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?
What about Dr Elliott from Scrubs??
She does learn to be more sociable in some areas as the series goes on...but never really seems to "get it" going by the reactions of those around her.
Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory
What about Sherlock Holmes himself? I have heard him describes as on the spectrum.
Someone also brought my attention to Lisbeth Slander, from the book and film, the dragon tattoo badass whom the writer suggests was on the spectrum, but proves herself definitely not to be messed with.
Trek always seems to have a spectrum character somewhere, in all of its series. First there was Spock and his logic. Then we had Data, who yearns to be human. Then there was 7, who is still pretty Borg.
I don’t watch television or films, I don’t listen to radio or music, I don’t read magazines or newspapers and I don’t read novels, so I don’t think I’m much help
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: