Does The Good Doctor Have Autism?

Discover if 'The Good Doctor' accurately portrays autism, separating facts from fiction for a clearer understanding.

By Brighter Strides ABA

June 19, 2024

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Before examining the portrayal of autism in "The Good Doctor," it is essential to gain an understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This will provide the necessary context to assess whether the depiction is accurate and sensitive.

Basics of Autism

Autism is a complex, lifelong condition that affects an individual's ability to communicate and interact socially. The condition is generally detectable by age 2 or 3. It is characterized by a range of symptoms that place it on a spectrum, hence the term Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some people may have mild symptoms, while others may have severe impairments.

People with autism tend to have difficulties with social interaction and communication. They may struggle to understand what others think and feel, making it hard for them to express themselves, either through words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch.

Autism is categorized as a neurological and developmental disorder that impacts brain development. This leads to challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior.

Diagnosis and Symptoms

Autism is diagnosed through a combination of evaluations and observations by specialists, often using standardized assessments like the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule™ (ADOS™-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview™, Revised (ADI™-R).

The symptoms of autism can vary greatly from person to person but generally fall within the following categories:

Social communication impairments: Individuals may struggle with appropriate eye contact or initiating/responding to joint attention [3].
Speech and language challenges: Some individuals may have specific difficulties in receptive and expressive language. Some may be nonverbal and require a communication device.
Repetitive behaviors and interests: Individuals may exhibit restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
Sensory differences: Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to various sensory inputs may be present.
Executive function impairments: These may affect advanced cognitive skills like attention, working memory, planning, reasoning, sequencing, and flexible thinking.

Early diagnosis is crucial in helping families, caregivers, and schools understand and meet the needs of a child with autism. The symptoms and variations occur along a continuum, with some children having average or above-average cognitive and language abilities, while others may be severely impaired.

Understanding these aspects of autism aids in separating fact from fiction when assessing representations of the condition in various media, such as "The Good Doctor."

Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that affects brain development and causes social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Its symptoms and variations occur along a spectrum, and signs typically appear during early childhood and last throughout a person's life. (NYU Langone) Let's explore the five key characteristics of ASD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5™).

Social Communication Impairments

People with ASD often exhibit social communication impairments. They may struggle with understanding what other people think and feel, making it difficult for them to express themselves, either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch. This can include lack of appropriate eye contact and difficulty initiating or responding to joint attention.

Speech and Language Challenges

Individuals with ASD may also face challenges with both receptive and expressive language. Receptive language involves comprehension of language, while expressive language involves the ability to express desires and thoughts to others. Some individuals with ASD may be nonverbal and require a communication device [3].

Repetitive Behaviors and Interests

ASD is often characterized by restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. These behaviors may include a limited repertoire of alternative behaviors or a preference for repeatedly performing certain tasks.

Sensory Differences

Sensory differences are another common characteristic of ASD. Individuals with ASD may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to various sensory inputs. These differences can impact their response to certain stimuli and are categorized under restricted repetitive behaviors in the DSM-5™.

Executive Function Impairments

Finally, individuals with ASD often face impairments in executive function, which include advanced cognitive skills like attention, working memory, planning, reasoning, sequencing, and flexible thinking. These impairments can impact various aspects of life such as social interactions, academics, learning, and self-regulation.

Understanding these characteristics is crucial in recognizing and diagnosing ASD. It also aids in creating effective interventions and support systems to assist individuals with ASD in leading fulfilling lives.

Prevalence and Diagnosis of Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that affects many individuals worldwide. Understanding its prevalence is key to grasping the scale of its impact. Furthermore, knowledge of the diagnostic process and the specialists involved can provide valuable insight into the steps taken to support those with autism.

Statistics and Trends

Autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today, according to the Centers for Disease Control [4]. Moreover, more children are diagnosed with autism now than ever before. These statistics indicate a significant increase in autism diagnosis, highlighting the importance of increased awareness and understanding.

Population	Prevalence
Children	1 in 36
Adults	1 in 45

Diagnostic Process

Autism is typically diagnosed around age 5 in the U.S., with signs appearing by age 2 or 3. However, there is no lab test for autism. Doctors diagnose autism by observing behaviors of young children and listening to parents' concerns. The process involves checking milestones, developmental problems, and family history, with the first step usually taken by pediatricians at 18- and 24-month checkups [5].

Current diagnostic guidelines in the DSM-5-TR break down the ASD diagnosis into three levels based on the amount of support a person might need: level 1, level 2, and level 3.

Specialists Involved

The evaluation for autism diagnosis often involves a team of specialists. This team may include child psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, developmental pediatricians, and neurologists. These specialists assess cognitive level, language abilities, life skills, and other developmental aspects.

