Deputy Editor Charlie O’Keeffe highlights the importance of authentic autistic representation in TV media, focusing on the portrayal of Quinni in Heartbreak High by Chloé Hayden
I think I can best explain Heartbreak High as Australia’s answer to Sex Education. It is a soft-reboot of a 90s show of the same name. A high school dramedy with the same emphasis on engaging with topical issues – complete with a sex education class to bring our characters together. Fair warning, tonally, I would say it is a bit darker than Sex Education, leaning less on the comedy aspect. In this article, I want to highlight Quinni from Heartbreak High, as a character that really stands out for me.
The reason I want to discuss Quinni, is that she is a source of autistic representation unlike any I have ever seen. For starters, I don’t think she does any maths for the entire show.
There is not a huge prevalence of autistic representation in the media at the best of times … it is invariably some nerdy guy who just loves science
I was diagnosed as autistic in my second year of university, and I have found it hard to integrate that knowledge into my sense of self. The only autistic characters I’d ever really seen on TV were Sam from Atypical, and Sheldon Cooper (ish). There is not a huge prevalence of autistic representation in the media at the best of times, but when it’s there, it is invariably some nerdy guy who just loves science more than people. This meant that my sense of what autism is did not really match up to who I am. Sure I knew I wasn’t good with eye contact and struggled socially, but the image of autism I had in my head was nothing like me. I am aware that these same stereotypes influence how people around me understand autism too.
This is why Quinni was such a cool character to see on screen. Instead of just being nerdy, the show puts real effort into giving her a special interest which accurately reflects how autistic people experience these. For me, what was significant was the emphasis on her friendships and relationships. Whilst it was clear that she had her social struggles, she was not an isolated character, and I would say her friendliness is a driving force for the plot. I was glad to see a show which didn’t present autistic people as almost incapable of forming bonds.
Whilst it was clear that she had her social struggles, she was not an isolated character, and I would say her friendliness is a driving force for the plot
In the show, Quinni has a best friend Darren who is consistently shown as understanding her needs. This is something I have really appreciated finding in my own friendships. There are moments where the show presents Quinni in severe distress and Darren is able to comfort her in a way that caters towards her experience. For example, at one point she gets overwhelmed at a party and cannot handle being touched, and I felt this was really sensitively handled. She is never presented as a burden to her friends, or othered for her different experiences. Importantly, Quinni is still shown laughing and joking and engaging with friendships beyond any focus on her social struggles.
Her romantic relationship with Sasha was also really well-handled in my view. Sasha is a character who does not understand autism. When she doesn’t know that Quinni is autistic, Sasha receives her poorly as she thinks Quinni seems uninterested in conversation. I felt this really acknowledged the reality of being autistic. Especially for, feminine presenting people, who do not fit society’s sense of what autism is and whose symptoms may be expressed differently. I enjoyed how the show critiqued Sasha’s approach to Quinni’s autism and put the onus on her to work to embrace Quinni fully, rather than insisting that Quinni should learn to mask or emulate those around her more.
A lot of media features non-autistic actors and, whilst I know it’s actors’ job to embody different personas, this can lead to autistic characters feeling like cliches. This is particularly problematic when they’re emulating behaviours like stimming. Which, for those who don’t know, is defined as: ‘a self-stimulatory behaviour that is marked by a repetitive action or movement of the body’ and is associated with things like autism and ADHD. There was Cia’s infamous film Music where Dance Moms alumnus Maddie Zieglar portrayed a non-verbal autistic character with outlandish mannerism that read like a caricature. This is why I think it is so important that Quinni is portrayed by an autistic actor. Chloé Hayden gives an amazing performance and the authenticity in her mannerisms really shines through.
A lot media features non-autistic actors … [which] is why I think it is so important that Quinni is portrayed by an autistic actor
I would really recommend giving this show a watch if you’re interested in seeing autistic media outside of the normal cliches. Whilst obviously it’s not a source on autism, I genuinely think it could help build a general understanding. I hope to see more characters like this in future.
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