Tom Kenny — the voice behind “SpongeBob SquarePants” — is hitting the long-lasting yellow sponge with a brand new prognosis … autism.
The veteran performer, who’s performed SB for years, made an look at a Comedian Con occasion in Detroit … the place he took questions from devoted followers concerning the beloved Nickelodeon character … and doubled down on a idea that SpongeBob is neurodivergent.
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As Tom advised the group on the conference … SpongeBob is “kind of on the spectrum,” going so far as to name the cartoon character autistic.
TK says he got here to this revelation after talking with a fan on the spectrum, who requested if SpongeBob may probably be autistic as nicely. He recalled telling the fan … autism was SpongeBob’s superpower, the identical method it was for that child.
This is not the primary time that Tom has addressed SpongeBob and the opportunity of him being autistic. Again in 2012, he spoke with Marc Maron and speculated then Sponge is perhaps autistic … citing his obsession together with his job and his hyper-fixation tendencies as proof.
SpongeBob is not the primary youngsters’s character to be recognized with Autism Spectrum Dysfunction. “Sesame Street” added a Muppet named Julia to their roster … who explicitly had autism.
Followers are already applauding Tom for his inclusive stance right here … and lots of additionally agree!