It’s a bit of an older show (2014-2018), and while it doesn’t mention autism specifically, it does center around several people who are clearly neurodiverse, using their unique strengths to solve a wide range of complex and difficult problems while also trying to navigate their individual challenges when interacting with the rest of society.
When I watched this, it was well before I knew any of this stuff, and indeed research was undoubtedly less informed as well. So I wanted to see if anyone here that knows more than me has seen it and can give any opinions on it through the lens of our modern understanding of autism and neurodiversity. Was the show an excellent demonstration of ND people, their strengths and challenges? Or was is completely off the mark? Perhaps somewhere in the middle? Or perhaps even negative and perpetuating outdated stereotypes? Or is the show just too old and I’m talking to a field of crickets?
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Hi! I’m autistic, and I did enjoy the show!
When it comes to neurodiversity, I did appreciate the inclusion. And they stayed away from harmful stereotypes such as presenting us as having no emotion, and instead presenting the struggle of expressing them in a way “normals” understand.
However, the show has also clearly gone through a filter to make sure it doesn’t look too unusual for neurotypical people.
At some points the main cast was also presented as having sort of superpowers. Such as Sylvester being able to figure out thousands of options in a matter of seconds. (I’ve had such an experience with special interests, but not to that extreme) or the behaviouralist accurately describing his self destructive behaviour as he’s doing it.
Of course, everyone’s individual experience and brain is different. I liked how it was presented overall even tho the writing got a bit lazy near the end