My favourite autistic characters (autistic headcanon)

In this video I explore my top five favourite autistic characters from film, tv and literature. All opinions are my own and just a part of my personal autistic headcanon - they may or may not have actually been intended to be autistic.
There’s a dearth of autistic representation in the media, so let’s claim these characters (and add your favourite autistic character below in the comments!)

[@YoSamdySam]

Tell me how much you disagree with me here in the comments!

[@heikehollas1828]

But I agree I think in the early James Bond movies the giant man who threw rocks with the iron teeth My son ears rocks and sand. He ruins his little first teeth. And he is extremely strong. That's why I think it But what you said about catnes seems quite logic. 👌

[@claudiadavies8786]

And that might be it because they're trying to put autistic people into the norm because well even though autism is normal I have it myself a little bit but if people can pick up the traits first and then go out into public and realise that this is a real Sensation then they won't make fun of them because Dexter didn't like to be touched or didn't know how to smile or taking stuff😃

[@failedsocialexperiment2382]

Good writing comes from something that writer knows and understands so that I see as more evidence that these characters where based on actual known people in the writers lives to varying degrees so I for most, if not all I agree with.

[@debraguthrie3330]

My 3 year old grandson has nonverbal autism. I am so anxious to learn what is going on in his mind. When he is screeching for reasons I don't understand. Yes it can be very difficult to be patient with. But due to the fact that im so fearful of what he may be feeling. I tell him your ok in a very calming voice. I pick him up hold him close and rock him. It seems to work. But, I do struggle with wanting a cure. I wouldn't change a thing about him now. I have had 5 children of my own. I now have five grandchildren one who is autistic. And out of all he is the warmist most loving child. But my fear is. Sending him out into the world where he will not be loved and nurtured. I fear he will be hurt and bullied. So yes, I do want his autism to go away. I have seen so much abuse especially with the nonverbal. And something that struck me was the way you said some many different things going on in your head at one time the glaring lights that are painful. I can't imagine how that feels. And as a grandma and a person who has anxiety I want to make that go away for him so he can feel at peace inside. You mentioned alcohol helped. Is there medication that you take or have tried that can ease the mind.

[@failedsocialexperiment2382]

@@debraguthrie3330 I am sure hoping that gene editing becomes closer to being common, with science like that they can nearly take out all of the negatives of the more severe cases of autism like what your grandson is going through. In fact, I cannot wait for that to happen for my case, I can speak, write coherent sentences, function in most things but socializing is still a difficulty, including reading people motives; I cannot read people's motives or intentions that well, I can become a victim a manipulative person.

[@junenovae]

I love diagnosing fictional characters. My only friend always tell me "why do you think everyone is autistic?" ... I don't think everyone is autistic, I just think it's more common than we think, and I love trying to recognize symptoms whether it's enough for a diagnosis or not doesn't really matter.. It's kind of like when I was a huge Harry Potter fan, I would sort people into houses, that doesn't mean I think everyone is a wizard or even that I'm right, but it's just very stimulating

[@YoSamdySam]

Exactly!

[@martavdz4972]

Might also be that there's a higher percentage of autistic people among writers than there is in the general population, so they tend to write their characters as having autistic traits :-)

[@Jimbo386000]

What house are you in?

[@Seal0626]

Plus, of course, fictional characters tend to be based on real people or composites of real people. Autistic people, being real, are in the pool from which characteristics are drawn.

[@tabitas.2719]

@@martavdz4972 Yes! :) Watching Tony Attwood's lectures (an autistic psychologist) on autistic traits - authors are one of the groups (/jobs) he mentions with a higher percentage of autistic people. :)

[@alicewong1679]

Upon reflection, maybe Ariel from the Little Mermaid. She has a curious personality, with ever wonder about the world above the sea. And it is expressed in her obsessive trinket collection. When she meets Eric, she projects her ideals upon him, and that is often a common approach autistic girls takes towards romance, especially early on. She's passionate and single mindedness leads her to make a deal with Ursula. While she did consented to signing away her voice, her mute adventures off sea, can be an allegory about selective mutism.

[@ThatOneITchick]

100% the little mermaid. I made these connections FIRST! Haha.

[@ThatOneITchick]

Her being overly talented compared to her sisters, and then missing a huge performance due to her special interest was a very solid criteria right out of the gate.

[@EveryDayALittleDeath]

I absolutely love this headcanon. Ariel is my favorite Disney Princess.

[@esf34147]

yes i agree! i am not autistic myself but have read a lot about why ariel could be autistic

[@Cerebrum123]

With similar reasoning you might say Belle from Beauty and the Beast is too. Her obsessions with books, her brutal honesty, the whole town considering her odd, and her not really caring that they do consider her strange.

[@stevenofford495]

The first that would occur to me is Sherlock Holmes , in all interpretations , through to the modern 'Sherlock' series.

[@queendeqa]

i agree

[@sewknitrepeat6377]

Definitely!!

[@songesdeseraphins4302]

yess!!

[@charlimorris1545]

I was about to comment this!!! Yes!!!

[@Jimbo386000]

Yeah. He says he is a high functioning sociopath, but he definitely shows many traits of being on the spectrum.

[@strawberrynmei]

My autistic headcanons are Luna Lovegood, Amelie, and Audrey Horne from Twin Peaks

[@ravenzahm4980]

I'm only just realizing I fit on the spectrum but I identified HARD with Amelie and Luna Lovegood as a kid, I also see Hermione as autistic too

[@maggierudnicki4320]

Raven Zahm You’re right on the money about Hermione. Watch Tony Attwood - Aspergers in girls on KZbin and you’ll discover why he thinks Hermione is the prototypical autistic girl, even more than Luna! (And I identified a lot with Amelie, too! We have that in common. A little less with Luna, because JKR made her a little too loopy for my taste-do nargles really exist? We shall never know!)

[@michaelshort2388]

I completely agree with Luna, she is the character in Harry Potter that I most identify with.

