📣 Autistic Creators Speak Out

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER


Many neurodivergent creators use social media platforms to combat stigma and spread awareness around their lives. Hashtags like #autism, #autistic, and #neurodiversity gained billions of views on platforms like TikTok in recent years.

However, while TikTok has been a place of great representation and community for neurodivergent creators, it’s been a double-edged sword. As Passionfruit contributor Charlotte Colombo explains this week, oftentimes autistic creators’ comments sections are flooded with viewers babying them and gushing about how “adorable” they are.

Colombo also explores how this infantilizing gaze applies to the significant number of accounts that are dedicated to an autistic person’s life but are controlled by a parent, partner, or caregiver. She shares why she thinks these portrayals are problematic and also shares the perspectives of many creators and social media users fed up with infantilization on the platform.


THE HIGHLIGHT

The infantilization of autistic people on TikTok needs to stop


ONE GREAT TIP


TIPS AND TRICKS

​​TikTok star Evan the Card Guy shares how he hooked 16 million followers

“I started doing what I like to call interactive magic or interactive content.”

By Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor


TOOLS REVIEW

woman holding chips up to microphone in front of pink background ASMR

How to make tingly brain-massaging ASMR videos

There’s never been a better time to get started making your own.

By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor


IN THE BIZ


TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • Beware the TikTok’s DopplegAIngers

    Beware the TikTok’s DopplegAIngers

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #228 | April 11, 2024 THE COMMENTS SECTION “Nope. It is not about feeling threatened. It is about the fact that generative AI relies on the work of actual human artists. AI isn’t creating anything, so it is not threatening to creators. It is theft. That’s why we loathe it.” – Drew…

  • The Conspiracy and Camaraderie of the Eclipse

    The Conspiracy and Camaraderie of the Eclipse

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #227 | April 9, 2024 – Grace Stanley, Deputy Editor PERSONALITIES Can Gambling Content Be Ethical? YouTuber Brian Christopher Is Trying To Find Out ‘I would have hated it if I was ever responsible for encouraging anyone to play beyond their means.’ By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED Build…

  • We’re Feeling Gossipy Right Now

    We’re Feeling Gossipy Right Now

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #226 | April 4, 2024 THE COMMENTS SECTION “News is just a name the elite gives to power gossip; gossip is how they dismiss the interests of lower classes.“ – James Del, Publisher NOTED BY LON HARRIS When It Comes to Copyright, Creators and AI Play by Different Rules Humans deserve a level…