Girl Meets World might not be quite as funny as its predecessor, but there’s no denying that the show’s got a lot of heart. From embracing your imperfections to standing by your friends to putting down your cell phone to have a real conversation every once in a while, Cory Matthews sheds light on a new life lesson every week (yes, Mr. Feeny would be very proud). In an episode set to air September 11, it is revealed that Farkle Minkus—Riley’s classmate and close friend—has Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. He struggles with his fear of being labeled as different from his friends and classmates.
Cory explains to his class that there’s only one label anyone should wear: their name. Disney Channel has stated that their intent is that “the storyline can spark conversation among kids and their families about the disorder,” diagnoses of which have become more common in recent years. They also consulted with experts to ensure that there was an accurate portrayal of Asperger’s in the episode. The best part about Girl Meets World is the large audience it is able to reach—both fans of the original Boy Meets World and the new, younger audience of its sequel are gaining a new understanding of the important issues the writers are choosing to address.