The Portrayal of Autism in Atypical

       Atypical, a Netflix original show created by Robia Rashid, explores the life of Sam, a teenager who has autism, and some of the social difficulties that come with having the condition. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Common aspects of ASD include difficulties with social situations, communication, and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of characters with ASD in movies and television shows has been increasing since the 1980s. These works of fiction can be an outlet for others to learn about the disorder but can sometimes be stereotypical. Is Atypical a stereotypical portrayal of an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

       In the show, Sam has sensory processing difficulties, which is a common trait of ASD, but the show dramatizes these problems. According to Shireen M. Kanakri and colleagues and Elysa J. Marco and colleagues, many individuals with autism have auditory hypersensitivity and related sensory processing differences (Kanakri 848; Marco et al. 48). Noise-cancelling headphones can be a practical solution to this problem. Numerous times in Atypical, Sam wears noise-cancelling headphones because he is sensitive to the sounds around him. The first episode of the show revolves around Sam wearing headphones (“Antarctica.”). Many of his peers laugh at him for the headphones, which he uses to cope with the auditory stimuli around him. People laughing at Sam could make others with autism feel ashamed of something that is helpful to them.

       Another way individuals with autism process these incoming sensory messages is through Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors (RRBs), which are repetitive actions (Kanakri 849). According to M. Mody and colleagues, these repetitive behaviors can include body rocking, hand flapping, and finger/hand mannerisms (157). Kanakri writes that RRBs may be a coping mechanism for processing stimuli (850). In Atypical, Sam engages in RRBs to help him cope with sensory information. In the third episode, Sam gets overwhelmed by a jacket that has numerous zippers on it (“Julia Says.”). He wears the jacket to seem “cool” but hates the zippers, buckle, and leather. To cope with the various stimuli on the jacket, he engages in repetitive behaviors, including clenching his fists over and over (“Julia Says.”). This causes a huge scene in the class and makes Sam seem like he does not belong. Although the show is portraying a common aspect of ASD, it builds on stereotypes of people with ASD. Many individuals with ASD have sensory processing difficulties; however, the show seems to exaggerate these difficulties and put them at the forefront of life with ASD.

       On the other hand, Sam’s sensory processing difficulties are not stereotypical of people with ASD because most people who have autism have these difficulties. Marco and colleagues state, “Over 96% of children with ASD report hyper and hypo-sensitivities in multiple domains” (49). This means that almost all people who have ASD have some sort of sensory processing difficulty. According to Kanakri, “Individuals with autism modulate sensory input differently than do others” (849). This means that people with ASD have a different way of processing sensory input that people who do not have ASD. Sensory processing difficulties may cause problems with social interactions of people with ASD (Kanakri 849). In Atypical, Sam has trouble connecting with his peers, which may be because of his sensory processing difficulties. For example, he wears his noise-cancelling headphones between classes (“Antarctica.”), which prevents him from interacting with others. Sensory processing difficulties are a prevalent aspect of ASD; therefore, Sam’s sensory processing issues are not stereotypical of autism.

       Additionally, the show over-exaggerates the difficulties with emotional recognition and social interactions that people with ASD face, which makes this portrayal stereotypical. According to Lauren Berkovitz and colleagues, emotional regulation is “the range of cognitive, physiological, and behavioral abilities that allow an individual to monitor and modulate the occurrence, valence, intensity, and expression of one’s emotions and arousal” (Berkovitz et al. 68). Many individuals with autism have problems with emotional regulation and recognition, which can lead to problems with social interactions (Berkovitz et al. 68). In Atypical, Sam has difficulty recognizing others’ emotions and facial expressions. Emotional regulation can be vital in children interacting with their social and physical environment (Berkovitz et al. 68). Berkovitz and colleagues write, “Children with poor emotion regulation skills may ultimately tend to act in ways that reduce their chances of success in social interactions” (69). Throughout the show, Sam misses sundries of social cues and takes everything literally, which leads to his peers out-casting him.

