Are people bothered by non-autistic actors playing autistic?

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That is what offended me about the character: he was played for laughs as a caricature as someone with ASD.

I wonder how Jim Parsons feels about gay men being wrongly portrayed as self-centered and overly-dramatic snowflakes who lust after every piece of male beefcake in sight?

I don’t believe Parsons would be too thrilled with that.

Was it said in the show that Sheldon is autistic?

It’s never been said that any of the characters are autistic.

Sara Gilbert is gay, but plays a straight/het female.
I don't have a problem with that.

Obviously, he is portraying an autistic individual, but the producers skirted away from 'outing' the character, at least initially.
The character was based on the son of Chuck's acquaintance/friend, from memory.

Sheldon is 'special'.

The character is the most 'luved' character in the series.
I think Jim would appreciate that achievement.

Call me odd aspie, but I think Smelly Shelly makes a good role model.

I know he's only said it off camera and in newspaper interviews but I don't mind David Neilson.

I think he has a great message for NTs and aspies, people with Goth nieces and people without Goth nieces, guys married to trans women and people who aren't married to trans women alike.*

His message is:

There is nothing wrong with being different. There is everything wrong with making fun of someone for being different. Stand up against the bullies. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Never stop learning.

I wouldn't mind if they made Roy canonically aspie but I would mind if they made an entire storyline around it esp if they tried to make out like his character is tragic. That's why I just like him being 'Roy', guy who doesn't know much about social stuff and is very rigid thinking but who's (a bit like someone on here who knows who he is) a font of all knowledge in other respects.

*For non Brits, I'm saying it like that cos he has a Goth niece and was married to a trans woman who he fell for in the 90s when transphobia was more rife in society.

To me, Sheldon is as obnoxious as they come....

Oh well if they do not say then should people be offended by his character personality being played for laughs, if it's never explicity said? I always just thought he was socially awkward and nerdy, but not autistic.

Next, you will be telling me *I* am too.

'He' is autistic.
Believe me.

You and Sheldon bear no resemblance.

Why though? If the show does not say so, then who are we to say he is autistic if it's not stated?

I am not bothered by the concept.

I think the issue is though don't make a movie claiming to you're doing it for autism awareness when you fail to actually include anyone autistic in the acting, writing and production of the film. I mean I think rainman was fine, it was a fictional movie of a guy with autism and his story...but it wasn't promoted as being like the real deal on autism awareness. Like that more recent one where it seemed played up that way but the person who made it did not actually include any autistic people.