Autism

THE DOCTORS VIEW ON AUTISM:

You know, if there is anything I hate in the universe other then a Dalek, it's Bullies. I've met plenty of them in my life time. even on my home world of Gallifrey we had our own Bullies. One thing about bullies, they pick on the weak, the lonely, the vulnerable, and if there is anything I hate even more about bullies, it's those who pick on those who suffer with various conditions that can affect an individuals life, such as Autism, a condition that affects the human brain. It causes human's to suffer with learning differculties, makes them seem odd to people, makes them behave in all sorts of ways, makes it differcult for them to socialize with family and friends, makes it hard for them to understand things, such as recognizing other peoples feelings and their own emotions, makes life for them differcult in being not very independant compared to those who don't suffer with Autism. Sarah Jane Smith's granddaughter Lily was autistic. This manifested in many ways, including her tendency to scream when prevented from doing something she loved, such as playing in the snow, or her habit of attacking other children or simply hitting them. (PROSE: Lily)

Ryan Scott, who was also autistic, would sing to isolate himself from the world. (PROSE: Into the Silence)

Olivia Jennings thought that the Sixth Doctor might be autistic. (AUDIO: The Curious Incident of the Doctor in the Night-Time)

The Eighth Doctor spoke positively on many autistic children's "phenomenal" abilities to recall shapes and numbers, (PROSE: Fear Itself)

Behind the scenes

Bethany Black, who appeared in Sleep No More, confirmed that she was autistic. (REF: THWR 250, THWR 251)

Chris Chibnall wrote the Thirteenth Doctor with the intent that they would share many of the same traits as those who were on the autism spectrum.