[@HistoryNerd808]

@@maggierudnicki4320 Absolutely on Hermione. I'm a guy so it shows up differently with me but I see so much of me in her. The only real differences are that she's a bit more outgoing and is more organized than I am. I think Luna could be too, even though her and Hermione are basically polar opposites.

[@alexashley9140]

Yesssss Luna and Hermione!

Characters mentioned: 1:00 - Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice 4:10 - Anya Jenkins from Buffy the Vampire Slayer 5:25 - Paris Geller from Gilmore Girls 5:58 - Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games 7:19 - Dexter Morgan from Dexter

[@regentanz7364]

thanok you for listing them!

[@cogit8able]

Thank you!

[@holyspacemonkey]

Thank you!

[@Dukkidan]

Thank you ❤️

[@Zaelle]

One of my favourites would be also Temperence Brennan from Bones :)

[@SaRah-21532]

Aw you've made me miss Bones now! It's one of my favorite shows ever. Might have to rewatch it soon! :)

[@heikehollas1828]

Oh yes 🌹

[@cogit8able]

Agreed.

[@ChicagoMel23]

I love it. Still have a weekly chat group I go to

[@Nyx_Fey_]

And Zack!

[@tacotruckfursuits3130]

Peridot and Pearl from Steven Universe! Though they are very diffrent I can relate alot to both. Peridots openness with friends and obsession with Camp pining hearts while Pearl's orderly way and struggle to open up. I love them both and it always makes me happy to watch them.

[@loredanavasilescu5634]

Peridot yes. Perhaps but i don't see it at all for Pearl

[@hunternocedaclawthorn]

@@loredanavasilescu5634 yeah, pearl likely has ptsd

[@tacotruckfursuits3130]

@@hunternocedaclawthorn Pearl shows a different set of autistic traits then Perdiot. Ones that you'll probably have to read more in between the lines for. I highly suggested watching this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/l36ck42nrsqLbsU arund 12:12 because they explain about how pearl can possibly have autism far better then i can. But it has in no way been stated by Rebecca Sugar that she does or doesnt have autism so its really up to speculation. Also someone with autism can have PTSD and show the signs of having PTSD along side of autism. Just something to remember.

[@drpiv8549]

I love Peridot! I also love Pearl, and i think she's a deeper character, but Peridot is still my fav.

[@a_little_demon]

OMG YES

[@christinaford5885]

The ones that always occur to me are from the children’s book The Secret Garden: Mary Lennox, and possibly her cousin Colin Craven. Mary definitely has classic traits. In early childhood she is prone to meltdowns, only learns on her own terms (and not because she is told she has to), cannot relate to other children who call her names, and doesn’t see the point of dolls. She is blunt and brusque in manner and doesn’t endear herself to the adults who encounter her. However it’s her very bluntness that is able to break through Colin’s nameless fears where the adults around him are too afraid of talking about them. It’s also possible that the cousins share an inherited disposition that enables them to ‘get’ each other’s world view.

[@lindamgalvao]

Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds is a great character.

[@claypots47]

@@SonjaKreukniet Mathew Gray Gubler stated in an interview that Reid has Asperger's, and in an episode with Alex Blake, Blake brings up him having autism, which Reid confirms.

[@ozok17]

@@SonjaKreukniet It can be both.

[@paraphilicanalysis1737]

In my understanding autism is linked to an increased chance of IQ variance greater than one standard deviation away from the mean.

[@DanniBby]

@@SonjaKreukniet the amount of gifted people who were left undiagnosed because of how people saw their intelligence as a thing that meant they’re not autistic is a lot. Developing at a different rate is even a sign that the gifted child would have autism, because they’re brain is literally made differently.

[@HarrietFitzgerald580]

Mr.Darcy, how interesting. I remember after finding out about autism and researching the heck out of it, I then watched Fantastic Beasts and to me, it was so OBVIOUS that Newt is on the spectrum. I found it so amazing to see the main character be so different! Very refreshing. In hindsight I also think that Kramer, from Seinfeld, definitely presents as being on the spectrum.

[@HarrietFitzgerald580]

Yo Samdy Sam I've only ever seen the 2005 version and have seen it hundreds of times! 🙈 the scene that is jumping to mind is when Darcy escorts Elizabeth to the carriage and their hands touch. Their is a frame after they've touched where Darcy flexes his hand. 💕 love that scene!

[@YoSamdySam]

@@HarrietFitzgerald580 Find the 1995 version and gorge yourself!

[@Blaineiskindagay]

Newt is my autistic smol bean and I love him

[@cogit8able]

Yes!

[@cogit8able]

@@YoSamdySam Colin Firth is the best and only Mr Darcy.

[@marypuppo5402]

I'm writing a historical science fiction novel where most of the characters are autistic. I hope it can get traditionally published one day. I am actually autistic as well! Love your channel!

[@eyreaus2736]

Was just thinking most of the Guardians of the Galaxy were autistic in some way. Science fiction wise.

[@cockycookie1]

What's it called? Would love to read!

[@emmadenton1826]

I love giving characters potential diagnoses! My favourite headcannon is that Jake Peralta from Brooklyn Nine Nine has ADHD. Noone will ever convince me otherwise 😅

[@spaceageflop3974]

Oh definitely. And for me Amy has autistic traits. Together they are a real neurodivere squad. :D

[@YukiTombo]

And Captain Holt, clearly :D

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

Charles is most definitely on the spectrum

[@jenniferwood307]

Tina from Bob's Burgers. And the MTV show Daria, the main character Daria.

[@claypots47]

Loved Daria before I found out I have Asperger Syndrome.

[@MarcyMarcCassidy]

YES

[@MarcyMarcCassidy]

:)

[@Matthew-wi5im]

Abed Nadir from Community is my favorite!

[@lindseyharland4872]

Doctor Who? Super intelligent, loner, likes to have companions around to bounce ideas off etc but mostly loses them as s/he single mindedly pursues the current Quest. Also now fearlessly androgynous..

