"Everyone leaves me behind”: How Harmful Tropes in Fiction Impact Autistic Women

Until now, females with ASD have been ignored by healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public. The unique presentation of autistic women and girls is now in the cultural spotlight within not just the advocacy and scientific community, but also the arts. Female autistic characters are getting increased representation across literature and television, yet their narratives are still often stuck in the past. Most authors and screenwriters have yet to understand the specific struggles that female autistics face compared to their male counterparts, relying on the outdated, reductive perceptions that have plagued them for decades. This article outlines three harmful tropes that commonly appear in narratives about female autistics via a critical analysis of three works of fiction featuring female autistic protagonists. To prove the problematic nature of these tropes, this article will discuss the unique aspects of female autistic lives that are often overlooked. It will also discuss the negative effects that reinforcing these tropes has on the lives of autistic women and girls in the real world. Authors, screenwriters, and creatives who wish to represent female autistics in fiction have a crucial responsibility, because the stories they craft will affect society’s perception of these women for decades to come. By warning creatives about these harmful tropes, this article aims for a future where autistic females see themselves in stories that empower, advocate, and celebrate their existence.