Autistic Tim Templeton Headcanons!
he was diagnosed around age 10
his autism is one of the reasons why he feels so different from his brother, and why they both went down two very different life paths.
he DISPISES the textures of certain foods, like bananas or peas. they’re just mushy and gross!
he doesn’t like carbonated beverages. the bubbles feel weird and they kinda hurt his stomach.
he neuro narrates a lot! whether its through his imagination, daydreaming, or playing with his kids!
he’s had multiple special interests since childhood, like wizards, music, and board games.
he doesn’t always get jokes or sarcasm. sometimes Carol will make an off handed sarcastic comment and it’ll hurt Tim’s feelings, and she’s had to learn to clarify whenever she was joking in the future.
he does NOT like loud noises. at all. whether its a dog randomly barking, a firework going off, or thunder– it causes him to become extremely overstimulated and anxious.
Tim experiences episodes of being minimally verbal when overstimulated. it’s hard for him to communicate how he’s truly feeling, or what he really needs.
Tim likes being able to write because it helps him pre-plan certain situations and script out what it would be like in reality. it helps with being minimally verbal on occasion.
Tim loves his routine, and having kids was actually really helpful with that. before the kids, it was easier for things to pop up and interrupt the routine he and Carol had set up in their lives. after the kids, people were more understanding.
he fidgets and stims, a lot. whether its bouncing his leg, rocking in his chair, or picking at his fingers, chewing at his nails – he’s constantly moving.
he hates when people touch his things or rearrange them. he puts them in a very specific order and he doesn’t like it when that order is changed or switched around!
he’s SUPER clumsy. he always bumps into things or knocks over a vase of flowers that Carol had JUST put on the table. he constantly bruises himself because of this, too.
both Tim and Carol are obviously huge advocates in regards to mental health. they educate others on autism and hold little events at the library. he’s not as awkward interacting with people he knows and trusts, but he kinda shuts down when talking to a complete stranger. its just hard to connect the same way.