[@mikaylaeager7942]

I never thought of Mr. Darcy but I love it! That response is textbook. I’ve always loved Austins atipical/analytical way of describing human behavior. The narrator is my favorite character in every Austin novel. She is so perceptive, yet speaks in a way that is so easy for someone with autism to understand. Much of my social skills were developed from reading Austin books. The first fictional character I recognized as autistic was Abed from Community (this was actually confirmed by the writers). I loved him so much because he was the first positive representation of autistic traits I’d seen on TV. His obsession with pop culture, over the top exuberance, loyalty, naivety and straightforwardness were always portrayed as endearing qualities. Unlike other characters at the time who were being given the autism label such as Sherlock and Sheldon Cooper who let’s be honest as generally assholes. More recently we’ve had more positive representations in media like Newt who will always have my heart even if I have given up on the series he is a part of. I’ve also always identified with the robot/alien character like Data/Spock/the Doctor. It’s a sci-fi trope that I believe remains relevant because of autistic/Neurodivergent fans. I identify so strongly with this character that it is actually painful for me to watch storylines were they are abused and oppressed. Spielbergs AI made me so uncomfortable I had to turn it off and it still haunts me to this day. I do wish there were more prominent autistic female characters in media. The only ones I can think of are in comics and superhero films. Wonder Woman could be autistic but is really more of a “fish out of water.” Captain Marvel as portrayed in the movie is a closer depiction with her deadpan snark and emotional obliviousness (I’d need to see more of her to know for sure). Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) could be as well in the awkward outgoing way. Actually most of the next-gen female Marvel superheroes feel very neuodivergent. Squirrel-girl has some serious ADHD. Now that I think about it Clara from Doctor Who could fit very well into a female type autism. This may be why I identified with her. I should rewatch with that in mind. I guess in the fictional world as in life female autistic are harder to identify. Anyway this was very long. I’m off to reread P&P. Thank you for a list that isn’t “Sherlock, Sherlock & Sherlock.” You have a new subscriber!

[@McFlingleson]

I've thought Dexter was autistic for a while now. I'm glad to hear someone else also reached that conclusion.

[@koen8993]

Late to the party, but I'm going to say Stannis Baratheon from ASOIAF/Game of Thrones and his book version especially. Rule oriented, lacks social sense and tact and hates court intrigue. He even stims in the books by gnashing his teeth when his expectations are not followed, which is pretty dark and a maladaptive stim. His best friend Davos Seaworth is a perfect fit him because he is more straightforward and honest with him unlike the other nobles.

[@BodhiGrrlz]

Yes! My partner said thst about Stannis. Brienne of Tarth also. I wish they hadn’t hooked her up with Jamie. I think she’s non-binary and autistic

[@annjay2581]

I watched the Dexter when I didn't know I had autism and related so much to him and was afraid I was a psychopath 😂 Did anyone watch "the bridge"? (the scandinavian version) Saga Noren is the main character and her autism is a big part of the show. She's an unmasked female with aspergers which is a bit uncommon but pretty hilarious and it def shows the audience what autism in women can look like. I also like the fact that she's portrayed as a brilliant detective and not as a victim. I find her character very inspiring and the actress even said that she talked with actual women who have aspergers so she could portray it better, which is amazing. The show is kinda dark though, might not be everyones cup of tea.

[@anaa7303]

I haven't watched the Scandinavian version but seen the other one. I will be checking that one now you mentioned it :)

[@BodhiGrrlz]

I agree. I also thought I was a psychopath for awhile because of how much I understood dexter. I liked that character in The Bridge. The English version

[@MuppetsEatCats]

Saga Norén is an awesome character!!

[@cloudlie3338]

Omg, when I was in 9th grade I related to Sherlock so much that I took "I'm a high functioning sociopath" to heart and thought I was too a sociopath (even though I'm quite far from it) but only in the past few years have I realized we are probably just both autistic. In 9th grade I didn't mask as heavily as I do now so I was quite blunt and seemed like I didn't get people at all and had a hyperfixation on solving mysteries and wanted to be a detective (my family talked me out of that one and tbh it's probably for the best cause I hate any type of gore and am quite sensitive to sad things) anyway SUPER embarrassing.... It would make sense that I related to him just cause he's got autistic traits and I have them too

[@alejandro-314]

Same here, I felt guilty and scared for relating too much with Dexter, worried that was a psychopath.

[@GaryTheGray]

My son and I will often sit and diagnose characters, from Autism through the DSM. He has Asperger Syndrome (neither of us like the label 'high functioning') and I am a mental health nurse. I agree with you on all your choices accept 'The Girl On Fire'. I don't know if Katniss enjoys games so much as she has been forced into them out of necessity.

[@augusta.5089]

Dexter is my favourite TV show for that reason! I relate to him so much and whenever I tell people that I'm like -- "Not because of the murder!"

[@YoSamdySam]

😂😂😂

[@KP-vl1to]

Saaaame.

[@brittanyevans3]

Me too! I relate so much to his inner monologs, except for the murder parts lol.

[@Doma05]

sameee

[@Hejswejs]

Pride and Prejudice is a great ground for AS hunting! The best fictional secret aspie imo is Jo March from Little Women :)

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

Ingrid Ekberg, yes and also Beth

[@whatchyagonnado]

DUDE I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS SO TRUE

[@thefabfivefam1997]

Jo is a great one! 👍

[@offmymeds2994]

I read a book called, Eden's Outcasts. It was about Louisa may alcott and her father Amos bronson alcott. It seems obvious to me that the father was autistic.

[@johndoe4110]

I related so much with Jo as a kid when I read Little Women and it really makes sense

[@nicoler1183]

My favorite is Aziraphale from Good Omens- especially as he's portrayed in the Amazon miniseries.

[@isaiahjoiner6153]

Omg I love Aziraphale so much!!!!!!!

[@Charlie-qi1xn]

I love him so much

[@EveryDayALittleDeath]

An autistic angel, I love it!

[@alexisflory6496]

Just when tv tries to portray angles in general (Castiel is also definitely autistic) and you cannot tell me otherwise

[@ninab9969]

Yes!! My favorite, too! Favorite character ever, actually. Autistic, INFP, absolutely adorable!

[@sarahcicle8592]

Fitz from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[@julliesoares6475]

Sarah Cicle OMG YES!

