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Dr. Mel King: A Groundbreaking Neurodivergent Character Breaks Stereotypes Onscreen!

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In the series The Pitt, when the new resident Dr. Melissa “Mel” King (played by Taylor Dearden) debuted with her unusual body language and overly zealous greeting of “I’m so thrilled to be here,” I initially assumed I could predict the direction of her character.

She’d come across as blunt yet remarkably intelligent, displaying a unique blend of intuition that compensated for her less than gentle bedside manner. We’d never officially confirm any diagnosis, but she’d present several characteristics and behaviors often associated with autism, ADHD, or the fusion of both, commonly referred to in neurodivergent communities as AuDHD. These traits would serve either to heighten dramatic tension or provide comedic moments when needed. Essentially, she’d embody aspects seen in characters like House, Sherlock, Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, and numerous other characters with autistic-like qualities who have appeared on screen before her.

I’ve never been more thrilled to eat my initial impression of Mel. As the ER drama unfolds in real-time, Mel demonstrates a rich and complex personality, displaying both strengths and weaknesses, charm and flaws. Each development in her story adds another layer to her intricate character. In the second episode, she reveals that she has an autistic sister. She thrives under pressure but may miss subtleties and humor. Her detailed explanations of medical situations bring comfort to some patients, but unnerve others. Her passion for her work and successes evoke a mix of responses. She exhibits repetitive behaviors such as finger movements, humming, or singing to herself. The idea of removing countless gravel particles from a patient’s skin fills her with excitement. She is deeply empathetic, often experiencing intense emotional reactions to her patients’ situations. At the same time, she is self-aware and proactive about addressing her needs and issues, whether that involves using an app for self-regulation or explaining her thought processes to a coworker.

Mel’s character remains strongly associated with traits often seen in individuals diagnosed with autism or ADHD. These attributes are either personal experiences from my journey as an autistic individual, insights gained from fellow autistics and AuDHDers, or a combination of both. It’s becoming more evident that genetics may play a significant role in autism, and it’s not uncommon for autistic individuals to discover relatives who also fall on the spectrum. Many autistic people excel in specific areas but face challenges in others, creating what is known as a “spiky skills profile.” Communication styles can resonate differently with various people – some are more receptive while others may not be. Many autistic individuals engage in stimming behaviors, both physically and verbally. Repetitive tasks can provide comfort and satisfaction for us, and we might even dive deep into hyperfocus when engaged in these activities. Intense emotions are a common experience for many of us, which can sometimes be difficult to manage in the heat of the moment or even lead to heightened empathy. Over time, many autistic individuals develop significant self-awareness as a result of our lifelong quest to understand ourselves and explain that understanding to others.

What makes Dr. King stand out from typical autistic stereotypes is the richness of her character traits, how they’re seamlessly woven into her persona, and the thoughtful way she’s integrated into the series.

Initially, some unique characteristics depicted in Mel’s character are seldom observed in this type of role. However, this does not automatically mean that Mel accurately represents autism. While it is true that certain aspects of characters like Sheldon and Sherlock resonate with many autistic individuals, there are also numerous autistic people who do not identify with these portrayals. Movements or speech patterns that may seem rigid or “awkward” are common among some of us, but so are moments of frustration due to others’ inability to follow our thoughts swiftly. Some of us might unintentionally come across as condescending at times. Yet, there are just as many autistic individuals who do not relate to these depictions, and it’s encouraging to witness diverse autistic traits on screen. (It would be ideal if there was a broader representation in film and television. Besides beloved exceptions like Abed from Community and Moss from The IT Crowd, most autistic-like characters are still predominantly white.)

It’s particularly uplifting to witness such well-rounded traits in a character like Mel, as this is not commonly found among explicitly identified autistic characters, let alone those who subtly hint at it. Autism activist Lydia Brown once criticized the character Dr. Shaun Murphy from The Good Doctor as a “stereotypical representation of what people think an autistic person should be.” Often, autistic and autistic-like characters seem more like a compilation of random traits forced into a vaguely human-like role in a story, rather than a fully developed aspect of the series or film. However, Mel appears to be a complete individual whose characteristics are integrated into a larger whole.

