šŸ“£ Autistic Creators Speak Out

CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER

Issue #84 | Nov. 29, 2022

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.

– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor

THE HIGHLIGHT

The infantilization of autistic people on TikTok needs to stop

ā€œThe continual infantilization of autistic people on TikTok fundamentally harms people like me in our fight for agency and equality.ā€

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

ā†’ READ THE FULL STORY

ONE GREAT TIP

ā€œProduction is more important than perfectionā€”keep producing on a regular basis as youā€™ll learn so much. And donā€™t be afraid to make mistakes. You will gain confidence and resilience from your mistakes.ā€

ā€”Video creator Cooking with Lynja on consistency. Read more in our April 2022 interview.

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

READ THE FULL STORY ā†’

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

READ THE FULL STORY ā†’

IN THE BIZ

TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT

We’re loving the resurgence of this “happy happy happy” song.

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