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What happens when authentic voices tell their own stories? Magic—the kind that changes how we see the world.

Amazon's groundbreaking series "As We See It" breaks new territory in autism representation by casting actually autistic actors in autistic roles. In this powerful conversation, the cast and creators open up about the challenges, triumphs, and revolutionary approach that makes this show unlike anything we've seen before.

Creator Jason Katims (known for his work on "Parenthood") reveals how his experience as a parent of an autistic son informed his storytelling, while going further by ensuring neurodivergent voices were present at every level of production—from the writer's room to behind the camera. "Authenticity in every aspect was the goal from the very beginning," Katims explains, describing how the trust between neurotypical and neurodivergent team members created a unique creative environment.

The heart of this discussion lies with the three lead actors—Sue Ann Pien, Albert Rutecki, and Rick Glassman—who share remarkably candid insights about portraying characters whose autism presentations sometimes differ from their own experiences. Sue Ann describes finding safety in the structured environment of filming, while Rick opens up about the challenge of playing a character hiding his autism when his own late-in-life diagnosis brought such relief.

Joe Mantegna brings powerful perspective as both an actor playing a father to an autistic son and as the real-life father of an autistic daughter. His emotional reflection on his character's cancer diagnosis—"What's going to happen when I'm no longer here?"—resonates deeply with special needs parents everywhere.

What emerges from this conversation isn't just talk about representation—it's a blueprint for how meaningful inclusion can transform storytelling. As Sue Ann beautifully puts it, the set itself became "a microcosm of what life could be like" when environments are thoughtfully designed for neurodivergent individuals.

Whether you're part of the autism community, a fan of groundbreaking television, or simply interested in authentic storytelling, this discussion will transform how you think about representation in media. Watch "As We See It" on Amazon now, and join the conversation about this show that's changing hearts and minds through honest, unflinching storytelling.

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