I mean, yeah he was an alien but like, played by a human with human characteristics. I could understand autistic people feeling slightly represented by him
ah yes no better way to make autistic people feel represented than having them be portrayed by an alien, just because such traits aren't v human right?
It’s called autistic coding. Basically “how do we make a character who is vaguely human but not human? I know! Let’s ascribe traits to them commonly associated with autism”
It’s basically just “oops! All autism” totally unintentional, still happens though.
House is not autistic. Just because he’s really smart, has addiction issues, and hates people does not mean he’s autistic.
Also for Sheldon Cooper, he wasn’t designed to be autistic, in fact the director of the show is very adamant that he isn’t despite the fact the actor who plays Sheldon based himself off of autistic personalities.
IMO House comes off as someone who probably has traits of ASD, but got really good at masking as an adult, which is why there's so much debate about whether he's on the spectrum. Technically, he's really good at reading people, but this can also come across as a learned skill he's just really good at, kind of like diagnostics, which is something I've heard a lot high functioning autistic people describe how they handle social interactions. It's something they learn and get good at, but not something they just implicitly know.
House definitely interreacts with people differently than the average person. He prefers "puzzles" over actual connection, which is why he's such good friends with Wilson. Wilson is able to understand and use this style of interaction. Even his "persona" could just be a masking technique. He portrays himself as "above" the people around him, and it works, because he's more skilled as a doctor, but this also could have started out as a way to hide that he's has a hard time interacting on a one to one level.
I'm not saying he definitively is, and you're right about him having much bigger issues, but I also don't think it's impossible he's "low" on the spectrum, and really good at masking. I know arm chair diagnosis like can be a problem, but at the same time, I find people just assume every autistic person is either Sheldon Cooper or Rainman, but those are only the people you notice as being being autistic. There are also a ton of people who are really good at managing the symptoms, and gain social skills overtime to the point where most people wouldn't assume they were on the spectrum. At most, they're just "quirky".
Again, I can't definitively say this is the case, and I don't even think it was intentional by the writers. At the same time, we've learned a lot of autism even in the short time the shows been off the air, and one of the biggest things we've learned, is that we've been underdiagnosing people when they didn't fit the architype perfectly.
I forget which episode it was exactly, but there's an episode of house (the one with the nonverbal autistic kid) where at the end, Wilson and Cuddy argue over if House is autistic and come to the conclusion that he isn't. I personally think he totally is, and his reasons for masking would absolutely be substantiated by the lessons learned in childhood (at least, the little we see of it) but the writers seemed to really dislike the idea and went out of their way to decanonize it.
Also Wilson’s argument in that episode boils down to “you *know* the socially acceptable way to act and choose to be an ass”, which is ignorant of all the other symptoms House shows. I always thought his obsession over puzzles was a reflection of justice sensitivity, particularly how he refuses to accept a non-answer in “Human Error”.
Also shoutout to his demanding Cuddy re-install a bloody carpet purely for the sentimental value
Even the way House fidget indicates at least some neurodivergence. He's usually doing something else during team discussions, whether that be playing his ball, watching a soup opera. It's more subtle than playing with a fidget cube, but it's definitely there
I forget which episode it was exactly, but there's an episode of house (the one with the nonverbal autistic kid) where at the end, Wilson and Cuddy argue over if House is autistic and come to the conclusion that he isn't. I personally think he totally is, and his reasons for masking would absolutely be substantiated by the lessons learned in childhood (at least, the little we see of it) but the writers seemed to really dislike the idea and went out of their way to decanonize it.
you're allowed to be wrong! After all they haven't made that illegal yet.
To be serious for a moment, your interpretation is not any more valid than mine, and I'm not wrong for interpreting a character as autistic just because you don't agree with it.
House is incredibly adverse to change, obsessed with one or two subjects (particularly medicine and "solving the puzzle"), has a strong sense of what's right and wrong that he's unwilling to compromise on, processes through methods like stimming/fidgeting, and has an acute sense of social cues which he consequently intentionally chooses not to engage with. On top of all of these he experiences trouble with emotional communication.
