Autistic Culture
The Autistic Culture Podcast
Wednesday is Autistic? (Episode 17)
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Wednesday is Autistic? (Episode 17)

Matt and Angela weigh in on the latest addition to The Addams Family franchise.
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Listen to Autistic podcast hosts discuss: Is Wednesday Autistic? Autism podcast | Matt and Angela talks about whether or not Wednesday is an Autistic character.
And I'm watching this dance and I'm watching her and I'm like, okay, I'm not feeling okay—I'm not feeling like they cast an Autistic in this role.

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you have probably heard about Netflix’s latest show, Wednesday, and the discussion around whether or not she’s an Autistic character. Join us on this week’s virtual culture trip as TACP’s real life Autistic podcast hosts weigh in.

Based on the beloved Addams Family franchise created by Charles “Chas” Addams in 1938, this series stars Jenna Ortega (not Autistic) as the titular character and has already gained tremendous success garnering 341 million hours of viewing time on its platform since its November 2022 release, overtaking a record previously set by fellow giant Stranger Things. The hosts discuss whether the titular character represents an authentic autistic woman and teen.

Wednesday (sort of) displays many traits shared by those on the autism spectrum such as a “flat affect,” dislike of physical touch, focused interests, not socially accepted etc., but the show's portrayal is ultimately an allistic perspective of autism. The creators use Autistic coding and tropes rather than casting an actually Autistic actor. Wednesday is compared to caricatures like Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, they say the show engages in "Autistic face" rather than authentic representation.

The podcast hosts criticize the show's apparent goal of "fixing" Wednesday to be more socially accepted. The hosts discuss the role of relative physical attractiveness and conventional/allistic story arcs that might make her character more universally palatable and not nearly as “Autistic” as it might appear.

Angela: She's not weird—she needs to be fixed. And great news: we have designed this TV show to fix her.

Matt: I discovered way back with Tom Hanks playing Forrest Gump that this country loves disabled characters as long as they're played by conventionally attractive, abled actors.

While allowing that some Autistic individuals find representation in the character, the hosts conclude that Wednesday does not fully encapsulate authentic Autistic experiences and culture. They see it more as an allistic interpretation for mass appeal than an inside perspective.

Do you think that “Wednesday” represents Autistic Culture? Tell us about it in the comments!

HERE WE WOE I’m neurodivergent and here’s my issue with Netflix’s Wednesday

15 Ways Wednesday Addams is Cool and Autistic

Wednesday's neurodivergent coding is both good and bad

As more women than ever are diagnosed with ADHD and autism, here's why neurodivergent characters like Wednesday Addams are so important

Autistic Connections Facebook Group

Demystifying The Autism Spectrum & Autistic People Classes

Maisie Soetantyo

Episode 11: Sherlock is Autistic

Episode 30: Doctor Who is Autistic

Episode 41: Tim Burton is Autistic

Ready for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!

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Learn more about Matt at Matt Lowry, LPP

Matt’s social media: Autistic Connections Facebook Group

Learn more about Angela at AngelaLauria.com and Difference Press

Angela’s social media: Twitter and TikTok

TACP’s Autism-affirming TeePublic merch shop

Discussion about this podcast

Autistic Culture
The Autistic Culture Podcast
Welcome to the Autistic Culture Podcast. Each episode we dive deep into Autistic contributions to society and culture by introducing you to some of the world’s most famous and successful Autistics in history!
Whether you are Autistic or just love someone who is, your hosts, Dr. Angela Lauria, the Linguistic Autistic and Licensed Psychological Practitioner, Matt Lowry, welcome you to take this time to be fully immersed in the language, values, traditions, norms, and identity of Autistica!
To learn more about Angela, Matt, and the Autistic Culture Podcast visit AutisticCulturePodcast.com