Brief Report: Does Watching The Good Doctor Affect Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Autism?

Researchers showed one group of college students an episode of The Good Doctor. The episode features an autistic doctor.

Another group sat through a regular college lecture about autism.

Both groups took tests on autism facts and attitudes before and after.

The TV watchers learned more correct facts about autism.

They also held fewer negative beliefs and showed more interest in learning more.

The lecture group improved less on every measure.

Mazouffre et al. (2026) asked adults across France the same questions. More autism knowledge still meant less stigma. Their survey shows the TV finding holds outside college walls.

O'Reilly et al. (2008) tried a different source. Fifth-graders heard about autism from either a doctor or a parent. The doctor won. Together these studies say: who delivers the message matters as much as the facts.

Gillespie-Lynch et al. (2019) surveyed US and Lebanese students. Women and students who already knew more about autism showed the lowest stigma. The TV episode simply gives everyone that knowledge boost fast.

You can replace a dry staff training slide deck with a 42-minute drama and get better results. Try starting your next parent or peer workshop with a short clip from The Good Doctor. Follow it with a five-minute discussion. You will save prep time and likely leave viewers with warmer, more accurate views of the clients you serve.