Netflix's 'Atypical' Can Encourage People with Autism

 

Jennifer Jason Leigh as Elsa Gardner, Brigette Lundy-Paine (they/them) as Casey Gardner, Keir Gilchrist as main character Sam Gardner, and Michael Rapaport as Doug Gardner from Atypical. Taken by William Edward Beavers, V. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.

Good evening. On the morning of February 28, 2024, I finally wrapped up streaming Atypical on Netflix, created by Robia Rashid (How I Met Your Mother, The Goldbergs). It's about a young male adult diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder named Sam Gardner, played by Keir Gilchrist, trying to navigate his social and professional lives. In addition, the show chronicles some battles from his parents Elsa and Doug, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael Rapaport, sister Casey, played by Brigette Lundy-Paine, best friend, coworker, and eventual roommate Zahid, played by Nik Dodani, and girlfriend Paige, played by Jenna Boyd.

As I was figuring out how to paint a good picture of autism for one of my own media writing ambitions, a friend from church recommended I watch Atypical. I could relate to Sam in a few ways, e.g. wanting a girlfriend, people to like me, turn my passion into a fulfilling job/lifestyle. However, when it came to Sam's difficult-to-put-with behavior and mannerisms such as his self-centeredness and lack of affection for someone other than his pet, those were the parts I could not relate to. But as I was wrapping it up with the fourth and final season, I was glad to see Sam make some character growth. 

For example, Sam was there for emotional support and driving when Zahid got surgery for a disease. Though Sam couldn't meld with a lot of Zahid's sex-crazed or otherwise party animal-like philosophies, I was glad that he showed the true nature of friendship to him towards the end. And in the picture below, Sam, Zahid, and Casey all got together in the midst of being scared of their futures. Great case for knowing that you don't have to go through life's hurdles alone.

The bond between Casey Gardner, played by Brigette Lundy-Paine, Zahid Raja, played by Nik Dodani, and Sam Gardner, played by Keir Gilchrist, shows that whether diagnosed with ASD or just scared of adulting, you're never truly alone. From Netflix's Atypical. Taken by William Edward Beavers, V. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.

As for Sam and his girlfriend Paige, he admitted his love for her and encouraged her to see the world and find her calling away from some silly fast-food joint, while agreeing their love would resume in time. He didn't always side with Paige's upbeat behavior and I felt sometimes he was too ignorant in their relationship. but Paige kept believing things would be better for him and stood by him. Here's to hoping that true love exists for me and other men diagnosed with a form of ASD.

Sam and Paige from Netflix's Atypical prove that true love does exist for men on the autism spectrum. Taken by William Edward Beavers, V. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.

Sam Gardner, played by Keir Gilchrist, and girlfriend Paige Hardaway, played by Jenna Boyd, from Netflix's Atypical. Taken by William Edward Beavers, V. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.

 

And I could relate to a bit of Sam's family life, too. Like Sam's parents, my mother did all the work to keep me supported and encouraged with my social struggles, i.e. not talking too much and reading emotions, but my father, not really. But I'm glad in the end, Sam and his dad, though not so verbally, loved each other and bonded on several occasions. And like Sam's sister Casey, every now and again, my brother pushes me to do the best I can, autism quirks or otherwise.

Spoiler alert: Sam's dad left the family for a time when he was a younger boy. He coped with it through drawings. I seldom journal about my day-to-day feelings as a coping outlet. And even though they had their hiccups over Sam and their marriage, I'm glad Sam's mother and father could stay together in the end. (see below)

Michael Rapaport and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Sam Gardner's parents, Doug and Elsa Gardner, from Netflix's Atypical. Taken by William Edward Beavers, V. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television.

Upon finishing the series, I was wondering how much of Sam's depiction of autism was accurate. But I read an article published on CNLD that shows like this may not always be completely accurate to everyone who has a form of ASD. As I said earlier, I could relate to a few of Sam's issues and not to others. 

What started out as something to feed my ideas for Hollywood media success is actually more helpful in my lifestyle. You see, I am diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. It wasn't easy (and still isn't today, sometimes) making and keeping friends growing up, and like Sam, I retreated to solitary activities like watching TV to go to my happy place instead of tackling life's problems. I often didn't know I was annoying people when talking about TV so much, and I often took it too hard when people didn't like me. But I'm finding my way, growing in my social life, I have great support from family, friends, and professionals. And knowing that even if their fictional, that a guy with ASD like Sam can beat life's stigma, gives some more hope of a great place for a guy with ASD like me.

Whether you're on the autism spectrum or not, I'd recommend giving this show a look. If you let it, stuff like this can give you encouragement in life. On another side, there's some cool easy-listening music during some episodes, like "Ooh La La" by The Well Pennies. Thanks to the cast and crew of Netflix's Atypical, created by Robia Rashid. 

To people everywhere diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, "There's a place for us. Somewhere, a place for us. Somewhere, someday."