Representation on Film

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss depictions of ASD in popular culture. 

Gallego, Ana Guadalupe, Camino Ferreira, and Ana Rosa Arias-Gago. 2025. "Stereotyped Representations of Disability in Film and Television: A Critical Review of Narrative Media" Disabilities 5, no. 4: 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities5040087

Abstract:

Film and television play a key role in shaping cultural perceptions of disability, but they often rely on recurring stereotypes that may reinforce stigma and exclusion. Although scholarly interest in this issue has increased, the academic literature remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. This critical review examines how disability is represented through stereotypical portrayals in narrative audiovisual media, specifically scripted films and television series. It synthesizes peer-reviewed studies that explicitly analyze these representations and their narrative or sociocultural functions. The review identifies dominant tropes, theoretical frameworks, and disciplinary approaches while providing a qualitative synthesis of key trends and findings. Although persistent stereotypes are still common, the review also highlights a growing presence of more inclusive and complex portrayals that challenge traditional norms. By providing a structured overview of existing research, this study enhances academic understanding of how disability is depicted on screen and supports efforts to promote more inclusive and accurate representations in popular media.

Jones SC, Gordon CS, Mizzi S. Representation of autism in fictional media: A systematic review of media content and its impact on viewer knowledge and understanding of autism. Autism. 2023 Nov;27(8):2205-2217. doi: 10.1177/13623613231155770. Epub 2023 Feb 19. PMID: 36802826; PMCID: PMC10576905.

Abstract:

 Media depictions of autism have the potential to have either positive or detrimental impacts on the lives of autistic people. This systematic review aimed to examine (1) the accuracy and authenticity of fictional media portrayals of autism (Part A) and (2) the impact of viewing such portrayals on knowledge about autism and attitudes towards autistic people (Part B). Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review: 14 for Part A and 3 for Part B, comprising five experimental studies. The media reviewed in Part A covered a 30-year period (1988–2017). Several stereotypical and unhelpful portrayals surfaced. Positive portrayals of autism highlighted strengths and reflected nuance. Overall, participants in the fiction conditions in Part B were significantly more likely to attribute positive traits to an autistic person than those in the control conditions, with medium effect sizes ranging from 0.57 to 0.73. There were no improvements in knowledge. Given the small number of studies included in this review, further evidence is needed to understand the conditions under which fictional media may be effective. There is also a need to develop measures that accurately and respectfully measure autistic people’s experiences of community knowledge and attitudes.

From the article:

The representation of autistic people in fictional media remains problematic. The studies included in this review found that portrayals of autism in film tend to focus on individuals with high support needs (e.g. full-time care and support), thus disregarding the varying levels of support that may be required by different individuals on the spectrum and the fluctuations in the amount of support required within the life span of an autistic person. Studies also contained explicit or implicit disablism, and consistent with findings from previous reviews, television series tended to focus on stereotypical portrayals of the autistic savant (Dean & Nordahl-Hansen, 2021; Fontes & Pino-Juste, 2021). Across all mediums, there was an overrepresentation of repetitive/restricted behaviours and an underrepresentation of social communication deficits; although, somewhat encouragingly, recent novels, picture books and television series were more likely to provide a nuanced representation of autism (Kelley et al., 2018; Kelley et al., 2015; Wolff, 2018).

 

Incidence and the Identification of Autism in Girls and Women

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss gender differences in autism identification.

Messias E, Casanova E, Huang R, et al. Autism Spectrum Disorder Incidence by Age and Sex in a US Health Care System, 2016 to 2024. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(7): e2624561. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.24561.

Key Points

Question How did age- and sex-specific incidence of newly recorded autism spectrum disorder diagnoses change from 2016 to 2024, including before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, within a large US health care system?

Findings This cohort study of first recorded diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder across 171 134 participants—between 2016 and 2024—found an overall increase in case identification since 2020. This increase was associated with first diagnoses among females, with male trends remaining stable over this period.

