If you live in The United States, you may notice that among the new streaming releases this week is Sia’s Music (2021). There’s plenty of good reason to be curious about the film, especially if you loved her music. With recent Golden Globe nominations, it only helps to raise the profile and maybe give it some decent numbers at the virtual box office. Given that it’s set to feature a dozen or so new songs, it’s an exciting chance to possibly see a new musical, especially given that it features a story that centers around an autistic lead character.
To general audiences, the problems may be less apparent. They could just be going in and think that it’s a flawless representation of ASD. After all, Sia initially claimed that it came from a reverential place. However, I think the notorious fallout only raises red flags, not to mention stories about her having to remove harmful scenes of restraint. Considering how few and far between mainstream autistic representation is, the film quickly became dangerous. The misrepresentation could do for autism what The Danish Girl (2015) did for transgender culture, a.k.a. mislead what it means to identify with these groups through invisibly harmful niceties.
It’s why I’ve been writing this entire week about autism in media. To me, I think it’s important to notice that neurodivergence doesn’t make one a bad person. There are many who are capable of changing the world for the better despite any shortcomings in social or executive functioning. They just want to be treated as human, and it’s what attracted me to explore how it’s portrayed in art. What does Craig Nicholls’ Asperger’s say about his work in The Vines? What do you make of Lisbeth Salander? I am at most a critic observing these trends, but I like to think that listening to autistic creators has helped in many ways.
The easiest way to look at this is that you’re less likely to feel awful about being seen as an “other” if you can find someone who shares those traits. While I have only self-identified for two years, that time has allowed me to do endless research, going down rabbit holes that made me realize how everything that felt different wasn’t just me. While it’s true that no two autistics are the same, there was some comfort in knowing that people have discussed this in a positive light. You feel seen, that there is potential to do great in a community. In some ways, the Sia controversy actually helped me to connect with like-minded individuals. While there’s plenty that can be done to better representation, I think at least listening to them is a good start.
It’s why I decided to dedicate this week’s Something Worth Mentioning to the people who have helped me most. In light of the damage I worry that Music will bring, I want to ask everyone reading this to do more than read critics who say it’s good/bad. Read WHY they feel that way. More importantly, consider listening to autistic critics who have personal experience with themes in the story and understand why they feel how they feel. It may be difficult given Sia’s online reputation, but hopefully, they will be able to back up their opinion with reason.
The people I am going to talk about aren’t necessarily movie critics, but I would respect their opinions if they chose to dedicate 15 minutes to the subject. I have found myself somedays going to YouTube to check out their latest videos, eager to know what is on their mind. For this or that reason, they’ve dedicated their lives to discussing autism in greater detail than I ever will, and it has helped me grow as a person, learning not only about myself but of others. Because of them, I’ve been learning the right language to use, how to be respectful, and notice patterns that could better my life. I’m not perfect and I still catch myself using ableist language sometimes, but I hope to continue to grow.
Because what is being autistic if not being obsessive? While there are dozens of other creators worthy of discovering, these are the four that I’ve personally connected with and find as a reliable resource. Sometimes watching their videos are as much for education as they are comfort, to feel like I belong. I want to thank them for releasing these videos not only for me but for those who may watch Music and wonder how they can better their understanding of autism and other neurodivergent traits. I’m not going to judge if you watch the Sia movie, but I ask that in return you listen to people like this.
It would be wrong if I started with anyone but Dan of The Aspie World. As I mentioned last year, we are casual friends and I find him to be a great guy. I admire his work ethic and his ability to be seemingly omnipresent. Also, he once promoted my book “Apples & Chainsaws” (but let’s not play favoritism). Dan has done plenty to raise awareness in modern trends, news stories, and I think remains a vital voice. Because of him, I’ve found positive ASD representation in media, like in I Am Greta (2020) and The Reason I Jump (2021). He releases so many videos, including a series on autism in women, that it’s hard to keep up. Still, I love the hustle.
