25 Best Book, Movie, and TV Characters on the Autism Spectrum

25 Best Characters With Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it affects individuals in different ways and to varying degrees.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the representation of characters on the autism spectrum in books, movies, and TV shows.

1. Raymond Babbitt (Rain Man)

Raymond Babbitt, played by Dustin Hoffman in the movie Rain Man, is perhaps the most famous character on the autism spectrum. He is a savant who has an incredible memory and is able to perform complex calculations in his head. His portrayal of autism helped to raise awareness of the disorder.

2. Christopher Boone (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)

Christopher Boone is the protagonist of the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. He is a 15-year-old boy with Asperger's syndrome who is obsessed with mathematics and logic. The novel is written from his perspective and provides an insight into the mind of someone with autism.

3. Dr. Shaun Murphy (The Good Doctor)

Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore in the TV show The Good Doctor, is a surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. He is able to diagnose complex medical conditions that other doctors are unable to identify. The show has been praised for its portrayal of autism.

4. Temple Grandin (Temple Grandin)

Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science who has autism. She is also a bestselling author and a speaker on autism and animal behavior. The movie Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes, is based on her life and her experiences with autism.

5. Abed Nadir (Community)

Abed Nadir, played by Danny Pudi in the TV show Community, is a student with Asperger's syndrome. He is obsessed with pop culture and is often unable to understand social cues. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

6. Sam Gardner (Atypical)

Sam Gardner, played by Keir Gilchrist in the TV show Atypical, is a high school student with autism. The show follows his journey as he navigates relationships, school, and family life. The show has been praised for its portrayal of autism.

7. Billy Cranston (Power Rangers)

Billy Cranston, played by RJ Cyler in the 2017 Power Rangers movie, is a high school student with autism. He is a genius who is able to create the Rangers' weapons and technology. His character has been praised for its positive representation of autism.

8. Jerry Espenson (Boston Legal)

Jerry Espenson, played by Christian Clemenson in the TV show Boston Legal, is a lawyer with Asperger's syndrome. He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

9. Max Braverman (Parenthood)

Max Braverman, played by Max Burkholder in the TV show Parenthood, is a child with Asperger's syndrome. The show follows his family as they navigate the challenges of raising a child with autism. The show has been praised for its portrayal of autism.

10. Adam Raki (Adam)

Adam Raki, played by Hugh Dancy in the movie Adam, is a man with Asperger's syndrome who falls in love with his neighbor. The movie explores the challenges of dating someone with autism and has been praised for its accurate portrayal of the disorder.

11. Brick Heck (The Middle)

Brick Heck, played by Atticus Shaffer in the TV show The Middle, is a child with Asperger's syndrome.

He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

12. Julia Bowman (Mozart and the Whale)

Julia Bowman, played by Radha Mitchell in the movie Mozart and the Whale, is a woman with Asperger's syndrome who falls in love with a man with the same disorder.

The movie explores the challenges of dating someone with autism and has been praised for its accurate portrayal of the disorder.

13. Christopher Darden (The People v. O. J. Simpson)

Christopher Darden, played by Sterling K. Brown in the TV show The People v. O. J. Simpson, is a lawyer with Asperger's syndrome.

He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

14. Billy Freeman (The Accountant)

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Billy Freeman, played by Jon Bernthal in the movie The Accountant, is a former soldier with autism who works as an accountant.

He is highly skilled in martial arts and is able to defend himself when necessary. His character has been praised for its positive representation of autism.

15. Irisa Nyira (Defiance)

Irisa Nyira, played by Stephanie Leonidas in the TV show Defiance, is a member of an alien race with autism. She is highly skilled in combat and is able to communicate telepathically with other members of her race. Her character has been praised for its positive representation of autism.

16. Jacob Barnett (The Spark)

Jacob Barnett is a real-life person with autism who is a mathematician and physicist. He is also the author of the book The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius. His story has been an inspiration to many people with autism.

17. Mary Temple Grandin (Thinking in Pictures)

Mary Temple Grandin is the author of the book Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism. She is also a professor of animal science and a speaker on autism and animal behavior. Her book has provided insight into the mind of someone with autism.

18. Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs)

Anthony Hopkins, who played the character of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the movie The Silence of the Lambs, has stated that he played the character as if he had Asperger's syndrome. His portrayal of the character has been praised for its accuracy.

19. Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory)

Sheldon Cooper, played by Jim Parsons in the TV show The Big Bang Theory, is a physicist with Asperger's syndrome. He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes of autism.

20. Augusten Burroughs (Running with Scissors)

Augusten Burroughs is the author of the book Running with Scissors. He has stated that he has Asperger's syndrome and that his experiences with the disorder influenced his writing. His book has been praised for its insight into the mind of someone with autism.

21. Billy Tipton (Suits)

Billy Tipton, played by Scott Michael Campbell in the TV show Suits, is a lawyer with Asperger's syndrome. He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

22. David Rossi (Criminal Minds)

David Rossi, played by Joe Mantegna in the TV show Criminal Minds, is a profiler with Asperger's syndrome. He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

23. Sam Flynn (Tron: Legacy)

Sam Flynn, played by Garrett Hedlund in the movie Tron: Legacy, is a computer programmer with autism. He is highly skilled in computer programming and is able to enter the digital world of Tron. His character has been praised for its positive representation of autism.

24. Billy Costigan (The Departed)

Billy Costigan, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Departed, has been speculated to have Asperger's syndrome. His character is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His portrayal of the character has been praised for its accuracy.

25. Adam Newman (Young and the Restless)

Adam Newman, played by Justin Hartley in the TV show Young and the Restless, is a businessman with Asperger's syndrome. He is highly intelligent but has difficulty with social interaction. His character has been praised for its accurate portrayal of Asperger's syndrome.

These characters on the autism spectrum have provided insight into the challenges and strengths of individuals with autism. They have helped to raise awareness of the disorder and to promote acceptance and understanding.