While my first few posts have been about queer representation in both main stream media and non-mainstream media, for this post I want to neurodivergence and media.

What is neurodivergence/neurodiversity?

Neurodivergence is neurotypes that differ from typical or what are considered normal (neurotypical) neurotypes. Neurodivergence includes autism (ASD), ADHD, OCD, Tourette syndrome, and many other “disorders”. Neurodivergence or neurodiversity are a paradigm that goes against the idea that neurodivergent disorders are well disorders and views that people who are neurodivergent are not inferior to neurotypical people, but represent the wide diversity when it comes to human neuro ability.

Here is a link to an article that explains the neurodivergent paradigm and gives a good model in understanding the paradigm:

https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.13249

Interpretation and Media

On this blog I have only discussed direct representation (representation that is straight forward or explicitly shown) and in movies, books, Youtube videos, and television shows, I want to talk about how we can find representation in the media, even if there is no direct representation. We have the freedom to interpret media from multiple perspectives and readings of media. Take for example queer reading, which is a method of analyzing and interpreting media from nonheteronormative, non-cisnormative, amatonormative perspective. This allows for us as the viewer to view media from a perspective not always intended by a text or piece of media. For this post I will be discussing how we can interpret media from neurodivergent/neurodiverse perspective.

Dungeon Meshi: Understanding the characters through a neurodivergent perspective

I will only be discussing season one of the show and will not discuss the manga, so just be clear if I interesting in watching or reading Dungeon Meshi (also known by its English title Delicious in Dungeon, I prefer the Japanese title, so I will refer to it as that. ) there will be some spoilers ahead. I will be discussing two characters from the story that can be interpreted as having similar lived experiences to autistic people: Laios and Falin Touden. The two characters display traits that can be interpreted as autistic take for example Laios does not have great social skills, has an obsession (special interest) in monsters, along with having a history of being ostracized. Falin herself also as similar traits to Laios (her brother) but does display some traits of masking. As some who is autistic themselves I found while watching Dungeon Meshi I felt represented by their struggles and backstories. Autistic people do face ostracization for who we are and seeing characters face very similar ostracization that autistic face felt refreshing to see.

These two videos are what inspired me to make this post and would recommend watching them as they provide an interesting perspective.

Closing Remarks

While both characters I discussed are not canonical autistic, I would argue that you can still interpret their traits and characterization as autistic even without having it be canon. There are many ways to interpret elements and characters in media and there are ways to understand media beyond authorial intent. Never be afraid to interpret media in unconventional ways because you find representation in even the strangest of places.