Writing An Autistic Character When You Are Not Autistic - A Masterpost

writing an autistic character when you are not autistic - a masterpost

completely double spaced version on google docs here – this post is more blocky for the sake of people’s dashboards, but still long so people will be less likely to glaze over it. my apologies if that makes it hard to read

things to look for and avoid in an autistic character

• symptoms only manifesting as “nonverbal and rocking” • super smart / living calculator • super dumb / doesn’t understand anything • all the symptoms you can come up with for them are “awkward” and “has special interest(s)” (please do more research) • trains, technology, and/or math as special interests • acting like a child • getting treated like a baby • unreasonably cruel and uncaring about others’ reactions to them being cruel • if they’re comparable to sheldon from the big bang theory, start over • animal comparisons • a lack of feelings • please no stories about what it’s like to be autistic told by allistics

the right way to write an autistic person

• lots of symptoms, including secondary ones not included on a general diagnosis requirement list (here’s a list i rather like that was made by an autistic person – their blog is also a good resource) • having a good amount of general knowledge and actually talking about it (i cannot believe that i have to say this) • talking about things outside of special interests (again…. come on……….) (special interests are usually the default things our brains go to when theres no stimulation or we want to entertain ourselves – it isn’t literally all we think or talk about ever. if a conversation has no connections to a special interest, reconsider having your autistic character bring it up in a context that is not an introduction.) • explicitly expressed to be capable of attraction and romantic feelings – if your character is an adult, add sexual feelings to this point • capable of general functioning, just with a disability that makes it more difficult – not a walking disability (….sigh) • a wide amount of feelings and emotional turmoil (but perhaps only being able to express it in limited ways) • we’re people • just people whose brains are wired differently

things to avoid in research for an autistic character

• autism moms / autism blogs and websites not run by autistic people • any affiliation with autism $peaks means you should walk away and never look back • a scientist trying to create explanations for what autistic people do without actually asking / not mentioning asking autistic people • anything about a cure for autism • a person that “worked with autistic kids” phrased in the same way as “worked with animals” • talking about autistic people as if they are mysteries, are like animals, or are otherwise othered weirdos instead of people

things to look for in research for an autistic character

• actual autistic people talking about their experiences and symptoms • just stick to that and you’re good but it’s hard to find sometimes ngl. just look for the above red flags

things i would personally like to see in an autistic character

• less easy to swallow sadness and more destructive anger. i would love to see a canonically autistic character who was frustrated easily by small things and had trouble communicating why • not a story about being autistic, a story that happens to have a character or characters who are autistic – it isn’t pointed out or questioned, they’re right at home with the rest of the cast and not othered (a la symmetra from overwatch) • intensive sensory issues / small sounds making large reactions • clear communications about not liking x sensory thing (for example being touched) • poor motor skills / clumsiness and not being laughed at for it • walking funny (body bent downwards, walking very fast, walking slowly, big strides, shuffling, stiffness, etc) – no one treats it as if it’s funny or something totally strange • a big personality that has a presence so they can’t be cast aside (but feel free to have quiet characters too) – if this was along with being nonverbal they would probably leap to being one of my favorite characters ever • a fear of asking for clarification on sarcasm or jokes because of past experiences and an arc about the character becoming more comfortable asking questions

>> if any fellow autistic people want to add something, feel free <<

allistics are encouraged to rb this

Myths, Creatures, and Folklore

Want to create a religion for your fictional world? Here are some references and resources!

