More Autistic Headcanons! Elsa, Mr Bean and more...

[@YoSamdySam]

Give me your suggestions for more autistic headcanons!

[@garyfrancis5015]

Yo Samdy Sam Was Michael Jackson autistic?, video. Like the video from moon walker, Speed Demon where he does a dance off with a cartoon rabbit. Yes 100% but you can look into genius and vision with his music videos like thriller was on news how he turned music video into a short film. The film moonwalker seem to be weird and unique mind of a autistic person. Then there his Neverland ranch. A thing autistic people do in adulthood it's so stressing we just want to escape in childhood. As Michael said in that documentary. "I'm Peter Pan".

[@garyfrancis5015]

Yo Samdy Sam What would the world be like to day if aspergers/autism didn't exist? Video. I think I could write a book on it. All of great writers, artist and film directors, mathematicians had autistic traits. Autism is a part of evolution. If there was no autism minds the world today would be a parallel universe to what it is today.

[@garyfrancis5015]

I read the full description down the bottom I'm suggesting more what Purple Ella did. Died people who can have be called Autistic. Peter Sellers, Laurence Olivia, Robin Williams. There's loads.

[@julianaleal4950]

Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

[@rebeccafuck2118]

Rick and Morty from rick and Morty! Rick's danced around the idea in the show that they are both on the spectrum. Also Einstein and Eminem. These two you must do. Don't ask me an amazing question and if ore my answer because I'm passionate about being an aspergian and proud af. Goddamn I am proud. We are an evolutionary advancement trying to work out the bugs. Let's debate

[@iferlyf8172]

I think Elsa is a metaphor for anything that's stigmatized and that can be hidden. Like the LGBT community see her as a metaphor for them for example.

[@mjrauhal]

True, she seems a bit of a more generic metaphor than anything in particular. Not that there's anything wrong with it, rather it makes the metaphor more powerful.

[@isinaw.8980]

Right. It's part of Frozen's success, that EVERYONE identifies with Elsa. As everyone knows the feeling of wearing a mask.

[@SunburntComposer]

Yes I agree, I identified with her strongly when the movie came out not because I'm on the spectrum but because I had so many mental illness struggles that I couldn't express to anyone and I had to keep quiet.

[@baylordiamond8819]

Well you can say that about any character with magic powers really I don't think that's what the writers were looking for.

[@NatureLover-pj2qe]

Yea. I strongly identify with Elsa because I’m autistic and bisexual and I know what it’s like to have to hide who I truly am. She is a great metaphor for both autism and the LGBT community.

[@briannas.6741]

Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts comes to mind! :-)

[@garyfrancis5015]

Brianna Scheidt Connor Ward did a video on him.

[@briannas.6741]

@@garyfrancis5015 Yes! I've seen that video and it's very good. I also really enjoy the one from Aspergers Growth.

[@aaashrae]

I’m pretty sure he is supposed to be

[@jemstar3388]

I watched a interview with the actor Eddie Redmayne who portrays Newt and in the interview he said that he believes his character has Aspergers, but because Newt was around before Aspergers was discovered he probably would of never gotten a diagnosis.

[@erinhollow773]

Yeah he has basically all the traits but JKR is a coward and people will keep shutting us down for relating to him :(

[@mouseluva]

Been thinking about this video for days! I think Elsa's journey is an amazing metaphor for an autistic journey, but to me she doesn't feel autistic as a character. Kristoff however... Two whole songs about 'reindeers are better than people'? Rejected by biological family but happy with weird but accepting adoptive family? Spends an entire movie trying to figure out the correct way to propose to Anna? Follows the social script of sending Anna back to Hans without realising or in any way acknowledging his own feelings about it? Can talk endlessly about ice and effortlessly reels off the model of his sleigh? I absolutely love Elsa's journey as a metaphor for autism and Show Yourself and Let it Go really hit me somewhere deep, but my boi Kristoff has some pretty textbook traits.

[@YoSamdySam]

Yes yes yes to Kristoff! Honestly I feel like Elsa and Kristoff really suited each other. I believed that's where the story was going first time I saw Frozen

[@mouseluva]

@@YoSamdySam I always had Elsa down in my head as aro/ace! It's fun seeing how different people interpret things!

[@cockycookie1]

Or maybe that's just down to him not being raised by humans and thus not learning human social interaction??

[@garyfrancis5015]

Edward Scissor hands. As problem talking and he has problems expressing his emotions. When he get upset he scraps this scissors hands down the wall. He miss reads people's intentions in the film. There's so many, but with Johnny Depp performance you can feel it by him not saying much. I know I was talking about it in the live stream. But I though of more from the film in the last couple of minutes.

[@YoSamdySam]

I think Edward Scissorhands is a good one.

[@j0ph11el]

YES! Tim Burton used to be a special interest of mine and this was my favourite movie, I watched it every two days. And I related to Edward so much so that makes sense

[@riittapennym1371]

Edward..ho! 😂🤣

[@riittapennym1371]

@@j0ph11el OMG! I must go?!Escape !!!!

[@kathybramley5609]

I think there's a big overlap with trauma and autistic traits. Geeks and goths too. I think pretty much all Tim Burton characters are Autistic. Jack from nightmare before Christmas.

[@sysye]

Funny that I said to a friend “I think I'm Elsa" even before knowing my diagnose. I identified with Elsa without even knowing why.

[@neuralmute]

I did too. I saw the video of "Let It Go" before it had been played to death, cried until there was a puddle on the floor, then began choreographing a contemporary ballet piece to it, because it hit me so hard. I hadn't been diagnosed yet either, but when I mentioned dancing to that song, I was told, "You've been locked in your ice castle your entire life." OUCH! Of course, my lifelong, obsessive devotion to dance should have been just another clue to diagnosis... I'm finally on my way down the mountain now.

[@a.v.a.256]

Yes, and now that the internet knows about, lets wait a few years and every girl who wants to be Elsa will get a diagnosis... Is it funny or just sad?

[@aanyaprasad6120]

me too!

[@cemeterygates1713]

Speaking of Disney, I’ve always read Mulan as autistic. I remember watching the film religiously when I was younger because I related to her so much. A few points that especially come to mind are: - She observes the other girls and their behaviour when in line to meet the Matchmaker. - Not only does she observe, she actively copies their actions (when she puts her chin up and uses her parasol). - The song Reflection is very relatable for me. Mulan believes that if she were to be her authentic self, she’d disappoint her family. - Mulan lacks a lot of social skills that other’s may have naturally. She has trouble learning how to be the “perfect bride” compared to other girls in the village. Idk, I literally just rewatched the animated movie and I again saw myself in Mulan and what she does in the film.

[@eeriemist847]

I loved her too! And milo from disneys atlantis. Not sure if he’s autistic tho

[@Cerebrum123]

Pretty much all of my favorite Disney movies have a character that is possibly autistic. Mulan, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Lilo and Stitch. With Mulan, Ariel, Bell, and Lilo as the major candidates.

[@tabitha9723]

Oh my goodness I love that! Absolutely headcanoning that from now on

[@thegracklepeck]

Yeah I can definitely see that!

[@corinnecomeau2477]

This was one of my favorites too!

[@aureliagold1222]

The more I think on it, the more I know that Midoriya from My Hero Academia. His special interest is heroes, he is hyposensitive to pain, he flaps, he had few friends as a kid, he mumbles and info dumps, his social skills are rocky at times, he cries at the drop of a hat. Also, I love him and identify with him strongly.