[@elie2368]

Honestly? Add Simmons in the mix, she is basically Fitz but with _masking_

[@ZoahLord]

Holy smoke...Anya. Makes so much sense. That's going to stick with me when I re-watch Season 3 onwards again

[@katharinekavanagh3109]

This background is everything!

[@stardust948.]

When you said Dexter I thought you meant the Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory for a second.

[@ameliapond4810]

LMAO! (he's the smartest boy you've ever seen...)

[@BodhiGrrlz]

Omg! I laughed so hard when you said Dexter! He is my absolute favorite character. I have about 10 tshirts, a game, a bobble head, and have watched the series many times. I am on the spectrum and totally understand and identify with him. He is absolutely not a psychopath but on the spectrum. He doesn’t fit in and has to mask to do so but no one buys it. Doakes, for instance. I also identify with Katniss! Great list!!! Yay dexter!

[@Seal0626]

Reg Barclay, from Star Trek: The Next Generation. He wasn't written with the word "autism" in mind, because it wasn't a word for his personality type at the time; but he was based on a particular type of Trekkie, and of course we know it's a show that attracts a lot of autistic fans. Here's an interesting(and sweary) video on the subject: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4ran4N7ecyFqrs

[@maevan360]

Yes! We are just rewatching TNG for the first time in many years and now I know why I identified with Reg so much!

[@Seal0626]

@@maevan360 I remember disliking and resenting him/his episodes the first time around, because he was such a departure from the rest of the show; unlike all the other characters, who were clearly heightened/idealised reality, with a faintly plasticky sheen, he was exactly like a real person. His thought processes were real. His fears were real. The way he got bullied and dismissed by everyone around him was real. The way he escaped into vivid fantasy and could only relax and be confident there was real. The fact that he couldn't explain himself to people who demanded an explanation(which, since everything about him was so obvious, couldn't possibly have been sincere sincere attempts to understand but rather coded condemnation and demands for apology) was real. It was like a slap in the face with a cold, wet towel, especially the way it turned characters I normally liked into nasty, spiteful versions of themselves. I didn't come to Star Trek for every day reality, I went to Star Trek to get away from it! Being an undiagnosed autistic eight year old girl, I naturally assumed(if I thought about it at all) that anything I had in common with this forty-something year old man must be universal human experience. Twenty-something years and a diagnosis later, I want to defend and protect him. Now what bothers me is a sadly unavoidable issue: that he never gets diagnosed. Because the writers couldn't actually see the future and know that in a couple of decades' time there would be a name for what he is, Counsellor Troi unfortunately comes out of it looking like a charlatan who bought her mental health qualifications from a diploma mill.

[@maevan360]

@@Seal0626 I couldn't agree more! I had a very similar experience and only now as a 40+ adult do I realize the parallels. It upset me so much watching it this time and the way that characters I loved, like Picard and La Forge, treat Barclay like he's a serial killer or another Typhoid Mary. I've never been diagnosed and it wasn't until the last few years I started to understand why I am the way I am. Unfortunately at my age, the medical community I've encountered just doesn't seem to want to diagnose or treat or help. They figure that we've been masking our whole lives, so why can't we just keep doing that until we're dead? I am burned out and all it takes is thinking of poor Barclay to start me crying. Wow, that got dark! Sorry! :) Also, this is the first time I've had an intelligent and pleasant discussion in KZbin comments! Thank you!!

[@Seal0626]

@@maevan360 No worries, it's always a pleasure to ramble away about perseverations when I'm avoiding doing actual work! More and more, I am grateful that I happened to see a keen young locum when I went to the doctor to ask for a referral for ADHD assessment(because comorbid) who basically said "Sounds like you know what you're talking about, absolutely. Keep an eye out for the letter in the post." and then a brilliant psychologist who said "Hold on, you don't have a diagnosis for your autism? Well, that's clearly overdue, let's get that booked in." shortly before she got headhunted. I had previously had a few GPs not quite literally pat me on the head and tell me that I seemed perfectly normal to them, and not to worry about it.

[@IncendioFlames]

I've always had that thought about Rory (probably mostly because I see myself in her). My autistic headcannons also include Hermione Granger (book Hermione, anyway). I feel very strongly about that, but possibly just because HP is one of my special interests lol and then lastly Lilo from Lilo & Stitch (I saw that one on tiktok but afterwards I highly agree no wonder I love that movie so much)

[@lysagreen2314]

I have thought that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes had Aspergers Syndrome. For more modern fiction, I would say that Hermoine Granger is an Aspie.

[@ketevandavitashvili9744]

I'm a bit late, but I actually came across this wonderful channel which I binged, by googling the headcanon of Jack from Supernatural being autistic. He interprets social situations different from other characters, his sensory overload moments are magnified by his special powers, he has shut-downs and melt-downs, his special interest in Star Wars is very vivid, he is super uncomfortable with peers, even when he manages to communicate with adults, angels etc. There are other traits in small proportions, and sometimes he feels like it to me, while I can't exactly explain why. I relate to many of his traits and actions, though, he's one of my favorite characters ever. If you got interested by chance, he appears in Season 12 of Supernatural, you might just want to check out a few late episodes of Season 11 to get the backstory. The show has portrayed many people with special needs that I wasn't informed about before. One of the most interesting stories for me was about a deaf woman, which made me research so much about problemss of deaf people and the forms of communication comfortable for them. Castiel - another popular character from the show - is also thought to autistic by fans. He is also an amazing character.

[@ErikLeroux]

Javert from (the novel, specifically) "Les Misérables" is definitely one of mine. He's portrayed as quite poor with social situations-- I'm not sure Hugo imagined him as having ANY social interaction outside his work-- but prone to giving, just, SO MUCH information when prompted even the barest amount. Plus, naturally, there's the center of his character: His obsession. And his black-and-white way of thinking that we see (particularly around the end of the book) just feels so real to me; the way he's just SO committed to The Law and his duty that he can't do things any other way than he's used to doing them. Plus Hugo details him fidgeting sometimes, and, well... yeah, that's about it. Great character!

