9 must watch television shows about autism and inclusion

We’ve all been there, aimlessly scrolling through Netflix or Hulu, looking for something good to watch. To help you out, we’ve searched high and low to find you the best television programs that also just happen to feature autistic characters. From reality tv to medical dramas and everything in between, we are certain we have something on our list to suit your needs.

 

If you want to help your child learn to talk…

Songs for Littles

 

Youtube | Educational 

Songs for Littles is a Youtube show created by Rachel Griffin Accurso or better known as Ms. Rachel online. Ms. Rachel decided to create Songs for Littles after her son was diagnosed with a speech delay and she struggled to find developmentally appropriate shows for her son. Episodes are designed to help toddlers and babies learn to talk, as well as learn letters, numbers, colors, animal sounds, and more!

 

If you enjoy legal dramas…

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

 

 

Netflix | Drama | TV-14

 

Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows a 27-year-old rookie female attorney with autism. Woo has a high IQ, impressive memory, and a uniquely creative thought process. She graduated top of her class from a prestigious law school and lands a job at a major law firm in Seoul, where she and her neurotypical peers must learn to work together.

 

For feel-good reality TV fans…

Love on the Spectrum

 

 

Netflix | Reality TV & Romance | TV-14

 

Love on the Spectrum is guaranteed to leave you with a smile. This documentary series follows young adults on the autism spectrum exploring the world of dating and relationships and ultimately looking for love. Love on the Spectrum explores an area of life that is awkward, confusing, and hard for everyone, and provides viewers an opportunity to view the experience of love and dating through an autistic individual’s lens. The episodes are educational and provide a look into life on the spectrum, while still being relatable.

 

If you’re a fan of dark comedies…

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay

 

 

Hulu & Freeform | Drama & Comedy | TV-14

 

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay follows the lives of Nicholas and his two half-sisters, Matilda and Genevieve. After their father’s sudden death, Nicholas takes on the role of raising his two half-sisters, while balancing his new relationship with his boyfriend Alex. The show tackles the topics of autism, sexuality, parenthood, adolescence, family, and grief, all with a little bit of humor.

 

Everything’s Gonna Be Okay has been praised for its diverse cast and storylines, as well as its authentic representation of autism in a lead role. One of the first mainstream television shows to do so, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay cast Kayla Cromer, an actress on the spectrum, to play the role of Matilda, Nicholas’s autistic sister.

 

If you love medical dramas…

The Good Doctor

 

 

ABC & Hulu | Drama | TV-14

 

The Good Doctor follows Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism and Savant syndrome. Dr. Murphy leaves the small city of Casper, Wyoming for a position at the St. Bonaventure Hospital in San Jose, CA. Dr. Murphy has the ability to visualize his patient’s internal organs with great detail and is often able to come up with unexpected solutions to his patient’s problems. However, despite his abilities, many of his fellow surgeons worry that Dr. Murphy is not well-equipped for the job.

 

Like any great medical drama, The Good Doctor explores many strange medical cases in every episode while following the day-to-day lives of the doctors in the hospital. And while the autism community seems to be split in their opinions on how well The Good Doctor depicts autism in a realistic light, almost all can agree that it is an excellent and entertaining medical drama.

 

If you enjoy teen dramas with representation…

Heartbreak High

 

 

Netflix | Drama & Romance | TV-MA

 

A reboot of the 90s teen drama, Heartbreak High is an Australian series that follows the lives of the students and teachers at Hartely High. The show tackles many mature subjects like mental health, body image issues, sexuality, drugs, autism, racism, abuse, and more. An ensemble cast with many amazing characters, the primary storyline focuses on Amerie who, with the support of her new best friends Quinni and Darren, must rebuild her reputation, after a series of unfortunate events leaves her a social outcast.

 

The show has been praised for its ability to tackle real-life teen issues as well as its portrayal of autism. Quinni is played by actress and neurodiversity advocate Chloe Hayden, who like her character, was diagnosed at age 13 with autism. To help keep the character of Quinni authentic, show writers consulted and worked very closely with Chole.

 

If you enjoy a coming-of-age story…

Atypical

 

 

Netflix | Comedy & Romance | TV-MA

 

Season one of Atypical follows Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum as he navigates his senior year in high school, begins to seek more independence from his parents, and starts to explore the world of dating. The following seasons follow Sam to college and explore the hurdles that most teens face as they begin to transition from teen to adulthood. While the show does focus on Sam and his experiences, the show is also about family and how having a child on the autism spectrum impacts the entire family dynamic.

 

If you’re looking for something to watch with young kids…

Hero Elementary

 

 

PBS | Animation | TV-Y7

 

Hero Elementary is a cartoon all about a school for superheroes. At this school the kids learn to master their superpowers, and how to work together to help people, solve problems, and make the world a better place. When their superhero powers aren’t enough to solve a problem they turn to each other and to science to find solutions. Cute, right? But you may be wondering why Hero Elementary is on this list specifically. Well, AJ Gadgets, one of the superhero kids on the show, also happens to be autistic.

 

If your kiddo is an anime fan…

Ranking of Kings

 

 

Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll (free trial available), & Funimation (free trial available) | Anime, Action, Adventure, Comedy, & Fantasy | TV-14

 

Ranking of Kings follows Prince Bojji. He is the firstborn son of King Bossu and the heir to his father’s kingdom. Unable to speak, hear, or even wield a sword, his kingdom does not see him fit to take the throne. However, when Prince Bojji befriends a shadow named Kage, the two form a bond that can overcome an obstacle, including being king.

 

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