College - Author 1
College of Liberal Arts
Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
Date
6-2025
Primary Advisor
Alison Cheung, College of Liberal Arts, Communication Studies Department
Abstract/Summary
In 1988, Rain Man was one of the first films with an autistic character that sparked conversation around neurodiversity. Throughout the past 30 years, different media texts have continued to include autistic characters to increase representation. However, there has not been an increase in representation compared to the large autistic community in the United States. As media attempts to include autistic characters, audiences must be aware of the message these characters and scenes are sending. In my analysis, I analyze three media texts that have autistic main characters. Using a visual rhetorical critique, I examine Music, Season 1 of The Good Doctor, and Season 1 of Atypical, and I argue that these media texts support stereotypes such as being a burden or a challenge for those around them, having savant skills, and focusing on a neurotypical point of view rather than providing a voice to the autistic characters. While each of these media texts were created in hopes of bringing positive attention to autism, these texts focus on certain characteristics of autism rather than neurodiversity as a whole.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/276