‘Let Us Be the Art, Not Just the Entertainment’: A Participatory Zine-Making Study Engaging Autistic Women and Non-Binary People in Discussing Media Representations of Autism

Abstract

Autistic people experience social stigma, which involves facing negative or false social stereotypes. A prevalent stereotype of autism in society is that it is a male condition, which has led to most traditional representations of autism across different types of media (e.g., characters in films and TV) being predominantly male-focused. In this study, a group of autistic women and/or non-binary people were recruited to speak about how they perceived media representations of autism, as their gender identities did not fit this traditional gendered stereotype. Participants shared their experiences through group discussions and a zine-making activity, where they created different forms of artwork that were then compiled into an independent community booklet and displayed in an exhibition in Central Scotland. Participants’ group discussions and descriptions of their artwork were analysed using IPA techniques, yielding two experiential themes. Participants discussed negative experiences with dehumanising media accounts of autism, which displayed autistic people as a stereotypical ‘other’, as well as positive experiences with humanised media accounts, which prioritised autistic lived experience in a more authentic and relatable way. Our findings highlight that the media can positively impact autistic people’s lives when representations centre on autistic lived experience, which fosters connectedness, autonomy, and self-understanding. Alternatively, this impact can be harmful when media accounts are stigmatising and dehumanising, which generates significant material and subjective challenges.