Autistic actress Chloe Hayden found her voice as an online 'princess' | Compass | ABC Australia

Chloe Hayden was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 13 and was selective mute for many years. With a passion for Disney princesses, Chloe found her voice online as a 'princess' and now stars as Quinni in Heartbreak High.
📺 Watch Compass Sundays on ABC TV and iView: iview.abc.net.au/show/compass
00:00 Who is Chloe Hayden?
02:24 Chloe Hayden and the Happily Ever After
09:25 Call to adventure
24:27 The Happily Ever After
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[@chloebunde4455]

So awesome to see this. Chloe Hayden is a gift to the neurodiversity movement. She has meant so much to me as an autistic woman myself and I see how big of an effect she has on so many others. Thank you, Chloe.

[@rachelgerlach5101]

Chloe taught me what neurodiversity was and that changed my perspective on my autism entirely. Now I want to write films about self-actualized, unapologetic autistic adults using their neurodivergent perspectives to do things neurotypical people could never dream of. Thank you Chloe for enlightening and empowering me! I am so grateful for your videos!

[@themikuwithin]

That sounds amazing! It would be so incredibly valuable to the world! ❤️❤️❤️ Not just for us neurodivergents, to see the endless possibilities of what we can achieve. But for neurotypical people too! So they aren’t looking at “what we can’t do”, but how incredible and awesome we truly are!

[@facthunt2facthunt245]

People can only make a living writing if they know someone in the industry. Otherwise it's virtually impossible to break into. I guess you could make youtube videos.

[@TheRawChuck]

I really hope you do this, for yourself and all Autistic people.

[@MiloNoahWarner]

she spiked my sudden motivation to write a book with different stories of different autistic characters with vastly different backgrounds. thank you Chloe, your an amazing human being.

[@ChainReactionsProductions]

I’ve only just started following Chloé online very recently, but I wish I could thank her because she gives me so much hope as an autistic person wanting to pursue my dream of working in the arts! I’ll say it loud for the people in the back, good representation really matters!

[@baxterh7374]

Best of luck with your dream! 💛

[@Ashyblubear]

Chloe has helped me to see I have adhd and I was just diagnosed two weeks ago at the age of 25. I am so blessed to be who I am and now know that there is nothing wrong with me, my brains just wired a little differently and thats okay 😊 I can't thank Chloe enough for being so unapologetically herself and sharing her story to help others like myself ❤

[@ellasermon5677]

Chloe inspires me to be a better person. I look forward to hearing more from her and to learning more about what it's like to be on the spectrum, lots of love!

[@Amelie-ie5ik]

“Who you are is exactly who your supposed to be 2:10” killed me. Ive been masking my whole life and still only told 2 people i might be autistic which are my bestfriend and my boyfriend who also are autistic. I wish people just could understand that being autistic isnt a bad thing. I cant even bring it upon myself to ask my mum to get me diagnosed cz she wont accept it deep within and ill feel bad for her. I always thought i was weird and that who i am is too much/bad. Chloe teached me that its not. From the moment i watched heartbreak high i immidiately got attached to quinni and started doing research and started watching chloes tiktoks + youtube videos and they made me accept myself more and im so thankful for that. So i decided when im getting an aquarium im naming my two favourite fish chloe and quinni:)

[@facthunt2facthunt245]

It's an ironic thing to say when so many autistic people want to transition.

[@deborahlee8135]

Thank you Chloe. I'm understanding much of my younger self hearing your voice and that's enabling this 60 year old (dx at 59) to come to terms with who she is and why. Very grateful for your voices and others like yours.

[@kaze987]

Everyone's got a story. Glad she gets to share hers :)

[@GamingSaturnMoonManBoy]

I started following Chloe online during the pandemic. I myself am autistic and Chloe has become a big inspiration to me.

[@CrushOnFire13]

Im 30 years old from Texas. Last year I found out I am Autistic from watching Heartbreak High! People seem so much nicer in Australia❣ edit: I hope Chloes mum knows that her daughter is doing so well now bc of all the love and support she has always given her!