[@brinnd330]

Honestly, thank you so much for mentioning Dexter. The idea that the character is autistic/has autistic traits might seem odd at first glance, but I was rewatching that show for the first time in a while and had a sort of “a-ha” moment. Hearing his inner monologue about how difficult it is to act “normal”, the way he imitates others in order to fit in....I realized “well THAT’S why I was so deeply obsessed with that show as a high schooler”.

[@shelbymachado8712]

I love hearing you break this down particularly with the Austen segment because they're the sort of things I resoundingly agree with, but had never found a good way to explain before.

[@muffinsxmanun]

alright you had me at "mr. darcy" - and now i love the idea

[@katecus1117]

Have you seen she reboot of she-ra and the princesses on power on Netflix? One of the characters, Entrapta, is clearly autistic. While it’s not confirmed in the show, the show runner has confirmed that she was intentionally written as autistic, and a crew member who is on the spectrum had a lot of input into her character. She had a single minded drive for technology and swaps sides on the war a couple of times depending on where she can do the best research

[@Julie-zk3nr]

Oh my god, thank you so much for this! I've had a sneaking suspicion for years (as many of your viewers do) that I am autistic. I know this video was for fun, and I heavily relate to your more serious ones (especially the one where you helped me realize my 2+ decade obsession with Buffy is, in fact, a special interest), but wow! Anya! Just last week my friends and I were talking about how similar I am to her and now look. lol

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

So glad I found you! Subbed. Thanks for the vid! I appreciate what you said in the beginning where these are your headcanons and such diversity is underrepresented. I’m glad that folks on the Spectrum relate to characters in popular shows and series who may be like them. My fave so far is Castiel from Supernatural.

[@EonsOfReflection]

thanks for always being so open to comments and inviting us to share our thoughts :) i feel that it's important to recognize characters are being autistic, not because it's not represented so much in the media, but because of exactly what is being represented: an undiagnosed individual and the things that follow with that. It's why watching Elsa in frozen embrace her whole self is so rewarding, she's self-diagnosed with magic and now is exploring what that means for her. And I wanted to especially thank you for making such a clip and mentioning jane austen's work. it's always been close to my heart and now i understand a little bit better why.

[@dawnrobertson3067]

Absolutely loved this. And these are some of my favourite tv shows including Gilmore Girls, Buffy and Dexter. As well as being a massive fan of Hunger Games. Paris Geller is probably one of my favourite characters. She cracks me up. I was devastated when Dexter ended. And started looking up everything I could find about the actual actor. And got some of the books too.

[@krissyk9767]

Lisbeth Salander. And there's another Scandinavian character in the series "the bridge" - i think her name is Saga? she is the main police investigator. Theres also a really good book called "Convenience store woman" - the main character seems to have many autistic characteristics.

[@nymeria941]

Just discovered your channel recently, and I am HERE for your hot takes on Jane Austen! She's one of my favorite authors. I am also autistic.

[@YoSamdySam]

I'm so glad you get it. I'm thinking about doing a video on Neurodiversity in Austen novels in the new year

[@HistoryNerd808]

There's been a lot of speculation that Jane Austen herself was autistic which might explain why she and her characters resonate so much

[@koen8185]

What about Dr Niles Crane from Frasier , or Peter MacDougall (Chris Elliot) from Everybody Loves Raymond , even Latka from Taxi

[@IndieRockerHippy]

Yes! Niles 100% is

[@danitrevisani]

Also Bones of “Bones”, Sherlock (especially with Benedict Cumberbatch) , Norman of “The Kominsky Method” and Saga Norén at “The Bridge (Bron Broen)”.

[@meredithf.1022]

Thank you for mentioning Norman from the "Kominski Method"- Such a gem of a show. And Temperance Brennan from "Bones" is my favorite! I've watched the entire series repeatedly since it began airing live in 2005. Frankly, I learned how to function in my job and the "real-world" by watching the way the Bones characters interacted with each other.

[@seatbelttruck]

I like diagnosing fictional characters. Part of it is liking to find people like me in media, and also I just like categorizing things (semi-random aside: dichotomous keys are fun!). Some of my favorites are Newt Scamander, who I didn't diagnose myself, but I connected with him and when other people said he was probably autistic it just felt right. I also really like Meg from "A Wrinkle in Time" and it's sequels. She is the one fictional character I identified with most as a child: not fitting in, pretty smart, but feeling dumb, "weird," with at temper, self-esteem issues... She reads as aspergers-style autism to me. I'm sure there are others. Also, on of my favorite characters ever is Sam Gamgee, from "The Lord of the Rings," for similar reasons. While I never diagnosed him as autistic, other people have, and I can kinda see it (though an anxiety disorder probably fits better). He at least has definite meltdowns a few times in the book. I think it was really helpful for me to see a character who openly cries on several occasions and is still a hero rather than a subject of ridicule, especially in middle-school when my hormones where making my emotions even more intense than usual.

[@penny6254]

Wouldn't anxiety disorder fit Sam Gamgee better? He certainly worries about all kinds if things all the time ... But then it's as a parent that I can best relate to Sam's worrying, so maybe it's not that he has AD but simply that he's a caregiver? Or that being a caregiver can give you AD? I may be wrong of course, just sharing my 2 cent, and anyway this is leading off topic ...

[@seatbelttruck]

​@@penny6254 I did say in my comment that I thought anxiety was a better fit, though autism often comes with a side-helping of anxiety (as in my case), so it could easily be both. He also seems to have some self esteem issues, given a lot of the self-talk we hear from him (in the books, at least. Less prominent in the movies).

[@penny6254]

@@seatbelttruck Of course, both could easily be a fit too ... I loved your comment, it was what got me thinking about the whole Sam/autism/anxiety thing in the first place, and then my thoughts just wandered on randomly ...Anh oh yes, Sam's habit of self-talk and how it can be both empowering - like when he gives himself instructions to deal with difficult situations - and damaging to his self-esteem - very relatable!

[@katherinejones902]

My new favorite is Holly Gibney from Stephen King’s “The Outsider” and Mr. Mercedes book series.

