Crystal suspects that had she been an Autistic boy, her shutdowns would have been viewed differently. Boys are supposed to have agency and confidence, and engage actively with the world. Being nonresponsive and depressed might have inspired early intervention, rather than morphing into an unspeakable family secret. Instead, Crystal’s parents told her to stop being “so weird” and to sit up and “look alive.” When confusion and frustration made her want to break down and cry, she was similarly told to tamp those urges down.
