2P38 social forum: Atypical

Your typical atypical family:
Streaming apolitical autism
on Netflix

Kristofer Koldenhof & Rose St. Armand

- The article analyses the netflix drama Atypical

- The authors note that the show brings awareness to autism, but also perpetuates
negative stereotypes

- Viewers should be aware that despite media portrayal, autism is complex condition on
a diverse spectrum

- “Moralizing interventions” - The notion that it is okay to subject those with ASD to
medical and therapeutic interventions for the purpose of helping them “fit” into society

- The “typification of autism” - Only one presentation of autism deemed “socially
acceptable”

- The the show failed to employ autistic consultants and seek accurate representation

- Expected change in preceding seasons reveals the power of advocacy

Article summary and key points

Question 1

How does the representation of autism in popular media affect public

perception of people with autism? What are some examples of positive and
negative representations of autism in media, and how do they shape the way

people view individuals on the autism spectrum?

Question 2

The article discusses how Atypical’s narrow portrayal of autism and

moralization of intervention discourages cultural accessibility, (meaning that

it discourages the belief that society should provide accommodations and

create environments conducive to everyone). How can we encourage
cultural accessibility as future educators/ child and youth workers?

Question 3

In what ways can media representations of autism be improved to better
reflect the diversity of experiences within the autistic community? What
steps can content creators and media producers take to ensure that their

portrayals of autism are accurate, respectful, and inclusive of the full range of

experiences and perspectives?