Luz, câmera, inclusão: retratos do Transtorno do Espectro Autista nas séries

Abstract

The series in Brazil occupy a promising space in the cultural consumption of audiences, shaping perceptions and attitudes toward various social issues. With engaging plots and captivating characters, these productions manage to capture public attention and promote engagement. Beyond their entertainment value, series that address health-related topics have the potential to raise awareness and destigmatize medical conditions. By portraying illnesses, disabilities, treatments, and the personal journeys of individuals facing health challenges, such narratives educate viewers, fostering empathy and understanding. In this context, the present study aimed to identify the representation of autism in three series that explore different life stages—adolescence, adulthood, and childhood—through autistic protagonists. Atypical (2017) presents the story of an autistic teenager dealing with challenges of socialization and independence within a Western society; Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) follows the trajectory of an autistic lawyer facing social and professional barriers in an Asian cultural context; and Eu Sou Auts (2019) focuses on the childhood of an autistic character in the Brazilian context, using playfulness as a narrative tool for inclusion. The study sought to understand how these productions portray autistic individuals, considering social, cultural, and individual aspects. Through content analysis, we identified, coded, and categorized behaviors, social interactions, and the contexts in which the characters operate. The analysis aims to detect stereotypes and patterns in the representations of ASD, investigating how they are reinforced or challenged throughout the narratives.