‘That’s His Superpower’: Voice Actor Tom Kenny Says SpongeBob SquarePants Is Autistic

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve come to realize that I hadn’t given much thought to this topic before. But when someone with apparent autism approached me and asked, “Tom, do you think SpongeBob SquarePants has autism?” I was taken aback. It was the first time I’d been asked this question directly. While I can’t diagnose a character, I can consider the traits often associated with autism and observe how they align with SpongeBob’s behavior in the show. Some people believe that SpongeBob exhibits certain characteristics, such as difficulty with social norms, repetitive behaviors, and intense focus on specific interests. However, it’s essential to remember that every person with autism is unique, and not all will exhibit these traits in the same way or to the same degree. Ultimately, I believe it’s a valid discussion worth exploring further, as representation matters and can help raise awareness and understanding of neurodiversity.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “Kenny winked at me and exclaimed, ‘Absolutely! Isn’t it amazing? Just like you have your unique talents, that’s SpongeBob’s superpower.’ Tomorrow’s special episode of SpongeBob SquarePants is a testament to the actor’s deep understanding of the character’s neurodivergent traits, having voiced him since 1999.”

Kenny shared with Marc Maron during an episode of WTF podcast that he believes the character of SpongeBob in the popular animation series may resonate more with children on the autism spectrum. He explained, “SpongeBob’s demeanor seems to align with some aspects of autism, demonstrating remarkable diligence, deep dedication to tasks, and intense focus.”

Tom Kenny won awards for voicing SpongeBob Squarepants

In 2018 and 2020, Kenny was awarded the Daytime Emmy for Best Animated Program Performer due to his contributions to SpongeBob. Additionally, he lent his voice talents to various characters including the Ice King in Adventure Time and its offshoot Fionna and Cake, The Powerpuff Girls’ Mayor and Narrator, Johnny Bravo’s Carl Chryniszzswics, and Spyro in the Spyro video game franchise.