       Individuals with autism are capable of social interaction, but at some points, Atypical makes it seem like Sam is too socially inept to have many friends. Although this is seen in many children with ASD, the producers of the show may have exaggerated this for the sake of drama. Lauren J. Taylor and colleagues performed a study that found a significant difference in emotional recognition between individuals with autism and typically developing (TD) individuals (Taylor et al. 466). These traits are common in individuals with ASD, but the show makes them seem more dramatic than they really are to keep the audience interested. Sam has some friends, including Zahid, who he works with. Zahid treats Sam like any other person and makes him feel like he belongs. This friendship has a positive impact on Sam’s life. This shows that individuals with ASD who have emotional recognition difficulties still can have solid friendships.

       Contrarily, Sam’s difficulties with emotional recognition and social interactions are not stereotypical of people with ASD because of how common these difficulties are in people with ASD. Taylor and colleagues write, “While emotion recognition deficits may not be a universal feature of the ASD phenotype, these difficulties are present in a substantial proportion of individuals with ASD” (452). This supports the idea that Sam’s emotional recognition deficits are not stereotypical. Emotional recognition is an aspect of ASD that can lead to problems with social interactions (Berkovitz et al. 69). Throughout the show, Sam works on improving his ability to recognize others’ emotions. For example, he works with his therapist, Julia, to practice recognizing emotions (“Julia Says.”). This helps Sam improve his social skills. Although Sam has troubles with emotional recognition, he still interacts with others successfully.

       The show’s portrayal of Sam as a sexual being goes against the stereotype that people with ASD do not want sexual relationships. In Atypical, Sam explores his sexuality and ultimately starts dating one of his classmates, Paige (“That’s My Sweatshirt.”). Rebecca Koller and Hanna Bertilsdotter Rosqvist both argue that people with ASD are capable of sexual relationships but may need sexual education to help improve relationship skills and understanding of sexuality (Koller 127; Rosqvist 355). The most commonly held view by people in society is that people with autism have inherently different sexuality than “neurotypical” people (Rosqvist 354). Some people may also think that individuals with ASD are asexual (Rosqvist 355). Many people do not think that people with ASD desire sex, but the show demonstrates the opposite. The portrayal of Sam as a sexual being debunks this stereotype and shows that people with ASD, in fact, do want sexual relationships.

       Some people believe that people with ASD are not capable of having relationships, but Koller argues the opposite. According to Koller, “Social difficulties do not always mean that young adults do not wish to pursue social relationships, nor do they indicate a lack of emotion” (127). The fact that Sam has some social difficulties does not mean that he does not desire a relationship. Rosqvist and Koller also believe that specialized sexual education for people with ASD with help them understand sexuality better (Koller 128; Rosqvist 355). According to Rosqvist, this sexual education should deal with topics such as “social and communication skills, relationships, and problem behaviors” (356). Sam’s therapist Julia helps teach him about sexuality using these topics, which helps him develop relationship skills (“Julia Says.”). This also shows the importance of professionals in helping people with ASD develop their social skills. Like typically developing people, individuals with autism are sexual beings and can have sexual relationships (Koller 126; Rosqvist 352).

       Sam’s sexual life in the show also plays into some stereotypes of people with autism because of his social difficulties in his relationship. According to Roqvist, “Research on sexuality and autism is dominated by a sexually deficit view of autism” (355). This had led to people in society believing people with ASD are not capable of relationships. The stereotype that people with autism are not capable of sexual relations may be portrayed in Atypical. At one point in the show, Sam is about to lose his virginity but punches the girl in the face (“Julia Says.”). This makes him seem incapable of having sexual relationships. As well, Sam locks her girlfriend, Paige, in his closet because she is bothering him (“That’s My Sweatshirt.”). This portrays the idea that Sam cannot have a functional relationship. Every person has trouble with relationships, and the show makes it seem like Sam’s troubles are solely because he has autism.

