Autism Creature
| Autism Creature | |
|---|---|
 The Autism Creature | |
| First appearance |
|
| Created by | @acmeiku |
The Autism Creature, also known as the TBH Creature or Yippee, is a fictional creature from Internet memes originating in 2021. The character became popular with people on the autism spectrum online, becoming a symbol of the online autistic community.
History[edit]
In January 2021, the original drawing of the creature was shared on Twitter.[1] By 2022, it had gained substantial popularity on Tumblr,[2] and it had been nicknamed "Yippee" due to a meme video featuring the creature being blasted with confetti with a "yippee" soundbite playing.[3]
Association with autism[edit]
As the character grew in popularity, it gained traction among the autistic community. This association has been attributed to the fact that the creature has a neutral expression despite its whimsical nature, which may be relatable to some people who struggle to express emotions through facial expressions.[3] In addition, the Autism Creature has been used as a digital paper doll, with online users editing the original image to represent themselves.[2] In representing autism in a positive manner, some users consider the Autism Creature as a tool for promoting acceptance.[4]
In some memes, the Autism Creature has been depicted interacting with Ashbie Moon, another meme character with autism.[2]
Controversy[edit]
Some members of the autistic community have criticized the meme for a variety of reasons. The creature's neutral and emotionless face has been considered a negative stereotype,[2] and it has been criticized as not being an accurate representation of the autistic community's diversity.[4] The use of the term "Creature" has also been described as dehumanizing.[5]
In addition, the character's popularity has lead to images of it being used in merchandise, sometimes by non-autistic people. This has been criticized as commercial exploitation.[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "What Is the Autism Creature (aka TBH, TBH Creature, Yippee)?". www.abacenters.com. 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ a b c d "Autism Creature: What is the Yippee creature?". The Arise Society. 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ a b "What is the Yippee/TBH Creature?". National Autism Resources. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ a b c "What Is the Autism Creature (aka TBH Creature or Yippee)". www.abtaba.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ "What Is the Autism Creature (TBH Creature or Yippee)?". www.crossrivertherapy.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.