Autistic Culture | Where autism meets identity! SpongeBob is Autistic (Episode 97)
An episode that dives deep into Bikini Bottom!
In Episode 97 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, we explore the autistic coded traits of SpongeBob SquarePants. We deep dive into the autistic life and childhood of the show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, the legendary career of Tom Kenny, SpongeBob’s iconic voice actor, and discuss how characters like SpongeBob and Patrick provide meaningful representation and support in ways that resonate with many autistic and neurodivergent viewers!
Here’s what’s in store for today’s episode:
* Recently, SpongeBob's voice actor, Tom Kenny, confirmed that SpongeBob is explicitly an autistic character—surprising absolutely no one! The character of SpongeBob is like a walking DSM-5 autism diagnosis checklist. He struggles with reading social cues, doesn’t realize when he’s being bothersome, and while he can be annoying at times, his genuine nature makes him endearing.
* SpongeBob also exhibits many other autistic traits, such as having meltdowns, struggling to learn to drive, taking things literally, and showcasing astute problem-solving skills.
* SpongeBob also has a special interest in his job as a fry cook, making him the happiest workaholic on television. His passion for flipping Krabby Patties and dedication to his work shine through in every episode, showcasing his deep focus and enthusiasm for what he loves.
* The show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, who developed SPINs (special interests) in marine life and Jacques Cousteau as early as age six. During Hillenburg's time at the Orange County Marine Institute, he created the character Bob the Sponge. Tragically, in 2017, Hillenburg was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that has also been linked to autism.
* SpongeBob SquarePants debuted as Nickelodeon's first original Saturday morning cartoon on May 1, 1999, achieving massive success. It quickly surpassed Pokémon as the top Saturday morning cartoon. By 2002, the show boasted an audience of 61 million viewers, including 20 million adults aged 18 to 49.
* In 2002, Hillenburg wanted to end production of the show, but Nickelodeon saw it as far too lucrative to stop. He left after the release of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie in 2004 but returned to work on the show from Season 9 until his passing. SpongeBob SquarePants remains a wildly successful cartoon, still airing new episodes on Nickelodeon 25 years later.
* We discuss the legendary career of Tom Kenny, SpongeBob’s iconic voice actor. With a prolific career in voice acting, Tom has brought characters to life in cartoons like Rocko’s Modern Life, Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, Transformers, and many more. His versatility and talent have made him one of the most beloved figures in animation.
* The autistic-coded traits that Tom Kenny exhibits have had a significant influence on his portrayal of SpongeBob, a character he has explicitly stated is autistic. Kenny’s unique approach to SpongeBob’s voice, humor, and mannerisms brings a depth to the character that resonates with many in the autistic community.
“When we see someone autistic like SpongeBob, we just kind of know it. We kind of don’t need to talk to SpongeBob’s mom. Thanks. Got it. ” - Dr Angela kingdon
“One of the joys of being autistic is that we vibe with other people. We have a sixth sense where we are very bottom-up data processors. We do a phenomenon that is referred to as matrixing, where we unconsciously grab a whole bunch of variables and throw them together to get a picture - which is why autistic people are so easily able to identify other autistic people, but neurotypical people have no idea what to make of us and we’re strange mysterious cryptids from the woods. So, yeah.” - Matt lowry LPP
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of everyone's favorite sponge, SpongeBob, and explore how his character is an unintentionally perfect portrayal of autism. From his social struggles to his unique problem-solving skills, we examine the traits that make him both endearing and relatable to the autistic community. Join Matt and Angela as they unpack how SpongeBob’s world reflects the real-life experiences of many autistic individuals, and share your thoughts with us using #AutisticCultureCatch on social media. What aspects of SpongeBob’s character do you relate to? Let us know!
Show Notes:The Intertidal Zone BOOK - http://www.nickalive.net/2024/04/the-intertidal-zone-by-spongebob.html
https://www.eonline.com/news/1405322/spongebob-squarepants-is-autistic-actor-tom-kenny-reveals
https://x.com/ToonHive/status/1815775221724405831
https://screenrant.com/spongebob-squarepants-voice-cast-tom-kenny-retire-no-explained/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Kenny
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hillenburg
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2657320
https://www.sbmania.net/forums/threads/is-spongebob-autistic.48958/
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