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At just 2 years old, <a href="https://www.blustarproductions.com/blu-star-production-staff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex Astrella</a> was hit with a plot twist that would change his life forever. Doctors diagnosed him with Autism Spectrum Disorder, telling his parents he might never graduate high school, live on his own or even hold a job.



“Back then, the outlook wasn’t great,” he recalls.



Instead of letting that narrative define him, he took control of it, eventually earning his master’s degree in special education at Vanderbilt University, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the support systems in place for people like him and, ultimately, changing them for the better.&nbsp;



Now, more than 25 years from his diagnosis, he’s an award-winning filmmaker using his learnings to uplift the voices of other neurodiverse creatives through his film production company, <a href="https://www.blustarproductions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blu Star Productions</a>.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widening-the-aperture-inclusivity-in-filmmaking">Widening the aperture: Inclusivity in filmmaking</h2>



A single statistic set off a ripple effect in Astrella’s life. After reading that <a href="https://www.autismspeaks.org/workplace-inclusion-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">only about 20%</a> of people with disabilities, including autism, are employed, he couldn’t sit idly by.



“That hit me hard,” he says. “I thought, ‘If no one’s going to change that, maybe I can.’”



At Blu Star Productions, he’s carving out much-needed space for disabled film writers, producers, editors and more to showcase their unique talents through feature documentaries that highlight the resilient spirit of marginalized communities.



Astrella saw firsthand how unaccommodating Hollywood sets could be—loud, chaotic, a sensory nightmare for many across the disability spectrum—and decided he needed to create production spaces that gave artists the tools and accommodations they needed in order to thrive. Through Blu Star, film creatives from all sorts of backgrounds are empowered to work at their own pace, with tailored resources that support their individual needs and strengths.



Sets are designed to be sensory-friendly, workflows keep diverse <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/communication-skills-for-success/">communication styles</a> in mind and the atmosphere is always fun and laid-back. It’s a welcome departure from the fast-paced, high-pressure Hollywood norm. Beyond the set itself, Blu Star also provides mentorship opportunities, opening the door for team members to transform their perceived limitations into powerful strengths.



Blu Star’s online network also acts as a direct pipeline between major studios and their pool of neurodiverse artists, helping them access opportunities they’ve too often been excluded from.



“It’s not about lowering the bar,” Astrella says. “It’s about removing the barriers.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-one-point-perspective">Beyond the one-point perspective</h2>



Astrella discovered his love for filmmaking while he was in early therapy sessions. But it wasn’t smooth sailing from the word “action.” His initial attempts to break into the film industry were met with “age-old stereotypes and preconceived notions,” something the disabled community is only too familiar with.



At that same time, another eye-opening realization came into focus.



“Hollywood, I quickly learned, is blind to the profound potential and unique perspectives <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-better-serve-neurodivergent-employees/">neurodivergent</a> individuals bring to storytelling,” Astrella says. He realized it wasn’t just a personal frustration. “It was a systemic failure,” he says.



Seeing the industry from that new angle inspired him to build a world of his own. One where he could tell his story and where other autistic people and folks with developmental disabilities could thrive with the resources needed to truly tap into their talents.



“I realized that being autistic gave me a unique perspective, allowing me to see things in ways that a neurotypical person may not,” he says. “Filmmaking became my outlet and helped me realize my purpose in life.”



That early adversity sparked a clear goal: “to show what’s possible when we’re given the support we need, and to make sure others get the same shot.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lens-of-their-own">A lens of their own</h2>



Behind the camera, neurotypical perspectives dominate. “[And] when individuals with disabilities are excluded from the creative process,” Astrella says, “outdated stereotypes are perpetuated, and different perspectives are missed.”



“If we’re not telling our own stories, someone else is—and they usually get it wrong,” he adds.



Plus, he points out, exclusively neurotypical writing rooms are bound to “hit a wall.”



“Bringing in neurodivergent creatives breaks through that wall,” Astrella says. “Their experiences offer unique perspectives, allowing them to craft narratives, develop characters and envision worlds that, in my opinion, neurotypical creatives probably wouldn’t dream of.”



These include stories on inmate firefighters finding purpose and power through wildfire taming and how a mother’s perseverance sparked the creation of Middle Tennessee’s largest all-inclusive playground.



Through Blu Star, Astrella is putting neurodiverse creatives in the director’s seat, literally and figuratively, bringing different perspectives to the foreground and helping more people tell their own stories, their own way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-productions-with-purpose">Productions with purpose</h2>



Every piece of content that Blu Star produces is purpose-driven. From screenplays to feature documentaries, the company goes beyond the conventional to seek out powerful, often overlooked stories, from “the resilience… of the incarcerated community” to “the incredible talents of a doctor living with polio” and “countless other narratives” that deserve the spotlight.



“It’s important that we feature stories that might not otherwise be told,” Astrella says. “Because we all know what it’s like for our voices not to be heard.”



