ONTD Original: 7 'Totally Not Autistic' Female Characters That Are 'Definitely Autistic'

[parachuteending]

Disclaimer: I decided to do this ONTD Original after reading many misconceptions regarding autism in recent posts on here. Just so we're clear, I'm a Black woman who have been diagnosed with the Asperger syndrome in adulthood. Asperger syndrome (or Asperger's) is the high-functioning form of autism which means that I can work, live, engage in

Comments

[ginainabottle]

Fantastic post, and I agree with all your choices tbh. It seems that writers have no qualms about giving typically autistic traits to characters they mean to be "quirky" yet when it comes to actually casting autistic actors and/or making it clear that the character is on the spectrum it's pff, nothing.

Since this post is very informative, I'd like to ask for book recs on the subject of disabilities? I've been reading a lot on disability in general but I'd like some more specific recs (either on autism or other disabilities).

[euraylie]

I agree 100%, but I also think there will a lot of people, a lot of writers, who don’t know that they are in fact using autistic traits for a character. Based on their rl experiences and consumption of media, they may think they’re simply using “quirky” traits. I think we’re still at the beginning of really understanding the autism spectrum

[ahkna]

I quite liked Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary. It's kind of an 'intro' book about autism. As someone autistic, I found it relatable and informative (plus he's from outside Toronto like me) and funny.

[ginainabottle]

Thank you, I've added it to my list ❤️

[tillychar]

great post op! this was an interesting read.

[tinurix]

Great post, OP. I haven't seen a lot of these, but I agree with Amelie for sure.

I often wonder if I'm on the spectrum, but assessment is so expensive. For now, it's just something to think about every so often, I suppose.

[iznanassi]

Omg haha Sawako on my ONTD, taking it one-step further, Sunako from The Wallflower (they're kinda from the same trope). What's particularly nice abt that one is that all her friends are her friends particularly bc they appreciate her "quirks", her quirks often make her a hero.

[deleriumd]

Agreed! And totally love that manga :)

[parachuteending]

She's definitely on the spectrum, you're right!

[kawaiiairbender]

this is a great post OP!

I thought that Bones was supposed to be autistic. I think i read a post about it and i kinda accepted it as unofficial official.

It's so weird to me that how things present in men are considered the standard and how they are present in women are an aberration. If half those effected present differently then it shouldn't be a side note. :/ and I know why it's like that but how that information is related should change.

[crystalzelda]

The more I think about Bones the more laughable it is that she’s “not” autistic when she reads as perhaps actually TOO on the nose as someone on the spectrum especially in the later seasons where they start writing her as as someone who no longer gets sarcasms or euphemisms and takes everything incredibly literally.

[parachuteending]

She's honestly a stereotype. When I read that the creator (or Emily Deschanel) said she was "almost" autistic, I yelled. ALMOST??? ALMOST???

[namae_nai]

From what I read, the creator said he based Bones on his friend with Asperger's but "Fox thought it would be a bad idea to give the character a label"