Meaning These findings suggest that the reported increases in first autism spectrum disorder diagnoses postpandemic are due to increased recognition of females with autism spectrum disorder rather than a uniform population level increase.

Abstract

Importance Despite the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the US, underlying temporal trends in newly recorded diagnoses remain poorly understood.

Objective To evaluate age- and sex-specific incidence trends of ASD from 2016 to 2024 and quantify the temporal patterns before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and diagnostic substitution.

Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data from a large US health care system. Analyses were conducted from October to December, 2025. The study population included 171 134 participants (stratified as children [0-9] years, adolescents [10-18] years, and adults [≥19] years) who maintained continuous engagement with the health care system, defined as having at least 1 clinical encounter annually from 2016 to 2024.

Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the annual incidence of newly recorded diagnoses of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F84.0 and F84.5. Temporal trends were analyzed using joinpoint regression to calculate annual percentage changes (APCs) and identify significant inflection points.

Results Among 171 134 participants (mean [SD] age, 26.78 [16.38], 63.8% female), females received autism diagnoses a mean (SD) of 3.4 years later than males (age at diagnosis, 15.7 years for female individuals vs 12.3 years for male individuals; P < .001). Male autism incidence remained stable or declined 2016 to 2024; female incidence increased significantly post-2020 (APC, 19.0%; 95% CI, 12.1% to 33.4%). In the pediatric cohort, decreasing annual incidence among males (APC, −2.0%; 95% CI, −3.7% to −0.3%; to APC, −2.0%, 95% CI, −3.7% to −0.3%) alongside increasing incidence for females since 2020 (APC, 17.4; 95% CI, 9.0% to 45.3%). In adolescent males, incidence declined from 2016 to 2018 (APC, −29.6%; 95% CI, −48.9% to −1.2%), and stabilized from 2018 to 2024. In adolescent females, autism incidence increased significantly between 2020 and 2024 (APC, 22.3%; 95% CI, 6.1% to 62.8%). In adult males, autism incidence showed a downward trend in the 2016 to 2024 period, while in adult females, the APC from 2016 to 2024 was positive, but the finding was not statistically significant (APC, 8.0%; 95% CI, −0.9% to 20.0%).

Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, ASD diagnoses increased disproportionately among females after 2020 while remaining stable or declining among males. These patterns suggested that increasing ASD prevalence reflected improved identification of historically underrecognized presentations rather than a uniform population-level increase. These findings highlight the need for screening strategies that address sex-specific presentations.

Medicaid Cuts and Home Care

The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance and Medicaid services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are particularly important. 

 O. Rose Broderick at STAT:

Thousands of family caregivers of people with intellectual and development disabilities in Maryland are facing a grim future after the Maryland Department of Health’s Developmental Disabilities Administration proposed steep cuts to their wages earlier this summer. Some caregivers are looking at $20 per hour pay cuts. The new wage tables were slated to go into effect July 1, but pushback from disability advocates delayed the changes to October. They say the cuts will force families to make an impossible choice between going bankrupt and institutionalizing their loved ones in facilities that often face higher rates of abuse and neglect.
...
Maryland is not an isolated case. Idaho, Indiana, Missouri and Colorado have all introduced proposals in 2026 that would dramatically slash pay for family caregivers and community care. Ohio legislators even proposed banning family members from being certified caregivers before ultimately dropping the measure. These states’ moves are a sign of the deadline looming over state health departments as the $1 trillion Medicaid funding cut tucked in the 2025 GOP-backed tax bill goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

...

“We know from the past that whenever the federal government reduces Medicaid, almost every state has made cuts to home and community-based services, and that those optional services include paying family caregivers,” said Kim Musheno, senior director of Medicaid policy at The Arc, a national nonprofit that advocates for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Soon after President Trump started his second term and discussed cutting Medicaid funds, disability advocates raised the alarm that home and community-based services probably would feel the brunt of those cuts, since the care is not mandatory. Since then, the Trump administration has targeted family caregivers, with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. saying in April that Medicaid-funded programs that pay family caregivers are “rife with fraud” and that those caregivers are doing tasks they used to do for free.