General:

General Folklore

Various Folktales

Heroes

Weather Folklore

Trees in Mythology

Animals in Mythology

Birds in Mythology

Flowers in Mythology

Fruit in Mythology

Plants in Mythology

Folktales from Around the World

Africa:

Egyptian Mythology

African Mythology

More African Mythology

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

The Gods of Africa

Even More African Mythology

West African Mythology

All About African Mythology

African Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

The Americas:

Aztec Mythology

Haitian Mythology

Inca Mythology

Maya Mythology

Native American Mythology

More Inca Mythology

More Native American Mythology

South American Mythical Creatures

North American Mythical Creatures

Aztec Gods and Goddesses

Asia:

Chinese Mythology

Hindu Mythology

Japanese Mythology

Korean Mythology

More Japanese Mythology

Chinese and Japanese Mythical Creatures

Indian Mythical Creatures

Chinese Gods and Goddesses

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Korean Gods and Goddesses

Europe:

Basque Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Etruscan Mythology

Greek Mythology

Latvian Mythology

Norse Mythology

Roman Mythology

Arthurian Legends

Bestiary

Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Lands

Finnish Mythology

Celtic Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

Middle East:

Islamic Mythology

Judaic Mythology

Mesopotamian Mythology

Persian Mythology

Middle Eastern Mythical Creatures

Oceania:

Aboriginal Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

More Polynesian Mythology

Mythology of the Polynesian Islands

Melanesian Mythology

Massive Polynesian Mythology Post

Maori Mythical Creatures

Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses

Hawaiian Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses

Creating a Fantasy Religion:

Creating Part 1

Creating Part 2

Creating Part 3

Creating Part 4

Fantasy Religion Design Guide

Using Religion in Fantasy

Religion in Fantasy

Creating Fantasy Worlds

Beliefs in Fantasy

Some superstitions:

313K notes View Post

sirimirihiro

6 years ago

i made a meme to show you how your support for my writing makes me feel!!!! i just get increasingly excited jsjdndjs

24K notes View Post

sirimirihiro

6 years ago

Does this mean that Kirishima is in God of war?

Hey! Who in BNHA would be certain Greek deities?

Todoroki: Alaster, god of family feuds and avenger of evil deeds.

Bakugo: Ares, god of war. Represents the physical, violent, and untamed aspect of war.

Deku: Atlas, the titan of astronomy. Condemned to carry the world on his back.

Ochako: Elpis, the spirit and personification of hope.

Aizawa: Hypnos, the god of sleep.

Tsuyu: Amphitrite, goddess of the sea, wife of Poseidon.

Momo: Athena, goddess of wisdom, art, and strategy.

Kirishima: Kratos, god of strength and power.

Kaminari: Caerus, the minor god of opportunity, luck, and favorable moments.

All Might: Heracles, the greatest of the Greek heroes. He became the god of heroes, sports, athletes, health, and was the divine protector of mankind. Known as the strongest man on earth.

Mic: Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and theatre.

Midnight: Peitho, goddess of persuasion and seduction

Iida: Aristaeus, the minor patron god of animal husbandry, bee keeping, and fruit trees.

Tokoyami: Erebus, primordial god of darkness.

Shinso: Chaos, the god who fills the gap between Heaven and Earth.

Neito: Momus, the god of satire, mockery, and unfair criticism.

Ibara: Demeter, goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest.

Endeavor: Zelus, the god of dedication, envy, jealousy, and zeal.

Stain: Charon, the Ferryman of Hades.

Recovery Girl: Achelois, a minor moon goddess whose name means “she who washes away pain”

553 notes View Post

sirimirihiro

6 years ago

Can you please reblog if your blog is a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, pansexual, non binary, demisexual or any other kind of queer or questioning people? Because mine is.

466K notes View Post

sirimirihiro

6 years ago

Say it with me, kids:

Iwaizumi Hajime is not angry 24-7.

Iwaizumi Hajime is not an abusive, heartless person.

Iwaizumi Hajime knows when to not cross a line.

Iwaizumi Hajime would not say stuff like ‘shittykawa’ if he knew it really affected Oikawa Tooru deep down; the same physically.

Iwaizumi Hajime is just as passionate as Oikawa Tooru and Kageyama Tobio when it comes to volleyball.

Iwaizumi Hajime is very caring.

Iwaizumi Hajime just wants to bring out his and his team’s potential.

Iwaizumi Hajime is usually stern because he wants everyone (Oikawa especially) to be in top form.