Written by Have any of you seen SpongeBob SquarePants? It’s a popular animated Nickelodeon series known for its quirky antics, positivity, and fun.
If you’ve already watched it, I’m pretty sure you’re familiar with the funny SpongeBob moments and jokes. And who can forget that catchy theme song?
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants!
Absorbent and yellow and porous is he. SpongeBob SquarePants!
I bet some of you just sang that in your head, right?
But if you haven’t watched it yet, don’t worry. Let me fill you in on the story.
SpongeBob SquarePants is a classic cartoon that aired on May 1, 1999. It’s all about SpongeBob, a sea sponge living in a pineapple in an underwater city called Bikini Bottom.
He works at the Krusty Krab, a fast-food joint, with his best buddy Patrick, a starfish. SpongeBob’s boss, Mr. Krabs, is crazy about money, and then there’s Squidward, his grumpy neighbor who just seems to hate people and can’t handle SpongeBob’s cheerful behavior.
And then there’s Plankton, who lives in Chum Bucket and constantly tries to steal Krabby Patty’s secret formula.
Let’s not forget Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel from Texas who lives underwater in a bubble-like dome and wears an atmospheric diving suit.
Now that I’ve explained the plot, guess what? Would you believe me if I told you that SpongeBob has autism?
Yes. You read that right!
Tom Kenny, the voice actor of SpongeBob SquarePants, revealed that the famous cartoon character has autism. During a Q+A session at the 2024 Motor City Comic Con in Detroit, Kenny recalled a fan obviously on the spectrum, too, asking him if SpongeBob is neurodivergent.
Kenny answered,” ‘Of course!'” Then, he continued, “I said, ‘You know what? That’s his superpower, the same way that’s your superpower.'”
Neurodivergent is a term used to describe people whose brains work or develop differently from what is considered typical. This means they might have different strengths and challenges than those whose brains work more typically. Examples of conditions include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences.
It’s not the first time Tom Kenny has talked about SpongeBob having autism. He mentioned in a podcast back in October 2012 that SpongeBob is a little autistic because he’s obsessed with his job, very hardworking, and gets deep into something.
Tom Kenny also mentioned that he feels a strong connection with SpongeBob. “I felt like I just got [SpongeBob],” Tom said. “You go, ‘Oh, I know this guy. I can embody this guy.’ I feel like there’s some shared DNA between me and this character… That’s part of Steve [Hillenburg] ‘s brilliance. He seemed to be pretty sure of his decisions once he made them and couldn’t be dissuaded.”
Here’s another fun fact:
Did you know Kenny got the Daytime Emmy Award for doing voices in SpongeBob? Aside from SpongeBob, Tom also voices the characters Gary the Snail, Patchy the Pirate, and the French Narrator.
In other TV series, Tom also voiced the Ice King in Adventure Time and was the Narrator and Mayor in The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, and Spyro.
So, What is Autism?
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a condition that can affect how a person interacts with others and experiences the world around them. It can make it harder for some people to communicate, make friends, or understand social cues.
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) might have really strong interests and find it hard to deal with changes in their routine. They might also struggle with understanding nonverbal cues like eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions.
They may also do things like flapping their arms, rocking back and forth, or repeating the same words or actions. They might be bothered by certain sounds, smells, or textures.
Why SpongeBob SquarePants Is Beloved
In 2017, Tom Kenny talked about why kids with autism enjoy the show in an interview with Bleeding Cool. He said SpongeBob’s unfiltered behavior and doing what he wants appeal to them.
Rodger Bumpass, Squidward’s voice actor, also said that the show’s simple jokes, words, colors, and drawings might attract kids or adults with autism.
Are you a SpongeBob SquarePants fan? Did you know he was autistic? Comment below with your thoughts and opinions!
