Ever spot a character on TV and think, “That’s an autistic person in denial—and so is the writer”? In this episode of Spectrum Savvy, we dive into the wide, wonderful (and occasionally cringe-inducing) world of autism coding in media. From the beloved (Castiel, Spencer Reid) to the painfully stereotypical (looking at you, Sheldon Cooper), we explore how autistic traits show up in characters—whether it’s intentional, accidental, or just vibes.

We’ll unpack what autism coding actually is, why fandom headcanons matter, and how seeing yourself (even in the weirdest ways) can be both validating and healing. Plus, we laugh a little, side-eye some bad representation, and celebrate the weird little guys who made us feel seen before we had the words for it.

Email me: kaitlinspectrumsavvy@gmail.com