What does it truly mean to be seen, and why does representation matter for individuals with autism?
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July 8, 2025
Explore how media portrayals of autism spectrum disorder are evolving—from one-dimensional stereotypes to complex, authentic characters—and why representation matters for visibility, empathy, and inclusion.
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Recently, a colleague was giving a presentation at a national conference for future educators; a group of participating high school students was asked to name what was important to them. Several expressed the desire “to be seen.”
Films and television provide us with a window into the lives of people with whom we may never have a significant interaction or even a cursory introduction.
Acknowledgment and validation take many forms. It wasn’t too long ago that the majority of TV actors were white and the occasional person of color was a rarity prompting outright exclamation in countless American households. Later, in the 1980s, the cry of “It’s on!” led to a chaotic chain of events when individuals leapt over pets, small children, and vacuum cords to return to the television after the commercials were done. The Jeffersons (TV Series 1975-1985)—IMDb sitcom was an acceptable favorite in our home.
Dorothy Dandridge films were another favorite. She exemplified beauty and glamour while making it known she was not interested in the stereotypical role of the domestic servant. Unfortunately, she had a troubled life offscreen. It’s now thought that Dandridge suffered from bipolar disorder, a condition often associated with artists and researched in Kay Redfield Jamison’s book Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. Dandridge, like others, suffered silently with what is sometimes termed an invisible disability because the symptoms are not always readily apparent. Similarly, individuals with autism spectrum disorder share this categorization of an invisible disability dependent upon the extent of their symptoms and challenges.
Media plays a significant role in society. Films and television provide us with a window into the lives of people with whom we may never have a significant interaction or even a cursory introduction. If viewers only see a one-dimensional and oftentimes maligned portrayal, this lessens the “normalization” of people not quite like themselves.
However, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD-a medical diagnosis) as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or autism, the term used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (an educational determination), have recently been featured in more thoughtful portrayals as the number of persons identified has significantly increased. The current prevalence of ASD is 1 in 36, up from 1 in 68 in 2010, 1 in 150 in 2000, and 1 in 10,000 in 1989 (An Overview of Autism).
The 2010 film portraying the life of Temple Grandin highlights a woman with autism facing opposition yet working to create needed reforms regarding the humane treatment of livestock and autism advocacy. Grandin is now a professor at Colorado State University. Today, we have the privilege of layered characters ranging from a look into adolescence and family dynamics with Atypical (TV Series 2017-2021)—IMDb, portrayals of autism spectrum disorder and savant syndrome in the French program Astrid | PBS where a young archivist turned detective uses her exceptional attention to detail to solve crimes. The show also gives us a look into Astrid’s private life where she discusses the peculiar emotions of neurotypicals in her peer group. The U.S. show The Good Doctor (TV Series 2017-2024)—IMDb depicts the life of a surgeon dealing with the complexities of patient and client trust and relationships. And the South Korean program Extraordinary Attorney Woo (TV Series 2022) - IMDb focuses on the life of attorney Woo Young-woo as she navigates her way through relationships with colleagues, clients and friends while trying to avoid perseverating on her favorite topic of whales.
The American Bar Association Journal featured a piece “Lawyer with Autism Explores Netflix Series ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’” where author Haley Moss, an attorney with autism, highlights the concerns, similarities and differences she experienced with the show. Moss wrote, “I’m hopeful for the future of autism representation. While ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ took only a small step forward in the United States, it took a massive leap in other parts of the world.”
Entertainment serves the additional role of informing the audience and furthering an understanding of the developmental disorder that manifests in various forms and how this condition significantly impacts family and peer relationships. There is one similarity in that it’s a complicated condition with multiple layers dealing with skills we take for granted regarding adaptive behaviors (self-care), communication, social interactions and the ability to self-advocate. Just as there are people with more of an invisible disability, there are also those with more obvious symptoms. Comorbidity is also a factor in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Some of these accompanying conditions include anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, epilepsy and Down syndrome. Depending on the individual need of the child or adult, providers range from medical professionals, behavior specialists, counselors, occupational and speech therapists.
Let's continue to move forward and highlight the complexities of autism spectrum disorder. After all, everyone just wants to be seen.
Join the conversation. Explore what science really says about autism—and how educators, families, and public employees can lead with facts, empathy, and inclusion. Register now for this Vital Lessons town hall.
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