When I was a teenager, my mom and I watched “Rain Man,” which stars Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. It is arguably the most well-known film that represents someone on the autism spectrum. I had no comprehension of mainstream representation at the time, so I watched it without thinking anything of it.
By the end of the movie, I cried so hard. I could not put into words why but something about it set me off. Years later, as someone who is well-versed in autism advocacy, I know now why that film hurt me. It left me feeling like that was all I could be as an autistic person. I could never be successful or happy. I could never be taken seriously. I was convenient to other people at best, and I would be lucky if an allistic ally even cared about my well-being.