A Kind of Spark

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.

I watched this show in under 2 days which for me is amazing but I just couldn't stop watching it. The story is very interesting and unlike any other shows on autism which I've seen. First of all it showed autism in girls which is under-researched and generally talked less about than autism in boys. The main character and her sister both have autism and I love how they showed that different autistic people present differently, even within the same family. I also loved how it didn't fall into the trope of presenting autistic people are emotionless or rude. Both girls had personalities and were likable. It also didn't shy away from what it means to be autistic nor treat the girls like burdens or charity cases. The story mirrors a historical mystery and I found the revelations from that story just as heartwarming. It highlighted the challenges autistic people face but also gave a hopeful happy ending that for every bad person there's someone who wants to help. Educational and emotional, a wonderful show.

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.

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.

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.