The hit medical drama The Good Doctor, featuring Dr. Shaun Murphy, an autistic surgeon, recently concluded after seven seasons. As an autistic culture writer, I’ve been repeatedly asked for my opinion on the show’s portrayal of autism. My response has consistently been that while The Good Doctor is a watchable primetime drama, its representation of autism is deeply flawed. It often feels like a collection of non-autistic individuals’ misunderstandings about autism, rather than a genuine depiction of the autistic experience. The widespread adoration for characters like Dr. Shaun Murphy or Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, both considered autistic or autistic-coded, is particularly jarring when compared to the limited enthusiasm for real autistic individuals and our stories.
KAYLA CROMER, CHUKU MODU, FREDDIE HIGHMORE, CHRISTINA CHANG
Some viewers have argued that The Good Doctor is educational and fosters empathy for autistic people. However, as the show, which was a ratings success, ends its run, it’s clear that it often used autistic individuals as mere props to serve a narrative crafted by non-autistic creators. The creative team, including showrunners David Shore and Liz Friedman, and actor Freddie Highmore, had the liberty to create a character far removed from their own experiences without facing the realities of living with autism. Even their autism consultant was not openly autistic. This resulted in a portrayal that, while entertaining to many, often missed the mark for those of us who live with autism every day. The show became a vehicle for non-autistic audiences to feel enlightened about autism, sometimes even leading them to instruct autistic people on their own experiences.
The Problematic Depiction of Dr. Shaun Murphy’s Autism
The backlash against a particularly controversial scene of Shaun experiencing an autistic meltdown highlights the issue. While some non-autistic viewers claimed to be critical of the show’s portrayal, the line between mockery and genuine critique was often blurred. Even within the criticism, autistic voices were often sidelined, except for a notable Washington Post article that included insights from autistic experts.
Throughout its initial seasons, The Good Doctor failed to provide an authentic representation of autism. Dr. Shaun Murphy came across as a collection of stereotypes, a “cardboard cutout” as described by activist Lydia Brown, rather than a complex individual. His behaviors often deviated from the realities of autistic people’s interactions and experiences. A particularly troubling instance involved Shaun displaying transphobia towards a patient, a reaction that the show seemed to attribute to his autism. This is especially problematic given the higher prevalence of autism among transgender and nonbinary individuals. An autistic person in Shaun’s position would likely have some understanding of trans issues, making the portrayal nonsensical and harmful.
Missed Opportunities and Glimmers of Hope
In its final season, The Good Doctor introduced Kayla Cromer, an autistic actor, as Charlie Lukaitis, an autistic medical student inspired by Shaun. This was a positive step towards inclusion and offered a chance to broaden the show’s exploration of autism. The dynamic between Shaun and Charlie, marked by both conflict and understanding, offered glimpses into the diverse experiences within the autism community. It highlighted that autistic people are individuals capable of both disagreement and deep connection.
However, these moments of potential were often overshadowed by perpetuating misconceptions. For example, a scene comparing support for autistic children to gastric sleeve surgery was baffling and insensitive. Similarly, a subplot about Shaun’s anxiety over his son’s autism screening echoed common non-autistic parental fears, missing the more nuanced perspectives of autistic parents. The show’s depiction of autistic parenthood, a rarely seen perspective, felt superficial and disappointing. Shaun’s reaction to a mentor’s terminal illness also missed an opportunity to explore the complexities of autistic grief, a profoundly misunderstood experience.
WILL YUN LEE, WAVYY JONEZ, FIONA GUBELMANN, CHRISTINA CHANG, ELFINA LUK, CHUKU MODU, BRIA SAMONÉ HENDERSON, ANTONIA THOMAS, PAIGE SPARA
The End of an Era and a Cautious Hope for the Future
The series finale, culminating in Shaun’s TED Talk about autism and doctoring, felt somewhat reductive, portraying him as a spectacle rather than a person. With the conclusion of The Good Doctor and Young Sheldon, another show featuring an autistic-coded character, we are at the end of an era where mainstream TV often treated autistic characters as objects for non-autistic consumption.
Looking ahead, there’s cautious optimism. While no major US network shows focused on autism are immediately on the horizon, streaming platforms offer promising alternatives. Heartbreak High features an acclaimed portrayal of a queer autistic student by autistic actor Chloé Hayden. A Kind of Spark and Dinosaur offer further authentic autistic narratives. These shows, while excellent, are just the beginning.
Given the prevalence of autism, autistic individuals represent a significant, largely untapped audience and talent pool. The autistic community is incredibly diverse, encompassing various backgrounds and interests. This diversity offers a wealth of stories waiting to be told.
For seven seasons, The Good Doctor encouraged millions to consider that an autistic person could be a capable doctor. Perhaps it’s time to expand that acceptance to include autistic writers, actors, consultants, and viewers, and to embrace authentic autistic stories on screen.
