Disability Representation in Curated Children's Films: A Content Analysis of Positively Rated Media

Background and/or Objectives: Children’s media significantly influences perceptions of disability, shaping attitudes and self-identity in children with both physical and cognitive disabilities relevant to PM&R (e.g., cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, spinal cord injury, Down syndrome). This study examines disability portrayals in Common Sense Media’s recommended movies, to (1) identifying disability types, (2) categorizing character roles, (3) analyzing portrayal tone, and (4) assessing statistical differences in representation.

Design: A mixed-methods content analysis was conducted on 94 widely recognized films featuring characters with disabilities, curated by the national nonprofit consumer group, Common Sense Media.

Setting : Films were selected from curated lists designed to promote disability awareness.

Participants : Ninety-four films featuring characters with physical or cognitive disabilities were analyzed. Supernatural/non-medical conditions and psychological disorders were excluded.

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: Characters were categorized by disability type (physical, cognitive), role (protagonist, secondary), and portrayal tone (positive, neutral, negative). Statistical tests analyzed depiction trends.

Results: Among 94 films, 68% (n=71) of characters with disability were protagonists, while 32% (n=33) were secondary characters. Positive portrayals were most common (83%, n=86), followed by neutral (6%, n=6) and negative (7%, n=7). Representative examples include Confetti (dyslexia) and Far from the Tree (autism spectrum disorder). A Chi-Square Test (χ² = 18.03, p < 0.00012) detected a highly significant association between character role and portrayal tone, with protagonists more likely to receive positive portrayals. The Fisher’s Exact Test (p = 0.00013) corroborated this finding. When comparing portrayal tones of physical versus cognitive disabilities, no significant difference was revealed by the Chi-Square Test (p = 0.288) or Fisher’s Exact Test (p = 0.160).

Conclusions: Even among positive portrayals of disability, more work is needed to ensure all characters, especially secondary ones, are depicted with depth and authenticity. Given media's power to shape young audiences' perceptions, PM&R professionals can advocate for more inclusive and nuanced representations of disability across all roles.