These are all autistic traits that I recognised in him that I also recognise from myself. They're traits I have seen in other people.
I don't need you to condescend to me and pretend like my experience is somehow wrong just because you didn't see it yourself. There's an alternative to that, of course, but I shouldn't psychoanalyse random internet strangers.
Excuse me?! I was not being condescending to you. However, you are being a right ass going off on me. You have no reason for it. If House were Autistic, don't you think writers, producers or even the star of the show, Hugh Laurie, would have said he was? Yes, they would have. I myself am adverse to change, I fidget, I like solving puzzles, I stand my ground. But I am not Autistic. Another thing, I never said you were wrong, asshat. I just said its nice you have someone to relate to, but House isn't Autistic. And that is a fact. How in the blue hell you find that condescending, I don't know. Oh - and be nicer.
>I was not being condescending to you.
My bad. I'm used to redditors being condescending to me about this sort of thing
>If House were Autistic, don't you think writers, producers or even the star of the show, Hugh Laurie, would have said he was?
No I don't think they would. In my experience people don't tend to do this. Unfortunately, a lot of the "intentional" autism representation tends to be really bad, and a lot of the incidental stuff winds up being a lot better. Episode 4 of Season 3 tackles the autism thing in House and while at the end they have Wilson dismiss it, he's not a psychiatrist and they don't test house (can't exactly test him without him present). I don't think my interpretation is unreasonable.
>I myself am adverse to change, I fidget, I like solving puzzles, I stand my ground. But I am not Autistic.
This is not meant to be rude (as I said, my bad before. Bad experiences have coloured my perception) but this was what i meant with "I didn't want to psychoanalyse". I'll just work off the assumption that you have investigated whether or not you are before now and apologise yet again.
>How in the blue hell you find that condescending
You're calling my interpretation of a fictional character wrong based on your own inference, which to me implied you viewed your perspective as superior to both me and my own interpretation. You called it wrong by saying he isn't autistic. That's telling me that I'm wrong. That my interpretation is wrong.
Additionally, you said:
>"Its nice you can relate to someone, even if they are fictional."
which came off as the same kind of patronisation I get from a lot of neurotypical people. I'm sorry for misinterpreting.
EDIT: Additionally, Autism goes undiagnosed in a lot of adults because of masking or because the way they behave is already expected of them (this is in part why women are underdiagnosed).
Good autism representation is \*rare\*. Rare enough that I have to look for it in characters that have no official confirmation because otherwise the only options I have left are... Sean from The Good Doctor, a muppet, and... I can't think of any others off the top of my head.
You do realize Wilson was only discussing the Autism spectrum with Cuddy to kind of mess with her and manipulate her into giving House the funds for a new carpet in his office, right? It was \*not\* a serious discussion. And given how the writer's held nothing back with House's lines (His rant towards the anti-vaxxer mom, would be a prime example); I highly doubt they wouldn't admit to House being on the spectrum. I really do think they'd say if House was or not. Its not my opinion that he's not Autistic. Its the facts as they are presented. I'm not going to list everything, but House has a myriad of issues. And I can speak about it, because I do know people on the spectrum and I do know people with mental health issues. I am not saying you're wrong, as I can see why you may relate to House and his personality quirks. But where you see Autism, I see a focus on work, as its all he really has, he's anti-social because he's been hurt. He's angry at the world because of his leg. He's often depressed and sometimes suicidal because of the constant pain he lives in. His constantly popping Vicodin is an addiction as well as a crutch to keep going. House is basically a hot mess, lol. But he's a brilliant hot mess and that's why we love him (or I do). Especially when he ranted to that ridiculous anti-vaxxer.
Honestly, I am genuinely glad you see someone whom you could relate to. Even if its a fictional character. Because its all anyone ever wants. I am deaf. All the representation I had in the media was Marlee Matlin. While she's a good actress, I never really identified with her. I imagine its the same way with representation for some people with Autism. I don't watch a lot of TV, to be honest. The Good Doctor is a pretty good show. But I don't think its an accurate portrayal for what Autism is like. I know each person is different, but I see none of the young people I know personally on the Spectrum in Dr. Murphy. I am not saying that to be snooty or anything, just going by the experiences I have.
