A Kind of Spark

Part of the premise of "A Kind of Spark" is the idea that some people that we think of as autistic, are actually that way because they have magical powers. I find this to be a dangerous precedent, the idea that people who are different, are different because in actuality they have superpowers or an alien. It is the like the mom telling the kid, "You're special, all the other kids are just jealous." It has the right intentions, but it is a little misleading and insulting.

The show is very heavy handed with their commentary. Doing the parallel of kids with special needs being rounded up like it was a witch hunt. And the kids in this show, some of them are just the worst. The show writes bullies to be nothing more than strawmen to be knocked down. They will go out of their way to be a jerk and have absolutely no redeeming qualities. If you are wanting the audience to learn how not to bully kids with special needs, then you need to set up a more relatable antagonist. People should be able to watch and see themselves in the characters. They see the errors in their ways and realize, I should do better, otherwise I will end up like that person there. But when they are this cartoonishly over the top evil, it becomes impossible for the audience to learn that because no human being would act that way.

The child actors are all doing fine, the script is just beyond saving. I don't like it. The show comes across as preachy, standing on a soapbox and scolding their audience. And they aren't even good at being preachy.

So many times quote on quote representation for those on the spectrum, fails to accurately and actually represent anyone. I've seen it time and time again, and I can say with 100% certainty that this is not the case with a kind of spark. As a neurodivergent woman myself, a kind of spark nails what shows in America have never dared, and that's to paint authentic autistic stories in a positive light. Atypical made us out to be a problem. The good doctor is a sterotype, and the only good representation that barely got by in the states was Everything's gonna be ok. But with a show like A kind of Spark, finally, there is a story with a positive family who understand that while their children are autistic, they are far from being burdens, and they are afar from being problems. The ableism in the show is clear, and the ignorance still rings true to today, I have experienced it myself. Some of it from teachers, and some of it from total strangers or even peers. A kind of spark dares to show a wide facet of the autistic experience in both its protagonists, keedie & Addie, and it is completely and utterly needed. Shows before it, movies before it, fell short. And finally, after all these years, of needing a show that will make many of those on the spectrum feel seen, and heard and absolutely understood, A kind of spark does all this and more. Season 2 is going to be amazing and I hope more people, specifically neurodivergent people, realize we can tell our own stories and that our voices are important to be heard. I want more shows and books and stories about Autistic people for autistic people with autistic individuals and actors at the forefront. Because it is valuable.

The long & the short, this show is for the neurodivergents, and it's 100% worth your time. It's beautiful. It's sweet. It has heart. It's honest, endearing, encouraging, and incredible.

There are many things I like about this show. I'm an adult who has always struggled to fit in and I love how it pushes that being yourself is always better than trying to be like everyone else.

However as a teacher it angers me what Miss Murphy did. She did not use best practice at all and should have been fired for calling a child a freak and definitely should not have been alone with a child. I'm sure there are black and white teachers who can't deal with students with different needs. But it isn't all of them and we get professional development on how to best differentiate for all the different needs in the class. The history project she gave Keedie's class should have had some different options for how they were to present it. Like oral, written artwork etc... unless it is an English subject it is not assessing writing. There are many other ways that this show inaccurately portrays teachers and schools in this day and age but I know that it wouldn't get the point across as much so I do understand that.

A Kind of Spark really is exciting and joyful as a piece. Though it is a childrens show it is certainly one that anybody of any age would enjoy and gain something from...which you can't often say. A truely family watch the characters of all ages are relateable and thete is no friction between the age groups only an encouragement to speak out no matter who you are when something is wrong. Addie is wholesome and kind something autistic people cannot often find in the way they are presented. Though she and all of the characters you root for have struggles and are sometimes slightly harsh on another they are the best humans anybody could wish to meet and their kindness is something th world could do with copying. It also though dark in places dials down some of the fear of the book and is about joy and family at its heart. As a neurodiverse person it is everything I could hope for and more.

I'm already aware I was/am NVLD, ADHD, and math learning disabled but as an adult realizing I totally fully fit enough of the ASD autism criteria, I can definitely relate to this show so much. It's not necessarily inaccurate to show autism representations as lacking empathy but it's great to show presentations of autism people might not be aware of yet. The representation of Addie as being hyper-empathetic is so good as that can also be a presentation of atypical empathy in autism where your emotional empathy is higher than allistic people (non autistic people/people without autism.) This show is amazing and as a hyper-empathetic probably autistic person myself the show made me cry of I think of sadness as well as for happiness at different times. I finished watching season 2 and all I won't spoil it but it was also amazing and so good. I really wish I could be friends with Addie and Keedie in real life and teach each other about our special interests. Also, season 2 shows complicated autistic rep of a bad home life and how they become bitter as a result. It's left in a way that it could be an end or definitely move on past just Juniper and show more stories with the characters in a 3rd season. But I won't say anything more about the amazing season 2 as not to spoil it.