Today on World Autism Day, it is a good time to look beyond the stereotypes and unpack what it really means to be a neurodiverse young woman in Australia – the hurdles, the challenges, the joy, the wonder, the newfound solidarity many of us are experiencing. We are watching incredible autistic Australians achieve amazing things, document boring mundane things and everything in between as they use their platforms and voices for activism to growing audiences.
For the first time that I can remember there is a real, honest neurodiverse female character on Australian television – and while one person can’t and shouldn’t represent all autistic people – it’s one of the first times I’ve felt part of my self represented on screen.
Heartbreak High’s Quinn “Quinni” Gallagher Jones is played by neurodiverse actress Chloe Hayden and it is one of the most wonderfully nuanced portrayals of neurodiversity on television. On the Netflix show, Quinni has Autism Spectrum Disorder but rather than just make it a simplified character trait, as has been done in the past, the show looks unflinchingly at how her condition affects her relationships, her learning and her day-to-day life.
Hayden has written a book whose title resonates with a woman like myself who is both neurodiverse and suffers from an anxiety disorder: Different, Not Less.
This can seem like a simple statement but those of us who are neurodiverse can often feel like we are not seen or heard, and definitely not well understood. Having people like us on TV and films can be a start, but – what about your local politician? Or the way events are held to be inclusive? The stark reality is we have a long way to go.
Recently, Hayden appeared at the All About Women event at the Sydney Opera House in a panel event titled Actually Autistic. Almost every seat inside the Opera House’s famed concert hall was filled – and many more joining online all around Australia with Hayden appearing alongside other autistic powerhouses such as Grace Tame, Amy Thunig and Jac den Houting. Together, these brilliant women shone a light on the unique powers their autism had supercharged them with, and the positive, life-changing impact that genuinely inclusive workplaces and employers had had on their lives.
But they also spoke about being misdiagnosed and the negative impact that had had for them; of the toll that ‘masking’ for years on end brings. Last year, we heard similar stories from another autistic superstar, Em Rusciano, when she addressed the Press Club in Canberra.
While autism is more common in boys, it’s in girls that it is most often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Now that I am working as an activist and advocate, I meet so many people who tell me they were diagnosed with autism as adults.
For me, it took until I was 17 and almost finished high school until I received a diagnosis. I always knew that I was different as I suffered extreme anxiety – one of the major signs. People from the outside, especially other kids, thought that I ‘wasn’t normal’ or was ‘different’ – but people put it down to me simply not being very sociable; someone who preferred the company of adults. Deep down, I knew for a long time why I was different, but many people in my life struggled to accept my autism. I suppose they were grappling with what this meant and what autism is.
As with all other disabilities and conditions, autism exists on a spectrum and can be mild to severe, which means it can impact people in different ways. However, there is limited support to many people and families who are struggling with this condition.
Many people like myself struggle socially and emotionally – in fact, it is estimated that 40 – 60% of children with autism also have an anxiety condition and many children suffer from depression.. Many other people suffer socially and behaviourally as there is no one way that autism affects people. Autism is so nuanced and we need support that takes all of our challenges into consideration. But seeing proud autistic people like Hayden and Tame on the global stage helps me to embrace my socially awkwardness – this is who I am and it is just part of being autistic. Other people have their own challenges in their everyday lives.
Finally, in 2023, it feels to me as if our superpowers are being heard and seen. For me, is a journey that starts from the day you were born – a rollercoaster, full of highs and lows. I’ve had meltdowns and heartache and breakdowns and so much frustration, but I’ve also been able to see the world through an incredible, unique, shimmery lens. I firmly believe we can change the way society treats and views autism, and this is what this year’s World Autism Day is about – challenging our thinking to consider how we as autistic people live our everyday lives and making sure we have the support to thrive and be our authentic selves.