Those criticising Geek Girl for being unrealistic or juvenile are missing the true point of the show. At its heart, it is about a neurodivergent teenage girl doing her best to navigate a world dominated by neurotypical people and their inscrutable customs. In episode 9, Harriet speaks to Toby about how he copes with "being a polar bear in a rainforest", referring to her prevailing sense of being in a world that is not designed for her.
While the show does not explicitly state that Harriet and Toby are autistic, it is implied through their mannerisms and thought patterns. This is where Geek Girl shines - its allusion to the myriad of autistic traits through these two characters and demonstration of the challenges they face with the neurotypical majority, who may not understand their differences and find fault with them. Lexi, the thorn in Harriet's side, is the personification of barriers that autistic people encounter when neurotypical standards are imposed on them.
Geek Girl similarly portrays ADHD through Harriet's dad, Richard, who is fun-loving, a graphic designer, has a room dedicated to his music, and described by his neurotypical wife as a "kidult" after he impulsively heads off to Canada with Harriet for her first modeling gig and puts his own job in jeopardy. As many as one in ten people in the world are neurodivergent; the rates of autism and ADHD are not increasing, they only appear to be as more neurodivergent people are getting diagnosed younger and as adults. Unless we have been living under a rock, we have all interacted with or known someone who is neurodivergent.
I commend Geek Girl for its sensitive portrayal of neurodivergent characters in a script ostensibly aimed at a neurotypical audience. It strives to promote greater awareness and consideration for neurodivergent people, while holding a mirror for some neurodivergent people to see their experiences reflected. Many of us make an effort to respect and appreciate the culture of a country different to ours; Geek Girl is appealing to us to do the same for neurodivergent people and their respective cultures. This is why it is worth a 10.
While the show does not explicitly state that Harriet and Toby are autistic, it is implied through their mannerisms and thought patterns. This is where Geek Girl shines - its allusion to the myriad of autistic traits through these two characters and demonstration of the challenges they face with the neurotypical majority, who may not understand their differences and find fault with them. Lexi, the thorn in Harriet's side, is the personification of barriers that autistic people encounter when neurotypical standards are imposed on them.
Geek Girl similarly portrays ADHD through Harriet's dad, Richard, who is fun-loving, a graphic designer, has a room dedicated to his music, and described by his neurotypical wife as a "kidult" after he impulsively heads off to Canada with Harriet for her first modeling gig and puts his own job in jeopardy. As many as one in ten people in the world are neurodivergent; the rates of autism and ADHD are not increasing, they only appear to be as more neurodivergent people are getting diagnosed younger and as adults. Unless we have been living under a rock, we have all interacted with or known someone who is neurodivergent.
I commend Geek Girl for its sensitive portrayal of neurodivergent characters in a script ostensibly aimed at a neurotypical audience. It strives to promote greater awareness and consideration for neurodivergent people, while holding a mirror for some neurodivergent people to see their experiences reflected. Many of us make an effort to respect and appreciate the culture of a country different to ours; Geek Girl is appealing to us to do the same for neurodivergent people and their respective cultures. This is why it is worth a 10.
