I was hopeful about this show, that it might have been a step towards the better representation we autistic people are long overdue, and the fact the autistic characters are played by autistic actors is a big positive. But I remain unconvinced a neurotypical writer can tell autistic stories and it's very disappointing to learn the writer consulted with Autism Speaks, a group that many in the community consider a hate group because of the egregiousness of the way they have represented us. There are plenty of talented autistic writers in the world, there is no reason we shouldn't be allowed to tell our own stories.
The biggest problem in this show was Mandy. She is basically a neurotypical saviour, following in the footsteps of the white saviour trope. Too many times autistic characters are props in her story. And as a support worker she is awful - dictating goals to autistic people based on neurotypical ways of living and making Harrison undergo exposure therapy for sensory sensitivity which doesn't work. Exposure only heightens sensitivity and increases distress. There is no need at all for him to be forced into uncomfortable clothing and situations to please his family and it is a child who suggests the very obvious solution of sunglasses and ear protectors.
The autistic characters were reduced to lazy stereotypes.
Jack thinks he is masking and passing as neurotypical but this character plays into the lazy trope of blunt, rude, uncaring and unempathetic. Autistic people lacking empathy is a harmful myth, often the opposite is true with many of us experiencing hyperempathy. Personally I am prone to blunt, direct communication but I am very aware of other people's feelings and care deeply. If I do slip and say something bluntly that upsets someone I feel awful afterwards and ruminate on it, that is a common reaction. An autistic person who is masking doesn't walk around being rude to people, they might be very agreeable to the point they betray themselves and afterwards when they are in solitude crash into exhaustion, it comes at a cost. Jack's reaction to his father's diagnosis was very realistic and the scene in the doctor's office of him grilling a doctor mirrors a similar event in my life very closely. I appreciated the subtle parts of this character - fidgeting, rocking, echolalia, being sensitive to smell.
Violet's desire for autonomy was a very upsetting storyline. Her brother's character deserved a lot more criticism for his controlling, steamrolling conduct and this was presented with far more sympathy than it deserved. Her naivety and vulnerability in romantic and sexual relationships is very true to the reality of a lot of autistic women's experiences. Sadly abuse is common. At least Mandy suggested she could be given guidance to navigate the world and find safe and healthy connection but it's a shame this wasn't just shown. Finding comfort from soft toys and things that are typically "for children" is common among us.
Harrison deserved much more accommodation and support for his sensory sensitivities and I hated his family talking behind his back. There's not much to say about this character as he is basically a prop for Mandy's story. Sensory sensitivity is not agoraphobia, not anxiety (but it can cause anxiety) and pushing through is not a good strategy, it can be done but comes at a cost.
Douglas may have been a minor character but was one of my favourites.
There were so many missed opportunities - to show autistic people who are independent (we exist), to show those living with cooccurring conditions, to show trans, queer, poly or ace autistic people, to show autistic people with intellectual disability or who are non-verbal, to show autistic people who are very engaged in global autistic community and advocates for neurodiversity and are proud in their autistic identity.
If there is a second season it would be my hope that Mandy is gone or gets a clue and that autistic voices are engaged much more in the writing process.
I would also really like to encourage other reviewers to not assume they understand autistic experience based on being a parent of, or friend to an autistic person or having worked with autistic people. It's not the same, and as inappropriate as if a white person presumed to understand black experience because they have a black friend or a straight person pretending to understand queer experience. If you haven't lived it then you don't know and you're just talking over autistic voices and we are already marginalised enough.
We're here, we can speak for ourselves.
The biggest problem in this show was Mandy. She is basically a neurotypical saviour, following in the footsteps of the white saviour trope. Too many times autistic characters are props in her story. And as a support worker she is awful - dictating goals to autistic people based on neurotypical ways of living and making Harrison undergo exposure therapy for sensory sensitivity which doesn't work. Exposure only heightens sensitivity and increases distress. There is no need at all for him to be forced into uncomfortable clothing and situations to please his family and it is a child who suggests the very obvious solution of sunglasses and ear protectors.
The autistic characters were reduced to lazy stereotypes.
Jack thinks he is masking and passing as neurotypical but this character plays into the lazy trope of blunt, rude, uncaring and unempathetic. Autistic people lacking empathy is a harmful myth, often the opposite is true with many of us experiencing hyperempathy. Personally I am prone to blunt, direct communication but I am very aware of other people's feelings and care deeply. If I do slip and say something bluntly that upsets someone I feel awful afterwards and ruminate on it, that is a common reaction. An autistic person who is masking doesn't walk around being rude to people, they might be very agreeable to the point they betray themselves and afterwards when they are in solitude crash into exhaustion, it comes at a cost. Jack's reaction to his father's diagnosis was very realistic and the scene in the doctor's office of him grilling a doctor mirrors a similar event in my life very closely. I appreciated the subtle parts of this character - fidgeting, rocking, echolalia, being sensitive to smell.
Violet's desire for autonomy was a very upsetting storyline. Her brother's character deserved a lot more criticism for his controlling, steamrolling conduct and this was presented with far more sympathy than it deserved. Her naivety and vulnerability in romantic and sexual relationships is very true to the reality of a lot of autistic women's experiences. Sadly abuse is common. At least Mandy suggested she could be given guidance to navigate the world and find safe and healthy connection but it's a shame this wasn't just shown. Finding comfort from soft toys and things that are typically "for children" is common among us.
Harrison deserved much more accommodation and support for his sensory sensitivities and I hated his family talking behind his back. There's not much to say about this character as he is basically a prop for Mandy's story. Sensory sensitivity is not agoraphobia, not anxiety (but it can cause anxiety) and pushing through is not a good strategy, it can be done but comes at a cost.
Douglas may have been a minor character but was one of my favourites.
There were so many missed opportunities - to show autistic people who are independent (we exist), to show those living with cooccurring conditions, to show trans, queer, poly or ace autistic people, to show autistic people with intellectual disability or who are non-verbal, to show autistic people who are very engaged in global autistic community and advocates for neurodiversity and are proud in their autistic identity.
If there is a second season it would be my hope that Mandy is gone or gets a clue and that autistic voices are engaged much more in the writing process.
I would also really like to encourage other reviewers to not assume they understand autistic experience based on being a parent of, or friend to an autistic person or having worked with autistic people. It's not the same, and as inappropriate as if a white person presumed to understand black experience because they have a black friend or a straight person pretending to understand queer experience. If you haven't lived it then you don't know and you're just talking over autistic voices and we are already marginalised enough.
We're here, we can speak for ourselves.