For a long time, people in the media have shown autistic individuals in limited and often incorrect ways. Most images focus on struggles or give just one side of what autism is like. In 2023, Hiki, a popular app for autistic people to meet friends and partners, joined forces with Getty Images to change that. Their campaign, called #AutisticOutLoud, shares real pictures made by autistic people, showing life as they experience it.
Instead of sticking to old ideas, the campaign offers a fuller picture. It shows moments of happiness, daily routines, and challenges. Lisa M. Iversen, an autistic photographer who worked on the project, said to Spectrum Astrolabe, “Usually, people see only one version of autism. That leaves out a lot of who we really are. This campaign lets us tell our stories.”
Getty Images put these pictures into a special collection and made many available free on Unsplash. This means more people, like advertisers and reporters, can use honest photos instead of wrong or hurtful ones.
Josh Hart uses Hiki and took part in the campaign. He told us, “Seeing people like me living real lives felt like I was finally seen. That feeling is powerful.”
Studies show that wrong pictures can cause stigma and loneliness. So, campaigns like #AutisticOutLoud don’t just spread the word, they help build acceptance.
Ali Saberi, who co-founded Hiki, said, “When people tell their own stories, stereotypes break down. Being in control of how you are shown makes a big difference.”
This work is not just about pictures. It’s about giving autistic people a voice and asking everyone to rethink what they believe about autism. It also shows how diverse the autistic community really is.
Sources
- Aquino, S. (2023, June 23). Getty Images, Hiki join in ‘combating visual stereotypes’ of autistic community with #AutisticOutLoud campaign. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/06/23/getty-images-hiki-join-in-combating-visual-stereotypes-of-autistic-community-with-autisticoutloud-campaign/
- Getty Images. (2023). Hiki and Getty Images campaign combats visual stereotypes of the autistic community. https://newsroom.gettyimages.com/en/getty-images/hiki-and-getty-images-campaign-combats-visual-stereotypes-of-the-autistic-community
- Mindshare. (2024, July 22). Hiki, #AutisticOutLoud. https://www.mindshareworld.com/usa/work/autisticoutloud
- Marketing Beat. (2023, June 26). Hiki partners with Getty to challenge negative stereotypes. https://www.marketing-beat.co.uk/2023/06/26/hiki-getty-wpp-mindshare/
- MM+M Online. (2023, June 21). Getty Images, Hiki unveil #AutisticOutLoud effort, celebrate neurodiversity. https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/campaigns/getty-images-hiki-unveil-autisticoutloud-effort-celebrate-neurodiversity/
- Marketing-Interactive. (2025, January 1). Hiki and Getty Images join forces to reshape stereotypes on autistic community. https://www.marketing-interactive.com/hiki-and-getty-images-join-forces-to-reshape-stereotypes-on-autistic-community
- PR Newswire. (2025, January 1). Hiki and Getty Images campaign combats visual stereotypes of the autistic community. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hiki-and-getty-images-campaign-combats-visual-stereotypes-of-the-autistic-community-301855406.html
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. (2023). Research on media representation and social outcomes.