One of his favorite projects, <a href="https://www.blustarproductions.com/extraordinary-character-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extraordinary Character</a>, tackles the issue of representation head on. The documentary film follows a neurodivergent theater troupe in its adaptation of a children’s book, Stellaluna. Through the story of a baby bat who is forced to fit in among a family of birds, the film sends a simple message that encourages audiences to think a little deeper about the world we live in.



“Inclusion can be so powerful in creating a world that is more unique and exciting than a world that is more divisive,” Astrella says.&nbsp;



“At our core, we aren’t so different from one another.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-blu-star-blueprint">The Blu Star blueprint</h2>



Astrella was lucky to find early support through his parents and programs like Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a type of therapy that helps improve communication, attention, focus, social skills, memory and academic performance. He says ABA helped him “build important life skills” that allowed him to “[push] past everyone’s assumptions” and embrace his differences.



Now, he’s a Champion of Change with Autism Speaks, using the platform he built from the ground up to advocate for autistic people and highlight the critical need for employers to integrate support systems for neurodiverse talent. When companies fail to do so, he says, it “robs us of financial independence and the chance to shape our own narratives.”



Thankfully, “resources like <a href="https://www.autismspeaks.org/workplace-inclusion-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Autism Speaks’ Workplace Inclusion Now (WIN)</a> program are… helping employers to build inclusive workplaces where people on the spectrum can actually thrive,” he says.



Through Blu Star, Astrella has laid the groundwork for others to follow suit. By modeling what’s possible, he hopes more companies will get on board and use his blueprint to build workplaces that embrace differences rather than seeing them as barriers to success.



He also urges other disabled individuals to speak up for themselves and lean into the support networks around them. “I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family,” he says. “They believed in me long before the industry did, and I’ll never take that for granted.”



And for those dreaming of having their own stories heard, Astrella has some wise words: “Own your voice. The thing that makes you different is probably your greatest creative strength. Don’t try to fit into a mold that wasn’t made for you.”



Explore Blu Star’s full lineup of boundary-pushing releases at <a href="http://blustarproductions.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blustarproductions.com</a>.



Photo courtesy of Alex Astrella

Learn how Alex Astrella is smashing stereotypes through inclusive filmmaking with his company Blu Star Productions.

Learn how Alex Astrella is smashing stereotypes through inclusive filmmaking.

Alex Astrella Is Breaking Barriers in the Film Industry | SUCCESS

How Alex Astrella Used His Autism Diagnosis to Ignite Change in the Film Industry

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Megan Pietrus is a freelance writer and editor based in Montreal, Canada. Her work has appeared in the Manitoban, Canadian Dimension, and more.

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Trends &amp; Insights

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Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Still, those who don’t fit the conventional mold of what leadership is supposed to look like often find themselves sidelined in the leadership conversation.



For many autistic people, this has been their experience.



But neurodivergent folk, including autistic people, are known to be some of the most powerful and innovative thinkers. And according to Julie Landry, PsyD, board-certified clinical psychologist and co-founder of <a href="https://www.neurosparkhealth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NeuroSpark Health</a>, there is “enormous untapped potential there” for businesses who want to thrive in the fast-paced modern world.



With the right understanding and support, autistic people can emerge as innovative, inspiring and revolutionary leaders. 







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-autistic-people-bring-unique-strengths-to-leadership">How autistic people bring unique strengths to leadership</h2>



Research has shown that neurodiverse teams often outpace others in productivity. And it’s no coincidence. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/neurodivergence-impact-work/">Neurodiverse people</a>, including autistic people, are wired to think differently, often approaching things like communication, problem-solving and team building in unconventional ways. And when it comes to leadership, out-of-the-box thinking can be a powerful force for driving productivity, collaboration and breakthrough ideas.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-problem-solving-through-pattern-recognition-nbsp">Problem-solving through pattern recognition&nbsp;</h3>



Many autistic people have the unique ability to spot problems and patterns where others may miss them. Often, they’re able to quickly synthesize issues to find strategic and efficient solutions. For <a href="https://www.juliebjelland.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Julie Bjelland</a>, founder and CEO of Sensitive Empowerment, Inc., this ability has been key to problem-solving in the workplace.



“I have a natural ability to see patterns, think systemically and tune into what people need,” she says. “This allows me to go beyond surface-level challenges and address the root causes. I’m always looking at how a space's emotional, structural and sensory aspects interact, so I can build supportive environments where people feel held with care and compassion.”



Veronica Shelton, co-founder of <a href="https://oaktheory.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oak Theory</a> who was diagnosed autistic in the second grade, also attributes much of her leadership success to this strategic way of thinking. “Because my brain is wired to break things down, find the root cause and strategize solutions quickly, I don’t get stuck in panic mode,” she says.



For Shelton, everything fell into place when she realized her autism could be a powerful tool for leadership, rather than a setback. “Autism wasn’t something I had to work against,” she says. “It was the reason I noticed what others missed. It was the reason I could build systems out of chaos. It was the reason I could lead differently.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-direct-communication">Direct communication</h3>



For many autistic people, conventional styles of communication can be difficult.



