Published on 12, July, 2020
We watch our films, TV shows and read our books. Some might listen to radio plays, play video games or indulge in other forms of entertainment.
There was a thread the other day where someone mentioned Melvin Udell from As Good as it Gets may be on the spectrum.
So in this thread we discuss characters that have never been expressly named as being Autistic but more than likely are in our opinion.
I'll start. The Driver from Drive. He has a specific interest, cars and driving them. Doesn't seem keen on physical contact. Seems awkward around other people. Doesn't make friends easily but when he does he is very loyal. Lots of other hints there imo.
Cadet Sylvia Tilly from Star Trek Discovery. She has lots of traits, extroverted for sure but very direct (awkwardly though) and was introduced as someone who had lots of aversions to fabrics and materials. Has her own quarters because she was deemed to have "special needs". Was clearly bothered when someone slept in her bed even though both beds were identical. Was fast tracked because of her aptitude in specific things but is inept at others, sometimes. I was pretty disappointed when they toned it down in the second half of the series. I was enjoying watching the way the character was sort of Aspie. I found her relatable.
So has anyone else seen a character they have an idea about?
I think Erin from the US Office as well
Joseph Byrne from Holby City as well :)
Arthur Digby from Holby City. Mr Bean. Kerry from This Country :)
Pretty interesting read!
I saw a video by an autistic guy I watch on YouTube about it.
https://youtu.be/YeWUQqMn-zo
A pretty interesting watch.
Marvel has quite a few autistic characters. The St. Croix twins were interesting. Claudette was autistic, pretty powerful too.
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Claudette_and_Nicole_St._Croix_(Earth-616)
I don’t have a character for you but I do have a very good autistic actor for you (apologies it’s not Daryl Hannah )
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../index.html
I think Artemis from the Artemis Fowl book series is autistic. Dunno how many of you have read the series but I absolutely loved it as a kid. One of the few sets of books I have read over and over again.
I haven't seen the recent film and have heard they may have portrayed him quite differently in it, so I can only really say for the books.
I heard recently that Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy could be on the spectrum. There's results in a googly search. Here's one at the top:https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/guardians-hero-drax-resonates-autism-community/story?id=47283398
For me, my favorite is Elliot Alderson from the TV show Mr. Robot. He's such a relatable character ... the actor portrayed him so well. My all-time favorite. :)
You can listen to it while you’re eating your next packet of cookies
I always wonder if Dr Hanson from Holby City is autistic too - he struggles socially (even with family members) and he often seems distant, but clearly has a lot of empathy. He also likes things a certain way (I love how he always straightens his pens when he sits at his desk). I have a lot of fondness for him as a character.
Wow - I read Secrets as a child and didn't know enough about autism to recognise this. Thinking back, she does seem to have a few traits and I definitely related to some of them
I find Eleanor Oliphant fascinating. Without wanting to ruin it (as the book is amazing and I'd highly recommend reading it), the author insists that Eleanor isn't autistic. However, even considering the author's reasoning for this, I'd have said Eleanor definitely came across as an autistic character. Could it be that the author inadvertently created an undiagnosed autistic character? I'd be interested to hear others' views.
Just binge watching Tin Star season 1. Constable McGillen has to be because of how literally he takes things and responds.
Plus not sure about Ducky from NCIS - going off on tangents at the forensic/autopsy sites as well as Abby (fixations and anxiety) - Discuss.
Thanks! That's a pretty comprehensive compliation of Cookie Monsters work!
Jim Henson is suspected to be on the spectrum. Oscar, and Count sort of have aspie traits of sorts.
I was going to post you a picture of the Cookie Monster, due to you both engaging in the repetitive and restricted behaviour of eating copious amounts of cookies/biscuits. But no! I can do better than that
Bumping as a sort of thread merge.
Other thread here.
community.autism.org.uk/.../fictional-characters-who-act-autistic
Criminal Minds Dr Spencer Reid
Seven Of Nine could be seen as having a massive developmental issue, the forced removal of her human identity, which could be relateable to some people that feel like they're an outsider to society or who are struggling to integrate.
Data and Spock were my childhood heroes.