Autistic Culture
The Autistic Culture Podcast
Peanuts is Autistic (Episode 08)
4
0:00
-51:21

Peanuts is Autistic (Episode 08)

Charles Schulz’s Charlie Brown character might be the first Autistic person we ever met. And Snoopy? Well, let’s just say he’s not from our culture but we love him anyway!
4
Listen to Autistic podcast hosts discuss: Peanuts is Autistic Autism Podcast | Was Charles Schulz on the Autism Spectrum?  Listen in to learn about the Autistic characters in his Autistic cartoon.  From Linus to Lucy, find out how the characters in Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, and the comic strip, exemplify Autistic traits.  If you're a fan you might just start wondering: "Am I autistic too?"
M: Our relationships are based on the three F's: Friends, family, and fictional characters.

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:

Charles Schulz created an Autistic world with his treasured Peanuts characters. Schulz had Autistic traits like monotropic focus, delight in routine, and social differences. The Peanuts characters reflect his personality.

“When we are engaged in our special interests…We're in this transcendent state of meditation and we need that to heal. Our bodies heal, our minds heal. It helps make us who we are and how to survive this chaotic world that does not like us.” —Matt

The Peanuts characters are hyperlexic (common among Autistics), and use complex vocabulary. Charlie Brown represents the rejection sensitivity and social exclusion Autistics often face. He models resilience despite constant setbacks. Linus is a deep thinker and philosopher, yet keeps his comfort item (blanket) on hand and orally stims with a thumb in his mouth. Lucy’s perfectionism and sarcasm and Schroeder’s obsession with Beethoven further represent Autistic individuals.

Schulz introduced Franklin to the cast to promote racial equality, doubling down when he faced racist backlash. Autistics have justice sensitivity and tend to strongly value fairness.

The podcast hosts emphasize creating community for Autistics and embracing passions, as Schulz did, which, they argue, is essential for Autistic mental health. Schulz died as his final Peanuts strip ran.

Special interests deeply define Autistic identity. The co-hosts share their monotropic interests and relate to bonding with fictional characters.

“I think special interests can save our lives, but also create amazing things in the world…but not if they're a reward.” —Angela

Peanuts highlights social differences, idiosyncratic speech, and monotropic thinking which are common among Autistic people and shape Autistic Culture. Spend some time with us on a virtual culture trip, as we dance through the Autistic highs and lows of life with the Peanuts crew.

Which Peanuts character do you relate to most? Tell us in the comments!

What other beloved children’s character is Autistic? Listen to Episode 22: Trains are Autistic to learn about the latest (autistic) character to join Thomas the Tank Engine!

Watch Who are you Charlie Brown? on Apple+

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

Share

Check us out on Instagram

Find us on Apple podcast and Spotify

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

autism affirming merch hoodies t-shirts and moreautism affirming merch hoodies t-shirts and moreautism affirming merch hoodies t-shirts and more
Find these designs and more in our merch shop! (link above)

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