Simply put, knowing Dan has made me more comfortable with being autistic. A conversation we had two years ago started me on my journey to learn about myself and this wonderful spectrum. Before I knew the other people on this list, he was there to teach me about such basic concepts as stimming and how to overcome meltdowns. He has one of the most incredibly diverse portfolios and his overall positivity has been encouraging. I think he’s a good starting point if you’re at all questioning whether you’re neurodivergent or want to learn more about behaviors and trends in the community. He’s also fun to talk to on social media – though again, I may be biased.
If you’re looking for a heavily researched perspective, I would suggest Yo Samdy Sam. As a woman who was diagnosed later in life, her perspective sometimes lines up more with how I see the world. There is often a more academic look at how her condition informed her general interests. Because of Sam, I’ve learned a lot about various psychological components that are often associated with neurodivergence, including alexithymia and aphantasia. Her professional take is often mixed with humor and personal anecdotes that help to make everything more accessible. Even her videos deconstructing the DSM-5 and online autism tests are helpful to show how helpful these resources actually are.
Sam has been a useful resource, helping me to understand the importance of language. A video where she deconstructed how “weird” can be used negatively enlightened me to the power of words. On a personal note, I found her video on demisexuality a great primer for how she correlates autistic traits with how they view love. While I haven’t watched all of her videos (including some running two hours), I think they’re helpful if you’re wanting something more academic.
Another personal favorite is Princess Aspien. Plain and simple, I just love her positive energy. Her voice has become a comfort mechanism. This is because her videos have this warm energy, where she’s constantly espousing helpful advice. I love how authentic she is, unafraid to wear flower crowns, joke about her special interests, or go on tangents. Sure, she talks about what it’s like to grow up autistic, but there’s so much more to her identity. She clearly wants to better the world with upbeat music and exploring neurodivergence’s positive traits (also her Tik Tok is pretty fun).
I also love that even with her positive world view, she isn’t afraid to notice the downside of autism. Despite having meltdowns and bad days, especially in 2020, she keeps finding ways to be productive and have a positive outlook on life. Part of her inspiration is helping others realize the value in themselves, able to get through those tough times. Whenever I’ve had a bad day, I am able to enjoy her eccentric train of thought. Her compassion shines through, and I love how supportive and honest she is.
I also find Purple Ella’s videos to be very enjoyable. Much like Yo Samdy Sam, she is a mother and comes with that maternal wisdom. Even the fact that her child has been diagnosed shows her ability to explore not only her autism but the challenges one faces in youth. I love the diversity of topics that she discusses, sometimes with co-host Roz, and her approach comes with some personal tips that one can use to help better their life. There’s a humble sweetness to her that is endearing, allowing advice as simple as the best way to create a satisfying schedule stick with the viewer.
In recent months she has done more hangout videos, including recent ones where she bakes a cake and fills out online surveys. It’s clear that every creator on here is finding ways to make their fans feel less lonely, and I’ve enjoyed her advice on how I could better regulate that struggle. I haven’t watched as many videos from her yet, but I’ve found the dozen or so that I’ve seen to be delightful, informative, and full of this insight that makes me curious to learn more. If nothing else, I love how concerned she can sometimes come across, making sure that we’re safe when dealing with internet culture and various other facets of life.
Again, there are likely dozens more that have their own unique spin. I know that I have discovered various voices that I’m curious to discover more from. While I focused specifically on YouTube creators who cater to autism topics, there are others like The Lunarium who I think is doing a good job exploring mental health in media (notably this video about She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’s Catra and her borderline personality disorder representation). There are many more on Tik Tok like Beckstrum that I think show a fun conversation taking place over there.
Again, I am not an expert on this topic. In fact, I wouldn’t even call myself trendy enough to know who the coolest creators are. These are the people that most speak to me and I feel are worthy of listening to if you want to expand your awareness of autism. It’s encouraging to know that this community exists and has such diverse and wonderful minds. I can’t wait to hear what each of them thinks of Music (if they choose to deal with that) and see how the conversation evolves. I hope that whoever you listen to that you understand where they come from and at least respect their opinion. I hope that I’ve given you at least a starting point and that you continue to grow in your own direction from here.
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