Just for fun: TV/Movie characters with special needs

[pattimomma]

I was watching Max and Ruby with my kids today and I am pretty sure that Max is on the spectrum.

Has anybody else identified special needs in their children's cartoons?

[Bokonon]

I have always thought that about Max!

This is a funny list (profanity within):

http://www.cracked.com/article_19336_6-beloved-characters-that-had-undiagnosed-mental-illnesses.html

(ETA: I am not comparing special needs to mental illness, but the topic reminded me of that list)

[kotapop]

Max and Ruby, perhaps our favorite show. Ha ha, I liked that other list - I always thought Glenda was really the bad witch when I was a kid, because she was elated over the wicked witch's sister having been killed. Chuckie Finster on the Rugrats seems like he could be on the spectrum. Not a kids' show, though my 2 1/2 year old likes to watch it with me : ), but several characters on Frasier come to mind...

Also thinking - Squidward on SpongeBob Squarepants; maybe Schroeder from Peanuts, the one always playing the piano.

Edited by kotapop - 11/13/12 at 9:07pm

[Linda on the move]

Sheldon on Big Bang Theory.

Not a TV show, but the book "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" is told from the point of view of a teenage boy on the spectrum. It was a wonderful, heart warming and heart breaking read.

[Bokonon]

Spencer Reid on "Criminal Minds" seems to be on the spectrum, and it was finally touched on in a recent episode when a new co-worker pointed out that he had some Aspergers' traits.

[ollyoxenfree]

Forum crashing, hope y'all don't mind. 

Tigger - ADHD

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree 

Forum crashing, hope y'all don't mind. 

Tigger - ADHD

Eeyore is clinically depressed.  Piglet has an anxiety disorder.  

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

Dori  and Nemo (special fin) from Finding Nemo.

Po from Kung Fu Panda.  "Focus Panda"  We use that line a lot with ds3!

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by Bokonon 

Eeyore is clinically depressed.  Piglet has an anxiety disorder.  

Pooh is a binge eater. 

[RiverTam]

We used Phineas and Ferb to explain my son's language disorder/HFA to his brother and to other kids.
 

[ananas]

The little boy, Max, on Parenthood has autism.

[RJ11]

I recently watched "Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud" and the main character is an 11ish year old boy with Aspergers' traits. He even says, I was once screened for Aspergers but the test was inconclusive. The movie is sad because of the 9/11 components but I really enjoyed it and think it was well done.

[earthmama4]

Calvin from Calvin and Hobbs (not TV but comic strip) - Spectrum-y, ADHD, major sensory issues re food, baths, hates school, etc. Hilarious! 

Brainy Smurf - Aspergers (rule oriented, drones on forever, "Papa Smurf always says....") 

BTW I think all the guys from Big Bang Theory are on the spectrum to various degrees. I bought the first season for 16 yr old DS with Aspergers. OMG so dang funny I peed my pants.