San Diego Comic-Con 2024 is bringing a fantastic spotlight to autism representation with a dedicated panel titled "Autism in Comic Books." This event addresses the glaring underrepresentation of autistic characters in popular culture, even though the CDC estimates that 1 in 36 kids is autistic. With only about 30 autistic characters in the vast history of comic book publishing, this panel seeks to highlight these characters and their importance.
Moderated by Britton Payne, the panel will explore the history, evolution, and significance of autistic characters in comic books. Joining Payne are esteemed panelists like our own Lorran Garrison, a school psychologist and advocate for neurodiversity, and Rebecca Burgess, an autistic comic book creator. Together, they will discuss the impact of seeing autistic heroes in comics, both for autistic children and their neurotypical peers.
The panel aims to show that autistic characters belong in all genres of comics, from adventures and fantasies to slice-of-life stories, reflecting their presence in every aspect of real life. As Payne passionately states, "Representation is very important, and this panel serves an essential part of our community by fostering understanding and inclusion through the unique medium of comics."
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