Critical Media Analysis: Autistic characters in children’s media

Critical Media Analysis: Autistic characters in children’s media PDF

Summary:
In this lesson, students will look at four different characterizations of autistic children in contemporary media. They will watch excerpts or videos featuring the characters, read about the characters, and study how they were created. They will then fill out an evaluation chart to analyze the different depictions. They will have a group discussion as a class and write a reflective response.

• Issues considered will include: character’s role within the show/movie; who was involved in writing/creating the characters; what public response has been; and so on. The lesson will conclude with a group discussion and students will complete a journal-style piece of writing as an exit ticket.

• The characters that the students will learn about are: 

• Julia from the television show Sesame Street; 

• Pablo from the television show Pablo;

• the main character from a Pixar short called Loop;

• Carl, from the show Carl the Collector.

Subject and topic: 

English, Social Studies, Art, Media Studies

Grade level:

5-8

Duration: 

3 hours, spread over 2 days to allow for opportunities to watch/engage with media at home in addition to the classroom engagement