The Pitt stands out for its broad range of characters, each of whom is given ample room to develop into fully-fleshed, complex individuals. They excel in certain areas, face challenges in others, and contribute distinct viewpoints based on their personal histories. Although I can’t comment on the accuracy of all representations on the show, Mel and her sister Becca (played by Tal Anderson), who appear in the Season 1 finale following Mel’s departure from her constant shift, are portrayed with remarkable attention to detail and understanding.

In the seventh episode, Mel demonstrates exceptional skill in dealing with an autistic patient compared to the senior resident Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball). Within a short timeframe, their interaction encapsulates various common strategies for supporting autistic individuals. These include minimizing sensory stimuli, accommodating the use of formal and technical language, rephrasing questions for better comprehension, explaining diagnoses clearly and directly, offering a straightforward social story about upcoming events, and showing a deep understanding of autism. It’s evident that the writer behind this scene has authentic insight into autistic people and integrates it thoughtfully, going beyond simple stereotypes.

Taylor Dearden, who has ADHD herself, was able to draw upon her personal experiences in portraying the neurodivergent aspects of her character. In an interview with Decider, she explained, “Being neurodivergent, I think that’s where it’s coming from for me.” She further shared, “I have severe ADHD, and when I learned that our spectrum now includes autism, it was like a revelation for many of us with ADHD. And then, the autistic community felt a connection too because they understood us better. I hadn’t really seen a character, particularly one with ADHD, but being on the same spectrum, it just seemed natural to me.

In the TV series, Mel’s undiagnosed condition throughout the season seems quite authentic. One concern I have with characters suspected of being on the autism spectrum is the ambiguity surrounding their neurology, which often appears to be more of a plot convenience than creative intent. As Mallory Thomas, an autistic activist and advocate, stated, “I believe that many times writers resort to an easy solution if they portray an autistic character incorrectly. It’s much simpler to borrow certain traits and, when questioned about it, claim that the intention was not to create an autistic character even though audiences can recognize autistic individuals.” Novelist David Mitchell corroborated this view when he disclosed that a scriptwriter for “The Big Bang Theory” admitted to him that Sheldon is autistic, but they chose not to acknowledge it because (a) it’s irrelevant to the story, and (b) it could steer the show into political territory they didn’t want to venture into.)

In Mel’s scenario, the writers don’t feel compelled to sidestep criticism or responsibility when portraying her character. She’s an exceptional character, regardless of whether certain labels are officially associated with her. However, it’s understandable that her autism or ADHD hasn’t been addressed in The Pitt, given several factors. In the situations we’ve witnessed Mel handle, she might not have felt a secure or relevant moment to disclose her own diagnosis. The hectic pace and high-stress environment of the ER leaves little room for casual introductions among new staff members. It could also be that a woman like Mel may not yet be aware of her autism or ADHD, as many women in her age bracket are still being overlooked. It’s equally plausible that she exhibits numerous neurodivergent traits but does not meet the criteria for any specific diagnosis. This is a common occurrence in real life as well.

As a supporter, I find it significant that Mel, a character on The Pitt, is seen as potentially autistic, even if her exact identity or further exploration isn’t explicitly stated in future seasons. While no fictional character can entirely solve the challenges faced by real-life autistic individuals, I believe this small yet impactful representation is a step forward for our community. It may not directly address all concerns regarding representation and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera, but it does indicate a change in how the general population perceives and understands autism. A character like Mel who can be seen as autistic by audiences suggests that we’re moving towards greater awareness and acceptance.

When those in authority are content to portray us as frightening bogeymen or impending shadows, it’s uplifting to realize that there are individuals who recognize our humanity.

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2025-04-11 20:08

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