This master's thesis analyzes the Australian documentary series Love on the Spectrum from the perspective of the representation of autistic individuals and the impact of these representations on the social perception and inclusion of autistic individuals. The initial part of the thesis presents the historical development and definition of the concept of autism within medical and social discourse, as well as key theoretical frameworks, which include concepts of neurodiversity, intersectionality, autistic epistemologies, crip theory, and representation. The central part presents the most common typologies of autistic characters in popular films, series, and documentaries, analyzing their narrative functions and ideological meanings in a broader cultural context. In the empirical part, a discursive analysis of the narrative and visual elements of the series Love on the Spectrum shows that, despite its efforts to increase the visibility of autistic people, it often reproduces neurotypical and heteronormative standards, reinforces stereotypes, and marginalizes the topics of sexuality and LGBTQ+ identities. The analysis also reveals the presence of therapeutic control, infantilization, and emotionally driven editing. The conclusions emphasize that greater visibility is often conditioned by adaptation to normative expectations and that critical reflection on media representations is key to promoting inclusive social images.
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