Service Dogs and Autistic Children

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the civil rights of people with autism and other disabilities.  Sometimes disputes involve service or support animals.

From the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine:

Imagine a companion that not only supports a child with autism but could positively reshape the dynamics of an entire family. That’s the story behind service dogs for autistic children, as explored in a recent study. This research delves into how these unique interventions influence families, offering a blend of emotional support, social bridges, and stability in ways you might not expect. 

Key Takeaways from the Study 

1. Enhanced Social Interactions: Service dogs serve as more than just a comfort to the child—they’re social connectors. Families reported that these dogs acted as "social bridges," encouraging interactions between the child and peers. Whether at school or in public spaces, the dog’s presence made others more approachable and patient, reducing stigma and fostering inclusivity. One parent noted how the dog became a magnet for friendly attention, breaking the ice and making social encounters easier.
2. Emotional Support and Stability: Within the family unit, service dogs offered a source of calm and companionship. They helped regulate emotional responses not only for the autistic child but for parents and siblings as well. The dogs’ natural ability to sense when someone needed comfort added a layer of emotional resilience to family life. For example, a dog might instinctively lie beside a distressed child, providing deep pressure that eases anxiety.
3. Positive Family Dynamics: These furry friends contributed to better interactions among family members. Their presence turned routine moments into opportunities for bonding, with activities like walks, playtime, and grooming sessions fostering togetherness. Families often viewed the dog as an integral member, akin to a sibling, creating shared experiences that strengthened their collective spirit.
4. Individualized Help for the Child: Beyond social and emotional benefits, the study highlighted how service dogs tailored their support to the unique needs of each child. Whether through assisting with chores, enhancing the child’s sense of independence, or even improving physical coordination, these dogs adapted to provide more than what traditional interventions could.

Challenges and Considerations

The study also touched on some hurdles, such as the responsibility of dog care and potential worries over future expenses. However, participants overwhelmingly cited the benefits as far outweighing any negatives. High training standards for these service dogs played a pivotal role in their success, ensuring a smooth integration into family life.
Final Thoughts

Service dogs for autistic children do more than aid the individual child—they enhance the family unit’s overall functioning. They break down social barriers, build resilience, and inject joy into everyday life. As service dog placements grow in popularity, these findings highlight the importance of understanding the broader, family-wide impacts.

For families considering this option, the study provides hope that a well-matched service dog can be a powerful partner in navigating the complexities of autism, turning challenges into moments of connection and strength.

Trump Pushes RFK Jr on Vaccines

 In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread.    Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.

A number of posts discussed Trump's support for the discredited notion.

 Another leading anti-vaxxer is HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.  He has repeatedly compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust.  Rolling Stone and Salon retracted an RFK article linking vaccines to autism.  He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen."

Liz Essley Whyte at WSJ:

At a May lunch at the president’s golf course in northern Virginia, President Trump asked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., why he wasn’t doing more to probe the alleged connection between vaccines and autism, according to people familiar with the matter. The health secretary had the yips, Trump told Kennedy, according to one of the people.

Kennedy was taken aback. Even though he has long been known to be skeptical of vaccinations, he had been asked by White House political advisers to tone down his vaccine efforts ahead of the midterms, the people said.

Now, it was the commander in chief who was pushing to make the study of vaccines and autism more of a priority. The president steers nearly every conversation with his health secretary back to the issue, some of the people said.

Chief among the president’s desires: Do more to reduce the number of shots that federal guidelines recommend for children, according to people familiar with the matter. They said the president hopes to then see autism rates drop, even if any such effect could take years.

