NETFLIX

Another week goes by and NETFLIX releases another original that no one knew was coming but is totally binge worthy. Atypical follows 18 year-old Sam, a high functioning autistic teenager as he attempts to navigate the high school social scene.

High school can be a challenge for any teenager, but for Sam his disability poses additionally challenges in his pursuit of a normal life that includes finding a girlfriend, keeping a part time job, making friends and asserting his independence from his family.

Until recently Sam has led a relatively sheltered life fostered by his over bearing mother Elsa (Jenifer Jason Leigh). With the help of his therapist Julia (Amy Okuda), Sam seeks to find a girlfriend to hopefully have sex with one day. High school can be fraught with social land mines for any teenager, which he manages to navigate with the help of his over protective sister Casey (Brigette Lundy Payne).

What does Atypical get right?

Atypical provides a sense of familiarity in the context of a suburban family attempting to raise two teenagers in the face of societal road blocks that stifle their growth. The best part about Atypical shows us that parenting is not perfect, and strips away the sympathetic emotions associated with being a caregiver for a child with a disability. Instead we route for the Gardiner’s to reach a level of normalcy that most families take for granted.

Sam shines in his role as a high functioning autistic, with many endearing qualities. We are often reminded that being a family member or friend to Sam although rewarding requires great personal sacrifice in his journey for independence.

In the end we are left to wonder will the gardeners achieve some semblance of normalcy. While we root for Sam in his quest for social evolution.