Neurodiversity in the Media: Lilo from Lilo & Stitch

NEURODIVERSITY REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA: LILO & STITCH (2002) EDITION

Relatability. Representation. We all want that at some point in some way, shape, and/or form.  For me, it comes in the form of fictional characters.  Why?  It's easy for me to relate to someone who struggles with fitting in.  Has some friends, but is overlooked as someone who is abnormal.  I want to share some fictional characters overtime of whom I relate to in some way.  The first person I chose to discuss who has neurodiverse qualities is Lilo from Disney's Lilo & Stitch.

NOTE: if you have not seen this movie, go watch it.  It is on Disney+ and it is a heartwarming film.

In the 2002 film, Lilo is a young Hawaiian native.  She lives with her eldest sister Nani, who we discover is her caretaker/guardian.  If you've watched this movie, it's arguably evident that Lilo carries some (if not, a lot of) traits that can be considered as neurodiverse. (I will note that I am in no way a psychology expert.  However, as someone who is passionate about autism and ADHD, I've read so much about both that I feel like I have SOME grip and knowledge on this topic.  Especially since I have both autism and ADHD.) 

Here's an analysis on some moments in the movie where Lilo shows these traits with a chart below with traits of ADHD and Autism:

  • Instantly, we discover she struggles with being late to her hula class.  Therefore, she experiences poor organization of time-management. (ADHD trait)   
  • After she causes chaos in her hula class, she tells her hula teacher about a certain routine she has with feeding Pudge the fish a PB&J sandwich. Having a rigid routine can be considered an autistic trait. 
  • When Myrtle tells Lilo she's crazy, Lilo shows aggression.  This can be an example of differences in social-emotional reciprocity, which is an autistic trait.  
    • I'll say this, I've experienced this behavior before. When I was in 3rd grade in 2006, I was told by a kid that I was too short to be in 3rd grade.  Instead of dismissing the comment, I lashed out and kicked him in between the legs.  Should I have done that? No! But, I got in so much trouble with my teachers and parents. 
  • Next, we see Lilo wanting to try to make friends with Myrtle and the other girls and them walking away.  Later, when the social worker comes to her house you see her putting her "friends" in a jar being angry with them.             
  • She also has a big argument with her sister Nani about how the meeting with the social worker went.  
    • I've had moments with my mom and dad where I have had similar emotional outbursts.  Like Lilo and Nani, we end up making up to each other for losing our temper and apologizing for anything we didn't mean to say to one another out of anger.
  • She is fixated with Elvis Presley. 
    • "I wonder if Elvis had these problems"

Autism

ADHD

AuDHD

Differences in social-emotional reciprocity

Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

Differences in social-emotional reciprocity & mind seemingly elsewhere during communication

Differences in non-verbal communication

—

Differences in non-verbal communication

Hyperfocus

Difficulty sustaining attention (actually: hyper-attention)

Hyperfocus, but also hyper-attention

Differences in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships

—

Differences in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships

Repetitive patterns of behaviors (stimming, sameness, special interests)

Avoids/dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort

Finds special interests soothing, but has a need to alternate between interests

Routine-driven & consistent

Impulsive & need for novelty

Routines offer comfort and guidance, but with a need to change tasks at any point

Meticulous planner

Exhibits poor organization

A drive to plan and organize, but difficulty following through due to overwhelm

Attention to detail

Makes careless mistakes/lacks attention to detail

Attention to detail, yet also prone to mistakes

Sensory sensitivities

Sensory sensitivities, but also a need for stimulation

More severe sensory sensitivities (often including light sensitivity), but also a need for stimulation

Can experience challenges in daily functioning

Forgetful in daily activities & loses things necessary for tasks/activities

Challenges in daily functioning & forgetful in daily activities

—

Fails to follow through on tasks and instructions

Fails to follow through on tasks and instructions

Analytical & precise

Lateral thinker, associative thoughts, generates many ideas

Analytical, precise & lateral thinker, associative thoughts, idea generator






There are more traits that Lilo has that are AuDHD related, but these are the traits that I could think of that are represented in the movie.

Thanks for reading and being part of the amazing Neurodiversity Ohana!  


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