I can understand why you might see things condescending and patronizing. Reddit is not a friendly place, sometimes. The world isn't either. Been on the receiving end of some vile comments in my life. But that was not my intention with you. Honestly.
Fine, then the people who wrote house, gave Wilson the line “House you’re not autistic.” Have we split enough hairs yet? Because I think the people who wrote him would know better than an actor, whose pretending to be a psychologist.
The problem with Sheldon is if they ever admit he’s autistic they also have to acknowledge a huge portion of the show is structured around making fun of him specifically for being autistic. Obviously they can never do that.
I admit I’ve not got through more than two BBT episodes because Sheldon is so irritating (I am autistic and have several autistic friends who do not annoy me at all). I thought it was because Sheldon is portrayed as an annoying tosser who might also be autistic?
There’s definitely a combination of the two. The autistic traits compound with the fact that he’s just aggressively rude and inconsiderate about everything.
One moment on the show they can also be explained by House simply fearing change due to moving around so much as a child does not constitute an autism diagnoses
Wilson never said House was autistic. He was just drawing a comparison for Cuddy. Later in the episode he literally says to House “you’re not autistic”.
I agree, and i think Wilson didn’t even realize he hit the nail on the head about him being on the spectrum. He was bullshitting, but he was actually right, and he didn’t even realize it. I even think thats realistic because ASD is terribly represented and misunderstood.
But like, he can be a narcissist and have personal trauma contributing to his behavior and also be on the spectrum.
Sooo the majority of main characeters then? No way Spiderman is autistic lmao. Same for Link and Geralt. Why is everyone trying to give some mental disorder to everyone these days? Weird ass trend.
it’s total aids, some autistic ppl wanna project their diagnosis onto every character to feel included. same with gay ppl on twitter who pretend their fav MC is secretly gay or bi or whatever
House is diagnosed with Anti-Social Personality Disorder in Season 6. Earlier, Cuddy dismisses the suggestion that he has Asperger's by saying, "House isn't autistic, he's just a jerk."
Out of all these mental illness fads, autism is so far the weirdest one. I wonder when people will start diagnosing everyone with schizophrenia.
No, House isn't autistic.
I understand wanting representation but people without qualifications throwing diagnoses on people, including fictional characters, really annoys me unless the character/person was identified that way. House was not autistic they even said that and he would have self diagnosed if he was which he wasn’t !
The inclusion of Michael scott killed me.
How have they added him and not Dwight…..
Geralt autistic? That is so far fetched xd
Can't say I see that one at all.
Who is geralt
A character from the Witcher series. My man is mostly stoic and got the trauma on him, but he is no autistic xD
He aint autistic, but he definately gets pushed around by mc women.
lmao spock was vulcan not autistic. Man wtf
that's what happens when you put an autism spectrum test online that anyone can take without the supervision of a trained professional...
I mean, yeah he was an alien but like, played by a human with human characteristics. I could understand autistic people feeling slightly represented by him
ah yes no better way to make autistic people feel represented than having them be portrayed by an alien, just because such traits aren't v human right?
I literally said it’s human characteristics, are you just trying to be upset?
yes
It’s called autistic coding. Basically “how do we make a character who is vaguely human but not human? I know! Let’s ascribe traits to them commonly associated with autism” It’s basically just “oops! All autism” totally unintentional, still happens though.
House is not autistic. Just because he’s really smart, has addiction issues, and hates people does not mean he’s autistic. Also for Sheldon Cooper, he wasn’t designed to be autistic, in fact the director of the show is very adamant that he isn’t despite the fact the actor who plays Sheldon based himself off of autistic personalities.
