Amazon Prime Banks on As We See It!

Streaming service Amazon Prime has thrown its support behind a debut reality series about people on the spectrum played by actors on the spectrum.

The creator of the successful series ‘Parenthood’ has recently released a new series set to premiere on Amazon Prime. As We See It follows a group of 20-somethings with autism that are played by actors Albert Rutecki, Rick Glassman, and Sue Ann Pien, that are on the spectrum themselves.

As We See It comes from the creative mind of Jason Katims. Katims was the mind behind Parenthood which ran for five seasons between 2010 and 2015 and aired on NBC. This new series features thirty–minute shows and will air on Amazon’s streaming service, Amazon Prime.

The series follows roommates Harrison, Jack, and Violet as they attempt to make new friends, get jobs, and find love. As We See It is based on an Israeli television series, ‘On the Spectrum.’

“With the help of their families, aide, and sometimes even each other, these roommates experience setbacks and celebrate triumphs on their own unique journeys towards independence and acceptance,” Amazon said of the series.

Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien, and Albert Rutecki, who play the three roommates, all identity as being on the autism spectrum, which is showing the continuing change in the attitude of Hollywood when casting actors to play neurodiverse roles. Katims also said that “all neurodiverse roles were cast with neurodiverse actors” and “two neurotypical roles were cast with neurodiverse actors.”

It’s also important to note that the actors in As We See It aren’t playing versions of themselves in the series. Instead, they bring an emotional authenticity to the roles. Katims also mentioned that the backend of the show, including crew members, writers, editors, and production roles, are neurodiverse.

“This is, at long last, not a show where the autistic characters are the best friends, or the girlfriends, or the sons, or daughters — they ARE the stars. The show is theirs,” said Katims, who indicated that his personal experience with his son, who has autism inspired him to create the show.

“I think the show affords us a window into the hearts and souls of three-dimensional, loving, beautiful, complicated human beings who happen to be on the autistic spectrum, played by actors who identify as being autistic. So it shouldn’t be revolutionary. But it sort of is,” Katims said.

If you want to check out As We See It, all eight episodes of the first season will be available to stream on Prime Video.

It’s becoming apparent that the world is opening up its eyes regarding autism and other spectrum disorders. According to the CDC, 1 in 44 children are being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. So, more and more, we’re seeing television shows and movies addressing autism. Not only that, but we’re seeing roles for these productions being filled by people themselves on the autism spectrum, which is good news.

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