My favourite autistic characters (autistic headcanon)

In this video I explore my top five favourite autistic characters from film, tv and literature. All opinions are my own and just a part of my personal autistic headcanon - they may or may not have actually been intended to be autistic.

There’s a dearth of autistic representation in the media, so let’s claim these characters (and add your favourite autistic character below in the comments!)

[YoSamdySam]

Tell me how much you disagree with me here in the comments!

[junenovae]

I love diagnosing fictional characters. My only friend always tell me "why do you think everyone is autistic?" ... I don't think everyone is autistic, I just think it's more common than we think, and I love trying to recognize symptoms whether it's enough for a diagnosis or not doesn't really matter.. It's kind of like when I was a huge Harry Potter fan, I would sort people into houses, that doesn't mean I think everyone is a wizard or even that I'm right, but it's just very stimulating

[alicewong]

Upon reflection, maybe Ariel from the Little Mermaid.
She has a curious personality, with ever wonder about the world above the sea. And it is expressed in her obsessive trinket collection.
When she meets Eric, she projects her ideals upon him, and that is often a common approach autistic girls takes towards romance, especially early on. She's passionate and single mindedness leads her to make a deal with Ursula. While she did consented to signing away her voice, her mute adventures off sea, can be an allegory about selective mutism.

[stevenofford]

The first that would occur to me is Sherlock Holmes, in all interpretations, through to the modern 'Sherlock' series.

[Zaelle]

One of my favourites would be also Temperence Brennan from Bones :)

[tacotruckfursuits]

Peridot and Pearl from Steven Universe! Though they are very diffrent I can relate alot to both. Peridots openness with friends and obsession with Camp pining hearts while Pearl's orderly way and struggle to open up. I love them both and it always makes me happy to watch them.

Characters mentioned:
1:00 - Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice
4:10 - Anya Jenkins from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
5:25 - Paris Geller from Gilmore Girls
5:58 - Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games
7:19 - Dexter Morgan from Dexter

[HarrietFitzgerald]

Mr.Darcy, how interesting. I remember after finding out about autism and researching the heck out of it, I then watched Fantastic Beasts and to me, it was so OBVIOUS that Newt is on the spectrum. I found it so amazing to see the main character be so different! Very refreshing. In hindsight I also think that Kramer, from Seinfeld, definitely presents as being on the spectrum.

[lindseyharland]

Doctor Who? Super intelligent, loner, likes to have companions around to bounce ideas off etc but mostly loses them as s/he single mindedly pursues the current Quest. Also now fearlessly androgynous..

[marypuppo]

I'm writing a historical science fiction novel where most of the characters are autistic. I hope it can get traditionally published one day. I am actually autistic as well! Love your channel!

[jenniferwood]

Tina from Bob's Burgers. And the MTV show Daria, the main character Daria.

[annjay]

I watched the Dexter when I didn't know I had autism and related so much to him and was afraid I was a psychopath 😂
Did anyone watch "the bridge"? (the scandinavian version)
Saga Noren is the main character and her autism is a big part of the show. She's an unmasked female with aspergers which is a bit uncommon but pretty hilarious and it def shows the audience what autism in women can look like. I also like the fact that she's portrayed as a brilliant detective and not as a victim. I find her character very inspiring and the actress even said that she talked with actual women who have aspergers so she could portray it better, which is amazing. The show is kinda dark though, might not be everyones cup of tea.

[McFlingleson]

I've thought Dexter was autistic for a while now. I'm glad to hear someone else also reached that conclusion.

[emmadenton]

I love giving characters potential diagnoses! My favourite headcannon is that Jake Peralta from Brooklyn Nine Nine has ADHD. Noone will ever convince me otherwise 😅

[nicoler]

My favorite is Aziraphale from Good Omens- especially as he's portrayed in the Amazon miniseries.

[shelbymachado]

I love hearing you break this down particularly with the Austen segment because they're the sort of things I resoundingly agree with, but had never found a good way to explain before.

[brinnd]

Honestly, thank you so much for mentioning Dexter. The idea that the character is autistic/has autistic traits might seem odd at first glance, but I was rewatching that show for the first time in a while and had a sort of “a-ha” moment. Hearing his inner monologue about how difficult it is to act “normal”, the way he imitates others in order to fit in....I realized “well THAT’S why I was so deeply obsessed with that show as a high schooler”.

[lysagreen]

I have thought that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes had Aspergers Syndrome. For more modern fiction, I would say that Hermoine Granger is an Aspie.

[ZoahLord]

Holy smoke...Anya. Makes so much sense. That's going to stick with me when I re-watch Season 3 onwards again

[IngridHKE]

Pride and Prejudice is a great ground for AS hunting! The best fictional secret aspie imo is Jo March from Little Women :)