The Artsy Autistic: How Chloe is paving the way for autism acceptance, one drawing at a time

The 14-year-old Holland Bloorview client finds artistic inspiration in the fictional worlds of Steven Universe, The Owl House and Turning Red. Chloe is not only a multi-talented painter and digital artist—they also create cosplays based on their favourite video games, repair vintage toys, and make glass paintings inspired by anime.

“When I’m making art, I’m completely at peace.”

Making art isn’t just a creative outlet for Chloe—it’s also a way to inspire change. As the creator of The Artsy Autistic, a line of colourful clothing, mugs and tumblers sold through Shop Love Collective, Chloe is sparking important conversations about autism acceptance. The teen, who is non-binary, intentionally uses the infinity symbol, which was originally created by neurodiversity advocates.

“The infinity symbol represents that the spectrum for autism is infinite. It's not just one straight line that people can be put on,” Chloe says. “There are infinite possibilities for every autistic person.”

The possibilities for Chloe’s future are endless—and with the constant support of their mom (Gabi), dad (Walt), and older sister (Maya), the teen is just getting started. As a special way to thank Holland Bloorview, where Chloe was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2021, they’re donating a portion of The Artsy Autistic sales to the hospital. And in April, Chloe and their gaming-enthusiast dad are hosting a pinball tournament to help raise funds for Holland Bloorview.

For Chloe and their family, the ASD diagnosis was life-changing. Before coming to Holland Bloorview, it took Chloe nearly 10 years to receive their diagnosis. Because Chloe did not fit a stereotype of an autistic person, specialists often dismissed their experiences. Gabi recalls one particularly “categorically dismissive” specialist who claimed that Chloe did not “look” autistic. Chloe’s story of navigating the healthcare system is similar to what many Autistic folks who are assigned female at birth experience.

“I was slapped with anxiety and ADHD for the longest time. Apparently that’s very common for autistic people who are assigned female at birth,” Chloe says. “There's a stigma in the in the field of research and in the system that it's very rare for people who are assigned female at birth to have autism and it's most likely ADHD or anxiety.”

After a long journey with misdiagnosis, Chloe was finally embraced with respect once they came to Holland Bloorview.

“We always felt listened to and supported at Holland Bloorview. Even if someone doesn't have the answer they need, they'll try to find one for us. And that is a different experience right from the beginning,” Gabi says. “As soon as you enter Holland Bloorview, there is definitely a different sense of acceptance, a different level of respect and a different type of partnership with the families and clients. Right away Chloe said, ‘I feel like I'm home. I feel like I belong here.’”

The long-awaited diagnosis not only brought validation for Chloe. It also lead them to more opportunities to help them navigate life better. Within 24 hours of receiving their diagnosis, Chloe and their family was invited to participate in the Facing Your Fears research project, which helps kids with ASD manage their anxiety. Now, Chloe feels more equipped to ask for accommodations in potentially stressful situations, whether eating at a noisy restaurant or having fun at an amusement park.

As a parent, Gabi has also added more tools to her toolbox. With support from a Holland Bloorview social worker, Gabi now feels more confident navigating what she calls the “overwhelming world” of autism services. This personalized care, she says, is unlike any other she has had in a medical setting.

Although Chloe was diagnosed recently, they have always been proud of who they are—and even wear pins on their lanyard to tell the world that they are autistic and non-binary. Through The Artsy Autistic, Chloe hopes to help shift the conversation from autism awareness to autism acceptance. For Chloe, autism acceptance would mean being able to go out in public without needing to perform neurotypical behaviour, or dealing with rude comments and stares. Simply put, autistic folks should have the right to just be.

“I want people to accept others for their disabilities and not just be aware that they exist,” Chloe says. “People need acceptance and to not get put down for who they are and what they are, because they can't change who they are. In a neurotypical world, neurodiverse people have the right to be accepted. We exist.”