Representation of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Fully Scripted Fictional Productions: A Systematic Review

In recent years, there has been an increasing prevalence of media portrayals of characters with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in films and television series. This growing visibility highlights the media's important role in shaping public opinion. The objectives of this systematic review were to examine how the scientific literature interprets portrayals of individuals with ASD in fully scripted fictional productions, with particular attention to stigma and stereotypes, inclusivity, intersectionality and audience perspectives. Our analysis was based on 23 studies that collectively examined 60 fictional characters with ASD. While our findings reveal a modest but encouraging increase in sensitivity and informed portrayals, the review also highlights persistent stereotypical narratives, the limited representation of women and other marginalised groups, and the growing importance of incorporating the perspectives of individuals with ASD in evaluating media representations.