Young Reporter: Media, Stereotypes & Autism. Gisèle Way, SJS

The media has a pivotal importance to society, where young teenagers are placed into this echo chamber which dilutes the facts, overcoats the stereotypes and develops an amplified image of ASD. An image of an extremely intelligent or low-functioning male who is incapable of ‘normal’ standards and cannot communicate. 

The stereotyping expressed by the media creates a domino effect where directors take reference from films like ‘The Good Doctor’, ‘What’s Eating Gilberts Grape’, ‘Atypical’, ‘Rain Man’ and further coat stereotypes again and again and again. The characters with autism often tend to have exaggerated traits and would never display masking (- a trait to camouflage and ‘fit in’ with neurotypicals) or anything that breaks the barrier, designed by generations after generations of people trying to suppress others and marginalise those who are different. I see in media that autism is being reflected as a linear view, looking at one side being someone who is low functioning, nonverbal and oblivious and the other as an extremely intellectual, rational and awkward individual. 

I see how the Autism spectrum is deteriorating into a binary faction of intoxicating stereotypes and the media certainly emphasises this view. These depictions are especially damaging to young individuals with ASD who need to be embraced and not feel ‘different’. Interviewing someone also with autism; she extensively agreed with the media being a flawed and affronting representation, especially as the media depicts a character that is infantile and unable to handle their own life. My interviewee also highlighted how famous well-known celebrities also fit into the stereotype (e.g., Elon Musk) and as the media pinpoints this, there is a continuum of layer upon layer of stereotyping. She articulated that the media’s misrepresentation made her feel more self-conscious and felt retracted to inform anyone of her disorder as she didn’t want to affiliate with the characters in films. 

The mediated culture is expanding rapidly, and it is periling that directors act now and change their portrayal of characters with autism. Actors who are employed to perform these characters often do not have a diagnosis (e.g., Maddie Ziegler acting in ‘Music’), further infiltrating the lack of awareness of ASD. An idol provides a beacon of ambition and can make someone feel wondrous and sanguine. But as a teenager with autism, others and I certainly don’t feel this way because we are rarely represented authentically, and the counter makes others feel a detachment from their disorder, leading to self-consciousness.

Conversely, as the media creates this hyperbolic character and as ideals are created, there is an increased acceptance towards ASD in general. The media acts as a glove to fit into society’s interests and into whatever the target audience wants, reflecting on the public more than anything. Although it is the media’s partial duty to teach others by sticking down this indolent route of stereotyping, it is undoubtedly not teaching people with autism to accept themselves.