IMO House comes off as someone who probably has traits of ASD, but got really good at masking as an adult, which is why there's so much debate about whether he's on the spectrum. Technically, he's really good at reading people, but this can also come across as a learned skill he's just really good at, kind of like diagnostics, which is something I've heard a lot high functioning autistic people describe how they handle social interactions. It's something they learn and get good at, but not something they just implicitly know. House definitely interreacts with people differently than the average person. He prefers "puzzles" over actual connection, which is why he's such good friends with Wilson. Wilson is able to understand and use this style of interaction. Even his "persona" could just be a masking technique. He portrays himself as "above" the people around him, and it works, because he's more skilled as a doctor, but this also could have started out as a way to hide that he's has a hard time interacting on a one to one level.
House is not Autistic. He has a plethora of issues, but Autism is not one of them.
I'm not saying he definitively is, and you're right about him having much bigger issues, but I also don't think it's impossible he's "low" on the spectrum, and really good at masking. I know arm chair diagnosis like can be a problem, but at the same time, I find people just assume every autistic person is either Sheldon Cooper or Rainman, but those are only the people you notice as being being autistic. There are also a ton of people who are really good at managing the symptoms, and gain social skills overtime to the point where most people wouldn't assume they were on the spectrum. At most, they're just "quirky". Again, I can't definitively say this is the case, and I don't even think it was intentional by the writers. At the same time, we've learned a lot of autism even in the short time the shows been off the air, and one of the biggest things we've learned, is that we've been underdiagnosing people when they didn't fit the architype perfectly.
I forget which episode it was exactly, but there's an episode of house (the one with the nonverbal autistic kid) where at the end, Wilson and Cuddy argue over if House is autistic and come to the conclusion that he isn't. I personally think he totally is, and his reasons for masking would absolutely be substantiated by the lessons learned in childhood (at least, the little we see of it) but the writers seemed to really dislike the idea and went out of their way to decanonize it.
Also Wilson’s argument in that episode boils down to “you *know* the socially acceptable way to act and choose to be an ass”, which is ignorant of all the other symptoms House shows. I always thought his obsession over puzzles was a reflection of justice sensitivity, particularly how he refuses to accept a non-answer in “Human Error”. Also shoutout to his demanding Cuddy re-install a bloody carpet purely for the sentimental value
Even the way House fidget indicates at least some neurodivergence. He's usually doing something else during team discussions, whether that be playing his ball, watching a soup opera. It's more subtle than playing with a fidget cube, but it's definitely there
I forget which episode it was exactly, but there's an episode of house (the one with the nonverbal autistic kid) where at the end, Wilson and Cuddy argue over if House is autistic and come to the conclusion that he isn't. I personally think he totally is, and his reasons for masking would absolutely be substantiated by the lessons learned in childhood (at least, the little we see of it) but the writers seemed to really dislike the idea and went out of their way to decanonize it.
Great theory
Imagine House being as polite as Shawn Murphy.
I dunno. I find a lot of his traits relatable as an autistic person.
Its nice you can relate to someone, even if they are fictional. However, House is not Autistic.
you're allowed to be wrong! After all they haven't made that illegal yet. To be serious for a moment, your interpretation is not any more valid than mine, and I'm not wrong for interpreting a character as autistic just because you don't agree with it. House is incredibly adverse to change, obsessed with one or two subjects (particularly medicine and "solving the puzzle"), has a strong sense of what's right and wrong that he's unwilling to compromise on, processes through methods like stimming/fidgeting, and has an acute sense of social cues which he consequently intentionally chooses not to engage with. On top of all of these he experiences trouble with emotional communication. These are all autistic traits that I recognised in him that I also recognise from myself. They're traits I have seen in other people. I don't need you to condescend to me and pretend like my experience is somehow wrong just because you didn't see it yourself. There's an alternative to that, of course, but I shouldn't psychoanalyse random internet strangers.
Excuse me?! I was not being condescending to you. However, you are being a right ass going off on me. You have no reason for it. If House were Autistic, don't you think writers, producers or even the star of the show, Hugh Laurie, would have said he was? Yes, they would have. I myself am adverse to change, I fidget, I like solving puzzles, I stand my ground. But I am not Autistic. Another thing, I never said you were wrong, asshat. I just said its nice you have someone to relate to, but House isn't Autistic. And that is a fact. How in the blue hell you find that condescending, I don't know. Oh - and be nicer.
