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Often in storytelling we write characters that progress the plot by providing unique expertise in technology or science
The coding of these characters as #Autistic contributes to real life stigma against #ActuallyAutistic people
A Thread/
The coding of these characters as #Autistic contributes to real life stigma against #ActuallyAutistic people
A Thread/
So what exactly am I talking about?
You know that nerd who has the camera, computer, or knowledge to tackle a challenge?
The one you can pretend to be friends with/flirt with to manipulate them into helping?
You know that nerd who has the camera, computer, or knowledge to tackle a challenge?
The one you can pretend to be friends with/flirt with to manipulate them into helping?
These characters are written as tools to be used by others, desperate for inclusion to the point of offering help just to be accepted
Often they are written authentically autistic struggling to communicate with others, coming across awkward, focused on the task at hand
Often they are written authentically autistic struggling to communicate with others, coming across awkward, focused on the task at hand
Autistic people recognize this trope; It plays out in many of our own lives
We become the "go-to experts" in people's lives for certain things; people are taught by media to exploit our desperation for their benefit
This is by far my most successful social niche
#Autism
We become the "go-to experts" in people's lives for certain things; people are taught by media to exploit our desperation for their benefit
This is by far my most successful social niche
#Autism
There are people who set out to manipulate and exploit us but this trope teaches many people without bad intentions that this is an appropriate way to interact with autistic people
It also teaches autistic people to value ourselves based on the assistance we offer others
#Autism
It also teaches autistic people to value ourselves based on the assistance we offer others
#Autism
Social isolation combined with a larger trend of manipulation and abuse leads autistic people to dark places mentally
We either continue to offer help until we are burned up completely or we learn not to trust others and isolate from the world
We either continue to offer help until we are burned up completely or we learn not to trust others and isolate from the world
Often times to progress a plot a nerd character like this is needed
Give them a payout for helping, give them character development, show them standing up for themselves and putting up appropriate barriers
Have them refuse initially and make the main characters value them
Give them a payout for helping, give them character development, show them standing up for themselves and putting up appropriate barriers
Have them refuse initially and make the main characters value them
An unfortunate trend of this trope is that an over-sexualized woman character flirts with a nerdy guy
It's bad writing; if you accept it's wrong to write a whole character as a sexual object you should also accept it's wrong to write someone as a tool of knowledge
It's bad writing; if you accept it's wrong to write a whole character as a sexual object you should also accept it's wrong to write someone as a tool of knowledge
This portrayal is often paired with doormat and virgin stereotypes portraying autistic people as unviable romantic partners
I have internalized these stereotypes growing up; it's created hard boundaries to romance
Please write better nerds that aren't just tools
#Autism
I have internalized these stereotypes growing up; it's created hard boundaries to romance
Please write better nerds that aren't just tools
#Autism
Beyond asking for better writing I want you to rethink the ways in which you see autistic people!
Do you see the knowledge I have/my social desperation?
Are you more comfortable asking me for help without offering first? Have all our interactions been me offering you help?
Do you see the knowledge I have/my social desperation?
Are you more comfortable asking me for help without offering first? Have all our interactions been me offering you help?
I am guilty of internalizing these stereotypes and building them into my sense of worth as a human being
I am only as valuable as what help I can offer you as a reductive self-image, do you challenge or reinforce that?
I am only as valuable as what help I can offer you as a reductive self-image, do you challenge or reinforce that?
One last note!
Listen to #ActuallyAutistic and Boycott #MusicMovie by Sia https://twitter.com/Ghillie_Guide/status/1351971160427139073
Listen to #ActuallyAutistic and Boycott #MusicMovie by Sia https://twitter.com/Ghillie_Guide/status/1351971160427139073