[@jordanserchuk7418]

Two headcanons from classic children's literature: 1. Beth from "Little Women." Extremely shy and socially anxious to the point that her parents choose to homeschool her. Still plays with dolls and treats them as if they're alive at age 14. Doesn't want to leave home or get married, but wants always to live with her parents. Yet has a remarkable talent for music, both playing the piano and composing. Some of the details about her real-life inspiration Elizabeth Alcott - e.g. that as a baby she didn't even react when her sisters built a tower of blocks around her, or that she became prone to wild rages and "hysteria" (meltdowns?) during her painful final illness - makes me suspect even more that she was neuroatypical. 2. Fern from "Charlotte's Web." Hyper-fixated on animals and wants to spend all her time with them. Has no friends her own age until she develops her crush on Henry Fussey in the end. Has an advanced vocabulary for her age. Highly sensitive and hyper-empathetic. When a rotten goose egg breaks, the strong smell makes her cry. Becomes more social and outwardly "normal" as she matures, as children on the spectrum often do. Her author, E.B. White, is also a person I strongly suspect was on on the spectrum, based on the details of his biography.

[@baylordiamond8819]

Someone: Name your autistic headcons Nobody: Me: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea

[@erinhollow773]

HECK YEAH THAT MAKES PREFECT SENSE

[@ratlord_ali]

Even though they try and shut it down in the show, House from House M.D. was my biggest autism headcanon EVER

[@IndieAndy]

Aww gosh same! I mean it's one of those ones that I feel would be interesting to explore.

[@kathrinlindern2697]

I think it's good that they did not play that up. House is manipulative and antisocial - but his problem is not a missing understanding of social rules or people's feelings. He sees rifgt through them. House breaks social rules deliberately to see how far he can go. Sure, you could attribute low social needs and medicinal as a special interest to autism - but I am glad the show never made him autistic, as it would not be the best fitting diagnosis and straight out bad representation. But House is also such a popular character because he appeals to the social outcast in general, including autistic people.

[@kalinachristev9164]

I WAS LOOKING FOR A HOUSE COMMENT!!

[@c.s.70]

Iffy on that. Perhaps if minus the being an intentional massive asshat, which he obviously is.

[@Progressive_Alien]

I love House SO MUCH one of my absolute favorite shows.

[@jomarch1645]

On Elsa in Atypical, I totally saw it too. In the first season, when she goes shopping with Sam, she is the one having problems with the lighthing and the noise, and having a meltdown! People treat her as selfish, but she can't put herself in others shoes.

[@albarodriguez9406]

Also there is a chapter where she talks with her mother and something like "you were a different child, i didn't knew how to treat you"

[@luisagodoy1845]

She is obsessed with lists too

[@raven4090]

Elsa in Frozen is also a great example of our hyperempathy. She cares so deeply for others.

[@gabeangel8104]

Newt in Fantastic Beasts and Castiel in Supernatural. I love the fact that Newt doesn’t do the normal character arch where he totally changes to fit the hero role by the end of the movie, instead he succeeds using the ‘weird’ traits he always had and he also isn’t hyper-masculine like most male heroes are. I found him inspirational in that way coz it’s like we finally have a role model to show we can do great things without changing to fit in with the neurotypical expectations. Castiel I identify with a lot coz I think he is always wanting/trying to do the right thing but is very easily manipulated into very misguided actions instead and he’s often misunderstood and confused. I know a lot of people probably don’t read that in the character and maybe I read it that way coz I’m identifying with him.

[@Prudentsnow]

I agree. Also Castiel takes erverything very literally and doesn't understand sarcasm at all. He keeps on learning about social protocols and does his very best to fit into the society he stepped into. But all angels in Supernatural seem to have some of those traits and maybe it's because they don't know how human society works.

[@gabeangel8104]

@@Prudentsnow Cass feels naive even compared to most other angels to me though because there are several examples of other angels taking advantage of his naivety to use him as a pawn in some way or manipulate him. He doesn't seem to fit in any better in heaven than on earth.

[@benburke3015]

Entrapta from She Ra (the reboot). Limited diet, intensely passionate about her fixed interest, doesn’t really get social interaction but tries her best to get along with everyone. Need I say more?

[@jomarch1645]

Yes! She doesn't understand what is going on, because she doesn't play mind games. She's honest and passionate. Talk to her clearly, and she will understand you.

[@kathleenh2782]

SPOP used to be a special interest of mine!!! i related with entrapta so much and her character truly is so accurate to my experience as an autistic person and god do i love her...... shes wonderful :)

[@paadoxal]

Yes i love her!

[@Winter_Maverick]

noelle stevenson confirmed via twitter this. one of the storyboard artists (Sizzlemanski online handle) is on the spectrum & influenced some of the story arc/ physical acting of Entrapta.

[@NatureLover-pj2qe]

I also think that Adora from She Ra (the reboot) is autistic. She misses social cues from Bow and Glimmer and she is also very clumsy for a trained fighter.

[@EmmaRoberts2236]

Lilo from Lilo and stitch for sure, Doctor Martin from Doc Martin, and Ralph from Scorpion are my head cannons

[@erinhollow773]

The Lilo one makes sense. When she was introducing her doll to the other kids and they ran away, I felt that

[@thelegendkissthestars]

Emma Roberts I agree with you about Lilo

[@hydratheorganism9639]

I identify with Lilo so much, it’s as if she was talking my thoughts out loud.

[@Protectedbikelanes]

Lilo reminds me of Anna, Elsa's sister although I don't know the difference between autism and asperger's

[@bengermanb]

@@Protectedbikelanes Asperger's has been adopted by Autistic Spectrum Disorder. So same thing now.

[@sammiex3851]

I thought Ariel from the little mermaid, didnt fit in so wanted to go where she thought would be different, wanting to fit in, had friends that differed from the norm, didnt hang out with her sisters, had obsessive collections and didnt see dark intent when right in front of her face

[@c.s.70]

Spot on with Elsa from Frozen. I remember strongly relating to her in a way that unexpectedly hit too close to home and that seldom ever happens with any other characters. This happened years before my diagnosis and caught me by surprise as the last thing I expected was finding myself relating to a Disney character of all things.

[@karinelfwing9095]

I didn´t notice that the daughter/sister in "Atypical" could be on the spectrum. But I thougt it was obvisouly that the mom and the dad is on the spectrum but very different struggles.

[@joariezu]

Yeah absolutely agree, Elsa totally seems on the spectrum. An interesting point is that from episode one she is maintaining her whole life structure by the calendar planner board. And whenever changes the plan or there is a change she freaks out and stresses, not knowing how to cope with it. Also the calendar it's what Cassey uses to destabilize her whole life, which seems to mee as a nice metaphor.

[@sneakypete1702]

Interesting that I didn't pick up on Casey...but Elsa 💯💯💯 (probably Paige too) I think Elsa was really well written as a stealth Aspie, and i was really disappointed this was never brought to light before they canned the series 😕 Her clues were quick at times...like they very briefly but deliberately showed inside the freezer and everything was uniformly stacked... major clues from her conversations with others and unknowingly say offensive or inappropriate to the moment comments because she couldn't read the room...the calendar, obviously... but deeper than that, her 100% deep dive and fixation/expertise on Sam. More clues from the few conversations with her mother about being a "difficult child" that she didn't know how to connect to her. I could go on and on. Paige is pretty much exactly like a friend of mine who is diagnosed. She comes off to most as just an overachiever/goody two shoes... but she is actually DEEPLY embedded into a set of rules and is unshakable in her idea of what she is "supposed to" be... she seems to struggle with social cues and tends to be very literal. Sure, she gets involved in school, tries to engage with people, is very talkative, and even speaks in front of/manages groups of people at school, but she is classic under-the-radar aspie. She shows text book autistic burnout the moment she goes to school because her expectation for herself fell so flat that she imploded. She couldn't connect with anyone, and had no idea how to behave/what to bring to the campus party, didn't connect that she should eat before going, didn't know it would be weird to gnaw on a block of cheese...and gave up entirely on socializing after becoming alienated, withdrawing to her room and eventually having massive meltdowns (burrito incident, driving, work, her plants, etc.) And can we talk about those hair bows??? Doug I also hadn't really noticed, but now that it's mentioned,I can see how that could be, but mostly from his emotional shut-downs...which could just as easily be from being cheated on and losing his best friend...but those things would definitely make an aspie have major shutdowns. Beth is not NT, either. Not super sure about ASD but highly possible based on what little we saw of her...her social behavior, fixation on Casey, fixation on cooking, fixation on trolling Casey WITH her baked goods, fixation on the dog, etc. With Casey, I was so distracted by how much I could relate to her self discovery and love storyline that I didnt pay much attention otherwise...maybe that's another reason I felt her resonate with me, haha.

