In today’s world where discrimination issues dominate the conversation, representation is one of the most discussed topics. Following this, many shows, dramas, and films on various platforms are casting actors and actresses of different social groups. However, unfortunately, they do not always do the best job in “representing” different minorities. So various thoughts went through my mind as I rewatched one of Netflix’s most popular shows Atypical, starring Keir Gilchrist and created by Robia Rashid.
The main character Sam Gardner is a high school senior with autism with an overprotective mother Elsa, a father who at first is in denial of his son’s disability, a younger sister Casey who is recruited by the top private school and Paige, a smart and active girlfriend who wants to help Sam in all ways possible. On one side, Gilchrist is praised for his acting skills as he smoothly portrays an autistic character, but on the other side, there is much debate on why a non-autistic actor was casted to “fake” autism. This raises the question: If the cast is not diverse, can the result - i.e. what is shown on the show - be representative of the autistic?
Several instances in the show were also controversial, as critics argue that they reinforce/ further create stereotypes of autism. The show includes numerous scenes where Sam fails to pick up social cues, ignores others’ feelings or randomly starts a rant about penguins in Antarctica. In other words, Gilchrist acts out what society believes a typical autistic person would do, thus reinforcing the already-established stereotypes regarding autism.
Moreover, the attitude that the characters around Sam take are also controversial. Sam is oftentimes implicitly portrayed as someone who is in need of help, as those around him constantly try to help and advocate for him before he asks them to. His girlfriend Paige asks the school to make the Winter Formal more accommodating for him with less sound and lights and his mom is always paranoid whenever Sam is alone without herself or his sister Casey. Casey is almost forced to give up her opportunity in track after getting recruited, because her mom wanted her to stay with Sam in the same public high school. As such, the show often illustrates Sam as someone in need of that special attention and who causes much discomfort to those around him. The show may have intended to show that it is not so, but whether the message went through is a matter of debate.
Of course, it is not to say that these shows completely failed at representation. Atypical showed a caring father who constantly tries hard to understand and help his autistic son. It shows the determination of Sam to try new things by himself. Zahid, Sam’s co-worker and best friend, is also supportive of him and helps him start a relationship with Paige. Along with the typical elements of Netflix dramas with Elsa’s affair with the bartender and Casey’s newly found sexual identity, Atypical presents an intriguing and binge-watchable series for the audience. But in terms of representation of a minority group, it raises some questions. What did you all think about the series?