Year of Publication
2025
College
Undergraduate Education
First Advisor
Anastasia Todd
Second Advisor
Kamahra Ewing
Abstract
This thesis explores how American documentaries represent autistic individuals and how these portrayals may influence societal attitudes towards the spectrum. The most popular media representations of autism (i.e., Rain Man) often follow an autistic savant redeemed by their extraordinary intelligence, productivity, and self-reliance. I argue that this perpetuates the idea that autistic people must prove themselves as beneficial to society by neurotypical standards, which hinders inclusivity. Additionally, the conversation around autism focuses on the child rather than the adult. In contrast to mainstream dramatizations of autistic narratives, I was drawn to choose several documentaries that followed autistic individuals as they navigate early adulthood, notably Life, Animated and This is Not About Me. These stories provided an insight into the struggle between the day-to-day reality and the strong emphasis American ideals place on independence, which is often detrimental to autistic adults being able to find a space for themselves in society. The success of this life transition is viewed through a capitalist framework in conjunction with American principles of autonomy, communication, and productivity.
Recommended Citation
Satish, Diksha, "Autism on Screen: Documenting Autism’s Shifting Narratives in American Culture" (2025). Gaines Fellow Senior Theses. 33.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gaines_theses/33
