the online identity and gimmick-ifying of autism is so odd. I'm diagnosed with autism and yet I barely identify with any stuff I see about it anymore. It feels like autism is being rebranded as the Silly Guy Disorder that gives you smart and beautiful hyperspecific interests. it's not that I mind silly jokes or being lighthearted about being autistic- but when the entire social movement is based around marketing us this way, I just can't help but feel isolated from it. it feels like I'm not the right kind of autistic. I'm not marketable and digestible to common audiences, and therefore I am discarded by the movement in the name of progress and acceptance. it feels foul.
Social media does this to absolutely everything, the most entertaining content gets the most traction and creates a skewed perception of the group. I've noticed the same thing with DID, there's a hyperfocus on introducing different alters with distinctive looks and makeup and showing switches on camera, when lots of people with DID have a much less florid presentation and might not even know who is fronting in the moment. But I think a lot of this is due to how social media is designed (especially short form video platforms) rather than people consciously choosing to misrepresent their community