In adult-oriented American media in the old days, intellectually/developmentally/mentally disabled characters were often depicted to be wearing helmets, diapers, drooling, and having "that" tone of their voice, while speaking things that don't make sense. While this stereotype has mostly vanished, it is still kinda alive in the form of that "brainlet" wojak and Jeffy from the SuperMarioLogan videos.

I've been wondering this for a long time now. Where the hell does this stereotype come from?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] criitz@reddthat.com 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Growing up, I remember differently-abled kids who checked all or most of these boxes (the helmets in particular). So it's not just completely made up.

[–] GBU_28@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago

Same. My across the street neighbor literally had every feature. I was a child so I'm unfamiliar with specifics of her condition but I do remember her family was very kind to her and worked hard for her