The Good Doctor is a 2017 American medical drama television series that follows Shaun Murphy, a young autistic surgical resident at a hospital. Autism is a developmental condition that affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world. In this trailer for the show, we see a flashback to Shaun’s past in which he was told to “act like a normal human being.” In the present, a man on a Board of Trustees for the hospital advocates for Shaun to be hired. The man articulates that Shaun is high functioning and has “genius level skills in several areas.”  The Good Doctor has faced criticism for portraying its main character as having extraordinary medical talents. While the show has been praised for raising awareness about autism, some argue that it reinforces the stereotype that autistic individuals must possess exceptional skills, rather than showing the diverse experiences of people on the spectrum.

discussion

How do the Board of Trustees members in the trailer explain Shaun’s abilities and challenges?

One of the title cards in the trailer says “His Mind is Extraordinary.” How might this portrayal of Shaun’s “genius level skills” affect the way people understand autism and the experiences of those on the spectrum?

The actor who plays Shaun is not autistic. How could this decision impact the authenticity of the portrayal, and what message might it send about the representation of autistic individuals in media?

How does the portrayal of Shaun in The Good Doctor relate to the way people with disabilities are shown in other TV shows or movies? Can you think of any examples where people with disabilities are shown as either having special talents or facing big challenges, and how does that affect how we think about them?