What popular TV gets wrong about autistic people

In this episode, I share my thoughts on two popular shows: "Love on the Spectrum" and "Atypical".

*Please note: This episode is marked "explicit" because I discuss certain topics that may not be suitable for young children.

Being someone who's spent a lot of time working with autistic people (as well as someone who doesn't identify as neurotypical), I procrastinated in watching these shows.

I think I was afraid I'd hate what I saw, and that I'd be cringing the whole time.

I finally sat down to watch them, and I wanted to share my thoughts on both of these shows, including:

✅What both shows got wrong when it comes to raising autism acceptance.

✅Where a lot of social skills interventions for autistic individuals fall short.
 
✅Why "curing" or "fixing" autism is not the point of intervention.
 
✅Which of these two shows I'll continue to watch and why.

✅How to help autistic people live functional, healthy lives.

In this episode, I mentioned the Time Tracking Journal, which is a SIMPLE tool that will help you get through daily routines (like homework) with ease, WITHOUT bribery, arguments, or constant hand-holding.

The Time Tracking Journal walks you through a strategy you can do in just 10-15 minutes a day that will help kids get tasks done effectively and efficiently, and critical thinking skills and self-confidence at the same time. You can learn how to get instant access here: https://drkarenspeech.lpages.co/time-tracking-journal-37-1/

The De Facto Leaders podcast was formerly the “Are they 18 yet?®” podcast. As of November 2022, the name of the show has changed, and we’ve shifted from a focus on parenting to a focus on supporting clinicians and educators to design effective services for kids (but parents are still welcome to listen). Episodes published before November 24, 2022 will still contain some of our old branding. 

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