[@LynHannan]

My eldest daughter is an aspie, probably 2 years younger than Chloe. Undiagnosed until year 8, Primary school was so traumatic for her while Secondary school were very supportive. I think her hardest year was grade 5, when I initiated counseling - who started us on the track of a diagnosis. WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE TO GET A DIAGNOSIS? We couldn't afford it so it had to be done piecemeal (3 years), yet she was suicidal - she needed help, UNDERSTANDING, SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, TEACHING and so did I. Her Primary school failed her by REFUSING to help her (to both our faces). Yet these times helped to strengthen the bond between us because she saw that I wasn't going to give up on her or allow her to give up on herself. She saw Secondary school as a fresh start; I had an hour long visit with 5 secondary teachers before her grade 6 year had ended, so was able to give them an idea of her struggles and frustrations. I didn't hold back, they were told about her lashing out at anyone close to her when she became upset. I told them about her grades - she was 3 YEARS behind in Maths and English and at least 1 year behind in everything else. I told them she was hiding steak knives in her bedroom in Grade 5. Her Primary school agreed she needed more time but refused point-blank to keep her down to give it to her. It was a fresh start. So fresh she hasn't looked back! At the end of year 9, she had learned 6 years of Maths and English. The following year, she surpassed me in Maths - I am so proud of her! She still needed a lot of my help with English, as the written word (still) confounds her. It might take half an hour to help her understand what a paragraph is trying to say or ask of her, but once we've annotated it and she has told me in her OWN words what she thinks it is about (to reassure me that she understands), I can then leave her to write down her thoughts and make a start on her work (which I then need to help her to flesh out, otherwise her paragraphs would be 1 short sentence). She is currently doing Uni (!!!) and learning accounting and bookkeeping on a part-time basis (because full time overwhelmed her). She also has a part-time job in a supermarket - forcing her to get her exercise to the train station and back (!!). She will forever be missing the social cues, but she is ok with that, she is not a social butterfly by nature. She is strong and steady, and quietly happy with herself! I am no more concerned for her if I were to suddenly die, than I am for her younger sister, or than any parent of their Neurotypical children. Everyone is different. Every "normal" person is different. Every Neurodivergent person is different. We are all INDIVIDUALS. Take everyone at face value until you receive evidence to do otherwise. Don't be quick to judge, look with compassion - you have not walked in their shoes or watched them struggle, they may be having a bad day. Shit happens to everyone no matter their race, gender, creed, mentality. Ask why before pronouncing judgement - ask yourself first before asking them, they deserve as much respect as you expect for yourself. We need to learn to show more compassion as an initial response to each situation. Compassion teaches us that not all interactions require talking or bringing it all out into the open, compassion can simply be a smile or wink of recognition.

[@augustine354]

Hi, just so you know the terms “aspie” and “asperger’s” are outdated! This is because Hans Asperger was a n*zi and because autism spectrum disorder is a more inclusive diagnosis!

[@edithstark-ev5dy]

the term ‘aspie’ or ‘aspergers’ is offensive, it’s just autism.

[@saxenart]

So autistic, not aspie.

[@lunaneila]

I’m so thankful to be alive at the same time as Chloe. She’s the reason I kept watching Heartbreak high past the pilot episode 😅 not even knowing who she was, I’ve just loved Quinny as soon as I saw her. Her content is what lead me on the path to learn more about autism because I could relate to what she was saying. I’m only at the beginning of my journey but I know that what I’m learning is important, even if I find out later that I’m not autistic. She’s a beautiful human being, I’m genuinely glad she’s able to live the life she has now!

[@facthunt2facthunt245]

Yes but one of the reasons she's so positive is because she was fortunate enough to have good parents. They deserve some of the credit.

[@finnleycooper]

Seeing Chloe in Heartbreak High was so amazing and made me feel seen as an AuDHD person. I literally watched it because of her and loved it.

