In a much-needed and subtle addition of diversity to the worldview of kids, an animated series slated to hit TV this summer features a superhero kid with autism. This is not only expected to expose students to difference but also engage specifically with the Autism.
The PBS Kids animated series ‘Hero Elementary’ is set in a grade school where a diverse group of four superhero students learn to master their special powers. There’s a kid who can fly but is afraid of heights. There’s a girl with the power to teleport and a boy who creates forcefields of bubbles. There’s a boy with an array of cool gadgets who is on the autism spectrum.
The creators have been subtle about how they’ve portrayed the character of AJ Gadgets, who is on the high-functioning end of the spectrum. AJ doesn’t like loud noises or wet clothes or to be apart from his beloved backpack. But he’s part of the team and always comes to the rescue.
“We feel like there is so much strength in the idea of portraying a kid on the spectrum as just one of the kids and not making a huge deal about his autism,” said Christine Ferraro, who co-created the series with Carol-Lynn Parente.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 54 kids were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder by age 8 in 2016, a nearly 10 percent increase over 2014 when the estimate was 1 in 59.
The series leans into scientific principles as the characters confront various missions, like dealing with a huge ball rolling through the city, or taking care of a just-hatched baby swan. A helpful teacher encourages them to keep finding solutions even if they don’t succeed at first, teaching such skills as observing, investigating, testing, and predicting.
“You don’t come into this world knowing how to do everything. And so these kids struggle to learn in school, just like our kids struggle to learn how to do things,” said Ferraro.
Linda Simensky, head of content at PBS Kids, said she was drawn to AJ’s inclusion and the show’s message of kids solving their problems.
