Morrow, MarinaMacLennan, AnneKolakowski, Victoria2019-05-282019-05-282018-10-16http://hdl.handle.net/10315/36221Major Research Paper (Master's), Critical Disability Studies, School of Health Policy and Management,Faculty of Health, York UniversityAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is increasing in prevalence in North America. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2018) notes that in 2000 the rate of diagnosis was 1 in 150, in 2008 the rate was 1 in 88 and in 2014 the rate increased to 1 in 59. Some traits and needs of persons with autism may include, deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, difficulties understanding and responding to social situations, restrictive interests and hyper- or hyposensitivity. With the increased rates of diagnosis there comes a need for greater social awareness. This paper will discuss how the media plays a factor in disseminating information about ASD and the implications that portraying stereotypes may have on the autism community.enAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.Autism spectrum disorderMediaTelevisionStereotypesAutism communityResearch Paper