[@signingwithmelsasl6779]

I have been watching Chloe for years now, this made me cry so many happy tears ❤

[@meganlampa3293]

Thanks Chloe and Hannah 🎉you're both so amazing and even at 29 seeing people like me really, really helps.

[@elizabethswann05]

Watching this has been my Matlida-Moment!

[@alyssasmith449]

Chloe is my Inspiration as an autistic woman she made me not scared to be who I am

[@lissa558]

❤ thank you chloe for sharing your story. I especially appreciate hearing about how long it takes to recover. It’s easy to get impatient but it takes as long as it takes. There’s no way to rush it. Thanks for talking about it.

[@dinosaurs_rule]

She's so incredible and beautiful and inspiring. She has helped me so so much 💛💛💛

[@autisticgirlmelissal628]

I smiled and cried while watching the whole video from beginning to end, and when Chloe said ''Who you are is exactly who your supposed to be 2:10 '' I felt that deep in my heart. I've always felt so different for a very long time since I was a child and felt like I had to copy other people words and expressions,how they acted or dress or try to be trendy to fit in to try to be normal but I still get bullied for being too weird,too quiet,too shy, too awkward or too emo,too fat etc now I'm in my 20's, I am 27 years old and I got diagnosed in my early 20's probably around 22 with ASD and Depression and anxiety. When I got my diagnosis of being on the spectrum I felt happy like finally, now i'm older I don't care much about fitting in but just being myself playing with makeup,liking anime and plushies,unicorns and my favorite princess is Belle from beauty and the beast or snow white. I like dressing up and wearing different colors if it's dark or bright and bold colors. I'm very high masking and struggled to socialize with people I sometimes didn't know what to say or how to start a conversation and I do talk but only through texting but I can through months or weeks without texting anyone and later on start talking again but then stop that's just how I am. I don't like talking on the phone it gives me so much anxiety, i'm so introverted i like having my own space But i also don't want to feel so alone, I do want love and want happiness, I'm a single mom with my own child, I'm disabled, & queer I truly hope that there is someone out there for me someday that will accept me for me and my daughter as well.

[@tinkabell4508]

"ok sia" 😆

[@lisawanderess]

Best line ever! 😂

[@LunarWind99]

Chloe is such an extraordinary human being with such a kind heart ❤️ She was one of the first people online who helped me to realise that I was Nd and has had a massive influence in my life 💕💙 So proud of her for chasing her dreams 💙💜💙

[@annienamaste8283]

This is so important and beautiful. Thank you Chloé 💖🙏💕

[@kiwidoesstuff]

I almost cried multiple times during this. I love you so much Chloé and thank you for helping me realize that I’m okay to be me 🫶

[@mudgy]

Thank you for this episode. Thank you Chloe ❤ I understand my life so far a little better.

[@chrystal561]

Cried when her mom said she felt like she failed as a parent because her daughter's diagnosis had been missed as opposed to feeling like she failed because her daughter was autistic. Just hearing her say that healed my inner child. Chloe is so lucky to have an understanding and supportive mother in her life

[@danyelPitmon]

I am from the United States. I am writing you to say that I have multiple mental health disorders and I am Nuro divergent and I have gone through a serious depression problem myself and suicidal many different things. I’m also transgender and I’m finally well enough to get my bottom surgery I would like to say one of my inspirations is Chloe Hayden She is fantastic and a wonderful person to look up to, and I loved her in the mini series or in the TV series of heartbreak high and I would like to see more episodes with her😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@saxenart]

Love you Chloe! Thanks for what you do for disabled people. We need more positivity and acceptance around autism! If there are more people like you, autistic lives would definitely be better.🌱💚💛

[@RuthMcDougal]

Yes!!! So glad for Heartbreak High introducing me to Chloe! She’s an sharing advocate.

