I grew up without knowing that I was autistic.
I saw autistic adults on TV, but I didn’t have a clue.
Maybe if I saw an autistic child like me on my little TV set,
I would’ve accepted myself the moment I learned the truth.
Alas, I didn’t see myself on the screen.

Autistic-coded characters have helped me accept myself.
I saw myself in Lilo when I was seven years old.
Passionate, frustrated, fiery, goofy, emotional, and accepting.
I felt seen before even knowing that I was autistic.
Finally, I saw myself on the screen.

After learning the truth about myself years later,
I slipped into a depression of misinformation.
A ladder of information slid down the hole to my rescue,
But a history of neurotypical-ridden depictions left splinters.
Alas, I didn’t see myself on the screen.

Suddenly, out of the blue, a beloved show from my childhood announces
That a little autistic girl would be moving to a specific street of puppets.
Finally, a little autistic girl like me on the screen!
Granted, I’m now a grown woman, but still.
Finally, I saw myself on the screen.

News breaks out that another movie about autism is coming out,
But it’s another tale of misinformation and disastrous casting.
I tried to warn the misinformed of this dangerous depiction,
Only to be gaslighted and silenced by the trolls under the bridge.
Alas, I didn’t see myself on the screen.

After the dumpster fire of a movie, good news arrives for once.
A teen drama reboot has included an autistic actress in an autistic role.
The role in question reminded me of my teenaged self.
I would’ve loved myself sooner if I had seen this as a teen.
Finally, I saw myself on the screen.

I want autistic youths to see themselves on the screen.
They deserve to see the autistic characters that I didn’t grow up with.
I’m writing countless stories, poems, and plays about people like me.
If no one else is going to provide the material, then I’ll do it myself.
You will see me on the screen.