Voice actor Tom Kenny has said that SpongeBob SquarePants is “kind of on the spectrum, too, as a character” at a comic convention panel discussion. During the event, a person on the autism spectrum asked Kenny whether the titular character was autistic. According to Kenny, he replied, “Yes, of course. That’s his superpower, the same way it’s your superpower.” Kenny, who has voiced SpongeBob since 1999, has previously discussed the character’s neurodivergent traits and noted that the show seems to appeal to autistic children.
In SpongeBob-related news, the 2023 game SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake gained positive reviews. Critic Andy Brown regarded the game as “brilliant when it gets inventive” and praised its pacing. The game was well-known for minigames and quick-time events, but these were not enough to distract players from enjoying the “nautical nonsense” that is part of the SpongeBob universe.
This isn’t the first occasion that the topic of SpongeBob’s neurodivergent traits has arisen. The showrunner, Stephen Hillenburg, was said to be inspired by his love of marine life, particularly sponges, and the show’s unique characteristics reflect this. SpongeBob’s quirky and unique personality has led to a great deal of audience appreciation, allowing the character to become one of the most beloved in cartoon history.
Despite this latest revelation, it is unlikely that the series will change much going forward. By portraying a character with neurodivergent traits, particularly with the popularity of this character, the show creates an ideal medium for neurotypical children to learn about differences in cognitive function, accepting people for who they are, and understanding people’s superpowers
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