With the release of Stranger Things Season 5, fans everywhere are gearing up for one last ride into Hawkins and the Upside Down. Beyond the suspense and supernatural thrills, the series speaks strongly to autistic and neurodivergent viewers. From Eleven’s unique perspective to the close-knit “Outsiders Club,” many viewers see reflections of their own experiences – even if the show never explicitly names them.

There’s no official statement declaring any character autistic or neurodivergent. No press release. No labels. Yet so many viewers feel deeply connected to the story.

Whether intentional or not, Stranger Things is packed with neurodivergent-coded characters, themes of difference, and powerful metaphors that resonate strongly with autistic people, young and old.

Eleven: Different, Not Broken

Eleven is often the first character people mention when discussing neurodiversity in the series.

In earlier seasons, she shows things many autistic people can relate to:

• Difficulty with speech and communication
• Struggles with social rules and expectations
• Getting overwhelmed by senses (especially noise and crowds)
• Strong feelings and emotional responses
• A history of trauma on top of her unique ways and differences

Eleven isn’t broken and doesn’t need “fixing.” Her challenges exist – but so do her strengths. She shines when she feels safe, understood, and connected – but falters when controlled, isolated, or misunderstood. For many autistic viewers, her story reflects a simple but powerful truth: being different only becomes a problem without a supportive environment.

The Outsiders Club: A Safe Space to Be Yourself

Hawkins’ main group isn’t made up of the “cool kids.” Instead, they:

• Enjoy niche hobbies like Dungeons & Dragons, science, and radios
• Often don’t fit in socially
• Are frequently overlooked by adults and peers
• Find safety and belonging in each other

This kind of “found family” is instantly recognisable to many neurodivergent people. And it’s exactly the kind of environment I AM Celebrating Autism creates in real life.

We offer gaming nights, where members can enjoy video games and Dungeons & Dragons, and youth clubs, where they can just be themselves, meet others who understand them, and feel safe to explore their interests without judgment.

It’s the space where:

• You don’t have to mask or pretend
• You can get really into what you love.
• People accept you as you are

Seeing a supportive family on TV and having it in real life sends a powerful message: you don’t have to change who you are to belong.

Will Byers and Feeling Left Out

Will Byers isn’t said to be neurodivergent, but many viewers get his sensitive nature and feeling out of step with the world. This story captures a universal feeling: it’s exhausting to navigate a world that expects everyone to conform.

That quiet, ongoing struggle is something many autistic people understand all too well.

The Upside Down: A Powerful Metaphor

One of the most compelling interpretations of Stranger Things is the idea that the Upside Down represents what it can feel like to be neurodivergent in a neurotypical world. 

The Upside Down isn’t just scary; it’s a symbol many autistic viewers understand:

• • It mirrors the real world but functions differently
  • Dangers and overwhelming feelings exist even when others don’t notice
  • Sensory input is intense and unpredictable
  • Constant vigilance is required to navigate it safely.

For many, this is like every day life: dealing with a world that wasn’t made for you, and navigating an invisible reality that others don’t experience or understand.

Why Neurodivergent Audiences Connect So Strongly

Stranger Things doesn’t rely on labels or lectures. Instead, it shows:

• Being different without shame
• Strengths alongside challenges
• The importance of acceptance and understanding
• How kindness, patience, and community can change lives

This kind of representation allows autistic and neurodivergent viewers to see themselves reflected – without being boxed into a diagnosis or stereotype. Sometimes, seeing yourself in a story means more than being given a label.

Final Thoughts

Stranger Things might not be about autism in a medical way, but it tells stories that really connect with neurodivergent experiences – like being different, belonging, sensory overload, and how important and powerful connection is.

And that’s why so many autistic people watch it and think:
“They get it.”

At I AM Celebrating Autism, we think it’s important for people to see themselves in stories. Through our game nights and youth clubs, autistic young people can find the same sense of belonging they see on screen: safe places to just be themselves, explore their interests, and make friends who get them.

Because when autistic people feel seen, understood, and valued, everything changes.