April is Autism Awareness Month, a time not only to recognize and support the autistic community but to reflect on how autism is represented in the world around us—including in film and television. Pop culture has a tremendous influence on how society understands autism. For decades, the representation of autistic individuals in media was narrow, stereotypical, and often created without the input of autistic people themselves.

But over the past ten years, we’ve seen a shift. Today, more stories are being told by—and about—autistic people, creating space for authentic, nuanced portrayals. Whether it’s in children’s programming, documentaries, or scripted series, autism is being explored through a broader, more inclusive lens.

Let’s take a look at some of the most significant portrayals, both past and present, and why they matter.

Carl the Collector (2024, PBS Kids)

One of the most exciting recent additions to children’s television is Carl the Collector, PBS Kids’ first animated series to feature an autistic main character. Carl is a raccoon who loves to collect things—be it rocks, buttons, or bottle caps—and lives in the town of Fuzzytown with his diverse group of animal friends. The show embraces Carl’s sensory sensitivities, routines, and passions without pathologizing them.

What’s more, Carl the Collector includes not just one, but two autistic characters—Carl and Lotta the fox—giving young viewers multiple entry points into understanding neurodiversity. Backed by consultations with educators, clinicians, and autistic people, the series is a standout for its respectful and joyful tone. It normalizes neurodivergent behaviors while providing kids with inclusive storytelling.

Sesame Street’s Julia

When Sesame Street introduced Julia in 2017, it was a watershed moment for children’s media. Julia is a four-year-old Muppet who’s on the autism spectrum. Her character flaps her hands when excited, sometimes doesn’t respond right away, and interacts with the world in a unique way. These behaviors are met with kindness and patience from her friends, who model inclusion and empathy.

Julia has been featured in books, digital shorts, and PSA-style messages, helping children better understand autism and differences in communication. What makes Julia so groundbreaking is her presence in a show that reaches millions of preschoolers—laying the foundation for acceptance early on.

Love on the Spectrum (Netflix)

This heartfelt docuseries follows autistic adults as they explore romantic relationships, first in its Australian version and later in the U.S. adaptation. Love on the Spectrum offers a refreshing, real-world look at dating, communication, and vulnerability. It doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but it also doesn’t focus solely on them—it celebrates successes, quirks, and individual growth.

Most importantly, the show centers real people instead of dramatized or fictional accounts. Participants like Michael, Dani, Abbey, and Steve have become fan favorites not because they’re portrayed as “inspirational,” but because they’re honest, kind, and relatable.

The series has received praise for its compassionate tone and has been lauded by many in the autistic community for humanizing and diversifying the portrayal of autism on TV.

Atypical (2017–2021, Netflix)

Atypical follows Sam Gardner, a high school student on the autism spectrum, as he navigates school, relationships, and the transition into adulthood. Played by Keir Gilchrist, Sam is portrayed with emotional depth, but early seasons were criticized for lacking autistic voices in the writers’ room and for not casting an autistic actor in the lead role.

To its credit, the show course-corrected in later seasons by hiring autistic consultants and casting autistic actors in supporting roles. The series also explored the broader impact of autism on family dynamics, especially through Sam’s relationship with his protective sister Casey and overwhelmed mother Elsa.

Atypical helped push autism narratives into more mainstream, serialized storytelling—even if imperfectly.

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (2020–2021, Freeform)

Created by Josh Thomas, this short-lived but groundbreaking series featured Kayla Cromer, an openly autistic actress, in the role of Matilda—a high school student on the spectrum. This was a huge step for representation, as very few shows have cast autistic actors to play autistic characters.

Matilda’s story was refreshingly complex. She wanted to be independent, attend Juilliard, and navigate first-time love and sexuality—topics often avoided in autism-centered narratives. The show broke barriers by exploring the intersection of autism with womanhood and queerness, making it a standout in the genre.

Parenthood (2010–2015, NBC)

Before autism representation became more mainstream, Parenthood tackled the subject with care and emotion through the character of Max Braverman. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome early in the series, Max’s journey helped millions of viewers better understand what it’s like to live with sensory sensitivities, social struggles, and rigid routines.

What made Parenthood powerful was its depiction of how Max’s diagnosis affected his entire family. The show portrayed the highs and lows with sincerity and never reduced Max to a stereotype. The performance of Max Burkholder and the writing from creator Jason Katims (who has a child on the spectrum) were widely praised.

The Good Doctor (ABC)

A more polarizing portrayal is that of Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor, a surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. Played by neurotypical actor Freddie Highmore, the show centers on Shaun’s exceptional medical skills and the challenges he faces in a high-pressure hospital environment.

While The Good Doctor has its fans, it has also faced criticism for reinforcing the “autistic genius” trope and for not casting an autistic actor in the role. Still, it’s one of the most prominent autism-centered shows on primetime network television, and it’s sparked important conversations about inclusion in the workplace and media responsibility.

Other Noteworthy Mentions

  • Mozart and the Whale (2005) – A romantic drama loosely based on the real-life couple Jerry and Mary Newport, both on the autism spectrum.
  • Please Stand By (2017) – A film starring Dakota Fanning as an autistic woman on a mission to deliver her Star Trek screenplay to a contest.
  • Loop (Pixar SparkShort, 2020) – A beautiful animated short that features a non-verbal autistic girl and her canoeing partner as they navigate communication and understanding together.

Why Representation Matters

Autistic people exist across all walks of life, but for decades, media treated them as invisible—or worse, reduced them to caricatures. Authentic representation doesn’t just help autistic individuals feel seen; it educates broader audiences, dispels myths, and normalizes neurodivergence. Key to moving forward is inclusion behind the scenes. When autistic writers, consultants, and actors are part of the creative process, the result is more honest and respectful storytelling. Autism isn’t a monolith. The spectrum includes people of all races, genders, sexualities, and abilities. Representation must reflect this diversity—not just in diagnosis, but in personality, culture, and humanity.

Final Thoughts

From Sesame Street’s Julia to Carl the Collector to Love on the Spectrum, pop culture is making real progress in how it represents autism. These shows and films aren’t just entertainment—they’re tools for empathy, awareness, and social change.

As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, let’s continue to uplift stories that celebrate neurodiversity, challenge harmful tropes, and give autistic people the platform to tell their own stories.

Because true inclusion isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being understood.

Do you have a favorite autism-centered show or film? Let us know in the comments below!