Autism: TV Makes Strides in New Programming

Taking advantage of the freedom that can come from alternative outlets, Robia Rashid’s new series “Atypical” debuted on Netflix this fall. “Atypical” is essentially a coming of age story about an 18-year old high school student. The hero of the story, Sam, has autism and a lot of the show’s drama revolves around Sam trying to interact in a world that assumes neurotypicality despite his condition. While Sam’s autism is a key feature of the show, the plot also deals with a lot of other subjects that you would expect from a drama about a high school student. Trying to fit in, looking for love, and the general dynamics of being a high schooler in modern culture are all plot points in the television show, but they’re interpreted through Sam’s autistic lens.