Why it matters to cast autistic actors in autistic roles

If you ask Eliza Brearley why she loves performing, her face will open into a grin.

"I love being different characters — not myself," the 24-year-old model and actor from NSW's Central Coast says.

"I studied drama as an elective at high school and after school I joined Options Theatre [a theatre company for people with disabilities on the Central Coast].

"I left that company because I want to do something outside disability performance. It doesn't matter if you have a disability or not, you can still act."

Eliza has struggled to find an agent in Australia, and says directors can be afraid to "give people a chance".

So what do people in the autistic community make of the casting decision for Sia's film, Music?

Is it OK to cast a non-autistic person in an autistic role?

Music is the directorial debut of Australian singer-songwriter Sia. The plot centres on a young woman — played by Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler — who presents as a non-speaking autistic person.

Somewhat controversially, Maddie Ziegler is neurotypical, a casting decision Sia has defended.

Daniel Cameron*, 18, says casting a neurotypical actor is not the problem in and of itself.

"The problem comes as autism being cranked up to 11 for the purpose of storytelling.

"The representation of autism in Music is flawed, but I am not blaming the actor for that, but the direction."

Daniel is an aspiring musical theatre performer and says someone with autism would offer a unique insight into the world of the non-neurotypical.

"There needs to be the necessary systems in place to help autistic people through the audition process.

"For me personally, I don’t need extra support anymore, but I have had years of therapy to work on my empathy and social skills."

'It comes down to representation'

Monique Donath is a seasoned stage performer, and a mother to a four-year-old with autism.

She was horrified when she first saw the clips for Music and says Sia has failed in her opportunity to educate the world about autism.

"In a world where we're trying so hard to create really strong diversity, why is that they've got a neurotypical playing an autistic?"

When challenged with the argument that actors should be allowed to 'act' in whatever role they successfully audition for, Monique disagrees.

"It comes down to representation," she says.

"Inclusion in these types of platforms matter so much … because they lead to inclusion in life, and that is something I really worry about for [my son].

"I worry that he won't have someone on these platforms telling him that being different, being autistic, is awesome and he won't use it as a strength."

She adds that stereotypes about non-speaking autistic people are harmful.

"And if these are the misconceptions and generalisations that people are exposed to then what kind of world will [my son] grow up in?"

'Give us a chance'

While Eliza continues to try to get an agent to help her achieve her dreams of acting, she runs a YouTube channel called Planet Jassi.

Jassi is a rainbow-hued superhero, who helps kids on the spectrum create stories and do activities at home, calling her viewers 'Superstars'.

Eliza says she has fun running the channel, but really wants to land a role on her favourite show, Home and Away.

"I've always loved that show. I think because it's filmed on a beach — I think that would be a pretty good place to work!"

Eliza is realistic about the difficulties she faces.

"[Directors] are afraid [actors with a disability] won't learn their lines, or they won’t cope on set.

"I would say [to those directors] give us a chance, because you never know what might happen."

It's a sentiment her mother, Joanne, echoes. 

"Eliza is my daughter first, not my autistic daughter," she says.

"However, we are upfront that she is autistic because we think it is important for her to say, 'I do have a disability, I do have autism, but tell me what you want me to do and I will do it.'"