Representation of autism in fictional media: A systematic review of media content and its impact on viewer knowledge and understanding of autism.

This review looked at how TV shows, movies, and books show autistic people, and whether watching these affects what people know about autism. Most fictional characters with autism are shown in stereotypical ways and lack diversity (mostly white males). While short clips didn't improve people's knowledge about autism, they did slightly improve attitudes. More diverse and accurate portrayals of autism in media are needed.

This systematic review examined how autism is portrayed in fictional media and whether these portrayals affect viewer knowledge and attitudes. Analyzing 14 studies on media representation, researchers found predominantly stereotypical and unhelpful portrayals, with limited diversity (most characters were white heterosexual males). Positive representations highlighted autistic strengths and showed nuance. Five studies examining impact on viewers found no improvements in autism knowledge after short media exposure, though attitudes toward autistic people showed some improvement.

The review highlights the need for more diverse, accurate autism representation in media and better research methods to assess long-term impacts of media exposure on public understanding.

Clinicians should be aware that public perceptions of autism may be influenced by stereotypical media portrayals. There is need for advocacy toward more accurate, diverse autism representation in media to improve public understanding and reduce stigma.

Small number of studies included (19 total), short media exposure duration in impact studies, lack of research on long-term effects, and absence of validated measures for assessing autism knowledge and attitudes.

The way autism is represented in fictional media can impact people's views of autistic people. For example, representations may contribute to negative views of autistic people as being unusual or dangerous, or they may challenge stereotypes and instead highlight the strengths of autistic people. This work aimed to review previous research to understand how autistic people have been represented in fictional media (Part A). It also sought to understand whether viewing fictional portrayals of autism has an impact on people's knowledge of autism and attitudes towards autistic people (Part B).

Of 14 studies that were included in Part A, several unhelpful and stereotypical portrayals of autism emerged. Positive portrayals were those that highlighted the strengths of autistic people and reflected nuance. There is a need for greater diversity in representation of autism in fictional media. For example, not all autistic people are white heterosexual males.

Across the five studies included in Part B, there were no improvements in people's knowledge of autism after watching or reading a short segment from a fictional TV series or novel that depicts an autistic person. Although there was a significant improvement in people's attitudes towards autistic people, these findings do not provide a complete picture given the short length of the media exposure and small number of studies. Future studies should investigate how multiple exposures to the representation of autistic people in both fictional and non-fictional sources can affect people's understanding of autism. There is also a need to develop more accurate and respectful ways of measuring people's knowledge of, and attitudes towards, autism.