that disabled people, including those with autism, are to be ridiculed and exploited, not befriended. It suggested that autistic people are a charity case, and when Eugene failed to comprehend the manipulation, the wrestlers turned on him physically. The ensuing beating resulted in Eugene being stretchered out, bruised and bloodied. Though Eugene was popular at first, the persona quickly ran its course, and WWE moved on, having disrespected the autistic community and potentially damaging Nick Dinsmore's career. As a passionate wrestling fan, I am offended by this persona. While WWE may have had good intentions, the execution was terrible. The final insult was Eugene's entrance music, titled "Child's Play."

WWE’s presentation of Eugene was by far the most distasteful and demeaning example of autism representation in the entertainment industry. It is a prime example of how not to present a wrestler with disabilities, and as an autistic wrestling fan for 20 years, I remember it vividly and unpleasantly.

Final Thoughts

Of these three examples, Carl The Collector is the most heartwarming and respectful, accurately and kindly presenting autism. It demonstrates how clarification and understanding can resolve misunderstandings between autistic and neurotypical individuals. The Proud Family is also a heartwarming example, although the parents' initial reaction highlights the vulnerable side of understanding autistic people. WWE’s portrayal of Eugene, however, was tasteless and classless. The idea and execution of the Eugene persona are offensive and embarrassing. I hope more shows follow the formula of Carl The Collector—realistic and understanding at the same time. As more shows recognize and incorporate autistic characters, greater exposure and understanding will surely follow.