The List of Shows and Movies...

Television (Main or Recurring Characters w/ Diagnoses):
Touch [FOX]

"Jacob 'Jake' Bohm", portrayed by David Mazouz

Parenthood [NBC Universal]

"Max Braverman", portrayed by Max Burkholder

Television (Guest Stars w/ Diagnoses): 

House [FOX-canceled]

“Adam”, portrayed by Braeden Lamasters

Episode: Lines in the Sand (3x04)

Law and Order: Criminal Intent [NBC Universal]

“Wally Stevens”, portrayed by Mark Linn-Bake

Episodes: Probability (2x14), Endgame (6x21)

Grey’s Anatomy [ABC]          

“Virginia Dixon”, portrayed by Mary McDonnell

Episodes: These Ties That Bind (5x08), All by Myself (5x10), Beat Your Heart Out (5x14)

Television: (Characters with Suspected, but Unidentified, Diagnoses):

Bones [FOX]

"Dr. Temperance Brennan", portrayed by Emily Deschanel

Criminal Minds [CBS]

"Dr. Spencer Reid", portrayed by Matthew Gray Gubler

Film:
Rain Man [1988]

"Raymond 'Ray' Brabbitt", portrayed by Dustin Hoffman

PS. I Love You [2007]

"Daniel Connelly", portrayed by Harry Connick, Jr.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close [2011]

"Oskar Schell", portrayed by Thomas Horn

This is just my working list of fictional shows and movies. Feel free to post other suggestions in the comments! 

Why am I writing this blog?

Hello and welcome!!  I'm a college senior studying psychology, with an emphasis in childhood and development, and special education. Through my internships and coursework,  I've learned about a variety of disorders and diseases that affect "typical" development  and I have become particularly interested in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This blog is dedicated to my findings of ASD in pop culture, particularly television and film. Here's what I'm looking to answer:
1. Is the growing media attention of Autism Spectrum Disorder perpetuating myths, or is the increasing number of characters with Autism increasing public awareness and interest?

2. How accurate are the portrayals? Are there trends in the types of behavior or characteristics shown?

3. Do shows or movies with implied diagnosis try and “hid” an official diagnosis? If so why?

I am particularly interested in how these portrayals affect the public's understanding of the disorder. I hope that you, my readers, learn to not rely solely on what you see on the screen before forming your idea of ASD.

I'm not claiming to be an expert. The information presented here is only my interpretation of what I have noticed. So without further ado, I present "The Warped Mirror: Autism in Pop Culture". Happy reading!