"I Am Nothing More Than Myself": Impossibilities of Autistic Representation

Abstract

This project looks at the complexities of representing autistic characters in popular media through the lens of Marxist theory. Autism is widely misunderstood and underresearched across many fields, which thus results in a lack of comprehensive representation in media. This project works to understand where, how, and why representations fall short and where, how, and why they are able to reflect aspects of the autistic experience. Some of these shortcomings come from the wide range of autistic experiences. When portraying an autistic character, a creator can only capture one experience of the millions that exist. Autism is a spectrum, with each person being impacted differently, making it impossible to capture the entirety of the autistic experience through media. However, many aspects of it can be portrayed through different characters. Problems arise when the media sticks to only one kind of representation, creating the idea that there is only one type of autistic experience. Utilizing Marxist theory, I will discuss how commodification of media and neurotypical ideologies surrounding autism shape the representation available. The first chapter of the thesis will look at the tv show The Good Doctor by David Shore and the young adult (YA) novel Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings as a way of delving into the continuing stereotype of the autistic savant and how that has intertwined with expectations of autistic individuals in real life to possess a commodifiable special interest. Chapter two will look at the phenomenon of masking through the YA novel Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde. Masking is enforced by ruling neurotypical ideologies, and results in both the harm and protection of autistic individuals. This chapter will seek to understand how masking works, the benefits and drawbacks of it, and how a mask can be altered as an individual reaches a better understanding of themselves and their needs. Finally, chapter three will delve into the complexities of representing autistic individuals across different genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, and action. Utilizing the tv show Stranger Things by Matt and Ross Duffer, I will look at how autistic characters are commodified within these genres and how the generic conventions limit and free up the possibilities of questioning prominent neurotypical ideologies.