The world has come a long way regarding acceptance, understanding, and inclusivity among once-taboo topics. Ten years ago, open discussions about mental health concerns automatically meant “insanity” and “being crazy.” Now, checking on loved ones’ mental health has become a norm.
Among these topics is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Before information about Autism became widespread, even seeking a diagnosis had a negative connotation. Now, the world is slowly working together towards a better understanding of Autism. Some workplaces have accepted employees with Autism without discrimination. Diagnosis, therapies, and interventions don’t seem to as unlikely as before.
That’s why when mainstream television shows started portraying characters on the spectrum, it was a big deal. Not just side characters, but main roles, too! It’s a significant step towards inclusivity and also a good way of understanding what it's like to be a person on the Autism spectrum. Even if we can’t fully understand everything, these shows at least shed light on what they’re going through.
Smart Parenting listed television shows with characters on the Autism Spectrum, where to watch them.
TV shows featuring Persons with Autism
1. Atypical (2017)
Launched in 2017, Atypical revolves around the story of Samuel ‘Sam’ Gardner, an 18 year old on the Autism Spectrum. When he decided he wanted a girlfriend, his family also went through their path of self-discovery. His mom, who took care of him during his younger years and was also described as ‘overprotective’, also sets on a life-changing path when Sam seeks more independence.
When Atypical ended, Lorraine Ali of Los Angeles Times wrote that the final season “deftly tackles” the fears parents of atypical children may have when watching their child come of age. She also noted that the final season “cemented the show's legacy as one of the best series to deal with autism and its butterfly effect on family, friends, and loved ones.”
All four seasons are available on Netflix.
2. Not Dead Yet (2023)
An ongoing series that started in 2023, Not Dead Yet is a comedy series about Nell Serrano, a broke, single woman who came back to the life and career she left ten years ago. Her landlord and roommate, Edward, is on the Autism Spectrum. He is an ‘uptight’, smart environmental lawyer and a Stanford graduate. He is one of the series’ main characters. Their story shows how Edward and Nell compromise with each other and make their living arrangement possible, despite Edward’s inflexible house rules and commitment to recycling and the environment.
Despite their differences, there is something gentle underneath Edward’s exterior and Nell will come to realize they’re more alike than they thought.
Not Dead Yet’s first season is available on Hulu. The second season is set to air in February 2024.
3. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
This hit Korean series made news and trends during its airing: a female main character on the Autism Spectrum, finally! The series portrayed Attorney Woo Young Woo, a lawyer on the autism spectrum raised by a single father. She struggled to be hired by law firms due to discrimination. When she was finally hired by a big law firm, discrimination and doubts about her capabilities were still present. Atty. Woo’s communication is different from her neurotypical peers, as she’s often direct, odd, blunt, and awkward. She then proves herself as a competent lawyer with each legal case she handles, showing her intelligence and eidetic memory.
The series also showed details that are specific to Atty. Woo’s autism, like her hyper fixation on whales. Other Autism traits showed are echolalia, safety foods, becoming overstimulated, and having meltdowns when she was young. Another unique feature of the series is when Atty. Woo’s thought processes are visualized - pictures and text appearing behind her on the screen as she tries to access information, and how she uses whales to relate to others.
All sixteen episodes of Extraordinary Attorney Woo are available on Netflix.
4. It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
Dubbed to be one of the best ‘healing’ TV shows of 2020, It’s Okay To Not Be Okay easily became the crowd’s favorite. Though mainly a KDrama with a romantic plot and mystery, the series showcased a main character with Autism. Moon Gang Tae, the male protagonist takes care of his older brother Moon Sang Tae, who has Autism. As they struggle to survive due to financial difficulties, they also moved from town to town due to Moon Sang Tae’s trauma triggers. Moon Sang Tae showed autism traits such as speech mannerisms, dislike of being touched, lack of eye contact, and occasional meltdowns. A review of the series commended this portrayal as it is “not depicted to be extreme, but done in moderation and respect.”