<a href="https://www.sheabelsky.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shea Belsky</a>, a tech lead at HubSpot, recalls struggling with communication early on in his career. “I historically have had issues communicating with people in the past… being able to express my thoughts in ways that make sense to others,” he says.



The difficulty became a driving force in developing clear and effective communication skills. “I had to learn [how to] explain and articulate things in ways that made sense. And because I have had to overemphasize and over-index on that skill, I now think that… I’m very good at it,” he adds.



With Gen Z and millennials increasingly valuing honesty, transparency and direct communication in their leaders, this skill could be a game-changer for companies focused on building strong teams.



“Because of my autism, I am conscious and focused on making sure that when I talk to people, that I'm making sense, that they can understand me. And I take a lot of pride and care in doing that,” Belsky says.



“People rally around me at work, because I am able to articulate and explain things in ways that make sense to them.”&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-authenticity-over-image-nbsp">Authenticity over image&nbsp;</h3>



Bjelland says that autistic leadership often centers around <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-authenticity-in-the-workplace-can-result-in-greater-success/">authenticity</a> and purpose over performance. “Many of us are not interested in power or appearances,” she says.



Instead, she says autistic leaders tend to be driven by integrity and a desire to make positive changes, stemming in part from living in the shadows of a neurotypical world. “Because so many of us have had to navigate life feeling different, we’re deeply attuned to the needs of others who are also on the margins,” Bjelland says. “That awareness helps us build safer, more inclusive spaces.”



Landry, says that this quality in a leader can be refreshing. “[When] you’re reporting to a leader who is autistic, [you know] that you’re going to get the truth, that you’re going to get the real picture of things, that you don’t have to try to interpret what somebody means or what the implied message is,” she says. “It’s going to feel great.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leading-with-empathy">Leading with empathy</h3>



One pervasive misconception is that all autistic people lack empathy. This, Landry stresses, could not be further from the truth.



“Most autistics are profoundly empathic to such an extent that they have a hard time with it,” she says. “They struggle with hearing about anyone being treated unfairly.”



With that empathy comes a profound awareness of other people’s experiences and emotions, as well as an ability to connect with team members in ways neurotypical people may not be able to. “Most of us are so good at pattern recognition that we can immediately spot when something is off,” Landry adds.



Shelton describes a similar experience. “I can pick up on the subtle shifts in behavior and environments that others might miss, and that helps me navigate leadership and honestly life in general in a really intuitive way,” she says.



With <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-you-need-emotional-intelligence-to-succeed/">emotional intelligence</a> rising in importance in the workplace, this type of deep empathy will be key for businesses going forward.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reductive-stereotypes-have-led-to-overlooked-potential">Reductive stereotypes have led to overlooked potential</h2>



Autism is one of the most widely misunderstood neurotypes. Due to limited representation in media and outdated information focused on a narrow group of people, many autistics have found themselves pigeonholed into a reductive stereotype. In reality, autism encompasses a wide array of experience, capabilities and needs.



“It doesn't mean that I don't share similar experiences or problems or struggles with other people who are autistic,” Belsky says. “But we don't all have the exact same set of challenges or strengths or weaknesses or really strong areas. Everybody’s needs are a little bit different.”



And if businesses want to tap into the potential of autistic leadership, they need to remember that autism doesn’t only look one way.



As Belsky puts it, “If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meeting-the-needs-of-autistic-people-in-the-workplace-nbsp">Meeting the needs of autistic people in the workplace&nbsp;</h2>



In Bjelland’s view, one of the most powerful ways to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-better-serve-neurodivergent-employees/">support autistic people</a> is to move away from a singular model of productivity. “Instead, we should ask what someone needs to feel their best and be open to different ways of accomplishing goals,” she says.



And while it can be tempting to view all that autistic leaders can do as “superpowers,” Belsky cautions against this thinking. “It's not as simple and black-and-white [as] saying neurodiversity is a superpower, because what goes along with that is an individual’s support needs, what accommodations they need, the emotional safety to unlock an individual's ability to be awesome and great at their work,” he says.



“It could only approach the level of being a superpower if an autistic individual has the right level of comfort and the right support.”



He encourages workplaces to train staff on neurodiversity and communicate with autistic employees to understand and ensure they have what they need to thrive.



Bjelland agrees. “If we want more inclusive, compassionate leadership, we need to make space for autistic voices. We need to change the systems, not the people. When we stop pathologizing difference and start embracing it, we open the door to a more just, creative, innovative and connected future.”



Grass grows where you water it, and when businesses can offer the support that autistic people need to flourish in leadership and the workplace, everyone benefits.



Like Shelton says, “The world doesn’t just need more leaders, it needs more leaders who think differently.”



Photo by ljubaphoto/iStock.com

Learn from the experiences of autistic people in leadership and find out how to better support them in the workplace.

Learn from the experiences of autistic people in leadership and find out how to better support them in the workplace. | SUCCESS

What Autistic Individuals Can Teach Us About Great Leadership

What Autistic Individuals Can Teach Us About Great Leadership | SUCCESS

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Megan Pietrus

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How Alex Astrella Used His Autism Diagnosis to Ignite Change in the Film Industry

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