[@Rvlakia]

My big one is the Doctor (Who). Every incarnation presents differently but there are so many moments that seem taken straight out of my own life. The other one is not technically confirmed in-show but is nigh impossible to deny: Abed Nadir from Community.

[@josefschiltz2192]

The 'duty of care' was too near the knuckle for me, especially since I was a carer for over thirty years. That was an ordeal that has, practically, finished me off. I now have PTSD and chronic exhaustion.

[@paadoxal]

nah Abed is canonly an aspie

[@puppycatsbee]

Yesss i also like to think that the doctor is autistic ❤

[@DiaJasmineFlanary]

Maybe, but the Doctor is loopy because the oxygen content of the air on Earth is higher than on Gallifrey. ;)

[@51stcenturygirl]

Same about the Doctor. I feel most alike 10 and 13. Sometimes almost uncomfortably relateble.

[@damnrapunzel8130]

Abed from Community is canonically on the spectrum and I relate to him so much. He was the first time I ever thought to myself that I might be autistic.

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

It’s pretty much confirmed that character is autistic. So not sure if it’s headcannon?

[@mitchlynroberts4726]

"Show yourself" is my favorite song from both Frozen movies. I related to it so much.

[@mikkareads]

Lilo from Lilo & Stitch! It's so obvious: she has comfort items (like her doll),she finds it hard to understand the other children or be understood by them, she has special interests (like feeding that fish a peanut butter sandwich each day and dancing), she sometimes tries and fails to produce the facial expressions she thinks are expected of her. she is completely unaware that some of the things she says might be shocking to others... Her expression can be very flat, and she has meltdowns.

[@CaterinaGialla]

Yes! I was hoping someone would say this. Elvis strikes me as a special interest too :) Gosh I love that movie.

[@mikkareads]

@@CaterinaGialla Oh yes, Elvis definitely counts as a special interest!

[@cockycookie1]

That makes so much sense, never even thought about it that way!

[@albanyholbrook5616]

Every time I've watched Frozen I've cried the whole way through because I feel Elsa's shame and isolation so much. It felt like watching myself. I never knew why I felt so connected to her but now I do! Thank you for making this video 🥰

[@BellatrixPotterLover]

I’m autistic too and I relate to Elsa hard but I thought it was more of an anxiety thing. But I guess anxiety often goes hand in hand with autism too. Totally agree about Show Yourself being the main song! It’s such a self acceptance anthem. It completely brought me to tears in the cinema haha

[@remmirath42]

Sorry that this is off topic, but I thought your most recent video would be the best place to ask you a question (since I don't really use any social media besides KZbin). I watched your video about autism symptoms in girls after it was suggested to me last week, and I recognized myself in many of the things you described. Long story short, I ended up binge-watching many of your videos and reading a bunch of articles on the internet, and at this point I am almost positive I'm autistic (I of course don't have an official diagnosis yet). I initially felt a lot of relief: "Oh, so THAT'S why I'm like that, there actually is an explanation!". But while reading more and more, I started to feel like autism symptoms describe me a bit TOO well. I kept thinking, "Wait, that is also a sign of autism?! I thought that was just my personality." I recognize myself in so many of the symptoms that I almost feel like they completely define me. If everything I feel or do or like can be explained by autism, then who am I as a person? Is everything I thought of as uniquely "me" written in some psychology textbook? I feel so lost and confused right now... I hope you understand what I mean, I'm not sure I'm expressing myself very well. Have you (or anyone else who is still reading) struggled with this after finding out that you are autistic? How do/did you deal with it? If this is a common problem and not just me, maybe this would make a good video topic?

[@TL-dr6sb]

I think you might be going down a rabbit hole of which neuroscientist Sam Harris is a proponent, essentially that free will is an illusion and we are all in fact locked into a predetermined universe... but those of us who subscribe to this channel WOULD tend to descend into such delightful minutiae wouldn't we lol!! I do indeed hear you though :)

[@remmirath42]

@@TL-dr6sb I was trying not to go down the "free will" rabbit hole because it doesn't relate specifically to autism (or other conditions that influence one's personality). But you're right, it is hard to avoid when you ask yourself these types of questions...

[@garyfrancis5015]

remmirath42 Oh yes well it was aspergers when I fist heard about it. So at first part confusing, sadness Why me! Why was I born with Aspergers, is there a cure, No! Then the anger from your school not picking up on it. Then denial I just born with brain damage or I'm crazy. Surly this is just a label, why do all this psychriast, psychology and psychriast nurse care about "high functioning autism" all my childhood it was me just being called Gary. So it is not good, maybe in some way it's better not to know. Because I get angry with my own brain. When I do something or clumsy. I think it my ******* autism. Before I knew what aspergers was I would say that is just me, My family the same what used to be that what Gary does. Now it's what aspergers is and why he is like this. So it can be shit. But this KZbin channel is better than being alone. KZbinrs and the comments themselves can share the shit times together. Before KZbin you felt you was the only one.

[@loganskiwyse7823]

Autism is more a name for traits many of us share. But it is not a definition of who we are any more then a disease is a definition of the person that contracts it. For every Autism trait you share with another, there will always be 10 more traits that are unique to you. You have to remember DNA is not a blueprint but a cooking recipe. And while those of us with Autism share many things neuro-typicals don't share with us. But as a individual, everyone of any type will always be unique.

[@YoSamdySam]

It's a really good question with no simple answer, but I'll try. My experience was that it took me about 2 years from when I first suspected I was autistic, through my diagnosis and out the other end to really make sense of it all and who I am, and why I'm like that. I think many autistic people seem similar because we have all had to adapt to the neurotypical world.

[@LoneJensenArt]

I’ve always related the most to Amelie from the film by the same name 🥰 She is in her own beautiful bubble and doesn’t behave like the norm

[@samanthabeaty4578]

I totally agree! The fact that she notices things that most people don't notice. Even the opening scene of the things she did when she was a child and when Mr. Dufayel said "she rarely played with other children; perhaps never." Her neurotic parents, her vivid imagination, her perception, the scene where she dipped her hands in the dry beans ... and where it said that she tried having boyfriends and it didn't really work out. lol. I agree that Amelie (and probably Nino) are autistic!

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Yes, that’s a good one actually. She also can’t tell if people like her.

[@AllyCat0909]

I relate a lot to Rarity from My Little Pony, she gets lost in her sewing, she often gets perceived as materialistic and not caring, but she would do anything to help people even though it doesn’t outwardly show obvious to everyone. She gets easily overwhelmed and cares a lot about how people perceive her. I think her socialite self is masking. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but that’s my head cannon

[@sapphicvampire8504]

As someone who loves Rarity since i first watched a show (probs several years for now??) this is such an interesting hc!! I think this makes so much sense for rarity to be autistic or neurodivergent!^^

[@greciasalgado3596]

Good Omens has been one of my favourite books since I first came accross it in 2006 . There was a "something" that kept me coming back to it and I felt specially attracted to Aziraphale (The Angel). It just seem easy to identify with him so I took it as one of the characters tat defined me (As for tests and that sort of things that you get asked from time to time... (?) ) Now woth the TV Series a lot of my friends have reach out to me to tell me how much "Aziraphale like" I am. And is interesting, as Michael Sheen's portrayal of the Angel has been seen by many as quite autistic. (He has been using the same clothing since the Victorian Era, Is specialized in Rare prophecy books (Special Interests) Is fond of certain food items (Considering he doesn't needs food) , stimming etc...) Even the actor himself (When asked on twitter) confirmed that, despirte not having that idea in mind it was nice and ok if people felt identified, acknowledging that people ( "flappers" as he said) I might be a little biased, but I do think it is a strong case.

