Mental health on screen: A DSM-5 dissection of portrayals of autism spectrum disorders in film and TV

Anders Nordahl-Hansen; Magnus Tøndevold; Sue Fletcher-Watson

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.050

Mental health on screen: A DSM-5 dissection of portrayals of autism spectrum disorders in film and TV

Anders Nordahl-Hansen, Magnus Tøndevold, Sue Fletcher-Watson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Portrayals of characters with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in films and TV series are subject to intense debate over whether such representations are accurate. Inaccurate portrayals are a concern as they may lead to increased stereotypes toward the condition. We investigate whether portrayals of characters with autism spectrum disorder in film and TV-series align with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Our data show that characters present a full range of characteristics described in the DSM-5. The meaning of this finding is discussed in relation to potential educational value of on screen portrayals and the notion of authenticity in representing the autistic experience.

Original language	English
Journal	Psychiatry Research
Early online date	23 Aug 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.050
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 23 Aug 2017

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Journal Article

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10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.050

Mental health on screen: a DSM-5 dissection of portrayals of Autism Spectrum Disorders in film and TVAccepted author manuscript, 30.6 KB

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Mental health on screen: A DSM-5 dissection of portrayals of autism spectrum disorders in film and TV

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