Hey look, I’m (not) on TV: autistic people reflect on autism portrayals in entertainment media

Jones, Sandra C.

doi:10.1080/09687599.2022.2150602

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Coded portrayals offer media producers more flexibility but may have less educational value; an accurate portrayal of autism will not increase autism knowledge if the viewer is not aware that is what is being portrayed. Concerns have also been raised by autistic people that coded portrayals permit the presentation of autistic characters as objects of humour or derision in a way that would not be permitted if the character was identified as autistic ( Jones 2022 b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Representation of autism in fictional media: A systematic review of media content and its impact on viewer knowledge and understanding of autism

Jones

Gordon

Mizzi

2023

Autism

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Media depictions of autism have the potential to have either positive or detrimental impacts on the lives of autistic people. This systematic review aimed to examine (1) the accuracy and authenticity of fictional media portrayals of autism (Part A) and (2) the impact of viewing such portrayals on knowledge about autism and attitudes towards autistic people (Part B). Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review: 14 for Part A and 3 for Part B, comprising five experimental studies. The media reviewed in Part A covered a 30-year period (1988–2017). Several stereotypical and unhelpful portrayals surfaced. Positive portrayals of autism highlighted strengths and reflected nuance. Overall, participants in the fiction conditions in Part B were significantly more likely to attribute positive traits to an autistic person than those in the control conditions, with medium effect sizes ranging from 0.57 to 0.73. There were no improvements in knowledge. Given the small number of studies included in this review, further evidence is needed to understand the conditions under which fictional media may be effective. There is also a need to develop measures that accurately and respectfully measure autistic people’s experiences of community knowledge and attitudes. Lay abstract The way autism is represented in fictional media can impact people’s views of autistic people. For example, representations may contribute to negative views of autistic people as being unusual or dangerous, or they may challenge stereotypes and instead highlight the strengths of autistic people. This work aimed to review previous research to understand how autistic people have been represented in fictional media (Part A). It also sought to understand whether viewing fictional portrayals of autism has an impact on people’s knowledge of autism and attitudes towards autistic people (Part B). Of 14 studies that were included in Part A, several unhelpful and stereotypical portrayals of autism emerged. Positive portrayals were those that highlighted the strengths of autistic people and reflected nuance. There is a need for greater diversity in representation of autism in fictional media. For example, not all autistic people are white heterosexual males. Across the five studies included in Part B, there were no improvements in people’s knowledge of autism after watching or reading a short segment from a fictional TV series or novel that depicts an autistic person. Although there was a significant improvement in people’s attitudes towards autistic people, these findings do not provide a complete picture given the short length of the media exposure and small number of studies. Future studies should investigate how multiple exposures to the representation of autistic people in both fictional and non-fictional sources can affect people’s understanding of autism. There is also a need to develop more accurate and respectful ways of measuring people’s knowledge of, and attitudes towards, autism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Representation of autism in fictional media: A systematic review of media content and its impact on viewer knowledge and understanding of autism

Jones

Gordon

Mizzi

2023

Autism

Self Cite

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“…Third, a research designated by Sandra Jones entitled Hey look, I'm not on TV: Autistic People Reflect on Autism Portrayals in Entertainment Media related to the representation of autistic characters that are displayed fictitiously in television series and films that have pros and cons in constructing perceptions of autism experience without any generalization among the public (Jones, 2022).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

POPULARIZATION OF SCIENCE FICTION: FORMULA ANALYSIS ON ELLE McNICOLL’S NOVEL SHOW US WHO YOU ARE

Akbar

2023

LANGLIT

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This research is the formula analysis of popularization of science fiction in representing the neurodivergent character, Cora, in Show Us Who You Are. The novel, exposes the female autistic who would be the next hologram creation of Pomegranate’s experimentation. The method used in this study is an inductive-qualitative approach with comprehensive data collection and analysis that generate arguments and critical thinking. The material object used is the novel Show Us Who You Are written by Elle McNicoll, while the formal object is the formula put forward by Raymond Williams about conventions and inventions in the science fiction genre. The combination of science fiction and middle grade makes Elle McNicoll's work unique in reconstructing the romanticization of neurodivergent character from the neurodivergent perspective. Thus, these innovations are presented in various formulas which deconstruct the binary narrative through feminist critique in soft SF formed by the author in the delivery of an inclusive neurodiversity movement.

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“…Over the last several decades, allistic (non-autistic) actors have primarily portrayed autistic characters onscreen (IMDB, 2018;Shaul Bar Nissim & Mitte, 2020), which has been a topic of critique for autistic advocates (Kurchak, 2021;Luterman, 2021;Jones, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Productive Bodies & Minds: Exploring Autistic Labor in As We See It

Francis¹

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Allistic actors have long portrayed autistic characters on-screen -a topic of critique for autistic advocates (Jones, 2022). Cue As We See It: a 2022 Amazon Original series about three autistic roommates navigating their twenties. The series intentionally cast autistic actors and addresses a demographic of autistic people often overlooked in television: the youth precariat (Aspler, Harding, & Cascio, 2022). This research explores whether and how As We See It adds complexity to discussions around work and disability/autism. Applying Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis, I examine the show's pilot episode and reception among key audiences.Several themes emerged reinforcing an ableist/neurotypical discourse that valorizes ideal bodies and minds within a capitalist order, around which autistic people are disciplined. An alternative discourse also emerged celebrating autistic pride. This study contributes to the developing field of Critical Autism Studies and explores the affordances of a critical, materialist approach in furthering questions of autistic labor.To Dr. Brady and Dr. Fritsch, your courses inspired me to write this thesis. I have long been an intellectual admirer of your work and to have had the opportunity to work with you both was a pinch me! moment. You are both deeply generous with your time and your guidance. I was able to push myself, and not let the fear of making mistakes hold me back, because of the safety inherent in your support. You have made me a better writer and a stronger thinker. Thank you.To Mum and Dad, I have reached this milestone because of you both. Thank you for raising me to be strong-willed and curious. Thank you for never giving me reason to doubt I could accomplish something, for teaching me to find the humor in every moment, and for being my guiding light, always. I am who I am because of you. You are the most wonderful parents and have given me the most wonderful life. I love you, very much.To Leigh, thank you for every cup of coffee, quietly delivered while I was writing. Thank you for every joke, timed exactly when I needed to be grounded the most. Thank you for accompanying me on long walks when I needed to work through writer's block. Thank you for every adventure and reminding me to stay present. Thank you for lifting me up and for being a soft place to land at the end of long days. Your support and collaboration are unmatched. You are an indelible force in my life, and I am so fortunate to call you my partner. I love you deeply.And to Nicky. The boxer, the fighter, the champion. Your siblinghood has been the greatest gift of my life. You taught me resilience, and always reminded me:It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done.-Rocky Balboa I love you.

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Hey look, I’m (not) on TV: autistic people reflect on autism portrayals in entertainment media

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

Representation of autism in fictional media: A systematic review of media content and its impact on viewer knowledge and understanding of autism

Representation of autism in fictional media: A systematic review of media content and its impact on viewer knowledge and understanding of autism

POPULARIZATION OF SCIENCE FICTION: FORMULA ANALYSIS ON ELLE McNICOLL’S NOVEL SHOW US WHO YOU ARE

Productive Bodies & Minds: Exploring Autistic Labor in As We See It

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