[@erinhollow773]

And Neil Gaiman also supported the headcanon on the same thread! My Good Omens hyperfixation just ended but I still get hyped about it

[@ivyeorii]

oh my god you’re so right !!!!!!

[@catherinespark]

"If a lot of autistic people are saying 'yes, that's me' then you've written an autsitic character, whether you intended to or not." I'm autistic, and I have been tempted to think like that about characters not confirmed as autistic but seeming autistic. I have even used such characters as inspiration for creating autistic ones or reworkings of those characters AS autistic. However, I've decided not to take the stance that a fictional character can be objectively treated as autistic whether the author intended them to be autistic or not full stop, on the grounds that a] opinion and perception unconfirmed in an objective way remain just that, opinion and perception, and we can all differ on both of those. However, I do agree that you can say 'this character seems to have enough autistic traits that I think they can shed useful insight into what autism can look like' - since autistic traits are specific, and either there or not. And b] I worry about holding non-specified autistic characters to autism-specific 'sensitivity readings' and standards having armchair diagnosed them, which is an issue with studies into representations of autism in literature in the disability studies field; since that could lead to one group of people assuming ownership over how certain human traits or combinations of them should be written - and without a label and without those traits themselves necessarily being disabilities, that verges on censorship-ness, which I strongly disagree with in creative writing. However, I DO think there is great merit in discussing armchair diagnoses of characters, as it can raise awareness of manifestations of autism that aren't stereotypical, and that can only be to the good of autistic people.

[@nkelly5851]

Elsa was absolutely a special interest for me when Frozen first came out!

[@aa-xi8bc]

Obvious one, Sherlock from the BBC show specifically. Also definitely Elliot Alderson from the TV show Mr. Robot (WATCH IT). He has multiple conditions that are very well treated in the show.Hhe does not make eye contact (it's even acknowledged by other charaters), hates people toching him, notice all the tiny details others don't see, has the "special interest" of coding (he's a security engineer by day and vigilante hacker by night), he wears the same thing everyday and loves routine, always answer something in a very odd manner, hates loud places, has trouble relating to people, has meltdowns, feels the need to mask, barely talk when the conversation isn't about coding, does't know how to deal wih emotions, has a peculiar speech pattern, other things that are gigantic spoilers... this show's great cause all of these details of the character and many more all pay a part in the show and they aren't just there because.

[@alejandro-314]

When I was a kid/teenager I always thought "man, Mr. Bean's life is so great. I want to be an adult so I can be myself". I really felt identified with him. But man I was so wrong about being an adult. Hearing you talking about "Miss Bean", is kind of scary and an Ah-ha moment for me. I'm about to start my diagnosis process at 34 years old. I've been researching on autism for almost two years now. Your experiences really resonate with me, thanks for your videos. They gave the courage to start this diagnosis process and provide some validation that I'm not making things up.

[@PRoseLegendary]

Yes, I agree on a lot of these. I thought Elsa from atypical was autistic from the first episode... She's so rigid, and needs her schedule. I really hope they go in the direction of diagnosing Elsa. I also like wonder whether Sam's girlfriend is neurodivergent (sorry I can't remember her name atm). She reminds me a lot of myself in school. Overachieving, passionate, fast talking, scheduling everything! But once she leaves the school environment where she knows the rules and expectations, she flounders. Boy if that wasn't me when I left school. Dr Temperence Brennan, yes absolutely! And even more so if you read the books by Kathy Reichs. I've always felt Mr Bean is very uncomfortable to watch. Any show where people are oblivious to how they are embarrassing themselves or offending people hits too close to home I guess? You should do more of these!!

[@kennaroundtree2548]

I agree with Paige, Sam's girlfriend, being on the spectrum for sure. She also basically has a screaming meltdown a couple times when she gets angry about the way other students had treated Sam. Both a sense of extreme loyalty and extreme "sense of justice" at play that I identified with heavily. She also reminded me of myself in highscool.

[@Jazz_Funk_Kitten]

Paige is 100% ADHD. I was so drawn to her character from the very beginning and then part way through season 3 I got an ADHD diagnosis.

[@JanaShakespeare]

Paige is so also ASD and ADHD! I loved the show, but it's somewhat stereotypical, and it's bugged me that none of the female characters explore the possibility of also being autistic, because, hello, how autistic is Paige?!

[@1711mich]

Yes! I watched 2 episodes of Atypical and thought "wait, but he's not the only autistic person in this family!!!" I definitely also see his mum and sister as autistic. For sure. As with Elsa from Frozen, it's interesting that my daughter is intensely obsessed with Elsa and acts her part. I understand why now. Also, have you watched Taylor Swift's Netflix doco? I watched it the other night and honestly, I could be wrong and of course I'm only seeing part of her and parts of her life, but watch it and tell me if you think she has autistic traits?! Aaah I think Aurora is autistic too!!

[@Draculea7300]

Once I wrote a story and I decided that the narrator would be autistic. I wrote that story to show how I see the world, socialisation, love and how I feel empathy. So I dug from my memories from when I was little, and described my feelings, even though it was a fiction. I thought I was just emphasizing my emotions to create someone with Asperger's. But those were definetely my own feelings and only one year later I realise I'm very likely to be autistic... It didn't occur to me before because I can easily read people and feel empathy. But it's like I always knew unconsciously.

[@SuperMissblueeyes]

Having grown up in an emtionally, spiritually, & occasionally financially & physically abusive home, I can also relate to Elsa's (Frozen) frustration of having to put on a mask & then retreat to discover who I am. However, having grown up & worked with people with autism, I can totally see what you're saying.

[@karenabrams8986]

I read in an interview Johnny Depp describing how he created the Character Jack Sparrow by combining behaviors he’d observed from people he’d been around in his life and I thought that sounded mighty autistic.

[@simikatra3434]

Johnny does seem to have traits and I feel he was taken advantage of because of it. Which really infuriates me.

[@karenabrams8986]

Simi Katra YES. 100% agreed. Because I used masking for so many years to get love, i experienced a few narcissists. They love our drive to people please at our own expense to make them happy. They are the sickest relationship to ever find oneself in. I’m glad I finally crashed and can’t mask anymore. I love boundaries. I hope he figures out his boundaries after this amber turd mess.

[@222fairydust]

oh, i discovered i'm in the spectrum months ago and i didn't know it was a thing that narcissistic people took advantage of you. my ex and other people did that my whole life because i always wanted to help, was very kind and naive and i'm still but now i can see patterns.

[@jiltedlittle6868]

@@karenabrams8986 lmao so let me get this straight. Love how your name is Karen too, btw. So it's wrong for us to stigmatize autism but its totally okay for us to stigmatize personality disorders? Or, in this case more specifically, narcissism. Yeah that makes a whole lot of sense. I grew up with narcissistic parents. When I got older I did a lot of research. Narcissism is a response to trauma or neglect. People don't just pop out of the womb narcs. A person who never gets to form a secure attachment with a parent or guardian is at greater risk. Now of course this is not me coming out here deeming every single person who suffers trauma ends up developing these traits. However, the idea that narcissists "seek out" good people with sadistic intentions is simply untrue. Like. I really hate to break it to you, but there was nothing special that made you a "target". The reason narcissists arent exactly known for seeking treatment is simply because they have a lot of difficulty perceiving themselves as the problem. It feels like it is them against the world. Abuse is a byproduct of this mindset but it does not mean every narcissist is evil and if you think we deserve support in this world then I don't see why they don't too.