The issue has been an ongoing point of tension between the two men. In a mid-June meeting in the Oval Office, the president vented to Kennedy that he wasn’t doing enough, people familiar with the matter said.

The president has made clear he thinks he has given Kennedy enough time and is disappointed the health secretary hasn’t accomplished more in the past year and a half, the people said.

In 2022, I wrote:

As early as 2007, Trump was raising doubts about vaccines. “When I was growing up, autism wasn’t really a factor,” Trump told a Florida newspaper. “And now all of a sudden, it’s an epidemic. Everybody has their theory. My theory, and I study it because I have young children, my theory is the shots. We’ve giving these massive injections at one time, and I really think it does something to the children.”

Between 2012 and 2015, he repeatedly tweeted about the topic and disparaged medical professionals. A few examples:

• “Autism rates through the roof — why doesn’t the Obama administration do something about doctor-inflicted autism. We lose nothing to try.”
• “Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn’t feel good and changes — AUTISM. Many such cases!”
• “I am being proven right about massive vaccinations — the doctors lied. Save our children & their future.”
• “So many people who have children with autism have thanked me — amazing response. They know far better than fudged up reports!”

During an early primary debate in the 2016 presidential race, he repeated his claim about vaccines and autism. Accordingly, he had the support of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, author of the fraudulent 1998 article that fueled the contemporary anti-vaccine movement. And for the record, as study after study has shown, there is no connection between vaccines and autism.

 

"Almost an Insult"

 In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread.    Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.  A top antivaxxer is HHS Secretary RFK Jr. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen." He helped cause a deadly 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa.

Jay Stahl at USA Today:

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump's administration over health issues, slammed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over a website related to autism and vaccines.

The gastroenterologist during a July 26 interview on CNN's "State of the Union" called out the health authority for saying online that it's "not an evidence-based claim" that vaccines don't cause autism.

...

On "State of the Union," Cassidy told [Dana] Bash that it has been scientifically proven that vaccines don't cause autism over decades. "The fact that that is still there is almost an insult to the American people," Cassidy said. "We don't care enough about you to tell the truth. We want to continue to promote that which has been proven false, but we don't want to admit it, whoever we is."

Many public health groups and physicians across the country have also denounced language on the CDC website about vaccines and autism spectrum disorder, despite decades of evidence showing approved immunizations are safe.

BASH: The CDC's website on vaccines has been a sticking point for you. When you pledged to support Dr. Schwartz, you said publicly it's a sign of good faith that the CDC agreed to modify their website. But at the very top of the CDC's vaccine page, it still says 'the claim… pic.twitter.com/xGbxGgKhz6

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 26, 2026

Autism, Vulnerability, and Criminal Justice

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss interactions between the justice system and autistic people.

Walter Pavlo at Forbes:

Doug Passon, one of the nation's leading attorneys representing autistic defendants, believes the defining characteristic of autism in the legal system is vulnerability.

"Nothing makes sense in autism cases except in the light of vulnerability," Passon explains.

That vulnerability exists throughout the criminal process. Autistic individuals may be vulnerable to wrongful accusations, to unwittingly violating the law because they misunderstand the social, moral, or legal implications of their conduct, and to being profoundly misunderstood by investigators, prosecutors, judges, and juries. Behaviors associated with autism, such as rigid thinking, unusual eye contact, or difficulty expressing emotion, are often mistaken for arrogance, deceit, manipulation, or a lack of remorse.

Passon argues that the legal profession itself remains challenged in representing clients with autism because the disorder is still poorly understood. "Most of us still do not understand what autism is and why it matters to every stage of the criminal proceeding," he says. "That has to change."
...

Most people on the autism spectrum never commit crimes. The same is true for people living with depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and countless other conditions. Autism is not an excuse for criminal conduct, nor should it be treated as one.

The challenge is ensuring that accountability is informed by an accurate understanding of disability.

