“For a Kid Like Me”: A Radio Documentary about the Impact of Autistic Representation in Film A Conversation about the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Abstract

This radio documentary examines the state of autism representation in media, specifically in Hollywood films. It contains a content analysis of twelve films, as well as interviews and opinions from autistic people and experts. The current depictions of autism on film are lacking in diversity and accuracy, oftentimes leading to misinformed perceptions of autism. This misinformed view results in a lack of diagnoses for people who do not conform to a male, white, heteronormative stereotype and people with different speech and intellectual abilities. Autistic people who are not savants with scientific special interests are also severely underrepresented in the media analysed. The interviews carried out add to the notion that a plural and diverse representation of autism in media can aid in the process of autism acceptance (rather than mere awareness) and improve the quality of life of ASD individuals of all kinds. The resulting documentary also highlights the reality that autism is not always visible and how that impacts mental health. To lead ASD people to the support they require, the documentary focuses on the lived experience of autism and how it compares to outward expression. Drawing on the “nothing about us without us” movement, this dissertation project concludes that autistic people should be involved in the creative process of narratives about autism.