Netflix's Mo | The Cost of Hiding: Autism and the Immigrant Experience in Mo

🎙️ Today on Different Spectrums Podcast, we're diving into the Netflix hit Mo!

We’re focusing on some powerful themes around immigration, Palestinian rights, and the complex realities of seeking asylum or a green card in America. But since this is an autistic podcast, we're taking a deeper look at how autism and mental health challenges are experienced within immigrant and Arabic families.

✨ Key Themes:

How autism and mental health issues are viewed and handled in immigrant and Arabic families.

The fear and stigma around getting a diagnosis — parents worrying their child will be seen as “less than” or that it reflects poorly on them.

The internalized self-hatred that can come from feeling different or misunderstood.

The struggle to seek help when mental health care is stigmatized, especially in cultures where therapy is seen as a weakness.

🌟 Spotlight on Sameer:

We’re highlighting Mo’s brother Sameer, who is portrayed as autistic. Many listeners have commented that Sameer reminds them of Dr. Naz — from the personality and humor to the physical presence and the shared autistic experience.

We’ll unpack key scenes, like when Sameer has a meltdown outside a store, and Mo’s reaction. We discuss:

✅ How to support someone having a meltdown — sitting nearby, speaking softly, helping them breathe.

✅ Why yelling or giving harsh commands can make things worse, not just for autistic people but for anyone feeling overwhelmed.

💬 Family Dynamics & Stigma:

Sameer’s mother reflects a common sentiment in many immigrant families when she says, “He doesn’t need a therapist — I’m his therapy.” This is familiar in cultures where therapy is seen as shameful or unnecessary — where masculinity is currency, and vulnerability is seen as weakness.

🧠 The Power of Affirming Care:

When Sameer finally goes to therapy, we see a heartbreaking yet relatable reaction. He denies being autistic because being different feels like a burden — it means standing out, making people uncomfortable. This moment mirrors what so many neurodivergent individuals experience when faced with a diagnosis.

Therapy should be about affirming identities, not fixing them.

The real harm comes from lack of support and resources — not from the diagnosis itself.

🌍 Trauma, Survivor’s Guilt & Advocacy:

We touch on the broader struggles of the Palestinian people and how it feels almost unfair to live comfortably while others are suffering. We want to remind listeners that you don’t have to suffer because others are suffering — you can live, be happy, and still advocate for those in need.

Thanks for checking out Different Spectrums! 🎙️ We're a podcast led by licensed therapists and neurodivergent individuals who explore emotions in movies and shows. Our mission is to normalize mental health challenges and promote understanding.

Join your founders and hosts, Dr. Nazeer Zerka and Spencer Srnec, as we process some key scenes to help you better understand your emotions and maybe even find some validation in them.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 Attention

0:59 Intro

6:18 Scenes

21:27 Discussion

We’d love to hear your ideas for future episodes and connect with you on social media. You can find all our links here: https://linktr.ee/different_spectrums

⚠️ Reminder: Our podcast isn’t a substitute for therapy. If you need help, please seek professional assistance or call 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or 911 in case of an emergency.

Don’t forget to use our links for discounts with our partner companies:

Let our sponsor, BetterHelp, connect y