Join Anna Kennedy on All Things Autism as she interviews filmmaker Fiona Whitelaw and actress Eleanor Machen about their groundbreaking indie film ‘Acceptable Damage,’ which features a teenage girl with Asperger’s syndrome pursuing her dream of becoming a rock star while facing bullying and attacks. This compelling 78-minute drama breaks new ground by centering an autistic female character’s story, addressing the lack of diverse autism representation in media where male characters typically dominate. Eleanor, who was diagnosed with autism at age 10, brings authentic lived experience to her portrayal of Katie, sharing her own challenging school experiences and the reality of being misunderstood in a world lacking autism awareness. The conversation also highlights the crucial importance of Carers Week, with Anna discussing the physical and emotional toll of caring for autistic family members, including her own 26 years of surviving on just 3-4 hours of sleep nightly while supporting her son Angelo.