18, 19, 20, 24? -Neb

//For the questions: 2, 5, 23, 33, 37, 45?

*As the car continues to drive forward, the trio of Jims muse over their answers.*

2. How old are you?

°RJ and I are both 29.°

"I'm older by 23 minutes though-"

°-and I am half an inch taller.°

*There's a tiny bit of grumbling.*

¶I'm 33 now, as of last month.¶

5. What is your favorite color?

¶Definetly blue, aquamarine blue especially.¶

"I can never pick- lavender is pretty up there though!"

°I've been in a sort of dandelion yellow mood. That could change, but it is a nice color.°

23. Have you ever met any celebrities?

¶Just one. On a skiing trip of all things.¶

°Nice guy I remember, I'm sure you've heard of one Bim Trimmer?°

"He was neat, we got some pictures too! Not sure why the detail stuck with me, but I'm pretty sure he sharpens his teeth."

33. What do you typically have for breakfast?

°Depends, but when we have muffins that's usually what I eat?°

"Omelettes. Whatever lunch meat we've got in the fridge goes in there- and some cheese too!"

¶Cereal, usually. What kind varies though.¶

37. Favorite swear word?

°Fuck.°

"Bastard, but in reference to a cat."

¶Asshat, definetly asshat. That counts, I think?¶

47. What is your most expensive piece of clothing?

¶Probably one of my suits. I cannot be certain, though, which one at the moment.¶

°I.. don't know, honestly.°

"Maybe that one necklace you got a few years ago?"

°Maybe?°

"I'm pretty sure mine is this nice pair of loafers I got as a birthday gift- but CJ and I don't really buy expensive clothes that often? Equipment, on the other hand, is a different story."

°I try not to pay more than $15 for any shirt, but I would give my kidney for a good camera.°

¶I swear..¶

"Well, welcome Mike!"

°I hope you enjoy your time here.°

*There are sounds of coffee being poured from the kitchen.*

"Hiya!"

°Oh- hello there!°

*RJ waves with a hand not occupied by a book.*

"Hi!"

*NJ gives a wave from the kitchen.*

*even though CJ went in this strange portal, the kitten follows happily. he still drags the cracker box*

°You are just full of determination little guy. He smiles a little at them. The kitten was like a living cat motivational poster with their crackers and sweetness. He keeps walking, the air was getting heavier.°

Oh. Well... that didn’t work. Now would probably be a good idea to book it- Neb

*they're already on it, sprinting through the gloom with the camera light their only shield*

Oh god- not you too- this is a really really bad thing... CJ, you gotta get out of there! RJ was in a really bad car crash and he’s gone unconscious! -Neb

°CJ goes ridged. From how tense and still he was, you'd think that maybe you were looking at a very accurate statue of him. Then-°

°Are you sure?°

°The question was... well, you were a reliable source, but he had to make sure, he had to be certain, he /had/ to be sure. He was going to go anyway, but he had to be sure. His gaze was an intense feeling to be under.°

*the kitten purrs at his feet as he saws off the crackers he found. he would've killed a bird and brought to him, but crackers will do* meow meow

°He turns to the kitten, a brief whistle to the little one accompanied by telling him to run. It was a sweet gesture, but the kitten needed to hide; last thing he wanted to give the doll was a hostage, and the thought of it taking his new friend felt like a stab in his gut.°

*the kitten sat at his feet* mew mew mew mew mew mew mew

°He set his phone down, clicking the screen off. First sent, second saved.°

°..What is it little guy? Hungry? He gives Jim's pulse another check- still going- before pulling himself up and heading towards the kitchen. There's probably a little more burger left..°

Things to Know About Writing Autistic People

Autism comes on a spectrum. Some of us require more support than others. Some of us are better at masking/fitting in with our peers. Some of us are nonverbal, while some talk a lot. Some stim openly and publicly, while some don’t.

