Neurodiversity is being increasingly recognized as ‘the norm.’ In a nutshell, it means there is, in fact, no ‘normal’ when it comes to how we all, individually, experience and interact with the world. There is no single ‘right’ way to view and respond to people, things, and situations around us, and no prescribed means by which to think or express these thoughts. Research has recently concluded that, globally, around 30-40% of the population are neurodiverse, although the vast majority haven’t been diagnosed.
A key shift in how, as a culture, we’re now responding to and embracing neurodiversity is evident in the growing celebration of neurodiversity in the film world. We explore more below.
How is Neurodiversity Depicted in Media?
Until recently, if asked, in terms of cinema, what a neurodiverse person looked like, many people would have pointed to Dustin Hoffman’s autistic character in Rain Man as being representative. The problem is, obviously, that while there is folk with autism who are math geniuses and prefer spending time on their own, this is just one representation of what a neurodiverse person ‘looks’ like. And without adequate representation, a stereotype forms.
In recent years, things are changing. The popular series Everything’s Going to Be Okay is an example of the shift. Firstly, the autistic character Matilda is female – to date, the vast majority of autistic characters in shows and movies are white, straight, cisgender men. Secondly, the actress playing Matilda- Kayla Cromer – is on the autism spectrum herself.
The creators of the smash-hit series Fleabag are also currently developing a new show in which the lead female character has autism but hasn’t been diagnosed. The plot follows how she navigates her life and the various situations she finds herself in. Again, the casting crew was instructed to hire an actor who was on the spectrum herself.
The increasingly affordable availability of video editing software, too, means that more people than ever before can shoot and document their own experiences and create their own feature-length films and shorts. This further adds to the depth, diversity, and richness of online content and means that we’ll start seeing more and more neurodiverse filmmakers coming onto the scene and making waves in the near future.
Positively Exploring Neurodiversity in Film
There is still a long way to go when it comes to developing a cinema that reflects the experience of neurodiversity, but there are many examples of films that celebrate or attempt to express the lived experience of neurodiverse individuals. Here are some of the best of them:
Temple Grandin (2010)
This biopic, directed by Mick Jackson, focuses on the titular character, who was an autistic thinker and advocate who succeeded in transforming the cattle farming industry. The film depicts Temple’s life and attempts to give the audience a view into her inner world and how she interacted with the world around her. For example, sights and sounds in the movie are accentuated, and Temple’s thoughts are depicted on-screen as running similar to a VHS tape.
Life Animated (2016)
A documentary film exploring the effect of animation on kids’ developing minds, Life Animated, is based on the book by Ron Suskind. In the book, the author gives an account of the struggles of his autistic son, who learned to communicate with the outside world via his love of Disney films.
The film won numerous industry awards upon its release. It garnered rave reviews from critics, who widely applauded its creative storytelling methods and candid representation of both the highs and lows of living with autism.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
David Lynch directed this blockbuster movie which has since been applauded for exemplifying un-neurotypical ways of understanding the world (such as its focus on reading body language) and for inviting the viewer to experience the unfolding of the plot in a non-linear fashion.
Keep the Change (2017)
The New York Times called this movie, directed by Rachel Israel, a landmark film in its casting of autistic actors to play the main roles. A feel-good rom-com that charts the budding romance of two people who meet at a support group, this movie received multiple awards and nominations.
Scrapbook (2015)
A rarely screened short film, Scrapbook uses repurposed footage shot in a residential children’s center in 1967 as part of a project exploring image and self.
It’s often described as both a dialogue between time and one that bridges time. It has been praised for its entirely original reconceptualization of what a movie ‘looks like’ and how an audience should engage with film.
Changing Spaces
Change may be happening gradually in this sphere, but it’s a welcome change. In the near future, we’ll undoubtedly see an ever-increasing wave of neurodiversity both on screen and behind the camera.
These shifts are being reflected in physical cinema spaces, too. Many theaters now offer inclusive screenings of their movies in which, for example, the volume may be less loud, lights remain dim, and there are no adverts before the showing. This is another key step forward to recognizing that by honoring the experiences of the neurodiverse, we’re honoring those of each of us.
