Neurodiversity on Reality TV

It is perhaps by sure coincidence that I am developing this website during Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024, “a worldwide initiative that challenges sterotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences”. For more information visit https://www.neurodiversityweek.com

I don’t have the patience to watch many films or much on television but do like the odd reality TV show and it has come to my attention how many neurodivergent contestants are appearing recently. Winner of I’m A Celebrity 2023 and former Made In Chelsea star, Sam Thompson was open about his diagnosis of ADHD and autism and seemed to capture the hearts of the audience with his childlike behaviour. Jordan Sangha sparked debate online when he took part and then went on to win Big Brother with fans asking whether he was neurodivergent. Now Bradley Riches, star of Heartstopper, has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and is passionate about the representation of autism on screen.

Personally, these public appearances are welcome. Public perception of autism has been influenced by previous depictions of autism in characters such as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, Raymond Babbit in Rain Man and Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor. Even worse, in my opinion, is the series Love On The Spectrum, which does not seem to showcase a spectrum at all. In fact, the more strange and entertaining the participant then the better, as it makes for good television, or does it really just provide a form of voyeuristic and comedic entertainment. It definitely makes fun of people who are not like others.

Hopefully, viewers won’t get fed up of seeing neurodivergent characters on their screens but will start not to notice and it will just become a normal part of portraying all walks of society in its neurodivergent glory.