Passon offers an analogy that captures the issue powerfully. Holding an autistic individual to the same social expectations as someone without autism, while ignoring the disability itself, is "akin to punishing a blind student because he didn't complete an assignment that the teacher wrote on the chalkboard."

Justice requires equal treatment under the law. But equal treatment does not always mean identical treatment. Courts routinely accommodate physical disabilities because fairness sometimes requires recognizing genuine limitations. Neurodevelopmental disabilities deserve the same thoughtful consideration.

When courts misunderstand autism, they risk confusing impaired social reasoning with criminal intent, neurological rigidity with defiance, and disability with moral indifference.

Measles, Continued

 In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread.    Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.  A top antivaxxer is HHS Secretary RFK Jr. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen." He helped cause a deadly 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa.

Since President Trump took office in 2025, the U.S. has recorded more confirmed measles cases than in the previous 20 years combined. 

Margaret Manto at NOTUS:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage about vaccines and autism was revised this week as an olive branch to Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who now says he supports President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the agency.

The page, however, still references a recently retracted study linking vaccines and autism.

The CDC changed its webpage on vaccines and autism with a new statement making clear that scientists “have not identified the root causes” of autism — a change Cassidy, who has been critical of Robert F. Kennedy’s Jr. anti-vaccine sentiments, called an act of “good faith,” The New York Times first reported.

Until that change, Cassidy was a significant holdout on the committee’s vote on Erica Schwartz, the nominee for CDC director.

But the recent changes to the site did not include removing a reference to a 2010 study on the hepatitis B vaccine and autism rates in boys, despite its publication retracting the study in May. That study found that boys vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine had a significantly higher chance of being diagnosed with autism. An independent statistical reviewer found its conclusions were unsound.

And the CDC site still makes these misleading claims:

• The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.
• Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.

 

BASH: The CDC's website on vaccines has been a sticking point for you. When you pledged to support Dr. Schwartz, you said publicly it's a sign of good faith that the CDC agreed to modify their website. But at the very top of the CDC's vaccine page, it still says 'the claim… pic.twitter.com/xGbxGgKhz6

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 26, 2026

Grim Measles Milestone

 In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread.    Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.  A top antivaxxer is HHS Secretary RFK Jr. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen." He helped cause a deadly 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa.

It is only July, and we have reached the greatest number of annual cases in 35 years. 

From CDC:

As of July 23, 2026, 2,318 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 2,302 measles cases were reported by 45 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 16 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.

There have been 35 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 93% of confirmed cases (2,153 of 2,318) are outbreak-associated (782 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1,371 from outbreaks that started in 2025).

For the full year of 2025, a total of 2,289 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States.

Rong-Gong Lin II at LAT:

Measles cases have doubled in California so far this year compared to last year — and 2026 is barely half over.

California has confirmed 52 measles cases in the first 6½ months of the year; that’s more than double the 25 cases reported in all of 2025.

If this pace continues, the number of cases will be the highest since 2015, when there were 125 cases in the state and a portion of them were related to a large outbreak at Disneyland.

Of this year’s 52 cases, 49 patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination record. Four have had to be hospitalized. Many cases involve children or young adults — 27 cases involved those ages 5 to 19, and 15 cases involved children under 5 years old, according to the California Department of Public Health. L.A. County has tallied seven cases so far this year among its residents; Orange County has counted four cases.

IACC Extends Comment Period

 In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and research priorities.

Ella Ruder at Becker's Behavioral Health:

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has extended the public comment period for its working draft of the 2026–2028 IACC Strategic Plan to 30 days after autism advocacy organizations and other stakeholders requested additional time to review the proposal.

The committee said the extension responds to outreach from autism organizations and other stakeholders seeking more time to review and engage with the draft. According to Sylvia Fogel, MD, IACC chair, a 90-day review period requested by some advocates could “delay the committee’s timely fulfillment of its responsibilities under the Autism CARES Act of 2024.” Comments should be submitted by Aug. 20 at 5 p.m. ET.