[@sterrelandstra280]

Just thank you ❤

[@SwiftieRodSquad]

I only just watched heartbreak high and seeing Autism and ADHD Represented Properly Makes Me Feel Happy Inside Because I Have Autism and(Maybe ADHD) I Have Been Bullied By Ableist Bullies that keep called me the R Slur and Barked at me and Chloe Inspires Me To Ignore the Bullies and Be Who I Am

[@charlottesm341]

Thank you Chloe for telling your story,you truly are an inspiration ❤

[@Yuri-fh1gt]

She’s such a lovely soul

[@lillysmith895]

I’m proud to be autistic

[@Clarkkent163]

Usually what you tend to find is, the character will not be the same as the person in real time. So I was shocked when I found out she actually has Autism! I thought it was just her memorising off a script written by other human beings in season 1 of Heartbreak High! I'm 25 years old and male and from England lol but I like watching the series. Now I'm watching season 2 episode 3 lol

[@PossumMedic]

Chloe is an inspiration!‍🥰 🙌‍

[@thekiamahousehold]

So inspiring

[@rainbowdinosaurrrrrr]

I love you Chloe!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JennSmart]

Chloe is such an amazing woman and so inspiring ❤🎉

[@courtdavila]

Beautiful beautiful story 🫶

[@milliemultieditz]

I LOVE YOUU CHLOEEEE

[@alexandrahurst9507]

I love you Chloe

[@xhyuck]

please sir, i need more

[@Stormbrise]

It is sad that some stupid trolls have chased her away from blogging, posting videos of herself. I miss her online everyday. If someone talks about her, I will watch it.

[@glenrose7482]

Represent!!! 😆😎🤩

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

Omg Chloe 🥹💗✨

[@socialmimicry]

It sounds like she has a wholesome and supportive family. Not so for a lot of individuals diagnosed with Autism later. I do find it interesting that Chloe does not mention the supports she has received over the years. I am pretty sure I saw her mention receiving NDIS [been around 10 years now] funding in the past. Prior to that there was helping children with Autism (2008). Chloe's age might have enabled her to receive the tail-end of that (cut-off for support was 13 but extended to 15 if you had a plan in place at age 13). Most of these Autism-related stories posted by ABC, every now and again, make it sound like they did things entirely on their own. The entirely on their owns are more commonly found in the 30+ demographic.

[@facthunt2facthunt245]

Exactly. The problem with stories like these is certain people get held up as inspirational when they have more help/advantages than the average person with the same condition. It's designed to make autism look like it's positive when it's a negative thing for the vast majority who have it. Most of us don't get to pursue our dreams. Only 20 percent of autistics are even employed and many of us are isolated and ignored. Chloe was also lucky to have parents who took her places, indulged her whims and supported her dreams.

[@Esthersnest]

❤❤

[@aussiefurbymogwaifan6621]

If heartbreak high is on Netflix (where the show airs around the world), I don’t know why other networks outside of the abc are promoting chole and her book/her other heartbreak high cast mates?

[@Majorana.dryade]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@robbiewales3007]

I had the pleasure of meeting Chloe in Geelong a few years ago at a conference. Chloe is very talented and a excellent role model for young people. I would like to meet up and act in a Netflix series with Chloe at some stage as I too am autistic.

[@cetaceantali]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lisawanderess]

💗🌈🥰🦄👑😍🌼💕

[@hannahrobertson169]

How does a teacher stand there and tell Chloe is her fault?

[@vikingfairy7]

Pongan subtítulos en español por favor

[@Some_Joker]

I found out at 40 I am autistic. Im still 40... But who cares about a 40 year old autistic nobody...

[@facthunt2facthunt245]

True. The problem with videos like this is it makes autism look like it's always a good thing but so many autistics are struggling with their education and employment prospects. And of course a nonverbal person's experience wouldn't be anywhere near as positive as Chloe's. She's been able to do all these fun things but some autistic people are ignored and certainly don't have acting opportunities and publishing deals. She's been very fortunate to have good parents who obviously took her places and made life an adventure for her, most don't have that.

[@ash_and_lavender]

Chloe has breyers 🥹 i collected them growing up, I loved them so so much and took care of them as best I could

[@photondance]

❤😊💕