[@karenabrams8986]

@@jiltedlittle6868 Your right to make yourself feel better ends the moment it causes another living thing pain or to feel unsafe. If those afflicted with NPD cannot recognize or self reflect on destructive anti social patterns then society will find a solution. Everybody better get hot on solving early childhood ACE causes.

[@SaRah-21532]

You definitely have to add Dr. Maura Isles from Rizzoli & Isles to your list. -She often doesn't understand jokes or sarcasm -she's doesn't always understand social cues/talks about things in inappropriate situations -she tries to find a scientific explanation for everything, she's very rational and struggles with expressing her emotions -her job is her special interest (she knows random medical facts for every situation and will tell them to everyone who'll listen) -she can seem a bit cold at first and has a hard time connecting with people but once you get to know her she's the kindest, most caring person you could ever meet -she masks her stims (there is this scene where she's upset about something and she's fidgeting with her hands and then she notices it and says 'I'm fidgeting. I never fidget.' as if it's something she's actively trying not to do) -she doesn't like to guess/speculate without enough evidence -she breaks out into hives when she lies -she doesn't have many friends, but the ones she does have she's very loyal to I could go on forever but this comment is already way too long :D

[@kimberlysuaris1301]

I always saw my coming out story in Elsa. I've also heard people say they saw her as a metaphor for depression. I think it can be a metaphor for being yourself in general and therefore can appeal to all kinds of minorities. Which is awesome. :)

[@Eva-qz6if]

Dirk Gently from Dirk Gently’s holistic detective agency!

[@kathybramley5609]

Yes! ❤

[@kathybramley5609]

But whilst we're on the topic, also Frodo, and Sam probably. And Lyra from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Quixotry central. I mean everyone has quests but it's a way of making sense of my life and the sort of inspiration porn related way people react to me. I become some kind of token or emblem for other people and it's almost then as if they're not meant to help me or it's okay to be intimidated, frustrated or othering, so convenient. But I am afraid to read Don Quixote, source of the word quixotic and the phrase tilting at windmills. It's more of a schizophrenia episode or something, he reads until it drives him mad and he loses the boundaries of reality and everything becomes a heroic quest. Thinking windmills are mythological giant monsters. I think it's a bit seperate from our sense of things in the derivative phrases & words in English?

[@kathybramley5609]

I wrote about making a Mr Bean spinoff with a niece, too. Though maybe Natalie Imbruglias character in Neighbour's was too. I thought if you're going to have a meltdown scene in the movie or the movie of my life then you'd have Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams in the background whilst I smashed up my room. I was deliberately targeted for bullying and wound up to meltdown and mocked and humiliated quite regularly by peers as a kid.

[@SlugcatEmporium]

Watching Bones did the same for me, it gave me information on how others might view me! I can't say many things have done that. Also, you mentioned Casey/Elsa on Atypical, but I really see Paige on the spectrum.

[@CaterinaGialla]

me too, re: Paige! I think it would become much more apparent in her adult life and I hope the show goes on and takes that path. Or she should have a spinoff series ;)

[@sliceknot]

I related much more to Anna, actually, in Frozen II. Both movies were about different forms of anxiety. Frozen I was about Elsa's reacting to the trauma of unrealistic social pressure. Frozen II was about Anna's poor executive functioning. When everything relied on her, she shut down from being overwhelmed by all of the things she needed to do. She overcame this with the mantra "Just do the next right thing."

[@PRoseLegendary]

Hmm interesting. I'm looking forward to your video! I haven't been diagnosed but I see a lot of similarities between your experiences and my own. I have been diagnosed with Complex PTSD from childhood trauma though, so I think that there is a bit of overlap in some symptoms... It's hard to know whether it's one, or the other, or both. However I do headcanons as well, I have a theory that Harry Potter has complex PTSD from childhood neglect and emotional abuse, which is then exacerbated by his experiences in the 4th and 5th years and further on in the books. I also think that Once Upon A Time shows how many characters deal with trauma in a lot of different ways and it's really interesting. Anyway, thanks for making your content.

[@YoSamdySam]

Yes, Once Upon a Time is really interesting too!

[@GagaLuvr15]

The first Frozen came out during a dark period in my life. I saw this also and even wrote a Tumblr post a few years ago about it. It certainly garnered a lot more attention than I expected and it was all positive. Last year I finally got a snowflake tattoo on my left arm to symbolize Elsa (also to cover up a scar there). I have been planning an Elsa cosplay too, but I kept putting it off because I never found fabric I was really happy with.

[@albarodriguez9406]

I tought it about Elsa in Atypical since the beggining! I also thought that Casy had ADHD

[@StephanieBethany]

Before diagnosis, my hubby would joke that I was like certain characters, which basically always were ones that could possibly be autistic, including dr. Brennan. Funny the things we see but dont realize in the moment!

[@-melanie-1115]

My boyfriend also compared me to dr Brennan when we did not know about my autism. I did not even know the series though. Funny!

[@garyfrancis5015]

Stephanie Bethany Do you not like The Big Bang Theory Sheldon?

[@StephanieBethany]

@@garyfrancis5015 I mean he was probably one of my favorite characters of them all just because of his role but I didnt follow the show much as it progressed

[@cockycookie1]

Milo Thatch from Atlantis: The lost empire! My favourite character and extremely relatable 👍🏼

[@maybean4858]

I’ve often wondered about Mia thermopolis from princess diaries as well

[@aceris5874]

Lmao. I identified with Elsa from Frozen, Spongebob, and Newt Scamander from Fantastic Beasts SO HARD, even before being diagnosed with ASD. It all makes sense now, haha. Love your videos, thanks for turning on light bulbs in my head all the time!

[@Autmazing]

Now I need to watch Fringe again too! It's been too long. After my oldest daughter (who is autistic) first saw Frozen in the theater when she was around six years old she walked out and said "she's just like Maggie," our younger daughter who was four at the time and has always been much less verbal, and is a runner. She immediately related so many of Elsa's traits to her sister and I remember being blown away. Now after watching Frozen 2 she totally relates to Elsa herself and we've been listening to the music for the last month. As always awesome video. And I loved it when you said that you binged all 12 seasons of Bones for this. That is another one that I need to rewatch because it's been too long!

[@thefidgeteen4650]

Personally, I see Paige from atypical could be on the spectrum rather than the mom or sister- but I haven’t seen the third season yet. Re all the criminal minds talk, both Reid and Garcia are headcanons for me. My absolute favorite autistic coded character is Daria Morgendorffer. I’ve watched “Boxing Daria” countless times because it’s so relatable.

[@brycewhite2273]

The main character in the excellent Swedish/Danish series Bron/Broen (The Bridge) Saga Noren. There are at least 2 remakes of this series. The British/French "The Tunnel" and the U.S./Mexico "The Bridge". Neither of which holds a candle to the original Bron/Broen. Saga Noren is played by Sofia Helin, who without even knowing that the character was supposed to be autistic, absolutely nailed it with her performance. I believe that the creator of the series (forgot his name, sorry), claims that he wasn't specifically intending the character to be autistic. Some would also claim that the character Sara Lund from the Danish series Forbrydelsen, is autistic. I don't feel it, but I put it out there for other people to comment on. Sherlock Holmes in the recent BBC production with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. I denied this at first, but there was a scene where Doctor Watson was berating Sherlock for one thing or another and he says something to the effect; you're just sitting around correcting the TV all night long. Though there wasn't anyone else in the room at the time I saw that, I felt the eyes of every person I know, looking at me. I'm certain that I was the person they thought of, when they heard that line. I wanted to say; I don't do that (correct the TV), but of course, I do. Probably a bunch more that I can't think of offhand. B.