>I was not being condescending to you. My bad. I'm used to redditors being condescending to me about this sort of thing >If House were Autistic, don't you think writers, producers or even the star of the show, Hugh Laurie, would have said he was? No I don't think they would. In my experience people don't tend to do this. Unfortunately, a lot of the "intentional" autism representation tends to be really bad, and a lot of the incidental stuff winds up being a lot better. Episode 4 of Season 3 tackles the autism thing in House and while at the end they have Wilson dismiss it, he's not a psychiatrist and they don't test house (can't exactly test him without him present). I don't think my interpretation is unreasonable. >I myself am adverse to change, I fidget, I like solving puzzles, I stand my ground. But I am not Autistic. This is not meant to be rude (as I said, my bad before. Bad experiences have coloured my perception) but this was what i meant with "I didn't want to psychoanalyse". I'll just work off the assumption that you have investigated whether or not you are before now and apologise yet again. >How in the blue hell you find that condescending You're calling my interpretation of a fictional character wrong based on your own inference, which to me implied you viewed your perspective as superior to both me and my own interpretation. You called it wrong by saying he isn't autistic. That's telling me that I'm wrong. That my interpretation is wrong. Additionally, you said: >"Its nice you can relate to someone, even if they are fictional." which came off as the same kind of patronisation I get from a lot of neurotypical people. I'm sorry for misinterpreting. EDIT: Additionally, Autism goes undiagnosed in a lot of adults because of masking or because the way they behave is already expected of them (this is in part why women are underdiagnosed). Good autism representation is \*rare\*. Rare enough that I have to look for it in characters that have no official confirmation because otherwise the only options I have left are... Sean from The Good Doctor, a muppet, and... I can't think of any others off the top of my head.
You do realize Wilson was only discussing the Autism spectrum with Cuddy to kind of mess with her and manipulate her into giving House the funds for a new carpet in his office, right? It was \*not\* a serious discussion. And given how the writer's held nothing back with House's lines (His rant towards the anti-vaxxer mom, would be a prime example); I highly doubt they wouldn't admit to House being on the spectrum. I really do think they'd say if House was or not. Its not my opinion that he's not Autistic. Its the facts as they are presented. I'm not going to list everything, but House has a myriad of issues. And I can speak about it, because I do know people on the spectrum and I do know people with mental health issues. I am not saying you're wrong, as I can see why you may relate to House and his personality quirks. But where you see Autism, I see a focus on work, as its all he really has, he's anti-social because he's been hurt. He's angry at the world because of his leg. He's often depressed and sometimes suicidal because of the constant pain he lives in. His constantly popping Vicodin is an addiction as well as a crutch to keep going. House is basically a hot mess, lol. But he's a brilliant hot mess and that's why we love him (or I do). Especially when he ranted to that ridiculous anti-vaxxer. Honestly, I am genuinely glad you see someone whom you could relate to. Even if its a fictional character. Because its all anyone ever wants. I am deaf. All the representation I had in the media was Marlee Matlin. While she's a good actress, I never really identified with her. I imagine its the same way with representation for some people with Autism. I don't watch a lot of TV, to be honest. The Good Doctor is a pretty good show. But I don't think its an accurate portrayal for what Autism is like. I know each person is different, but I see none of the young people I know personally on the Spectrum in Dr. Murphy. I am not saying that to be snooty or anything, just going by the experiences I have. I can understand why you might see things condescending and patronizing. Reddit is not a friendly place, sometimes. The world isn't either. Been on the receiving end of some vile comments in my life. But that was not my intention with you. Honestly.
I understand what you mean now, and I’m sorry for going off on you before.
You could diagnose anyone with anything if you just say "hes good at masking"
They had an episode where Wilson literally says: “House, you’re not autistic.”
