River Crystal

I couldn't finish the first episode of this. I understand why some neurotypical people see the series as being accurate but the big issue is that it is like trying to explain autism from a mainly external perspective. It leans too heavily on the idea that all autistic people are like your 8 year old autistic cousin. That being, all autistic people have the same difficulties and can never learn how to socialise. Even in the first scene with the autistic man trying to walk the block it broke my heart. Why are they just using earbuds? If the noise is the issue they should be using headphones or ear defenders or whatnot (whatever works best for him). When the person helping him said "Okay there's a truck it's going to be a little loud" It just came across as downplaying it. Autistic people have a different sensory experience than neurotypicals so that truck that's a "little loud" might as well be someone screaming in your hear. Whilst i'm happy they represented this with the increased volume they aren't actually trying to accomodate him enough. The more I watched the more painful it was. So if you're neurotypical please don't watch this it gives you a negative perception of autism. If you're neurodivergent then also don't watch this because it is a mockery and only shows one set of difficulties associated with autism. I would rate it a 2 star for having autistic cast but when the script and show is this ableist I can't give it anything higher than a one.