šŸ“£ 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, itā€™s been a double-edged sword. As Passionfruit contributor Charlotte Colombo explains this week, oftentimes autistic creatorsā€™ comments sections are flooded with viewers babying them and gushing about how ā€œadorableā€ they are.

Colombo also explores how this infantilizing gaze applies to the significant number of accounts that are dedicated to an autistic personā€™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

ā€‹ā€‹TikTok star Evan the Card Guy shares how he hooked 16 million followers

ā€œI started doing what I like to call interactive magic or interactive content.ā€

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

Thereā€™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

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