The brothers' relationship is quite heartwarming, as they tend to figure out their lives around autism, moving forward, and finally pursuing the life they deserve. It was also endearing that Ko Moon Young, Moon Gang Tae’s love interest, grew fond of Moon Sang Tae. The ending of the series shows the three of them camping, with Sang Tae assuring his younger brother that he can be independent, and Gang Tae can also pursue the life he wants.
The TV series won several awards, including the Grand Prize (Daesang) in the Asia Artist Awards in 2020. Oh Jung Se, the actor who played Moon Sang Tae also won several Best Supporting Actor Awards including the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2021.
All sixteen episodes of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay are available on Netflix.
5. Good Doctor (2017)
Originally a Korean series, Good Doctor already has a Western and Japanese remake, The Good Doctor. All series revolve around the main character, a savant (someone who demonstrates exceptional aptitude in one domain, such as arts or mathematics, despite significant social or intellectual impairment) on the Autism Spectrum who is a surgeon. The Korean series’ main character was Park Si-On, and the Western series was Shaun Murphy.
The struggle lies within the main character’s quest to prove himself in the workplace - as peers and colleagues voice out doubts about his capability as a surgeon. Autism traits portrayed by the main character are social awkwardness, lack of eye contact, playing with his hands during stressful situations, and sometimes, lack of empathy with his patients. As other peers see him, he is childlike and unreliable, and often relies on his genius-level memory and spatial skills, instead of feeling what the patient needs. The story navigates the struggles of an individual on the spectrum in the professional world, and how they eventually find people who help and guide them along the way.
The Korean series is available on Netflix, while The Good Doctor, the Western remake is available on Hulu.
6. As We See It (2022)
This comedy-drama is a coming-of-age series about three roommates on the Autism Spectrum, on the quest for the same things: work, friends, and love life.
As We See It is based on the Israeli series On the Spectrum by Dana Idisis and Yuval Shafferman. What’s special about this series is that all the actors who played the main roles are also on the spectrum themselves. Its creator, Jason Katims, is also a father to a child with autism. The passion and reality behind the series is more than just script.
The series shows typical days of individuals on the spectrum, including their difficulties and triggers. In the first minutes of the first episode, the depiction of how auditory processing can be difficult and overwhelming was remarkable - each noise and trigger eventually sent the character Harrison inside the house.
Although the series is in the comedy-drama genre, it points out some hard reality for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. A The Guardian review reads, "It makes the point, again and again, that the world is not always built for people on the autism spectrum, and that sometimes life will be tough. People are often cruel, both deliberately and inadvertently."
As We See It has eight episodes and all are available on Amazon Prime.
7. Sesame Street (1969)
Sesame Street has been one of the longest-running TV shows worldwide. It’s been airing since 1969 with 54 seasons to date. It’s loved by both adult and children viewers, with its unique portrayal of puppetry, sketch comedy, live-action, and animation.
Sesame Street recently introduced Julia, a 4-year-old girl who enjoys drawing and playing with her stuffed toy rabbit and is on the Autism Spectrum. Her introduction to Sesame Street was strategically chosen to coincide with World Autism Day on April 2, 2017. She enjoys playing with her neurotypical friends, while they also learn how to understand autism in the process. The character Julia is played by Stacey Gordon, who has a son with Autism. Julia communicates slightly differently than other characters her age, requiring questions to be repeated or rephrased. She uses shortened phrases to express herself and uses stimming as a response to heightened emotions. Julia is shown to be easily overwhelmed by outside stimuli, such as loud and excessive sounds, as well as hot liquids.
With Julia’s character, the history of the media’s gross exaggeration of autism traits was corrected, showing children a more realistic, less stigmatized version of autism. Julia’s character also became a helpful learning tool for parents, leading them to a stronger understanding of autism.
Sesame Street is available on YouTube and PBS Kids.
Check out these 8 Autism content creators and channels to follow, here.
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