Amélie allowed me to embrace my neurodivergence
Watching a DVD of the French film alone in my room, I saw for the first time a character who moved through the world like I do
TL;DR
- The author identified with neurodivergent-coded female characters in film, particularly Amélie, who was the central figure and whose perspective mirrored the author's own experiences.
- Early life experiences, including a lack of friends and unique interests, led to suspicions of autism, but diagnosis was delayed due to the different ways autism can manifest in girls and the tendency to mask.
- Amélie's stimming behaviors, sensory overload, and emotional expressions, as depicted through performance and cinematography, resonated with the author's neurodivergent experience.
- Revisiting the film over time allowed the author to connect with Amélie on a deeper level, feeling an urge to help the character as a way of helping her younger self.
- The author reflects on her past struggles with social isolation and fear, contrasting them with her present-day success in building community and embracing her identity, inspired by Amélie's journey.