According to Sia, the advocacy organization Autism Speaks came on board "long after the film was finished, four years in fact." Zoe Gross, director of operations at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, wrote to EW via email that, of the many concerns her organization has about the film, one is "the fact that the filmmakers partnered with Autism Speaks (an organization without autistic leadership whose advocacy priorities are in opposition to the autistic community) instead of with autistic-led organizations." A rep for Autism Speaks told EW that the organization "was not involved in the casting or production of the film, Music.

Representation matters, and we believe autistic actors should always be given opportunities to play autistic characters.".

"@sia has got this one wrong," the organization wrote, while promoting the work of autistic actors who participated in one of their campaigns.

She adds, "We are particularly alarmed that Sia has said it would be 'cruel' to cast a nonspeaking autistic person as an actor.

When people tell stories about autism that cut out an autistic point of view, when storytellers view us as objects to tell inspirational stories about, or when autism is treated as a narrative device rather than as a disability community full of real people, the stories that are told fall flat, don’t speak to our reality, and are often harmful to us.".

Alternatives to guardianship, such as supported decision-making, can be used to help people with all levels of support needs, including nonspeaking autistic people, retain their legal rights while still receiving supports in adulthood."

The Autism Society appreciates all storytellers who aim to authentically represent and advocate for the autism community in a thoughtful, engaged way that includes the autism community throughout the entire process."

Gross and ASAN found it "deeply disappointing to see Sia using her platform to attack autistic people who’ve spoken up about their concerns about the film." "When you speak over a marginalized community to tell their story without their input, people will object to that," says Gross

"If Sia truly wants to be an ally to the autistic community, she should listen to the feedback she’s getting and learn from autistic people about how we want to be represented."

This article has been updated with statements from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Autism Speaks