Portrayals of autism and social awareness: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at recent trends in scientific literature on the portrayal of autism in published and broadcast media and social awareness of the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis of content of such publications was performed.

Findings

Results show that portrayals of autism from books, newspapers, news broadcasts, films and TV series are being scrutinized. Research focuses on the social categories of resulting stereotypes, the quality of such depictions, the benefits and downsides, stigmatization of individuals (with autism) and how society responds to these portrayals.

Originality/value

It is important to understand if media portrayals of autism are creating a realistic and constructive awareness of autism in society.

Citation

Fontes, R. and Pino-Juste, M. (2022), "Portrayals of autism and social awareness: a scoping review", Advances in Autism, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 196-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-02-2021-0014