Does The Good Doctor Have Autism?

Exploring Autism in the Media

'The Good Doctor' has become a prominent television series that not only entertains but also aims to foster awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Central to the series is Dr. Shaun Murphy, a talented surgical resident navigating the complexities of his medical environment with autism and savant syndrome. This article delves into whether the show portrays autism authentically, the traits exhibited by Shaun Murphy, and the broader conversation about accuracy and stereotypes in media representations.

Does 'The Good Doctor' Feature a Character with Autism?

Introduction of Shaun Murphy as an Autistic Character

In the popular television series 'The Good Doctor,' the character Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, is portrayed as a talented surgical resident who has autism along with savant syndrome. This character's depiction aims to shed light on the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum, showcasing both their challenges and talents.

Shaun Murphy's traits include social awkwardness, difficulty maintaining eye contact, and sensory sensitivities, such as being distracted or distressed by loud noises and bright lights. These aspects reflect common characteristics observed in many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). His routines, like a specific breakfast of yogurt and a green apple, further demonstrate the preference for predictability often seen in individuals with autism.

Portrayal of Key Autism Traits in the Show

'The Good Doctor' attempts to depict a range of behaviors and sensory experiences associated with autism. For example, Shaun's heightened perception allows him to notice minute changes, such as small differences in heart rate monitors, which highlights the cognitive strengths sometimes found in those with ASD. The show also uses visual graphics to represent his thoughts and perceptions, adding a dynamic layer to viewers' understanding.

The series was developed with input from autism experts and consultants, like Melissa Reiner, to create a portrayal that is as authentic as possible. These efforts include representing sensory sensitivities, communication styles, and social interactions. The character’s shift from questioning to more declarative speech patterns correlates with techniques used to facilitate effective communication with people on the spectrum.

While the show has been praised for broadening awareness about autism and demonstrating that individuals with ASD can lead successful lives, it has also faced criticism. Members of the autism community and researchers have pointed out instances where the depiction relies on stereotypes or lacks full nuance. Nonetheless, Shaun Murphy remains a significant step towards increased visibility and understanding.

'The Good Doctor' continues to influence public perceptions of autism, promoting a message that individuals on the spectrum are capable of extraordinary contributions when their talents are recognized and supported. Despite some imperfections and ongoing discussions about authenticity, the portrayal resonates with many viewers and advocates, contributing to greater empathy and inclusion.

Portrayal of Autism in 'The Good Doctor' — Accuracy and Critiques

How accurately does 'The Good Doctor' portray autism?

'The Good Doctor' aims to depict autism through the character of Dr. Shaun Murphy, an autistic savant, showcasing both their challenges and remarkable abilities. The show presents traits like social awkwardness, sensory sensitivities, and a heightened perception of patterns and details, which align with some real-life autism symptoms.

Freddie Highmore, who plays Shaun, does not have autism himself but has family members on the spectrum. To ensure a respectful and realistic portrayal, he researched extensively, consulting with autism experts and hiring a consultant with autism. This expertise helped create scenes that reflect sensory sensitivities — such as Shaun being distracted or distressed by noises or bright lights.

However, the show's depiction has received mixed reviews. Many members of the autism community believe that 'The Good Doctor' does a good job of showing both the difficulties and talents associated with autism. Scenes that challenge stereotypes, like Shaun’s deep empathy and caring nature, help broaden understanding.

Despite these efforts, some critics argue the show occasionally relies on stereotypes—emphasizing savant skills, which can give a skewed picture of the autism spectrum. Others feel that certain aspects, like Shaun’s social interactions, are simplified or exaggerated for dramatic effect.

Overall, while 'The Good Doctor' has significantly increased autism awareness and promoted conversations about neurodiversity, its portrayal is a blend of accurate elements and misconceptions. It underscores the importance of including diverse voices from the autism community to achieve more authentic representation.

Role of autism consultants in the show

Melissa Reiner serves as the autism consultant for 'The Good Doctor.' She collaborates with writers, actors, and producers to help shape Shaun’s character and ensure that autism is depicted with sensitivity. Reiner emphasizes that individuals with autism often respond better to direct, declarative communication and highlights the importance of understanding each person’s unique experiences.

While the show consulted experts and based some scenes on real stories, there has been criticism that even the consultants were not autistic themselves, which can limit the authenticity of some portrayals. Despite this, the involvement of specialists has been vital in guiding the narrative.

