Painfully Neurotypical: A review of television series Love on the Spectrum
What is it about?
Love on the Spectrum is an Australian television series following young autistic adults on their dating journeys. While the series may provide a starting point from which to challenge audience views on disability and romance, this review argues that the premise of the series is an infantilizing narrative of neurotypical saviourism. Overall, the key message of Love on the Spectrum is not one of celebration, but one of conforming to non-disabled standards.
Why is it important?
With funding bodies like Screen Australia researching the representation of diverse identity and rewarding innovative portrayals of disability, the media landscape will continue to change. However, it is not enough for people with disability to participate in media as subjects (like in Love on the Spectrum). Inclusion of creators with disability behind the scenes is necessary to bring the Australian media landscape closer to authentic disability representation.