[@kwillow12]

Holly is one of King's best creations. I wish he'd give her more challenging tasks. Fighting worm-monsters, meh.

[@legionofpie]

I just found your channel, thank you for making this stuff make sense. Much Love, -An ADHD brain with autistic friends ♥

[@tiiaj7589]

- love Austen! - I agree! All those poor characters are thought of and depicted as “bad”, I’ve always thought that rather unfair. They were only misunderstood introverts.

[@poserdisposer6460]

My favorite is sherlock, the Benedict cumberbatch one. I love that series so much. I’m gonna go rewatch it.

[@SummerSaysSo]

I like the Mr. Darcy headcanon. My absolute favorite is the post I see go around tumblr sometimes about Elle Woods from Legally Blonde being headcanoned as autistic. It struck a chord with me. Newt Scamander is one that was instantly a connection for me, too.

[@titaniastinkerings]

In one of your other videos you mentioned needing to pull your hair up to focus (which same here, I totally feel it) and it reminded me of something. Violet Baudelaire (or however you spell the last name) from A Series of Unfortunate Events (one of my favorite book series in high school) does the same thing! She pulls her hair up, goes into hyper-focus mode, and comes up with inventive solutions to insane problems. I used to carry a ribbon around to put my hair up with cuz I wanted to be like her, which my doc told me emulating fictional characters is also a trait of autism xD just thought I'd share, I'm gonna re-read that series now 😂

[@BlackCover95]

Her and Klaus.

[@JakeGuitarMusic]

What about Elsa from Frozen and Frozen 2? She definitely seems to fit the criteria by shutting people out including her sister Anna, constantly talking bad about herself, getting nervous with all of the changes happening on Coronation day and struggling to find her sense of self until the end of Frozen 2.

[@irialamasfernandez6857]

I would have loved if you talked a little bit more about Katniss. Great video! 🥰

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

So weird that I'm listening to you and reading The Passion of the Nerd live stream about Doublemeat Palace. Synchronicity.

[@jenthulhu]

I came to this video as part of research for a novel I'm writing. One of my critique partners pointed out that my protagonist had all of the positive traits of autism without any of the negatively perceived ones. I believe I'm on the spectrum, though my only diagnosis currently is ADHD, and I based some aspects of this character on myself (this is what writers do!) so I am keen to try to discover what it is that I may have forgotten to include. So far I think it may be mainly the difference of experience between male and female childhood experience of being autistic and also the fact that her neurodiversity isn't the main focus of the story. At any rate, I'm binging your videos on these topics to flesh this out in my mind. Longtime subscriber--thank you for this content. And EFF YEAH Darcy was autistic. That explains everything! I love it. Now I'm wondering about the Brontes too tbh...

[@tayloriism]

i headcanon andy dufresne from the shawshank redemption as autistic. he has trouble understanding social cues (calling the warden obtuse and not realizing it upset him), has a fascination with numbers, speaks in monotone, says things quite frankly, and has trouble outwardly showing his emotions. his wife even called him “a hard man to know.” he also is very determined, like when he sent letters every day for years to get the state to expand his library. everyone in shawshank regarded him as “different” from everyone else for how he behaved and felt

[@angeloffish]

It would be interesting to hear about more characters.

[@elie2368]

Luna Lovegood, and Nico Di-Angelo fight me

[@Missmetalita]

Each character in Gilmore Girls has a different autistic trait. (Rory- social, can’t detect sarcasm, doesn’t like people touching her stuff (napkins with a drink)) (lorelei-executive, can’t remember faces, can’t been told no, can’t sit still (flinched when had to be still) Luke (doesn’t like change) Emily (cant read sarcasm, has no boundaries and buys expensive gifts that aren’t wanted) Lane -special interest of music. Paris (talks non stop about a topic, can’t tell when someone is bored of conversation because can’t read facial expressions, robotic speech. Kurt (takes things literally, can’t hold a job) black haired chilton chick (aversion to blood, has to hum and rock back and forth.

[@breathofrane]

I love it! I also find it entertaining to pick psychological bits out of fictional characters! I thought Dexter was autistic pretty early on, but I didn't see the first season until a few years after they aired. Have you read the books? They are quite good. I haven't watched P&P in quite a while, but I can certainly see that Mr. Darcy may be autistic. This whole thing is very interesting!

[@DeliaAlbiach]

I'm recently becoming more familiar with autism and people on the spectrum, as my older sister has been lately diagnosed. This makes so much sense. Especially the characters in your list that I know and I'm really familiar with, Mr. Darcy and Katniss... while you were mentioning these autistic traits, I was going YES YES OH MY GOD YES. And I'm still pretty ignorant on the whole thing. I'm dying to see what my sister thinks of this!

[@aureliagold1222]

Coming to the party late but with a few I haven't seen yet: Lan Wangji from the Untamed (obsessive following of rules, close to few people, has difficulty communicating (especially verbally), very particular posture, when he does speak he is blunt as fuck) (also I head canon Wei Wuxian as ADHD) From My Hero Academia, Midoriya (special interest is heroes, pain tolerance for days, few friends growing up and rough social skills, mumbling, some of his motions), Iida (rules, arm motions, voice differences), and Tsuyu (very blunt, raptor arms, vocal tic). Leverage, as Word of God canon, has Parker. I just want to mention her because they love her because and with her differences, not in spite of them.

[@BC-jk6vn]

Lots of detectives come to mind: Dr Reid from Criminal Minds, Sherlock Holmes (both of them huge crushes of mine), Temperance Brennan from Bones and Sorjonen from Bordertown. Luna Lovegood and Snape from Harry Potter, Beth from Little Women, Anne of Green Gables in the latest adaptation (the last two can be labelled as HSP also).

[@krosero]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard? Fanny Price? Interesting theme and video!