In the final season, the series made a notable effort to include more authentic representation by casting Kayla Cromer, an autistic actor, as a new autistic character. This was seen as a positive step toward more realistic storytelling.

Overall, the combination of expert advice, acting, and storylines helps shape 'The Good Doctor' into a series that fosters increased understanding of autism, even as conversations about improving accuracy continue.

Characteristics of Shaun Murphy's Autism as Portrayed

What are the characteristics of Shaun Murphy's autism as portrayed in 'The Good Doctor'?

Shaun Murphy, the central character in 'The Good Doctor,' is depicted as having autism spectrum disorder, specifically with traits characteristic of Asperger’s Syndrome. The show emphasizes social challenges, such as difficulty understanding social cues, social awkwardness, and a tendency to avoid eye contact. Shaun often exhibits sensory sensitivities, which include reactions to bright lights and loud or high-pitched sounds, such as a fluorescent light emitting a high-pitched buzzing noise.

Despite these challenges, Shaun demonstrates profound empathy and genuine concern for his patients' well-being. This aspect of his personality helps dispel stereotypes that individuals with autism lack compassion. His extraordinary perception allows him to notice minute changes in medical data, showcasing remarkable visual and auditory processing skills typical of savant syndrome.

The series was created with input from autism experts and consultants, including Melissa Reiner, who emphasizes that many individuals with autism respond better to straightforward, declarative communication—a technique reflected in Shaun’s interactions.

Shaun's thinking involves visualizing and pattern recognition, which are part of his decoding of complex medical cases. His adherence to routines, like a specific breakfast involving yogurt and a green apple, highlights his need for structure.

Overall, 'The Good Doctor' presents Shaun as a complex character who grapples with social perceptions but also possesses extraordinary talents. His portrayal aims to provide a nuanced picture of autism, blending challenges with unique strengths, and fostering greater awareness and understanding of the diversity within the autism spectrum.

Autism Representation: Authentic or Stereotypical?

Efforts to depict authentic experiences

'The Good Doctor' aims to portray autism through the character of Dr. Shaun Murphy, who has autism and savant syndrome. The show's creators consulted with autism experts and hired a dedicated autism consultant, Melissa Reiner, to help develop Shaun’s character. They also used real-life stories and research to inform his behaviors and reactions, such as sensory sensitivities like being distracted by noise and strict routines. These efforts help make the depiction more realistic, illustrating both challenges and talents associated with autism.

In the final season, the series made a notable step by casting Kayla Cromer, an autistic actor, as a new autistic character. This move was seen as an attempt to bring more genuine representation into television, giving viewers a perspective closer to actual lived experiences.

Criticisms for reliance on stereotypes

Despite these efforts, the series has faced criticism from parts of the autism community and researchers. Many noted that some portrayals rely on stereotypes, such as emphasizing Shaun’s social awkwardness, difficulty with eye contact, and focused routines in a way that can oversimplify the variety of conditions on the spectrum.

Some scenes touched on misconceptions, portraying Shaun’s behaviors as one-dimensional. Additionally, the show’s early use of behaviors like hand-flapping or literal thinking sometimes reinforced stereotypes instead of nuanced portrayals. Critics argue that by not involving enough autistic writers or consultants initially, the series risked presenting a surface-level or inaccurate view of autism.

Impact of autistic consultants

Autistic consultants, including Melissa Reiner, work closely with the show's writers and actors to enhance authenticity. They provide insights into how autistic individuals think and communicate, helping to shape dialogues and behaviors that reflect real experiences.

However, it has been pointed out that most consultants, including Reiner, are not themselves autistic, which can limit the depth of understanding. Incorporating more autistic voices directly from within the spectrum could improve the authenticity further.

Is the representation of autism in 'The Good Doctor' considered authentic?

Overall, the portrayal of autism in 'The Good Doctor' is a mix. While it successfully raises awareness about some challenges and strengths, it often simplifies or exaggerates certain traits. The inclusion of an autistic actor and ongoing consulting with autism experts show a commitment to better representation. Still, initial reliance on stereotypes and lack of diverse perspectives have led some to see the series’ depiction as imperfect.

The show offers viewers a glimpse into the life of an autistic doctor, promoting understanding and acceptance. Yet, it underscores the importance of continued efforts to achieve richer, more authentic portrayals of autism in media.

Criticism and Challenges in Representing Autism on Screen

Has 'The Good Doctor' received any criticism regarding autism representation?