It’s fine to say “autistic person.” You don’t have to say “person with autism.” Person-first language implies that having autism or referring to us as autistic is bad, when it isn’t. You wouldn’t say “person with shortness” to refer to a short person, would you?

Autism is NOT a mental illness, and it doesn’t need a cure. It is classified as a developmental disorder, not any sort of mental illness. Every autistic person that I’ve talked to has been adamantly against a cure, because there’s nothing wrong with having autism.

There are many different types of stimming. Hand-flapping isn’t the only one. Chewing on things (shirts, chew necklaces, etc), rocking, fidgeting with our hands, playing with a stim toy (tangle, fidget cube, etc), bouncing, tapping, and even vocal stims are also common and valid.

Our special interests are varied. Sure, things like trains or space or dinosaurs may be special interests that a lot of autistic people have, but switch it up a little. My special interests, for example, are rainforests, witchcraft, movies, the Periodic Table, and random fun facts.

While we’re on that topic, special interests are basically like diamonds to us. When I think about my favorite movies or TV shows, I get all happy and I can’t help but smile. I can literally talk about my special interests for so long. Often, after I introduce myself to someone new, I’ll say “Have you seen [insert favorite movie or TV show]?” And if they say they have, my heart will explode and I will just start gushing.

Social skills aren’t the only thing that we can have difficulty with. Some of the hallmark characteristics of autism include having trouble making or keeping friends, not making a lot of eye contact, and speaking in a monotone voice. Please try to add in some symptoms other than just “awkward around people.” Personally, I can only make eye contact with someone if I have a connection to them or if I know them well - and even then it’s so draining. When I try to make eye contact, with anyone else, I look away quickly. It feels strange and difficult and I don’t like it. 

For the love of all things holy, do not use the term “mental r*t*rdation.” It’s outdated and isn’t used anymore by doctors. Plus, you know, the r-word is a slur. 

The world is strange and hard to understand sometimes for us. It feels like allistics have these rules that I have to follow that are so dumb, and sometimes I don’t even know the rules, but I’m expected to follow them anyway. Oftentimes, I will say something that sounds funny in my head, but when it comes out of my mouth it wasn’t funny and no one acknowledges it.

Allistics can be sooooo frustrating. If you’re going to write an autistic person accurately, you’ll want to add in some annoying and unwarranted comments by allistic people. Such as: “You don’t look like you have autism!” “I couldn’t tell you were autistic!” “People with autism are so much better than normal people - they never lie, and are never mean to anyone.” “My child has autism, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I’m so strong for dealing with them!” “Vaccines cause autism.” 

News flash: Autistic people aren’t angels. We can lie. We can cheat. We can be mean just like anyone else can. It all comes down to the individual. We are not perfect little golden children just because we have autism.

Sheldon Cooper is not a good example of an autistic person. He is just a stereotype. Media either portrays us as super-smart geniuses, or as robots who don’t understand anything that’s going on around us. Don’t perpetuate the stigma.

*Alright he's just- he's just going to go. With the plane landed and a hotel room sorted, the Newscaster sends a text. It's worded a little stiffly, but the reply of just °K° was maybe not the friendliest either.*

*NJ's foot maybe bounces in the car ride over, just a bit.*

*He's knocking, and CJ opens the door. The Cameraman's expression isn't the easiest to read, but after a moment, he seems to come to a conclusion. A small sigh, and CJ offers a small smile. NJ manages one back. The Newscaster enters, and it's not the most calm situation, but he's here, and a bit of back and forth between the twins in sign he can't follow has RJ offering him a similar small smile.*

*Maybe this wouldn't be so terrible after all.*

5?

5. who do you feel most you around?

(If unspecified I'm assuming everyone- hope that's ok?)

°RJ. He's been by my side since the beginning, quite literally.°

"Probably CJ! I'm with him all the time, and I've got nothing I feel like I have to hide from him, so I can just be me."

¶I'm.. not completely sure. Maybe WJ? I'd say my family for the most part, but there's someone at work I'm pretty comfortable being myself with, at least.¶