Autism Spectrum Disorders in Popular Media: Storied Reflections of Societal Views

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore how exceptional characters with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are typified in a world that is becoming increasingly influenced by popular media. Considerations focus on how these representations may or may not affect realistic social understandings of children and adults with exceptionalities.  In order to make sense of and engage with such ‘storied representations’ a variety of perspectives are introduced depicting varied characterizations of those with ASD from current media sources, popular and independent movies, fictional novels, and children’s picture books.  How different representations both reflect and shape readers’ or viewers’ perceptions of ASD are explored.  Such perceptions impact students prior to entering the inclusive classroom, and are worthy of further investigation.  Additionally, why and how this may or may not relate to social reality and authentic ideas of personhood is questioned.