       The fact that Sam has a job in Atypical goes against the stereotype that people with ASD are not capable of working. According to Agnieszka Zalewska and colleagues, “Employment has been long recognized as one of the most important social determinants of health and well-being in adult life” (225). Therefore, having a job is important to most people, which includes people with ASD. Sam’s job at a technology store is an important aspect in his life that the show depicts. Alisha Ohl and colleagues write that individuals with ASD have the desire to work but have high rates of unemployment (345). Adults who have autism are less likely to be employed than the general population as well as adults with other disabilities (Ohl et al. 345). Ohl and colleagues state that “approximately half of adults with ASD are unemployed, which is significantly higher than the national unemployment rate (5.0% in November 2015)” (345). Because many people with ASD are unemployed, Sam having a job is not stereotypical of autism.

       Additionally, a little under half of people with ASD work with coworkers who also have disabilities (Zalewska et al. 228). According to Zalewska and colleagues, “42% worked in settings where most of their coworkers had a disability, rather than working in the general labor market” (228). This may make people with disabilities feel like they do not belong in the workplace. Sam does not work with predominately disabled people, which also goes against stereotypes of people with autism. Integrating people with ASD into a job with “neurotypical” people may help them develop better social skills (Zalewska et al. 228). Sam’s relationship with his co-worker Zahid helps him learn more social skills. Additionally, many people with autism end up working jobs they are not interested in because these jobs are easier to obtain (Zalewska et al. 228). Sam is interested in technology, and he works at a technology store. The fact that Sam works at a job that interests him is not stereotypical of people with ASD. For the most part, the portrayal of Sam’s job in the show is not stereotypical of people with autism.

       Sam has some difficulties with social interaction in the workplace, which is stereotypical of people with autism. According to testimonies, people with ASD may have job difficulties because of “the social demands of the work environment, rather than the job itself” (Ohl et al. 348). Social demands in the workplace may be unappealing for a person with ASD. Zalewska and colleages state that “job seekers’ personal traits like self-determination and social skills are often highlighted as key for achieving employment” (227). Because people with ASD stereotypically have problems with social skills, people may believe they are not capable of having jobs. Although many people with ASD have difficulties with social interaction, many individuals with autism are capable of working in various work environments. Throughout the show, Sam faces obstacles of social interaction in the workplace. However, he overcomes these challenges and improves his social skills through his work.

       Autism affects millions of people in the United States and around the world. People should understand what ASD is in order to better understand those around them that are on the spectrum. Individuals with autism have varying degrees of the condition, which means that not every person who has autism will be the same. Ohl and colleague write, “The symptoms of ASD fall on a continuum, with some individuals showing mild symptoms, while others have more severe symptoms and require extensive support” (346). The portrayal of autism in movies and television affects how other people understand the disorder. Narratives that depict stereotypes of autism may lead to people believing those stereotypes are the only ways the condition can present itself. Rory Conn and Dinesh Bhugra write that after Rain Man came out, many people thought all individuals with ASD were savants (Conn and Bhugra 62). Although this is not true, people in society associated having autism with being a savant. The depiction of people with autism in the media has increased awareness of this disorder. For example, Sesame Street recently introduced a Muppet who has autism. This may help children develop an understanding of the condition at a young age. Also, this may help teach children that someone being different does not mean he or she is any lesser of a person.

       Atypical only features one individual with autism, but autism is a spectrum. According to Marco and colleagues, “ASD is clearly not a one size fits all diagnosis” (49). There are varying degrees of autism; therefore, there is not one simple way to portray a person with autism in a movie or television show. This may be why works of fiction seem to present the “stereotypical” view of autism. Conn and Bhugra write that most films are made for entertainment, not education (61). Producers may not want to show some of the more serious aspects of ASD, such as being non-verbal, because it may not be as entertaining to their audience. Conn and Bhugra argue that most portrayals of autism in films and television are dramatic and rarely realistic (61). As well, some films can make people with autism seem like “the other” and encourage the audience to laugh at the main character (Conn and Bhugra 60). Some points in Atypical seem to encourage the audience to laugh at Sam. Overall, Atypical is stereotypical of ASD in some aspects but non-stereotypical in other aspects. Although the show is not perfect in portraying individuals with ASD, the show has brought more awareness to the disorder.