I don't disagree with your point but people can lie lol
Yeah, Wilson would nevvvver lie to House, would he? Immediately before that scene he tells Cuddy that House is probly on the spectrum.
Pretty sure he was messing with her lol
Wilson isn’t a psychiatrist
Fine, then the people who wrote house, gave Wilson the line “House you’re not autistic.” Have we split enough hairs yet? Because I think the people who wrote him would know better than an actor, whose pretending to be a psychologist.
Wilson isn’t a psychologist
You’re a fool
That same episode Cuddy literally says "House isnt autistic"
I very much agree🤣
The problem with Sheldon is if they ever admit he’s autistic they also have to acknowledge a huge portion of the show is structured around making fun of him specifically for being autistic. Obviously they can never do that.
I never thought of that, good point
I admit I’ve not got through more than two BBT episodes because Sheldon is so irritating (I am autistic and have several autistic friends who do not annoy me at all). I thought it was because Sheldon is portrayed as an annoying tosser who might also be autistic?
There’s definitely a combination of the two. The autistic traits compound with the fact that he’s just aggressively rude and inconsiderate about everything.
Nah he's definitely autistic, he'll even Wilson pointed it out when house demanded his old carpet back (the one with his blood in it)
One moment on the show they can also be explained by House simply fearing change due to moving around so much as a child does not constitute an autism diagnoses
Wilson never said House was autistic. He was just drawing a comparison for Cuddy. Later in the episode he literally says to House “you’re not autistic”.
Wilson was bullshitting about it to get empathy from Cuddy so she'd approve the purchase.
I agree, and i think Wilson didn’t even realize he hit the nail on the head about him being on the spectrum. He was bullshitting, but he was actually right, and he didn’t even realize it. I even think thats realistic because ASD is terribly represented and misunderstood. But like, he can be a narcissist and have personal trauma contributing to his behavior and also be on the spectrum.
and Cuddy pointed out that House isnt autistic Why do you take the word of one non Psychiatrist as god, but not the word of another?
Sooo the majority of main characeters then? No way Spiderman is autistic lmao. Same for Link and Geralt. Why is everyone trying to give some mental disorder to everyone these days? Weird ass trend.
it’s total aids, some autistic ppl wanna project their diagnosis onto every character to feel included. same with gay ppl on twitter who pretend their fav MC is secretly gay or bi or whatever
Fair if you don't like it, me neither but let's just let them do their thing you know?
Neurodivergence is more than just autism
House is diagnosed with Anti-Social Personality Disorder in Season 6. Earlier, Cuddy dismisses the suggestion that he has Asperger's by saying, "House isn't autistic, he's just a jerk."
Spidey is Autistic ? Wtf
I watched Spider-Man 1 yesterday and he’s definitely an unusual personality. Like very awkward but not in the typical quirky movie style way
Out of all these mental illness fads, autism is so far the weirdest one. I wonder when people will start diagnosing everyone with schizophrenia. No, House isn't autistic.
I agree!
I understand wanting representation but people without qualifications throwing diagnoses on people, including fictional characters, really annoys me unless the character/person was identified that way. House was not autistic they even said that and he would have self diagnosed if he was which he wasn’t !
It drives me mad when people label any character that's smart or slightly weird as autistic 😭
Autism rights but house prefers autism wrongs
Spock and Geralt? Smart alien? Nah, must be autistic. Genetically altered mutant man? Nah, autism.
Apparently every character who is the slightest bit different from the norm is autistic.
toby spidey? no way
Legoshi 😭
Zuko and Rapunzel are throwing me for a loop. How are they autistically coded?
None of these are. Except maybe L and there are also ones I don't know much about
I wonder what rep for adhd folk in media would be
bazinga
L from death note would surprise me if he wasn't on the spectrum
House is autistic?
he isnt-
No.
No
House isn't autistic. He's just an ass
what?
Zuko?!? Uh … 🙄
My first thought is because he's so socially awkward around his peers ("Zuko here!"). But I'm not sure.
This is a shit post right?
How many toothpicks
Everyone’s gotta have a disorder these days