Autistic character study !
Ishida Shouya from A Silent Voice <3
(obligatory disclaimer - this is a headcanon and, though i am autistic, may not be entirely accurate to autism as a whole. may also include common autistic traits as opposed to symptoms)
suicidal, more common in autistic people
as a kid, always has something in his mouth, suggests he's sensory seeking
very physical as a kid, sensory seeking behavior
no sense of danger
adrenaline junkie, sensory seeking behavior
tag is always sticking out of his shirt, suggests sensory difficulties
hyperfixates on shoko as her deafness was very new to him
inappropriate interaction with shoko, didnt know how to be respectful of her disability
class clown, doesnt always realize his behavior is inappropriate
teases shoko to get attention, likely doesnt realize how mean his actions are till he gets bullied
stims by clicking his pencil
doesnt understand why his friends didnt confess, suggests a strong sense of justice
cant forgive himself for causing trouble for his mom or hurting shoko, suggests strong sense of justice
gets angry when he cant decipher others emotions
learned sign language just to be able to make amends for his mistakes
fully plans his suicide attempt, including the days leading up to it, suggests a need for preparation
does everything in his power to make up for his mistakes but still feels guilty
felt like he deserved loneliness even though his old friends were bullies too
covering his ears and closing his eyes in the school halls suggest sensory avoidance/overload
feels distant from everyone, cant figure out how to close the gap or make friends again
overanalyzes social situations
avoids eye contact
uses scripts
avoids social situations and conflict but sense of justice wont let him ignore those in need
needs to have a scripted reason to engage with someone, not socially spontaneous
struggles to remember/follow unwritten social rules
has trouble adapting to new friendships
soft spoken and slightly monotone
went from one extreme to the other after trauma, suggests high masking or burnout
flat expression
doesnt openly express emotions, uncommon emotional expressions
doesnt understand the requirements of being friends, suggests a need for rules
fixation on being a good friend, doesnt want to repeat his past mistakes
doesnt speak much but uses lots of clarifying/specific language
flight response when overwhelmed
sign language echolalia
high empathy
stutters, stunted speech when not scripted
somewhat deadpan, can be perceived as rude
seeks advice, even when its socially awkward
begins to unmask, but regresses when reminded of his trauma
black or white thinking, shown in the Xs over peoples faces
tries to keep the peace
got physically sick at the thought that his trauma would be repeated
freezes at others big emotions
puts on an overenthusiastic mask to be clear that hes happy with shoko, doesnt want to be misunderstood
didnt ever actually apologize to shoko before becoming friends
shuts down at his school festival when people are talking about him
practices smiling before his school festival
extreme discomfort when looking people in the face, save for his friends, but when overwhelmed he cant look at them either
doesnt hug people back
doesnt react well to gifts
overcoming his social anxiety eased his sensory struggles
got extremely overwhelmed by emotion when thinking about his friends and how they helped him
