Stereotypes of autism in TV and film may be linked to delayed diagnosis, study finds

MedicalXpress | Mai 06, 2026

Stereotypes of autistic men in films and TV programs may contribute to delayed diagnosis of autistic women and non-binary people, a new University of Stirling study has found. Research conducted by a group of autistic and non-autistic researchers, led by Sarah Dantas of the University's Faculty of Natural Sciences, has found that women and non-binary people may experience delayed diagnosis because dominant images of autism in the media don't match their own experiences.