Thinking about what it means for an autistic person to see themselves represented honestly in a TV show or film, and why that matters.
Considering what masking is and what it can feel like to spend years adapting your behaviour to fit in with those around you.
Exploring the difference between a character written about autistic people and one shaped by an autistic person's own experience.
Reflecting on how being diagnosed with autism can bring both clarity and challenges, and how people's responses to a diagnosis can shape how someone feels about themselves.
Noticing how strengths and identity can develop even through difficult experiences like bullying or feeling out of place.
Chloe Hayden, an autistic actress, is interviewed about playing Quinni, an autistic character in the Netflix series Heartbreak High. She describes how she drew on her own lived experience of autism to shape the character, including working with the show's writers to make sure Quinni's autism was shown directly rather than hinted at. Chloe reflects on growing up feeling different, attending many schools, being bullied, and eventually being diagnosed with autism at age 13. She explains that she learned to mask by watching and copying the behaviour of people around her, and describes finding acting as a place where she could feel more like herself. The interview explores why she believes authentic representation of autism on screen matters, and what it means for autistic young people to see themselves reflected honestly in a character.
• What did you notice about the way Chloe described her own experience of being autistic growing up?
• Have you ever felt like you were masking or acting a certain way to fit in with people around you?
• What did that feel like?
• Is there a space where you feel more like yourself?
• Is there a character you have seen on TV or in a film that felt like an honest reflection of your own experience?
• What made that feel different from other portrayals you have seen?
• How did you feel when you first found out you were autistic, or when you first started to understand more about how your brain works?
• What do you wish had been different about how people around you responded?
• What would you want someone your age to know about what being autistic is really like for you?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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