Yes, 'The Good Doctor' has received some criticism concerning how it portrays autism. The show has been praised for raising awareness and highlighting the talents of individuals with autism, particularly the character Dr. Shaun Murphy, who demonstrates extraordinary medical skills due to his savant syndrome. However, many members of the autistic community and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the portrayal.

Critics point out that the series often relies on stereotypes such as social awkwardness, literal thinking, and sensory sensitivities, which can sometimes oversimplify or misrepresent the diversity of experiences within the autism spectrum. Some viewers feel that Shaun Murphy's character, while complex, may reflect a narrow view of autism that emphasizes certain traits—like savant abilities or difficulty with social interactions—more than others.

Furthermore, there is ongoing discussion about the lack of authentic voices behind the show's portrayal. Although the creators consulted with autism experts and included a consultant with autism, the primary cast and writers did not include autistic individuals, which may limit the authenticity of certain depictions. This has led to criticism that the show could benefit from more autistic writers and cast members to better represent varied experiences.

Overall, while 'The Good Doctor' has made significant contributions to increasing autism awareness and challenging some stereotypes, it continues to face questions about its accuracy and depth in portraying the wide range of autism spectrum disorder experiences. The criticisms highlight the importance of ongoing efforts for better, more inclusive, and nuanced representations in media.

The Actor Behind Shaun Murphy and the Role of Real-Life Autistic Actors

Is the actor who plays Shaun Murphy autistic in real life?

Freddie Highmore stars as Dr. Shaun Murphy in 'The Good Doctor,' a character who has autism spectrum disorder and savant syndrome. Despite his compelling portrayal, Highmore is not autistic himself. As an able-bodied actor, he took on the challenging role of representing a character with autism, aiming to bring authenticity and sensitivity to the part.

Highmore’s performance has been widely praised for its realism, especially his depiction of social awkwardness, stress responses, and sensory sensitivities such as difficulty with loud noises. The show’s creators worked closely with autism experts and hired a consultant with autism to help shape the character and plotlines.

Although Highmore is not on the spectrum, the show has made efforts to reflect genuine aspects of autism, including traits like routine adherence and heightened perception. Including perspectives from people with autism remains critical for authentic storytelling. In many episodes, the series also features autistic actor Coby Bird in minor roles, contributing to a broader, more inclusive representation.

The casting choice—Highmore as Shaun Murphy—illustrates a broader industry debate. Using non-autistic actors to portray autistic characters can sometimes lead to misrepresentation or surface-level portrayals. However, Highmore’s dedication to research and collaboration with autism consultants has helped mitigate these issues, providing viewers with a more nuanced understanding.

In recent years, there's been a push for more opportunities for autistic actors in media. Authentic casting not only promotes inclusivity but also enriches storytelling by sharing genuine experiences. The use of autistic actors in roles specifically designed to depict autism helps challenge stereotypes and showcase real talents.

While Highmore’s portrayal has helped raise awareness, ongoing dialogue emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in entertainment. Increasingly, productions are recognizing that including autistic voices and casting actors with lived experience enhances the authenticity and depth of such portrayals.

In summary, Freddie Highmore is not autistic, but his work on 'The Good Doctor' has been instrumental in shaping a narrative that aims to shed light on autism spectrum disorder through a respectful and nuanced lens.

Moving Toward Authentic Autistic Representation

'The Good Doctor' has made significant contributions to raising awareness about autism through its portrayal of Dr. Shaun Murphy. While the show has been praised for its efforts to depict both the challenges and strengths associated with autism, ongoing discussions highlight the importance of authentic representation. Incorporating more autistic voices, including hiring autistic writers and casting autistic actors, can lead to even more nuanced and true-to-life portrayals. As media continues to evolve, 'The Good Doctor' exemplifies both the progress and the challenges in representing neurodiversity responsibly, emphasizing that greater inclusion and authenticity can help foster understanding and acceptance for autistic individuals worldwide.

References

• My review of 'The Good Doctor' as an adult with autism
• The Good Doctor Autism Portrayal Examined - AutismCOE
• The Good Doctor and Autism - eVero Corporation
• Good Riddance to The Good Doctor | TIME - Time Magazine
• Shaun Murphy: Autism Representation in "The Good Doctor"
• How 'The Good Doctor' developed its main character with autism
• Shaun Murphy (The Good Doctor) - Wikipedia
• Autistic Adults Review The Good Doctor - Autism Ontario
• My review of 'The Good Doctor' as an adult with autism