As a young autistic woman in film, I recognise fully just how scarce accurate representation is in today’s media for autistic women, even more so for queer and high-masking autistic women. People have asked me: Why do stories like “Picture Girl” matter?

It’s because growing up seeing yourself represented on screen can be life-saving. We all need representation to feel accepted, valued, seen, and validated just for being our authentic selves.

With “Picture Girl” I am showing the world how two people who heavily feel the weight of prejudice based on the alleged limitations of their ability to communicate can connect with one another in a way not often experienced in other relationships.

I want to use my position and perspective of being a queer autistic woman to not only offer more authentic representation for autistic women/non binary people, but also to strip away the stigma and stereotypes put upon those with hidden disabilities.