Media Representation Analysis: Showcasing Autism's Spectrum in Various Media Platforms
In the realm of television, two recent shows have made significant strides in portraying characters with autism: "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" and "Extraordinary Attorney Woo".
"It's Okay to Not Be Okay" revolves around Moon Gang-tae, a male caretaker, and his autistic older brother, Moon Sang-tae. The neurotypical actor, Oh Jung Se, behind Moon Sang-tae, conducted extensive research to accurately portray his character. This dedication extended beyond the screen, as Oh Jung-se went above and beyond by dressing up and acting as Moon Sang-tae while taking Bae Bum Joon, an autistic musician, to a popular amusement park after the show ended.
Bae Bum Joon, however, expressed concerns about the portrayal of autism in the show and requested a meeting with Oh Jung Se. The meeting was a testament to the importance of authentic representation and understanding in media.
Moving on to "Extraordinary Attorney Woo", aired in 2022, the main character, Woo Youngwoo, is an attorney on the autistic spectrum. Park Eun-bin, the actress portraying Woo Youngwoo, displays her character's difficulty holding eye contact, dealing with touch, sensitivity to loud noises, and a case of echolalia. Interestingly, Woo Youngwoo also displays characteristics of savant syndrome, which is associated with autism. It's worth noting that savant syndrome is quite rare, only 0.5% to 10% of the autistic community has some form of savant syndrome.
The portrayal of Brandon Powell in the science fiction television series The 4400 offers a different perspective. Brandon Powell, who is autistic, was portrayed as dangerous, unstable, and an overall threat. In a dramatic twist, a character with a healing ability "cured" Brandon Powell of his autism, perpetuating a dangerous stereotype that autism is both curable and unwanted.
This stereotype has been challenged by voices in the autistic community. For instance, Eliott Edeki '24 believes that neurotypical actors should not play leading roles of autistic characters. Similarly, Alexandria Liu '27 expressed concern about the portrayal of autism in media, stating that it often leans towards the "smart genius superpower" side rather than accurately representing the day-to-day experiences of autistic individuals.
Autism, coined in the early 1910s by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. While the cause of autism has not yet been discovered, scientists suspect that genetics play a prominent role.
As media continues to evolve, it's crucial that it reflects the diversity of human experiences accurately and respectfully. The representation of autism in shows like "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" and "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" serves as a step towards this goal, but there is still much work to be done.
Read also:
- Understanding Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis: Key Facts
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
- Reducing Anxiety Through Nutrition: Edibles That Soothe the Mind
