Portrayal of Autism in Film and Television: Discrepancies with Real Life and Their Impact

Ke Gong

doi:10.54097/8pkxgk14

Authors

Ke Gong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/8pkxgk14

Keywords:

Autism, savant skill, film representations.

Abstract

Movies and television, with their influential power, shape societal perceptions of individuals with autism, a multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder. This study examines how the media portrays autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using the TV show "The Good Doctor" as a case study. Through a comparison between the show's portrayal and actual experiences, the research identifies both correct and potentially misinterpreted representations. It highlights how the media shapes how the general public views people with ASD and advocates for a reasonable strategy that takes into account the condition's complexity. The study notes potential preconceptions regarding genius talents while highlighting sections where the show accurately depicts social obstacles. In an effort to debunk misunderstandings and lessen stigma, it promotes responsible storytelling as a means of fostering compassion, understanding, and awareness of autism. For a more thorough understanding of the impact of media on perceptions of ASD, empirical data should be incorporated into future research.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Santangelo, S. L., & Tsatsanis, K. What is known about autism: genes, brain, and behavior. American Journal of Pharmacogenomics, 2005, 5: 71-92.

Broder-Fingert, S., & Feinberg, E. "Autism in the Media: A Comparison of Print Media and Television News." Academic Pediatrics, 2018, 18(4): 377-383.

Stern, S. C., & Barnes, J. L. Brief report: Does watching the good doctor affect knowledge of and attitudes toward autism?. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2019, 49: 2581-2588.

Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, A., Risi, S., Gotham, K., & Bishop, S. Understanding the Behavioral Phenotypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2018, 5(7): 564-572.

Marchand, G. The influence of popular media on medical students' attitudes regarding CPR: A cross-sectional study. BMC Medical Education, 2006, 6: 5.

Howlin, P., Goode, S., Hutton, J., & Rutter, M. Savant skills in autism: psychometric approaches and parental reports. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 2009, 364(1522): 1359–1367.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013.

Liss, M., Saulnier, C., Fein, D., & Kinsbourne, M. Sensory and attention abnormalities in autistic spectrum disorders. Autism, 2006, 10(2): 155-172.

Baio, J., Wiggins, L., Christensen, D. L., Maenner, M. J., Daniels, J., Warren, Z., ... & Dowling, N. F. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Surveillance Summaries, 2018, 67(6): 1-23.

University of Portsmouth. Study suggests early self-awareness of autism leads to better quality of life. ScienceDaily. 2022, April 26. Retrieved March 11, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220426101656.htm

Laurent, A. C., & Rubin, E. Challenges in emotional regulation in Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Topics in Language Disorders, 2004, 24(4): 286-297.