#MSWL autistic main characters written by autistic authors.

I can see when the research a NT writer has done consists solely of media exposure to, rather than interaction w/ND people.

These authors mean well. But media exposure is NOT enough to write w/o harm to the community.

Absolutely, NT writers can positively&healthily reflect a ND world in their books.

But if you don't interact w/ND folks, please don't think what you've seen in the media is accurate or goes deep enough to model those characters in a nonharmful way in your book.

This matters.

My ADHD looks NOTHING like what you see in the media. My autistic kid doesn't experience what movies have shown you. This stereotypical presentation is harmful and prevents my kid accessing necessary resources and services. It creates expectations&triggers discrimination.

Many autistic adults are not only willing but EAGER to help autistic representation in media become more accurate and less harmful. Look for those who publicly declare willingness to help (ex:sensitivity readers). Ask yourself if YOU should write this book. Look that in the face.

Also quick note: there is a lot of conversation in the community about identity-first vs person-first language in this (autistic person vs person with autism). What matters to me is how the individual I'm speaking to identifies, and it is NOT for me to offer an opinion on it.