The journey towards understanding autism, its prevalence, and the diagnostic process is ongoing. By demystifying these aspects, society can better support those living with autism, much like the character in "The Good Doctor," a subject we will explore later in this article.

Autism in Media and Entertainment

The portrayal of autism in media and entertainment has been a subject of intense discussion. The representation is often a double-edged sword, with some shows offering a more authentic and respectful depiction than others.

Portrayal in "The Good Doctor"

One of the most prominent representations of autism in recent television can be seen in the character Dr. Shaun Murphy from "The Good Doctor". Dr. Murphy is diagnosed with autism and savant syndrome, a rare condition in which individuals with significant mental disabilities demonstrate abilities far in excess of average.

Freddie Highmore, who portrays Dr. Murphy, does not have autism in real life. However, his portrayal of the character has been commended for its authenticity, thanks to his extensive research and consultation with experts in the field. His commitment to accurately represent his character's experiences has been widely appreciated.

The portrayal of Dr. Murphy, though a work of fiction, challenges stereotypes and encourages viewers to recognize the capabilities and contributions of individuals with autism. It serves as a medium for increasing awareness about autism [6].

Representation in Other Shows

Autism is depicted in various ways across different television shows, though not always explicitly named as such.

In "Doctor Who", for example, there are no official statements suggesting that the Doctor is autistic. However, the traits exhibited by the character are creative decisions by the writers and are not intended to represent any specific real-world condition.

On the other hand, the character Sheldon Cooper from "The Big Bang Theory" has been widely speculated to exhibit traits often associated with Asperger's Syndrome, a type of autism. Despite this, the show's creators have never officially confirmed this diagnosis.

The representation of autism in the media is crucial for raising awareness and understanding about this condition. At the same time, it's important to recognize that these portrayals are often fictionalized and may not fully encapsulate the diverse experiences of those living with autism.

Positive Traits of Individuals with Autism

While the question "Does the Good Doctor have autism?" points to a wider conversation about representation of autism in media, it's essential to recognize the positive traits of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These attributes often make individuals with ASD valuable contributors to their communities and workplaces, as well as delightful friends and family members.

Enthusiasm and Engagement

Individuals with ASD are often very enthusiastic and engaged when they have an interest in something, drawing others in with their passion. This enthusiasm can be infectious, inspiring those around them to develop a newfound appreciation for the subject at hand. Their ability to concentrate on a single topic and delve deep into it can lead to innovative ideas and profound insights, contributing to a diverse range of fields.

Social Skill Development

Contrary to some misconceptions, people with ASD frequently work on social skills like patience and taking turns in their classrooms and programs. This translates into real-world situations where they are often the ones displaying patience and empathy while interacting within their communities. Their capacity for empathy can create an inclusive and understanding environment, fostering better relationships and communication.

Work Ethic and Skills

Men and women with ASD are often goal-focused, achievement-oriented, detail-oriented, have excellent memories, and display organizational skills. These traits, along with their strong work ethic, make them valuable employees and individuals who take pride in their work [7]. Their ability to focus, coupled with their dedication to the task at hand, can lead to high-quality results in a variety of professional settings.

In conclusion, individuals with ASD are described as polite, respectful, kind, caring, hardworking, enthusiastic, and focused, making them not only good employees but also good friends and great people overall. Recognizing and celebrating these positive traits is essential in fostering a more understanding and inclusive society.

Misconceptions and Realities

When it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it's critical to differentiate between myths and realities. Misconceptions can foster misunderstanding and stigma, while facts can promote empathy and acceptance.

Genetic Factors and Autism

Research indicates that certain combinations of genes may increase a child’s risk of developing autism. Genetic factors can affect someone's risk of autism anywhere from 40 to 80%. Furthermore, genetic testing can be performed to identify gene mutations associated with ASD. While there is a genetic component to autism, these tests primarily identify the genetic changes that cause autism, not to diagnose the condition itself.

Debunking Common Myths

One prevalent myth is that vaccines cause autism. This misconception has been thoroughly debunked by numerous studies demonstrating no link between the two. Another common misunderstanding is that all individuals with autism exhibit the same symptoms. However, autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning symptoms and their severity can widely vary. Some children have average or above-average cognitive and language abilities, while others might face more severe impairments, such as speech delay, problems with eye contact, limited facial expression, and a restricted range of interests.

Importance of Early Intervention

Recognizing the signs of autism early on is crucial, as it enables families, caregivers, and schools to understand the needs of a child with autism and provide the appropriate support. Experts at institutions like the Child Study Center provide diagnostic evaluations for children as young as 12 months old through adulthood. Early intervention has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for individuals with autism, making it a critical component of managing the disorder.

Addressing misconceptions and spreading awareness of the realities of autism is essential in fostering understanding and acceptance. By debunking myths and highlighting the importance of early intervention, we can work towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with autism.