[@TheCagedCorvid]

Just found this video a few days ago, sorry I'm late to the party lol... Anyway I've had some thoughts about 'Buffy the vampire slayer', I think you're spot on with Anya, but have you considered Oz? He'd be a heavy masker, but he's generally quiet in group situations, and when he does speak it's either monosyllabic or something a bit odd or quirky. He's intelligent, yet managed to get held back a year , has special interests (music) and shines during one to one conversations... he even hides (or has trouble letting out) his true feelings. I also have some similar thoughts about Tara, particularly early on although I'm new to this so not sure... I do wonder if Willow has a type though...

[@Stephanie568]

I've been watching The Golden Girls recently again and I kind of speculate that Rose may have been, I don't know why I think that but some things just seem to check in some of the boxes but it's probably just me that thinks that.

[@carinwass8089]

Hello, new follower here! As an fellow autistic I really appreciate your way of talking and all your mannerisms 😘 I so love this subject, witch I love to divulge in myself. Unfortunately I have no opinion about any of your chosen characters besides Mr Darcy himself, as I don't watch the series they are in. My personal all time favourite autistic character according to me, is Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in the star wars sequel trilogy. Forever misinterpreted as a spoilt parricidal emo darksider with temper tantrums. It is of course not tantrums but meltdowns when the pressure from all the demands on him clash with the situation he is put in, and the mixed demands and manipulations from his abuser Snoke. He does not need much of a nudge to spring to aktion about it when he meets his match, fellow neurodivergent ADHD genius Rey. How I long to divulge in a discussion amongst fellow autistics on this! And of course, Dr Temperance Brennan and several of her assistants in the series Bones.

[@YoSamdySam]

I'm desperate to watch Bones, I've heard such good things about it. Thanks for your kind comment. I'm not big into Star Wars but I can totally see that about Kylo Ren.

[@Hyzentley]

Its a bit clicheic, but Spock from Star Trek TOS and Data from Star Trek TNG were the first characters I really related to. Spock tries to control his emotions because they are otherwise just to painful, and his breakdown on the screen looked exactly like mine down to the smalest detail. And Datas desperate wish to become human, normal, was something I just could relate to so much. Now, they are both a bit extrem in their expression, but they were the first time I actually saw someone even a bit like me on screen. Then there is Lennier from Babylon 5, a nerdy, shy, insecure alien priest who seems to have a lot of problems with not really knowing what to do in social situations as well as other details that just seemed autistic to me (he rubs his hands against each other when he is nervous to calm himself, his facial expressions, the way he speaks, his self-hate...). But he is super selfless and loyal even as he falls in love with his superior, an both extremly painful and beautifuly real tragic love story. Pearl from Steven Universe. And both Amy and Raj from Big Bang Theory, I saw myself so much more in them than in Sheldon

[@martavdz4972]

Not clichéic, classic :-) I think all Vulcans were written as basically having Asperger's syndrome :-)

[@DeluxeGroupie]

Yes, I too relate with Vulcans, especially with T'Pol from Enterprise.

[@kwillow12]

Yes, it used to surprise me that Spock had so much trouble controlling and stifling his emotions. Not that hard.

[@everyrose2]

I agree about Mr.Darcy...I've thought this for years! So happy to see it reaffirmed here. Katniss...even though I am a huge Hunger Games fan and obsessed over the books...I never thought of her as autistic...but I also didn't know much about autism at the time I was reading the series--might be time to reread the books with fresh eyes. Some of my own "suspects"...Bella Swan from Twilight, Miranda from Sex and the City, and Ann from Anne with an E.

[@c.w.4865]

I’m surprised Castiel from Supernatural wasn’t mentioned lmao

[@cogit8able]

I will upvote that one

[@alexisflory6496]

Tv angles just always kinda read as autistic to me. They just tend to be too relatable for me to see them as otherwise

[@queendeqa]

OMG i so agree on the Mr Darcy.... he ws always my fav character in Pride n Prejudice... whenever I learnt about autism that was who i thought about lol i didnt even finish the video i had to comment.

If you do a new one PLEASE include special agent Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks 🙏🏼

[@TheAwetist802]

Endeavour Morse (from "Inspector Morse" and "Endeavour"). Granted, he also suffers from PTSD and unresolved grief, which as Sam and many other commenters have pointed out, can mimic and be read as Autism and visa versa. But he has special interests: opera and crossword puzzles, which are interwoven into his very sense of identity and which he has astonishing, vast knowledge of/skill with. Morse has a nearly photographic memory for poetry, history, and the literary classics. His ability to notice patterns that others can't makes him a deductive genius. He has a flat affect and makes very little eye contact. He has zero ability to read social roles, cues, or nuance and, as he ages, his inability to care about masking or fitting in causes him to present to others in ways that they read as gruff, blunt, heartless, tactless, lacking empathy, judgemental, and arrogant. Morse is, actually, a gentle and deeply sensitive man but very few know that is so, except for the one person who has known him for decades (his DS, Lewis), and even then, that aspect of Morse becomes clear to Lewis only in the last year or so of Morse's life. As I've watched and re-watched both series, even with him being played by two different men of two different generations, I see Morse's tics and the way his mind works and his particular quirks and it seems obvious to me that the character is Autistic. Of course, that is all headcannon. But I enjoy thinking of Endeavour Morse that way... he is so very relateable to me... and considering him one of us pleases me. :)

[@NFSMAN50]

Spencer Shay from Icarly; He's very childlike, has a overactive imagination, is very creative with lots of designs, sometimes doesn't understand social cues and norms, and is very intelligent. Ferb from Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb, is believed to be on it. He rarely talks, shows no outwardly emotions, is highly intelligent, creative, but when he talks, he says random things.

[@heikehollas1828]

Adrian Monk, the police man and his brother Ambros And the youngest son from the Middle They can't cross bridges with the car because of him. He whispers to himself and is a book gieg

[@mariuszwisla3230]

I'm not familiar with Pride and Prejudice, but your description of Darcy makes it compelling argument. I watched all episodes of Buffy as well, and for the same reasons - get better at understanding behaviour to improve masking. Though I realised it now when you said it. I found Dexter more entertaining, as if I could bond with him. I have my own selection of fictitious characters that I think to be autistic, and I invent new ones for my stories to present autistic struggles in disguise of ordinary every day events.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

yes yes yes!!! english lit/anthropology double major here! loooooove austen!!

