Is there ableist language or behavior?
Browse movies, tv shows, books and more with ableist language or behavior.
This category refers to use of slurs, demeaning language, or abuse of neurodiverse and disabled people. This includes using "autistic" as an insult. This category is important because mocking disabled people or comparing their conditions to being bad is an ableist trope found in many forms of media that feed into a stereotypical narrative.
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Movie • 2019 Report
Yes
310
No
11
55
EmmaWard55
One character dismisses the suicide note of a young bipolar woman as 'attention seeking' and no big deal. They are very critical and lack empathy for this woman, making her suffering into calculated ploys for drama.
Movie • 2018 Report
Yes
170
No
5
40
GwendolynCox
One of the children shown has social issues. In a classroom scene, the teacher pushes her to finish her test in a way that could draw negative attention to this. Later, the mother yells at her, saying, "are you some kind of idiot," for displaying the same behavior. The same character's art is also called the r word
TV Show • 2016 Report
Yes
159
No
9
11
CozmoGarden
there are multiple uses of the ableist slur "ps*cho", and ableism towards a woman alleged to be schizophrenic
TV Show • 2019 Report
Yes
148
No
12
30
melsmadness22
In season two there is a character who appears to have a disability. His father constantly mistreats him and tries to have him committed to a treatment facility.
Video Game Report
Yes
136
No
2
41
teaz
there is a character who is an ableist stereotype of people with DID. her alter is extremely murderous, even having "genocide" in her name.
TV Show • 2021 Report
Yes
135
No
4
28
Syno
A very old man with a brain tumor and health problems gets picked on, and is rarely picked for teams in the games. But some characters make sure he isn’t left out.
Movie • 2022 Report
Yes
127
No
5
20
people throw around phrases like "headcase" etc.
TV Show • 2019 Report
Yes
124
No
3
21
annie.wolfe
in the first episode there is an autism joke and the r word is used
Movie • 2004 Report
Yes
118
No
2
27
Rg123
Regina uses the R word to describe an unfortunate event.
Movie • 2017 Report
Yes
117
No
0
17
heliogemini
as the kids look into the sewer for the first time, Eddy says the r slur in an attempt to get his friends to think going in the sewers isn't smart.
Movie • 2022 Report
Yes
114
No
19
39
One character says “dyslexic ass” as an insult.
Movie • 2021 Report
Yes
113
No
0
47
meganf3000
This whole movie is ableist because it perpetuates the fact that autistic people are broken or need to be cured. The main autistic character is played by a neurotypical actress, there are scenes infantilising Music and physically restraining her during meltdown. Sia also partnered with an autistic hate group to make this movie (Autism Speaks).
Movie • 2000 Report
Yes
104
No
4
11
mooper
Look at the title of the movie.
TV Show • 2005 Report
Yes
101
No
0
32
takver
Toph's parents restrict her freedom and treat her like she is helpless, because she is blind. The show makes it very clear that they are wrong.
TV Show • 2008 Report
Yes
100
No
1
14
MonaLoignon
The r-slur is used casually and repeatedly throughout the show
Movie • 2019 Report
Yes
94
No
0
30
ghostofpunk
Jojo suffers a slight limp and scarring from a grenade accident. He and others refer to him as 'horribly disfigured' and such.
Video Game • 2017 Report
Yes
93
No
3
25
oumasorbit
a character calls others ‘t*rds multiple times, and idk if this counts, but they also ask if another character was “dropped on her head as a kid”
TV Show • 2014 Report
Yes
91
No
3
15
Anonymous
S4E2 and S4E11: A character in the 1940's suffers suicidal depression after losing her son and is lobotomized due to her "hysteria;" said lobotomy is used to threaten her daughter into repressing her own emotions.
TV Show Report
Yes
90
No
2
23
cherry
“cr-pple” is used in self reference by a physically disabled character, and he alludes to facing prejudice.
Book Report
Yes
90
No
0
21
Boop
The character in a wheelchair is constantly made fun of for it by the character who put him in it.
TV Show • 2011 Report
Yes
90
No
1
13
MartinGardner
Lots of dwarf jokes for one
Video Game • 2020 Report
Yes
85
No
11
27
asunder
A main character is called a psychopath for carrying a knife.
TV Show • 2021 Report
Yes
82
No
2
22
cielgee
A wheelchair user is called “roller girl”, and the discussion of the “miracle” of her suddenly being able to walk again could be triggering for some.
TV Show • 2019 Report
Yes
81
No
2
16
ElleONeill
episode 3 ****SPOILER AHEAD**** shows the physically disabled character being "cured" of her physical disability, changing into a "beautiful" physically abled character.
TV Show • 2005 Report
Yes
80
No
5
10
Memebird
Yes. Michael says the R-word quite a bit in s3e1 "Gay Witch Hunt"
TV Show • 2013 Report
Yes
80
No
7
13
Rev
The show reflects the time of setting and of creation and uses terms like psychopath, sociopath, and psychotic. It is unclear if it is meant in an ableist way or not, but it is something to be aware of in that the demonization of mental illness and personality disorders is unfortunately a big part of the show
Movie • 2022 Report
Yes
79
No
5
22
TheDreammweaver
Falcone calls penguin a derogatory term for someone who is physically disabled.
TV Show • 1997 Report
Yes
76
No
1
10
Anonymous
R****d and its variants get thrown around a lot and one episode has a disabled character defend his right to say it. Same with "cr*ppled." Though there are disabled characters who exist outside of being jokes like Jimmy and Nathan, a lot of jokes are made at their expense. Generally a lot of casual ableism that's to be expected if you know how South Park operates.
TV Show • 2005 Report
Yes
76
No
5
9
jensenc18
The portrayal of autistic characters in the show, including Dr. Dixon in season 5, is often offensive and ableist. A main character is also interested in “curing” autism in season 11. Throughout the seasons, Autism Speaks signs show up around the hospital.
Movie • 1989 Report
Yes
73
No
6
10
fs
The word "psycho(path)" and other similar words are used to describe JD.