Nia Millán

As an adult on the spectrum, this show has caused so many mixed feelings in me. At first I was over the moon excited that *finally* us autistic people would be included in “mainstream TV”, as I thought, to validate and help others understand our struggles. I gotta say there was a lot I felt identified with… when I was in my teens. The way they portray adults on the spectrum is anything but realistic. All one big mockery. I kept trying to watch, thinking to myself, “wait is gonna get better, the characters will finally come through and show us how amazing they all are, they’ll show all that beauty hidden inside, and their family members/supporting cast will let the world know how amazing their loved really ones are”… but it only kept getting worse and worse. I’ve been literally heartbroken. Harrison’s family abandoning him, so as did Violets parents and her brother. And when Jack’s dad said “this is a hell of a burden” I simply lost it. It really tackled on one of my biggest insecurities and fears, because I do need help and support from my loved ones. But a burden??? How in the world do you make a show about autistic people without taking our opinion and REAL life experiences into the matter?! It’s so freaking offensive. Shame on the producers, but on the actors as well for portraying autism in such a rigid and undiverse way. Diversity is in fact what makes us autistic fascinating. There was SO MUCH more that could’ve been included in here in order to make a positive difference in the way neurotypicals perceive us. Instead, they’re plainly encouraging a very harmful stereotype.