[@Marceliaan]

For a moment, I thought number 1 was going to be, Dexter from ''Dexters Laboratory''.

[@emmetthartwin2139]

I'm only 1:15 into this video and I'm so excited because I've spent the past few months indulging my own Mr. Darcy Is Autistic headcanon and I love hearing that someone else shares it! :)

[@kateaye3506]

Mr Darcy... *swoon* The Firth/BBC rendition is sublime. Beautifully cast.

[@drawingsbydave7794]

Definitely spot on with Dexter, great show too. Possibly an obvious suggestion, but Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory exudes myriad qualities (emphasis on the word “quality” as a positive 👍🏼)

[@YoSamdySam]

Yes, Sheldon also came to mind, but he's certainly not *my* favourite character 😄 Thanks for watching

[@Drudenfusz]

Silvia Tilly from Star Trek Discovery

[@Hyzentley]

Yeesss! I had many characters who I headcanon as autistic, but she was the first who was just like me - female, anexious, can become to excited and to talkative about stuff. It felt so good that for maybe the first time, there was someone just like me on TV

[@andrinarossi]

I agree, but I heard an interview with that actress and she said the writers did not write her to be autistic. But I think they are using a trope that exists because real Aspie women have similar traits.

[@titaniastinkerings]

I agree, Darcy is totally on the spectrum, I have zero doubts about it xD

[@Inariann]

I love that you brought up Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice and said that Jane Austen probably was autistic herself because of the way she write her characters. I think the main character I've seen so much of myself in is Bella from Twilight books. (yeah I know I'll get laughed at for this) But Bella is obsessed with reading and re-reading Jane Austen novels. So the fact that you brought this up, just puts another layer on that theory. (and yeah, sorry just found this video 2 years late)

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Jane Austen and her sisters were all Aspie and knew only how to write about things as they saw them.. In UK the series Doc Martin is the classic aspie man.

[@DeanG]

Wayne from Letterkenny. We've done a few episodes on our podcast about this.

[@AmandaZuke]

YES!

[@eleanorlevetan]

the character i mainly head cannon as autistic is villanelle from killing eve cause shes shown autistic traits before

[@lau.tizzir]

I think that these characters are also enneagram 5 type and this number in the enneagram has actually many characteristics similar to someone in the autistic spectrum. I bring this out because when someone wants to create a story, writing a book or a script, the enneagram is a useful tool for creating different characters. Examples of type 5 characters that could also be in the autistic spectrum can be Sherlock Holmes, Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs), Lisbeth Salander (Män som hatar kvinnor), Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls), Saga Noren (Broen), Dr. Brennan (Bones), etc.

[@Ottolineification]

omg I relate to Mr Darcy too! I though I was only girl relating myself to him, and not to Jane or Lizzie

[@sydperkins4083]

Katsuki Yuri from Yuri on Ice!!

[@a_little_demon]

HOLY CRAP YOU'RE RIGHT !

[@l.findlater8457]

What about Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb's "in Death" series? rereading a beginning book and started noticing... things.

[@jeng6786]

Thank you number one!!!! Yes!!! I agree on Darcy for sure!!! (Minus which version you think is better. I like both/the novel Darcy best)

[@cs3994]

OMG yes I have been saying this about these characters. Plus I am a huge Buffy, Mr Darcy & Gilmore girls fan & related to a lot of what I watched

[@YoSamdySam]

We are pop culture peas in a pod hahaha

[@tiiaj7589]

Wait. Hold the phone!? @ 6:07 re: Katniss, you say symptoms of autism are often misdiagnosed as symptoms of trauma!?!?! I need to know more about this. People in my life are so convinced that my sisters and possibly my, issues were caused by some kind of blocked trauma. My needle phobia must have been caused by a terrible experience, the fact that I have trouble being alone around men must mean I was sexually abused by my father etc. This knowledge would clear up SO much worry and wondering!

[@HistoryNerd808]

This is more focused on children but it shows the overlap well between autism and PTSD. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-translation/201810/autism-and-ptsd-similarities-and-differences

[@cogit8able]

My daughter never endured trauma and could never stand any man except my husband or father. from birth. Oddly when she became a teenager she was often the target of sexual offenders. Almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy’s

[@teefarox92]

Mine is Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. He was never officially labelled as Autistic, but I believe it was so completely obvious. I agree with Dexter, 100%. I always thought he would be, even before I was educated on the subject.

[@padonker]

Dr. House? Walter White (Breaking Bad)? Thoughts about those? Because these are series there's a lot there. I've always felt these characters to be autistic. But with a writer who probably couldn't perfect that completely. I.e. I felt that Walter White was already interesting enough without some of the cruel outbursts he has. And House is also sometimes written a bit over the top.

[@AdamKyles]

I'm a little late to the party (4 months late in fact), but Walter White isn't on the spectrum. He's too good at manipulating people. Very few people who are Autistic have the social skills necessary for that.

[@bambiheartlock6298]

Fear the Meerkat! not true. i’d say the opposite, you have to learn to be extra good at saying things people want to hear in order to mask.

[@stonescorpio]

I like to headcanon that Keith from Netflix's Voltron reboot is on the spectrum. After his mentor (and sole friend) went missing on a space flight, Keith refused to believe the fake excuse he was given, got in a physical altercation with a superior officer, and went to live alone in the desert for a year. He has trouble connecting with people, but cares passionately about the few people close to him. He's a highly gifted pilot, but has trouble picking up on social cues and will usually hold himself apart in social situations. He likes being out in nature, because he enjoys the quiet. Just... a lot of things like that.

[@AlenaFuchsfell]

I am 4 years too late, but still... I think in Gilmore Girls there are several chars on the spectrum. You already mentioned Paris and Rory and there is also April. Plus I wonder if Lane Kim is AuDHD. She has some social skills, but not too many, is considered odd my most of her peers, has a clear special interest (music). As a teen, she is drawn to stimulating things such as party or alcohol, but most of the time sits at home reading and listening to music on her own. I could write more (since GG is one of my special interests 😅) but you get the idea.