20+ Characters with Autism – A Lesson in the Importance of Good Representation

The entertainment industry is becoming more and more diverse with many movies and television shows featuring characters with autism being released.

While some characters have been well documented as being on the autism spectrum, most characters who are most likely on the spectrum have not been acknowledged over the past few years. Luckily, parents and autistic families can access various TV shows and films that depict autism in a positive manner and star characters with autism traits. Some of these characters with autism may seem quite obvious, but others will surprise you.

Some of the distinguishing characteristics of autism include robotic speech, avoiding eye contact, odd mannerisms, obsession with unusual or odd topics, and the need for a fixed routine.

Explore the following Tv and film actors and characters that are said to be living on the spectrum. While their producers may not have announced their autism diagnosis, there is enough evidence to prove that.

1. Matilda from Everything’s Gonna Be Okay

17-year-old Matilda is a passionate musician who is autistic. The character (“Matilda”), played by Kayla Cromer, got a thumbs up for bringing an authentic and fresh representation of autism to the screen. The TV show explores the difficulties faced by autistic teenagers as they navigate relationships and their quest for independence as they approach adulthood. Cromer’s real-life experience on the spectrum enables her to easily identify with her role and play it pretty well. She is also dedicated to advocating for the rights of autistic people by speaking up about the stigma and misconceptions surrounding autism.

2. Raymond Babbitt from Rain Man

In this film, Dustin Hoffman plays Raymond Babbitt, an autistic character who has made immense contributions toward bringing the autistic families and communities into the limelight. His peculiar nature and sharp memory despite the myriad challenges demonstrates the complex nature of autism and its many challenges as well as fantastic abilities of people with autism.

3. Temple Grandin from Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is the star behind the biography film Temple Grandin, which documents the lived experiences of one of the world’s most prominent autism advocates by the same name. The film highlights her determination and remarkable contributions to applied animal behavior and animal welfare.

4. Julia from Sesame Street Character with Autism 

The four year old Julia from Sesame Street Characters with Autism, played by Stacey Gordon, entered the educational children’s television series in 2017 to help teach viewers about what autism means. The episode quickly captures Julia’s unique abilities with her painting skills and a new way of playing tag. However, it also shows her own challenges, including being shy and her awkward reaction to sirens, in an attempt to make viewers aware of autism.

5. Abed Nadir (Community)

This TV series stars Abed Nadir who has been diagnosed with a subtype of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. He displays echolalia when he repeatedly says the word “cool” to approve something. He also struggles with change and demonstrates a keen interest in pop culture and television shows. However, some episodes suggest that he relies on pop culture to overcome his difficulties with understanding social cues.

6. Christian Wolff from The Accountant

Christian Wolff, voiced by Ben Affleck, represents an autistic accountant with remarkable math skills. This action-thriller provides valuable insights into the talents and strengths that people on the spectrum can possess.

7. Dr. Isidore Latham from Chicago Med

In the medical drama Chicago Med, Dr. Isidore Latham is portrayed as being autistic. Although he is definitely intelligent in certain areas of medicine, he also has difficulties with social interactions. The creators even use a controversial therapy to help those with autism to better understand emotions. It brings up moral questions, but it also encourages open discussions for parents to have with their kids who might also be struggling to understand human emotions.

8. Owen from Life Animated 

The documentary Life Animated follows Owen, an autistic man who has a strong interest in Disney movies. The movie was crafted by his father to demonstrate how he explored one’s passion to aid in communication. The film explores the challenges autistic teenagers face and the importance of human connections.

9. Dr. Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory

While Dr. Sheldon Cooper hasn’t been officially diagnosed with autism, he shows many symptoms associated with the condition. In the movie, he asserts he is not crazy, and he represents many individuals on the autism spectrum.

10. Dr. Shaun Murphy (The Good Doctor)

This medical comedy features Dr. Shaun Murphy, a doctor who struggles in social situations, a very common trait among people with high functioning autism. He has a sharp memory, and like Dr. Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory, he can remember even the finest details that others wouldn’t remember. He’s a good example of the media’s tendency to feature autistic characters living with savant syndrome, but he also positively represents many on the autism spectrum.

11. Sam Gardner of the Netflix show Atypical

Depicting a young guy on the spectrum, Sam Gardner plays the main role in this TV show. Although the show tells the story of an entire family, it addresses many topics about autism. And although Sam hasn’t been diagnosed with autism, the show added more writers and actors on the autism spectrum for a more authentic representation of autism.

12. Jerry Espenson of the Drama, Boston Legal

The legal drama series “Boston Legal,” is one of the first TV shows to feature characters on the spectrum. Jerry Espenson (Christian Clemenson) doesn’t not bring out the true account of autism, but he comes out as a humorous lawyer, which makes him a popular figure among the movie’s fans.

13. Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds

Another character representing autism, Dr. Spencer Reid was seen as the group’s genius in the show Criminal Minds. Although he was not actually announced as being autistic, Matthew Gray Gubler self-diagnosed him with autism and other similar conditions. In addition to being brilliant, Dr. Reid is overly blunt, a trait that is often associated with autism.

14. Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock

Sherlock Holmes has been revered as the World’s Greatest Detective, and for good reason. His skills and attention to fine details enable him to solve most cases. In this TV series, he displays bluntness and hyper-focus, and many view him as having Asperger’s syndrome, showing social issues common among autistic people.

15. Jerry Newport (Mozart & the Whale)

Mozart & the Whale is a drama-comedy movie about a couple on the autism spectrum. Josh Hartnett plays Jerry Newport, a savant with autism and a talent for problem solving. Thanks to its depiction of autistic characters, the movie brings out various depictions of people living on the autism spectrum, and autistic individuals and their loved ones can find characters they can relate to and gain reassurance and validation.

16. Billy Cranston (Power Rangers)

The celebrated “Power Rangers” series features Billy Cranston, a character diagnosed with autism, introduced in the 2017 film. Billy has won accolades for his positive depiction of autism and this particular movie showcases his challenges and strengths, promoting autism awareness and acceptance.

17. Max Braverman from Parenthood

The TV show “Parenthood” explores the struggles families face raising a child on the spectrum. In the show, Max Braverman is the character who has autism. Producer Jason Katsims used his experiences raising an autistic son. In the show, Max shows limited eye contact and struggles with social communication. The show also explores the topic of dating on the autism spectrum, making it one of the best representations of autism on TV. The TV show aims to discuss the good, bad and ugly of parenting an autistic child,which helps to increase understanding and acceptance of anyone living with autism.

18. Julia Bowman from Speechless

The popular TV show Speechless follows the Maya DiMeo family and their son, who has demonstrated to be a reliable family member as he engages in different family activities despite having cerebral palsy. This show also features another autistic character named Julia Bowman who is a trusted schoolmate to the DiMeo kids.

19. Sonya Cross from The Bridge

Sonya Cross is a El Paso-based detective who uses her Asperger’s syndrome as a tool for investigating crimes in the 2011 CrimeMystery thriller The Bridge. Due to her autism, however, she struggles with social interactions and is prone to rude or inappropriate remarks. It is not the best portrayal of autism, but Sonya Cross comes out as one of the most courageous characters on the small screen in recent times.

20. Adam Raki from Adam

While almost all the characters on this list are supporting characters, Adam Raki from Adam is the main character of this film. The movie explores the experiences of Adam, played by Hugh Dancy, who starts dating a non-autistic girl. In addition to the typical difficulties with social interactions, Adam struggles to connect with other people.

21. Maurice Moss from The IT Crowd

Maurice Moss is another excellent portrayal of autism on TV. likable, witty, and brilliant, Moss — performed by Richard Ayoade —quickly embraces the term “weird” and acknowledges his differences.

22. Max from Neighborhood

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a prize-winning children’s TV show that follows the life of Daniel Tiger, who aims to teach people how to be kind and creative. The show also features Max, who is different and overly sensitive to loud noise. Israel Thomas-Bruce, diagnosed with autism at just four years old, plays Max.

23. Christopher B (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)

Christopher Boone, played by Mikey Rowe, is the main character in the prize-winning show The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. A teenage detective on the spectrum, Christopher, tackles a challenging mystery. Mike Rowe’s exceptional skills prove that individuals on the spectrum can accomplish something big, making him an inspiration to autistic children and adults alike.

Additional Noteworthy Portrayals of Autism in Media

Since many TV shows and movies have a positive depiction of autism experiences and characters or identity, it can be hard to choose. Bear in mind that the majority of these movies and TV shows might represent autism and the autistic community in differing ways and might be inappropriate for certain audiences.

Below are some honorary mentions:

1. I Am Sam (2001)

2. Mercury Rising (1988)

3. Adam (2009)

4. Snow Cake (2006)

5. The Black Balloon (2008)

6. A Boy Called Po (2006)

7. Dina (2017)

8. Please Stand By (2017)

9. The Story of Luke (2012)

10. Citizen Autistic (2013)

Importance of Representation

There are some great examples of popular characters on the spectrum who have left a mark in movies, television, and more. Through positive depictions of autistic TV and movie characters, audiences can understand and appreciate their social stories and experiences.

The positive representation of the autism spectrum condition and autistic people in the media continues to grow and can only get better at increasing awareness and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum. Children with autism get to view characters with autistic traits accomplishing big things on the global scene. It motivates them and opens their eyes to what is possible. Furthermore, media representation helps promote a sense of inclusivity in our communities and connects autistic people with others who may be experiencing similar challenges.

Watching positive representations of autism gives parents reassurance and hope so they can get to know that their advocacy and support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their loved ones.

Conclusion

That’s it! A list of well-known autistic characters in the media. However, viewers should understand that some of these representations may not be ideal because some movies use neurotypical characters  instead of actors on the autism spectrum. 

Positive representation of autistic people in the media helps increase acceptance and encourages people with autism to reach their full potential.  

Through positive media representation and portrayal of autistic people and the autistic community in general, the media and other members of the community can take proactive steps to create a more understanding, compassionate, and inclusive world that embraces and celebrates the diverse talents and contributions of all people, no matter their differences.