Love on the Spectrum has been top-of-the-line exhibits to binge on Netflix for 3 seasons now, however at the same time as the recognition of the collection and its stars grew, I continued to scroll previous till just lately. Because the dad or mum of an autistic baby, I’ve struggled to observe a variety of media centered round autism for a number of totally different causes. Nonetheless, after Love on the Spectrum Season 3 hit the 2025 TV schedule, I figured it was time to leap in. I’m so glad I did.
With regards to seeing autism represented in media, I’m 100% for illustration. It’s vital for folks to acknowledge themselves in who they watch on TV, and it’s vital to indicate what autism would possibly appear to be in the actual world. Nonetheless, typically I get in my head concerning the stereotypes which might be perpetuated or whether or not the individual in query is being made enjoyable of or exploited indirectly. Love on the Spectrum was totally different, and listed below are some the reason why.
Love On The Spectrum Avoids Autism Stereotypes By That includes A Numerous Solid
Autism is a reasonably difficult factor to attempt to painting, particularly in fiction, as a result of one character on the spectrum isn’t going to be an correct illustration of each individual with a prognosis. I don’t get pleasure from watching characters with autism if generalizations concerning the dysfunction are the most important facet of their being.
Love on the Spectrum is ready to problem the stereotypes by exhibiting so many alternative examples of what autism can appear to be. We see folks of various ages and races from totally different backgrounds with totally different sexual orientations, and in none of these instances is their autism prognosis probably the most fascinating factor about them.
Love On The Spectrum Is Typically Humorous However By no means Imply
I can admittedly be fairly delicate with regards to how neurodivergent persons are handled, and I used to be truthfully afraid Love on the Spectrum would really feel prefer it was making enjoyable of its solid members (as some actuality exhibits are likely to do). I didn’t discover that to be the case, although.
There are many laughs available — whether or not it’s Connor Tomlinson proudly saying he would possibly “cop a really feel” however not understanding what that meant, or watching the expression on Madison Marilla’s dad’s face every time she and Tyler began making out — however these laughs by no means really feel like they’re at anybody’s expense. Creator Cian O’Clery treats his solid members with respect however nonetheless isn’t afraid to get slightly quirky.
Take the intros earlier than every date (apparently impressed by Amelié). A number of the likes and dislikes are fairly amusing (and infrequently relatable), nevertheless it’s additionally such an ingenious strategy to give us a way of somebody’s character earlier than we’ve ever even actually met them.
I additionally like that the solid’s well-being all the time appears to come back first, like when Madison Marilla’s date Brandon wanted to depart a restaurant that acquired too noisy or when autism skilled Jennifer Prepare dinner reminded Tanner Smith that he didn’t must smile on a regular basis for folks to love him. It additionally places me extra comfy understanding these are all adults giving their consent to be on TV, and I really like that they’re having fun with the perks of being well-known.
The Collection Would not Shy Away From The Struggles However Additionally Encourages Particular Pursuits
I really feel prefer it’s usually laborious for exhibits that includes autistic TV characters to search out the stability between portraying autism as an excessive amount of of both a incapacity or a superpower, however Love on the Spectrum (obtainable with a Netflix subscription) sort of exhibits either side. Most of the solid members really feel snug sharing the issues they battle with, and so they’re additionally given the house to indicate off their particular skills and pursuits.
I discover it very enlightening to listen to the solid members’ opinions about their autism in their very own phrases, and I used to be continuously touched by how sincere they had been about their fears, whether or not that was not desirous to say one thing embarrassing on digicam or working out of issues to say on a date.
On the opposite facet of that, I like that they’re by no means requested to mood their pleasure about their pursuits — Abbey Romeo and David Isaacman have their lions (and even get to journey to Kenya); Dani Bowman has her animation; Pari Kim has the trains, and many others. Different solid members are additionally allowed to indicate off their skills, however I don’t really feel prefer it perpetuates the misunderstanding that each one folks on the spectrum are savants.
Having The Households And Associates Concerned Provides Depth And Context To The Solid
Among the finest components of Love on the Spectrum for me is seeing how the solid members work together with their households. Seeing them within the consolation of their very own houses and across the individuals who care about them most provides a lot context to their lives that you simply don’t usually get on actuality TV.
These mother and father, siblings and associates are main by instance in learn how to deal with folks on the spectrum, and that doesn’t embrace condescending to them. I beloved that they confirmed the mild ribbing from relations, like Dani Bowman’s uncle chuckling over her misusing the phrase “thoughts within the gutter,” as a result of that’s how households are, proper?
I feel it’s OK to giggle as a result of there may be a lot love and persistence and charm behind all of it. I’ve adjusted the way in which I dad or mum my kids (autistic or in any other case) to finest serve their particular person wants, however all of us nonetheless poke enjoyable at one another. I simply actually loved these genuine moments.
Love On The Spectrum Nonetheless Made Me Cry, However Extra Typically Than Not, They Had been Tears Of Pleasure
Another excuse I typically keep away from exhibits centering round autism is as a result of they tend to make me unhappy. In my down time, I don’t need to take into consideration struggles my baby has confronted or would possibly sometime face, and I don’t need to see folks on the spectrum getting damage or bullied — even when the purpose is for them to ultimately overcome it.
That doesn’t imply Love on the Spectrum hasn’t introduced me to tears, nevertheless it’s extra the great things, like when Abbey Romeo’s mother cried as a result of Abbey didn’t want her as a lot since she discovered David. I additionally cried (not completely satisfied tears) when James Jones’ mother acquired upset that her son hadn’t matched with anyone at velocity relationship. I suppose it’s protected to say I associated to the mothers!
General, although, I discovered the collection to be exponentially extra uplifting than unhappy, and I feel it has the potential to make folks kinder, extra understanding and extra inclusive of these on the spectrum. My greatest takeaway from Love on the Spectrum is how courageous all the solid members are to share their tales with such vulnerability. There’s quite a bit to be realized about expressing sincere emotion and permitting others to be themselves.
It truly is the antithesis to different actuality relationship exhibits in that method, nevertheless it additionally proves that individuals on the spectrum face the identical challenges as everybody else — from being nervous about working out of issues to say on a date to developing with the most effective phrases to gracefully finish a relationship.
Not everybody goes to agree with my opinion on Love on the Spectrum, and that’s OK. I’m definitely no skilled, and I’ve seen some legitimate issues. For me, although, the present works as a result of I really feel the main target is in the end on the solid members and their lives, not simply their autism. Season 4 has been ordered by Netflix, so keep tuned for a premiere date.