#autistically coded characters

[moonysmocha]

James POV taking about reggie (we need more fanfics with an autistically coded reggie in):

‘While interrogating me about why I was early, his eyes began to flicker, and he started to softly shake his hand in the air around his thigh. He was definitely unimpressed.’

^^ Everything and more by MoonysMocha on Ao3 (totally not self promoting ;))

[donutsloth]

For the Mirror Visitor series fans and autistics, I have a theory. 

I have no idea if the author had this in mind but I feel that the characters Ophelia and Thorn are autistically coded characters. I didn’t exactly see it right away but I think by the end of the first book I was questioning the possibility. 

Ophelia: 

special interest is her job 

dresses for comfort

scarf is a special object she carries around all the time

doesn’t relate to the rest of her family except her uncle 

doesn’t really care about conventional society

she is authentic but can mask really well

has a strong sense of right and wrong

not much for small talk

clumsy (because of an accident but still)

highly sensitive, has to wear gloves (because of her powers but still)

chews on her gloves for comfort

has difficulty expressing her emotions

Thorn:

doesn’t outwardly show emotion, flat affect 

has an Eidetic memory (one of his powers but still)

socially blunt and cold

keeps a special pocket watch at all times and fidgets with it

loves numbers and order

his special interest is his job

no small talk

has a strong sense of right and wrong

doesn’t care about conventional society 

doesn’t relate to anyone really

has difficulties expressing his emotions

masks most of the time

For those unfamiliar with adult autistic traits, this may be a stretch for you. You may even think they are just two quirky characters. To those of us who are autistic or familiar with autistic adults, you can see where my theory is going right?  

[donutsloth]

🌹Rose Colored Glasses for Autism🌹

To all the late diagnosed Autistics unpacking their childhood. Here are some of the excuses my mom had for my autistic behavior.

Note: As a little girl growing up in the 80's, the chance of a diagnosis was slim to none.

1. "She is just a little Leo, you know that firey personality." - This is in reference to me getting easily upset or angry, having meltdowns.

2. "Well ya know she is an only child. She never learned how to share or get along with other kids." - Basically her excuse for my lack of communication skills and friends.

3. "She's just shy, we're from a small town and she's an only child." - Referring to why I hardly talked, having selective mutism.

4. "She probably has ADHD but I don't want to get her tested because I don't want my child medicated." -This is referring to my slowness with school work and endless energy as a child. However, I don't have ADHD, I was tested as an adult. Any trouble I had was due to sensory overload and executive functioning issues.

5. "Yeah she is a picky eater but that is probably for the best since her father has so many allergies. If she doesn't naturally want to eat it, she could be allergic." - Referring to me only eating safe foods.

Some of these are laughable really. It's amazing how much can be excused away by being an only child.

Did any memories get unearthed after reading my list? And for the self-diagnosed, I hope my list helps any imposter syndrome.

[hoomanityisavirus]

As a late-diagnosed person coming from a deeply dysfunctional, evangelical background? seeing autistically-coded characters set in this context is really healing my religious trauma.