The following study was based on the limited research that has involved autistic voices about their portrayals in media, in particular, children’s books, and was meant to expand the research that has already been done. We interviewed four autistic adolescents about their experiences with reading books about autism, and then asked them to create their own hypothetical story featuring an autistic character. These ideas are meant to influence authors and how they think about the future portrayals of autism they will create. Participants were also informed of current themes frequently seen in children’s books that already exist, and asked to comment on them. These presented themes included agency, modes of communication, bullying, and superheroes and superpowers. Participants shared an overall desire for books and portrayals of autism to be realistic and respectful. They shared a preference for showing autism as a difference rather than a disability, while still showing it as something that comes with both strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, while split on whether authors should be autistic themselves, all participants shared the value of books being accessible to all audiences, including autistic and non-autistic readers. These findings are discussed throughout the paper and are meant to shed light on the conversation about what portrayals are appropriate and not, this time involving autistic voices.
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