An IACC meeting currently scheduled for July 31 is expected to be rescheduled, with a new date and other details to be announced.

Before the extension was granted, several national autism advocacy organizations issued a joint statement criticizing the original public comment process, saying the review period was too short for a document exceeding 300 pages and urging HHS and the IACC to allow additional time for meaningful public input.

IACC Comment Period

 In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and research priorities.

From the Profound Autism Alliance:

This week, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), the federal committee that shapes national autism research and policy priorities, released a 336-page draft Strategic Plan for 2026–2028. Public comment closes this Friday, July 24 at 5 PM ET. The plan itself names an important reality: "when support is delayed or difficult to access, the burden doesn't disappear, it shifts to the family." A four-day window on a 336-page document places that same weight on caregivers who are already carrying a full load. We're asking the IACC to extend the comment period by 90 days. This would provide an opportunity for caregivers, self-advocates, and professionals to read this fully and respond with the care it deserves. Here's how you can help: Submit a public comment requesting that the public comment on the strategic plan be extended to 90 days. This is a reasonable amount of time and reflects the realities of caregivers of people with profound autism who deserve an opportunity to engage. Adding a line or two about your personal experiences as a caregiver if applicable would make this request even more compelling. The IACC requests the public comment be emailed to IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov. Please forward this to others, asking them to send a quick email too. The more voices weighing in on this, the better. Thank you for taking time to take action.

Find The Draft Here

Email The IACC Here

Inclusion Increases

 In The Politics of Autism, I write about social services, special education, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 

Government Accountability Office, Special Education: More Students with Disabilities Were Educated in General Education Settings, but State Trends Varied Widely. GAO-26-107814 Published: Jul 02, 2026.

Under federal special education law, students with disabilities are to be educated alongside their peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate. Nationally, the number of students with disabilities in the general education classroom (gen ed) for at least 40 percent of their day increased 25 percent from school year 2012–13 through school year 2023–24 (see figure). The largest increase came from students with disabilities in gen ed for at least 80 percent of their day. The total number of students with disabilities increased 21 percent during this period. GAO also found the share of students with disabilities in gen ed for much of their day increased in 42 of 50 states and the District of Columbia (no data were available for New Mexico for school year 2023–24). However, within states, changes over this period varied widely. For example, the District of Columbia had the largest increase (7.7 percentage points), while in North Dakota the share of students with disabilities in gen ed for at least 40 percent of their day decreased by 3.2 percentage points.

Senator Darline Graham

 In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the congressional role in the issue.

Sara Luterman at The 19th:

Unlike her late brother Lindsey, whose political career spanned 33 years, Darline Graham has never run for or held elected office — until she was appointed to serve the remainder of the U.S. senator’s term this week. Instead, she has worked in vocational rehabilitation, publicly funded programs that help people with disabilities overcome barriers to employment.

Due to her lack of political experience, it is difficult to know what her priorities will be between now and January 2027, when Lindsey Graham’s term ends. But to former colleagues and the disability advocates who have worked with her, there is little doubt in Darline Graham’s capabilities. They describe the 62-year-old as a dedicated civil servant who is uninterested in the spotlight and deeply knowledgeable about issues facing the disability community. And they are optimistic she will bring that experience to Capitol Hill.

Terry Collins; Bella Carpentier, and Thao Nguyen at USA TODAY:

She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the College of Charleston, a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and holds certification as a public manager, according to a biography provided to The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network.

For nearly seven years, she has served as a commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, where she focused on helping blind and low-vision people achieve employment, independence and economic self-sufficiency, the biography states.

Graham Nordone began her career as a certified optician, working directly with people on eye-care needs before moving into state government. She later held positions at Clemson University and with the state employment department before joining the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

During 12 years with the Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Graham Nordone served as the business services director and communications director, according to the biography. She currently serves on the South Carolina State Workforce Development Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind.