Big Neurodivergent Energy Shows: 6-10

Note: Just because none of these shows were listed in my 1-5 Big Neurodivergent Energy shows, it doesn’t mean any of them are less, either in their neurodivergent coding or in my love for them! This entry wound up heavy on the animation side, with three of the five shows being animated, which is kinda fun. I love all of these shows and their characters so much!

 

3Below

Neurodivergent-coded alien siblings for the win! I haven't posted about this show yet, but I have a ton of Y tu Luna tambien reviews in the can for it. I love that Krel and Aja both feel so autistic (probably AuDHD in Aja’s case) in such different ways, that they think and act very differently but are still there for each other no matter what. And I love that, while they’re aliens, their neurodivergent coding goes beyond “just” being alien—both had the same traits on Akiridion-5, they’re just perhaps more evident on Earth.

 

Bob’s Burgers

This is a show with a clear “freebie” character in Tina, the gateway neurodivergent-coded character who gradually opened me up to seeing the neurodivergence in the others—namely, the rest of the family! I love that all the Belchers feel autistic and/or ADHD in varied and interesting ways, and that they always love and support each other even when they don’t fully understand each other. Their different traits clash often, and both Bob and Linda are open about admitting when they don’t quite have a handle on things parenting-wise, but every Belcher has space to be who they are, which is fantastic to see.

 

DuckTales

Much like Bob’s Burgers, this show can be viewed as a potent example of neurodivergence being genetic. From the triplets, to Donald and Della, to of course Scrooge himself, the whole Duck family feels packed with autism and ADHD—not to mention my beloved Webby! I like that all of them are weird and intense and obsessive, but that those traits make them excellent at adventuring, each in their own particular ways. Oh, and the show also ably demonstrates how neurodivergent folks tend to seek each other out. I swear, there’s not one neurotypical bird in this entire “extended family” circle.

 

Scrubs

Scrubs was a pretty early entry in the list of “my” shows. I loved its whimsy and wackiness, its collection of quirky characters, and its potent mixture of silly comedy and heartfelt drama. It’s been quite while since I’ve revisited the series, so I couldn’t as easily bust out a list of examples for my neurodivergent headcanons, but like Ted Lasso (another series Bill Lawrence was involved in,) this is a sitcom where the many quirky characters feel quirky in specifically neurodivergent ways.

 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Like the book series before it, the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events exudes Big Neurodivergent Energy. For starters, while a lot of the major characters—the noble ones in particular—are well-read and curious, and they all have one subject that they have a passion for. We’ve got Violet’s inventions, Klaus’s research, Sunny’s cooking (which itself was born out of her sensory-seeking behavior of exploring her environment with her teeth.) What are these if not special interests? And it goes beyond the Baudelaires. From herpetology to grammar to couplets, the series is full of eccentric characters who devote their time and attention to one overriding interest. Much respect!