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 added Boo Radley to this list: https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/7596/autistic-character-in-book .
Sherlock & Mycroft Holmes come up often: here, here and (criticism of TV adaptations) here. I think you only really notice the autistic traits as you're reading or watching. It's hard to think back to find such characters, unless they're intended that way, like Moss from The IT Crowd.
Star Trek is full of them, surely: Spock being the original, then Seven of Nine and Barclay. Here's another caricature:
I'd agree with Boo Radley. The book was great but Robert Duvall does sort of portray him with a sort of Autistic prose in the film. Duvall is pretty much always good though. I'd agree with Holmes it's never implied but it's written so well. Eerie considering Doyle couldn't have really had much subject material to draw on.
Cassandro said:Star Trek is full of them, surely: Spock being the original, then Seven of Nine and Barclay.
I should have included it in the title but I wouldn't include Spock of Seven of nine because they aren't human characters. Spock is half human but Vulcan born and bred. Their behaviour can be attributed to their origin.
Barclay however............ Yeah, the holodeck. Next Generation was the best.
Cassandro said:Here's another caricature
They don't need to be caricatures! Never thought about Boo Radley, that one was pretty subtle.