I usually avoid popular media stuff about autism - finding it to be too often inauthentic, and seeing kids and adults on the spectrum daily, I don't really have the patience for Hollywood's artistic interpretation of autism. But I heard about Atypical, Netflix's new show on a family of an 18 year old with High Functioning Autism and tried it. I liked it, mostly.
What I liked about Atypical was the quality of the acting by Kier Gilchrist playing Sam, the show's protagonist. He does an excellent job showing the subtleties of a young adult on the spectrum. From different sensory issues to missing social cues - sometimes broadly. From concrete thinking to depression and anxiety, to his perseverative and believable knowledge of Antarctica, its geography, wildlife and history he does a great job, as does the rest of the cast.
Parents should be quite aware, however, that the show has lots of adult content. Not explicit, but neither is it vague. It has all the vulgarity that one might expect from a realistic show about teens, which might be enough of a caution, but also delves into issues of teenage sexual activity and marital infidelity. Before you allow your child (on the spectrum or not) to view the show, know that the content is sometimes dicey. These issues carry the plot along well, but might be difficult for kids on the spectrum to digest without a lot of adult support that's prepared to face these issues head on.
Some of what the script calls upon in the lead actor seemed a bit too all encompassing. Sam has moments of brilliant clarity and a strong personal code with all the challenges we're familiar with in folks on the spectrum. This moves the character between the extremes of a total tantrum on a bus (sensory overload sparked by an emotional encounter that was not to his liking) to heartfelt apologies for insensitive behavior. His sometimes high level of insight and personal awareness seems to me to be more a function of moving the plot along than it does a reflection of the reality of the life of a teen on the spectrum. But, as we know, when you've met one person on the spectrum, you've met one person and it's difficult to extrapolate to what others might do.
What was worth it was not only Gilchrist's acting, but the earnest reality of his family orbiting around him trying to help him sometimes sensitively and successfully, other times clumsily. The dad who struggled with the early diagnosis now wanting a closer relationship to his family. A mom whose entire life has been wrapped up with caring for her kid with a disability who has to redefine herself as he becomes more independent. And most important that of his sister, Casey, played by Bridget Lundy-Paine. Siblings of kids with special needs so often become lost in the shadows of the family due to the demands placed upon them. Lundy-Paine plays the character well, coping with her own sense of loss of place via a dismissive and flippant attitude to most of her brother's irritating behaviors as well as her parents' attempts to manage them balanced by her high athletic achievements. And his girlfriend Paige, played by Jenna Boyd who presents as quite "quirky" but apparently missed the diagnosis boat. Her advocacy for a "quiet" school dance that would allow Sam to be included was touching and thought provoking.
So see it. Just be prepared for the standard Hollywood additives that spice up most of our media these days - and make sure your kids are prepared.
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