'Everything's Gonna Be Okay' Episode 2: The show veers away from autism stereotypes and fans love the treatment
Josh Thomas' 'Everything's Gonna Be Okay' premiered with two episodes, and fans got twice the amount of the much-needed dose of Nicholas, Genevieve, and Matilda, as they try to navigate life without an "actual" adult.
The show has a way of portraying grievous situations that will have you laughing. Matilda a teenager with autism, is played by Kayla Cromer, who for the first time stated she was on the spectrum, publicly at the Freeform Summit press event.
"I have learned to trust the journey and this event is the perfect place for me to come out publicly for the first time that I’m actually on the autism spectrum,” Cromer said.
Fans were thrilled at her comedy portrayal, "I'm already obsessed... great LGBT and autism rep! With an #ActuallyAutistic actress playing an autistic character! @KaylaCromer17 #EverythingsGonnaBeOkay," one fan tweeted.
The series showcases her journey as she navigates her way around social discrepancies a little differently than her siblings, and we see that evidently in both episodes one and two that premiered.
The show doesn't have autism as the center of attention, rather as part of a coming-of-age hilarious narrative. Fans took to Twitter to applaud the representation of autism in the show, with some fans relating to Matilda's behavior in stressful situations.
"I STARTED CRYING when Matilda played the piano. I am Matilda because I’m also a musician with autism who also f**** some things up socially and rushes to a piano when feeling a meltdown coming. THANK YOU Freeform #EverythingsGonnaBeOkay," tweeted a fan.
"This is such a freaking realistic portrayal of autism so far. I'm not far in, but I really like what I've seen. #EverythingsGonnaBeOkay" tweeted another fan.
The authenticity of the cast members was definitely appreciated and noticed definitely giving way to much needed social awareness.
"#groundbreaking new show Everything's Gonna Be Okay comes at you this Thursday. From lead to background actor, any character in the script with Autism is played by an actor with Autism. @EverythingsOkTV @JoshThomas87 #EverythingsGonnaBeOkay," tweeted Lillian Carrier, who plays Drea, Matilda's autistic friend on the show.
'Everything's Gonna Be Okay' airs every Thursday at 7.30c on Freeform.