[@Genin99]

In the American remake of The Bridge, Diane Kruger intentionally played Saga's American counterpart as an Autistic character.

[@capucinebertin4055]

Another Scandinavian character. Lisbeth Salander from The millennium books/movies.

[@malleriemakesmusic]

A show about the gospel came out this year called The Chosen and they interpreted Matthew of the 12 Disciples as autistic. The acting is fantastic and the character is very endearing, I highly recommend watching

[@ChristChickAutistic]

Love the show and especially love Matthew.

[@rattenfreundin5621]

I took the song "Let it go" and currently I'm rewriting the lyrics as a song of hope and to empower for autistics. It says that you shouldn't hide yourself but Show Yourself. And I LOVE Frozen too! :)

[@-melanie-1115]

How about Star, in the popular books The seven sisters? Really quiet, emotional, socially uncomfortable, did not speak until later in life, etc. And, you are so relatable (if that is the right word)! And I really like you :) these videos make me happy.

[@hannah51238]

I never thought about Elsa before but you're totally right. When she dismisses Anna and Olaf in Frozen 2, her lack of understanding why Anna would follow her into fire etc etc. Also, SMIZING! I have some ideas, Will in Hannibal. Bit of a dodgy one and I hope I don't offend anyone, but Anya in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is dodge because ofc she's actually a demon which is how they explain her lack of social queues etc, but sometimes she'll point things out so flatly and very matter of fact. I remember as a kid being like "yeah, exactly" along with her sometimes.

[@jessiefyler3751]

I'd LOVE an autistic Disney princess.

[@kailockwood6366]

Also Dawn from the play waitress. The song when he sees me I think really describes dating as an autistic person who wants to know how things will go.

[@dragonrider1467]

Definitely see Sheldon Cooper as on the spectrum, as with a few other of that group

[@garyfrancis5015]

Stephanie Schultz Well the producer say he not on the spectrum he has Sheldonism. It's never brought up in the show. It's ironic I commented on The Aspie world is Sheldon Cooper autistic? These titles are so clicky.

[@lukedogwalker]

@@garyfrancis5015 The producers insist he's not because they're afraid of some kind of backlash or bad press among their core audience... but he so is!

[@cheyennemccall6228]

Cinderella and Belle. Think about it for a bit...

[@briena8881]

Sad thing they did, because it shows how there is friendship possible with that kind of character traits. It explains, how he is caring in his own way about other people. And that others can accept him for who he is rather than trying to change him.

[@HopeGardner3amed]

Again, like the Belcher family (Bob's Burgers) I swear that most of the male main characters and Amy Farrah Fowler are all autistic.

[@dork_mork6953]

I've always strongly identified with Elsa from Frozen because I always saw her as a queer allegory, but now that it's been pointed out I can't unsee the autism in her! I'm currently only self-diagnosed for ASD (although I am diagnosed for ADHD!), but it is nice knowing that my comfort character is as relatable to others like me as she is to me. I'm also forever obsessed with Show Yourself (literally hyperfocused on it and listened to it on repeat in multiple languages for weeks after I first saw Frozen 2).

[@dutton2666]

The joker is the most relatable character I've ever seen for me. His view of the world and regular people and there interactions with each other and what they could of and could not do in different settings and times. To me I've always observed people and wondered how they tick what can make them tick more or less and another person who is a real hero and actually explained my views thoughts ideals in an intelligent way I can never do is ted kaczynski because I can not organise my thoughts onto a page and punctuate them but his writing on the world and technology and where and why this is all going and comes from taught me alot about my own thoughts and feelings and how I relate the world around me and yes Ted is aka the uni bomber his actions was the wrong way to send his message but his actions for me take nothing away from how brilliant his mind is and his message

[@drbarney1000]

I had been diagnosed autistic in the 1950's because I was nonverbal till the age of 5. After a tour in the Air Force where I was kept because of the Vietnam war and where I went to electronics warfare school and electronic communications systems officer school (graduating at the top of my class) I got laid off at the end of the war and got thrown out of a few graduate schools but eventually finished an MS in physics and later got into a PhD program in interdisciplinary applied mathematics and mathematical physics. Before went into the Air Force I began building underground radio stations in college without getting caught. I built a transmitter I installed in my car and used it unsuccessfully to break into radios I could hear girls playing on the course of performing an office called "cruising," a procedure designed to invite young men to petition them for a date. They became enraged when I talked to them over their radios. I could never stand the sound of pop music penetrating any apartments where I stayed during several graduate school from which I was kicked out and I built mostly Colpitts oscillators and jammed their radio stations so I could get some sleep. After more years I accumulated enough courses and got good enough at handling differential equations to finish an MS in physics. In time, never lasting very long in any job for reasons I could never detect, I got into the PhD program in interdisciplinary applied mathematics and mathematical physics where a visiting professor, whose brother is autistic and nonverbal, recruited me for my dissertation project. Shortly after I finished all the required coursework and qualifier exams I chose to take in physics a trashy neighbor contaminated the privacy of my home with trashy music from a boom box he placed outdoors in his back yard. The police and the courts told me I had no legal right to choose to reject the kind of culture I do not consider consistent with human dignity and there was nothing the law had to offer me. I used further things I learned in my electricity and magnetism courses to build a microwave horn using roofing sheet copper and microwave oven parts which I aimed at his boom box, causing it to fail. I used other weapons including an air compressor and locomotive horns and I jammed FM radio with a Colptts oscillator using a 3-500Z transmitter tube powered by 1750 Volts. After I graduated I went to some yearly Autism Society of America conferences where I met the celebrated Jerry Newport and members of his support group who were portrayed in the movie "Mozart and the Whale." At these conferences I passed out instruction sheets and DVDs on how to build and use the microwave weapons with which other autistic victims of sensory abuse could fight back. Jerry introduced me to his group as Dr, ------, a real live mad scientist. In time the trashy neighbor who demanded the surplus right to force his junk culture music down my throat, who was already a registered sex offender with a rape conviction got sent to prison for 15 years for molesting a little girl. Since getting my doctorate I taught for awhile at two universities but had to end the last temporary job early because I had a supervisor who was stealing more than I could afford from me and HR would not help and I did a couple of blue collar jobs which lasted a few months, but as always, I never could figure out what was wrong until one day I was called into the office and told it was my last day at that job.

[@samgardner5630]

dwight Schrute from the office. while not always a great take as he can be a villain on the show, he checks an absurd amount of boxes: takes things to literally, not great with social ques, very gullible, not a lot of facial expression, its a reoccurring joke he wears the same outfit everyday, very passionate, special interests, meltdowns, LOVES RULES, and when hes sad he has this very strange distinct cry that always felt reminiscent of a stim to me.

[@thirtycats]

And he’s bullied by the popular coworker.

[@NOT_SURE..]

I'm an aspergic handy man who has jumped from job to job for the last 25 years for reasons we all know .....i've just been told i have an interview at a residential home for autistics between 9 and 19 years, im so excited , hopefully that will be the one place that understands me and what makes us tick.....ALL i ask for is not to be spoken to like and idiot and not to be constantly critisised , which most workplaces seem to do.

[@YoSamdySam]

Good luck with your interview!

[@riittapennym1371]

Hello you.. !?

[@riittapennym1371]

Hmm.I'm listening to you.

[@NOT_SURE..]

@@riittapennym1371 hello...

[@NOT_SURE..]

@@YoSamdySam thanks , the bonus is its in a wonderful part of the country , dorset, and in the countryside... im currently living in a city and i'm going mad with all the noise and lack of respect people show each other.

[@sanjuro7727]

There are loads of them. It's because those kind of characters are such fun to watch. So, characters like Doctor Who, Egon Spengler from Ghostbusters, Sherlock Holmes, Mr Spock from Star Trek (Data is the ultimate representation of an Aspie on screen for my money), Frank Spencer, and many more.

[@garyfrancis5015]

Gary Rhodes You not the Gary Rhodes the chef? I love Frank Spencer, he defiantly had dyspraxia side of autism in his character his stunts and accident prone. Mr Bean I read about him in a book. His great teaching kids on the spectrum how to that using words and not talking much is enough to still be able to socialise. The childlike naughtiness of Mr Bean autistic people can relate to that.

[@garyfrancis5015]

On Star Trek there is a talk by a aspergers psychologis. Doing a talk on aspergers and he is given good examples why captain Spok autistic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6HMpaZ3YpWjeLM

[@garyfrancis5015]

Here the 2nd video I actually remembered it wrong it called a talk on aspergers/autism. Fascinating. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpuphoivl6tsa7s

[@josefschiltz2192]

As an Aspie, I certainly found Steven Moffat, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan very notable.

[@neuralmute]

Wow, you've got some of my favourites here! When I was a young kid, Egon was by far my favourite Ghostbuster/mini-crush, and at various times my family have nicknamed me both "Data" and "Sherlock", for the obvious reasons that a hyperintellectual girl on the spectrum would row those nicknames. I thought they were a good fit, though I could do with cheekbones like Cumberbatch!

[@ZeldaEd123]

One character I've been attached to the idea of being Autistic whether or not it's intentional is Gojo Wakana from My Dress-Up Darling. I base this both off of what I've seen and admittedly some of my own experiences as someone with Autism. Gojo's very introverted and before meeting the titular Dress-Up Darling, Marin Kitagawa, he didn't really socialize with anyone else besides his Grandfather (this being brought about from when a "friend" of his from childhood gave him crap for having an interest that isn't considered traditionally masculine which in his case was making Hina Dolls.) There's also his sense of hyper empathy which came about when he began beating himself up over the idea of not finishing Marin's first outfit on time. For me, that was the exact moment where I began to connect with him because I have been there. I know what it's like to get upset over not being able to get something done by a specified time whether it was set up by someone else or myself.

[@jadehoward9865]

Maybe the whole cast of the Young ones? 🤔 maybe not so much the actirs themselves but the characters.

[@kkuudandere]

Bones and Fringe were a couple of my favorite shows as a kid! I wanted to be just like Dr. Brennan when I grew up (and I figured it was possible because she was already just like me^^) Elsa's narrative means a lot to a lot of different groups of people, but I will say: the first time I saw Frozen with my best friend, she said I absolutely *had* to watch it. She saw it before me, and her exact words were: "When I first watched it, Elsa reminded me SO. MUCH. of you" I don't know if that means anything but it's interesting...

[@ReadySetAutismFamily]

Now we are going to have to watch that bones show too! Wow good point with Frozen!

[@shadowfox933]

"And then she's spending six hours on the internet researching autism cause isn't that what we all did." Wow sam, thanks for calling me out XD all jokes aside, your content as well as a few other channels is really what solidified it for me, mainly your video detailing the DSM-5 criteria. Thank you for the work you've put in here, I can honestly say my life wouldn't be the same without it

[@starlightrose4087]

Pinkie pie from mlp. Everything is a game or a party to her. Its how she deals with life. But if something upset her she becomes focused on fixing it, all her friends have to smile.

[@sarahcicle8592]

Starlight Rose and ADHD

[@starlightrose4087]

@@sarahcicle8592 wat adhd have to do with choosing a character?

[@sarahcicle8592]

I was saying that I think Pinkie also is ADHD

[@starlightrose4087]

@@sarahcicle8592 mmm maybe

[@megansutton9699]

Starlight Rose And when she can’t she has meltdowns where she’ll go crazy or just get super depressed, like in ‘Party of One’

[@mari13ssaTheStrange]

I cried with show yourself and I never undertood why I connected so much with her. I also feel like Rapunzel from Tangled might have a place on the Spectrum as well.

[@lunahadley35]

Ive been “dignosed” hypersensitive, the more i watched your videos the more i related, so i spent hours that night researching, that was a few weeks back and now i came back to this video cuz i have just binge watched atypical.in two days and I thought the same thing!! And then you said the idea of casey kinda finding out by watching your vids so basically what i did lol and i relate tu casey sooo much (im 21 tho)

[@Popper_Drop]

I used Let It Go as one of the songs to practice my voice and every time I got into it I would get really emotional and not really understand why. Thinking about it more like this makes a lot of sense and brings me solidarity. And makes me feel less weird coming out of the theater feeling like I've stepped straight out of the screen

Mr. BEAN! He was my favorite character growing up. I'm pretty sure other kids my age had never heard of him. This is a great list.

[@ToniaLNewton]

Christina Lee Dot Meditation Âû I found his antics funny as hell and my close goofy friends would say it’s something I would do. But not in the sense I am dumb, but I am known to try so hard and shit just happens.

[@cockycookie1]

I found him really offensive and kinda hated him tbh. Couldn't even watch an episode. He had all these traits I'd been suppressing for forever and hated myself for. And people made fun of this character on a regular basis because of those traits 🤐 Can anyone relate?

[@eyreaus2736]

The genius of Mr. Bean is that it is a comedy that works in every culture and every language given the non-verbal physical humor. It was often played on international flights and spaces since everyone could enjoy it despite language barriers. It became so popular that I believe he was given honorable mention during the London Olympics! Not bad for an Electrical Engineer!

[@qubitz5906]

Pheobie from Friends sitcom is the aspergers part of the spectrum in my opinion, although its only really noticeable because of the contrast between her and the other extremely allistic cast/characters. The couple played by Nicole Kidman and Dave Matthews in the film "Just go with it" seem to fit the bill. Kidman is on the spectrum in real life.

[@garyfrancis5015]

qubitz Wowl Nicola Kidman work with Stanley Kubrick in eyes wide shut. He also worked with Peter Sellers in the 70's. Sellers another he probably had autism. So there so many director and actors with Aspergers/autism before there was any knowledge of it. Another one of the greatest film directors was Alfred Hitcock he possible believed know he had autism.

[@HopeGardner3amed]

@@garyfrancis5015 Kubrick?

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Phoebe is the only one I’d be friends with 😅. The others are so smug and boring. I hate sarcasm. It’s a crutch for people who aren’t funny.

[@aliciaw4070]

I love watching these videos. It would be really helpful if you could include a picture of each character as you discuss them, just as a visual reminder.

[@StephanieBethany]

Yesss I thought they were hinting at Casey in the first season. But I definitely see them hinting at Elsa esp because of the emphasis on her hand flapping toward the end of the 3rd season. I think it's possible they're making the hints at both because of the parallels they were making between Elsa's obsessive lists and Casey doing some herself or something to that effect. Idk if they intended it from the beginning but I think they've toyed with it.

[@YoSamdySam]

Season 3 was so devoid of plot or content that I've lost hope tbh.

[@garyfrancis5015]

Yo Samdy Sam OMG I liked season 3. Even Connor liked it. He didn't like Rashid he just politely put it he an idiot. He kept planting seeds (to use the metaphor we know according to stereotype us autistic can be very literal) and Sam asking on them like him reinventing himself eventually it gave Sam a meltdown. On a different note, would you record you having a meltdown video?

[@fenixmeaney6170]

Fringe: Given the amount of time Walter spent at St Claire's, it's amazing that he's NOT having a meltdown at times. Peter being seemingly the only one that understands what he's saying half the time, he's even described as being an interpreter for his father, ties into the fact that communication isn't something we struggle with, just that the way we communicate is different than neurotypicals. Also, you're really not gonna mention Alterstrid? Bones: I believe she based the character off of Zooey, her sister, who I couldn't find if she's been diagnosed with autism, but she does have ADHD, and we both know how the two can be comorbid. Wall'e: Both are. Guys and dolls is one of wall'e's special interests. They almost have a meltdown when eve accidentally pulls the film out of the VHS in the penguin pebbling scene.

