Netflix “Atypical” Starts Second Season of Autistic Teen’s Social Adventures
Written by SAPL on September 20th, 2018 in Film and TV, Pop Culture.
The Netflix series Atypical is back for its second season, featuring a group of stars portraying teenage life with all its ups, downs and surprises.
In the ever-expanding definition of the typical teenager, there’s room for an atypical one as well.
This show’s atypical teen just happens to be on the autism spectrum.
Sam (Keir Gilchrist) has been told by a therapist he should go out and expand his circle of friends.
How very un-Aspergerlike!
But there’s motivation for leaving the collection of encyclopedias for the social world and one of those motivations happens to be girls!
Sam likes them, but as expected, doesn’t always have the right response to them. He’ll learn how to compliment and charm through trial and error. And he can always use his younger sister Casey (Brigette Lundy-Payne), also known as the protector from potential bullies, for advice if he chooses.
Creator Robia Rashid went to a consultant in order to develop Sam’s character to a realistic level. He’s been mostly received as positive from the critic crowd, with a few exceptions. Stereotyping has been raised as an issue as well as inaccuracies. On the other hand, Aspergers can be very rigid or stereotypical in their interactions, so maybe Sam just hits a little too close for some people.
There’s no one “typical” Aspie, so maybe Atypical’s portrayal will provide some educational contrasts to give viewers an idea of how to recognize the Sams of the world from the neurotypicals.