[@shoshanafox727]

Ghostbusters 3 2016, the nuclear physicist Jillian. I so related to her. Even down to the way she dances when she's excited about something. Also the scene at the end where she's expressing her feelings. So relate.

[@YoSamdySam]

Ah yes! I see it

[@himbo754]

In real life, Dan Aykroyd (in Ghostbusters I and II, among other things) has Asperger's syndrome, as noted on his Wikipedia page. This would feed into his character in those two films to some extent.

[@shoshanafox727]

@@himbo754 yes. And he was executive producer for the 2016 film. He's one of the "successful" aspies I refer to when I describe aspergers to a neurotypical. ☺👍

[@eyreaus2736]

How can we not include Data?! From Star Trek The Next Generation. I even reference him to people who don't get me. Not so much a robot as a human missing various traits and navigating life despite them. Using his considerable intellect and resources to resolve ordinary mysteries of humanism and socialization. His romance episodes are particularly telling. And people fussing over his humanity and rights are quite relatable too.

[@Seal0626]

Sara Crewe: "She was such a little girl that one did not expect to see such a look on her small face. It would have been an old look for a child of twelve, and Sara Crewe was only seven. The fact was, however, that she was always dreaming and thinking odd things and could not herself remember any time when she had not been thinking things about grown-up people and the world they belonged to." "Sara stood quietly, with her eyes fixed upon Miss Minchin's face. She was thinking something odd, as usual." "She is always sitting with her little nose burrowing into books. She doesn't read them, Miss Minchin; she gobbles them up as if she were a little wolf instead of a little girl [...] drag her away from her books when she reads too much." "I never saw such a funny, old-fashioned child [...] she has locked herself in, and is not making the least particle of noise." "It was a way of hers to always want to spring into any fray in which someone was made uncomfortable or unhappy [...] she had a fine, hot little temper of her own, and it made her feel rather savage when she heard the titters and saw the poor, stupid, distressed child's face." "She's always doing something silly," snapped Lavinia. "My mamma says that way of hers of pretending things is silly. She says she will grow up eccentric." "If she had cried and sobbed and seemed frightened, Miss Minchin might almost have had more patience with her." "In her young soul, she was thinking deep and strange things." "She seldom cried. She did not cry now. She [...] sat there, her little black head resting on the black draperies, not saying one word, not making one sound." "I can't bear that way she has now of looking at people without speaking - just as if she was finding them out." "How - how are you?" "I don't know," Sara replied. "How are you?" And now that I've copied half the book out, I recommend watching the 1986 televisation, as it's possibly the only screen adaptation that doesn't Bowdlerise and insult the original material.

[@sassylittleprophet]

Oh. My. God. YES.

[@serpentine.flight]

I just finished watching Everything is Going to Be Okay, and I loved the autistic representation so much that I was really hungry for more and thought..."Should I rewatch Atypical?" I have similar thoughts/feels about the representation of the show being stereotypical, but once I thought of rewatching it (especially after hyperfixating on researching Autism for the past several weeks and thinking "I think I might be autistic?") it also occurred to me that Elsa and Casey (and Paige!) might be "stealth" autistics, and HONESTLY I think that would make the show much more interesting. I don't take issue with how they represented Sam, the main thing I find wrong with it is that we've seen that representation before, and if they did develop a storyline where Casey, Paige, and Elsa all realize they are autistic that would do SO MUCH for representation and I feel like more people might watch it and discover that they, too, are autistic. I almost feel like it's worth rewatching just with that interpretation because it wasn't something I was clocking the first time.

[@maxhamlin636]

"she finds this youtube video *gasp* and then she spends 6 hours on the internet researching autism because isn't that what we all did?" I literally thought that because I did this I wasn't actually autistic. I thought I was alone!

[@HopeGardner3amed]

I didn't do that because I was informally diagnosed after a spat. In the years since I have googled autistic celebs, authors and characters. But not around my diagnosis.

[@frankierex4923]

Frozen was based off the Snow Queen which was written by Hans Christian Andersen and he is thought by some historians to have been autistic. A lot of his works like the Little Mermaid and the Ugly Duckling also have similar themes of being different.

[@kathleenphillips6445]

All these characters and the ones mentioned in the comments are my favorites! Also I’ve wondered why Frozen and Elsa are so wildly popular with all little girls? What’s Disney on to?

[@mellyq92]

The pretending to be characters thing was me too. Parker from leverage is a character that I've heard headcanons about. A lot of her characterisation seems to stem from past traumas so I'm not sure how much is just her wiring and how much is learned behaviour but her awkward interactions with other people and feelings of being weird or out of place definitely resonate.

[@garyfrancis5015]

Melanie Cusick Brains from Thunderbirds. And Brains from Pinky and the Brain.

[@doktor_ghul]

Glad to see Egon Spengler mentioned, since I identified with him from the first movie forward, but what about Spencer Reid from CRIMINAL MINDS? He's about as close to the idealized professional autistic success story as one could get, and as such, every time I tuned in, I hyper-focused on what he was doing, saying, and mentioning, and did loads of research connected with the information he mentioned. Some of it was superb and some was nightmarish, but I took care to see it as it was. Spencer and Egon would be a wondrous cross over episode. It's a pity Harold Ramis died.

[@tanithfaye9868]

I totally agree with you with Elsa (from Frozen). When I was diagnosed it had been a couple years when suddenly Frozen appeared and the song 'Let it go' felt like my life story! No joke there were tears in my eyes when I looked up the lyrics. I hadn't thought about Elsa actually being autistic, but it makes so much sense! 100% agreed! There's one character which I have always found which really seems autistic to me is 'Erik' from Susan Kay's book, 'Phantom' AKA the book that was inspired by the Musical 'Phantom of the Opera'. One actor who played the Phantom called Ramin Karimloo, I remember reading somewhere actually was making him autistic, which I found super wonderful. I would totally recommend the book, it's quite emotional but it totally has an autistic main character who has so many traits of autism! Anyway, lol sorry for rambling but I love your content and hope to see more videos with autistic headcannons in the future! :D

[@tamirgabay9416]

If I may suggest, Juhda from "Bojack Horseman"

[@HopeGardner3amed]

And Princess Carolyn and Todd.

[@pLaIrVaIdNoGx]

Thanks for the videos. My twin sister got a late diagnosis of autism. She is also mentally handicapped so this really helps understand things she can't explain. 😘

[@madmadison2782]

I'm happy you mentioned Elsa from Atypical. It is driving me nuts waiting for them to spit it out.

[@dawnhughes9942]

Harold from the movie Harold & Maude.

[@humphrke]

God.... every time I hear "show yourself " I fucking cry. especially the line "you are the one you've been waiting for... all of my life..." even typing it makes me cry

[@janvirtanen9110]

Definatly Dr. House.

[@isabelvenegas7000]

@@Wolf-r9d why not?

[@janvirtanen9110]

Definatly maybe.

[@isabelvenegas7000]

@@Wolf-r9d Sam said to mention characters we personally headcanon as autistic and that's what Jan did, so what's the problem? They're allowed to hc him as autistic if they want to, no harm done.

[@shantimarty4901]

I used to have a “friend” during high school who referred to me as “temperance” or “bones” as a term of endearment and now that I self identify as being on the spectrum, it completely makes sense!

[@shoshanafox727]

I like your Miss Bean. 🙂👍

[@alleriapython]

Me too. I always felt bad for mr bean because his gf didnt understand him and got mad. I understood him..

[@garyfrancis5015]

Lauren Fisher When he got the Turkey on his head.

[@tomparmenter8665]

I've always had the thought I might be autistic. But watching your videos have convinced me that I am. I can especially relate to that bit at the end talking about eve.