forum help writing a character with autism

Started August 24, 2021 by @SHEELOH group

tune

I don't want to offend anyone while writing him, so I'd appreciate any help :)

You're character is on private. Once you make it public though, I'd be happy to take a look.

Me as well, I would be happy to take a look!

I'd love to help you!

so sorry guys, I didn't know that he was on private! -public now :)

I personally don't find him offensive. As an autistic kid myself, I actually find him to be relatable to an extent. His character flaws and general personality are similar to my own. Of course, everyone's experiences are different, but I think he's pretty well-written from what I can see. :) (I can't give much advice since I haven't written an autistic character, but I can say that he is pretty relatable personality wise)

Aw, thank you! It really helps, I really enjoy feedback on this kinda stuff so thank you haha

Of course! I'm happy to help! Also, I like him! (I generally like relatable characters)

I agree with @Kokichi_Ouma. I have autism as well, and he sounds a lot like me (and I actually kind of appreciate that he doesn't really engage in conversations much. I feel like that's not something that gets represented all the time, but it's something that I struggle with). I'm not seeing anything that's coming off as offensive, nor does he seem like a stereotype.
I do have two questions about him thought:

• Does he stim? And if so how?
• Does he have any special interests? What are they?

I didn't see anything about this on his page (or maybe I just missed it) but those are both pretty common traits of autism. If you don't have an answer yet, it might be something to look into. Tbh though, so far it seems like you've done a pretty good job :)

wow, thank you guys! I was really nervous! I have a question, can you have mild autism or severe autism? my sister says that is impossible and I was just curious…

It's not really impossible, but it's also not really correct either.

We tend to think of the autism spectrum as a straight line with what you're referring to as "mild autism" on one end and "severe autism" on the other.
But the thing is it's not really like that. Just because I can hold down a job, live on my own, and even travel solo to different countries doesn't mean I'm less autistic than someone who can't speak, or has extreme sensitivities to noises and crowds, etc and will always need someone to help them out.

Instead, it's more like this:

It's not really impossible, but it's also not really correct either.

We tend to think of the autism spectrum as a straight line with what you're referring to as "mild autism" on one end and "severe autism" on the other.
But the thing is it's not really like that. Just because I can hold down a job, live on my own, and even travel solo to different countries doesn't mean I'm less autistic than someone who can't speak, or has extreme sensitivities to noises and crowds, etc and will always need someone to help them out.

Instead, it's more like this:

People tend to look at "mild" or "severe" autism through the lens of how they experience our autism.

It's only severe to them because they don't grasp what behaviors we use or how we communicate. It's only "mild" to them because we can pass as neurotypical.

also, don't use functioning labels because literally everybody functions differently and that can vary day to day. And to prevent myself from ranting, i'll stop myself here:

High functioning removes support.
Low functioning removes agency.

also, don't use functioning labels because literally everybody functions differently and that can vary day to day. And to prevent myself from ranting, i'll stop myself here

I'm going to add onto this because I often see people saying not to use high/low functioning labels but no one ever says what terms to use instead.

Instead of "High functioning" or "mild" use "Level 1"- Level 1 autism is what I have. It's not super obvious that I have a disability and a lot of people might just think I'm very shy or awkward.

Instead of "Low functioning" or "severe" use Level 3- With level 3 autism, it's very obvious that this person has a disability. People with level 3 autism will usually need a lot of one on one help.

There's also Level 2 which is in between the 2. With level 2 autism people can usually tell that this person has a disability.

Here's a diagram I found that goes into a little more depth:

Just another tidbit to add to the thread, autism (or being autistic) is not an illness or disease; it is a neurotype. Basically it means that an autistic person's brain is wired differently than an allistic's (or neurotypical's) brain and that it can be different from another autistic person's brain too. If you take that away from the person who's autistic, you practically have a different person. Some prefer using identity first language when talking about being autistic while others may not. It is not a monolith, but please do be aware and take this into account.

wow, I cannot express how grateful I am for all of you guys and your comments, Thank you all so much I will definitely remember these things While writing him, Few more questions?

-Can you be Social with autism, because everyone I've met with autism has been shy and quiet, Is it possible to have autism and be very social and like being with other people?

-Can Autism get better as you get older? Not be cured or anything, but dull after time?

-Do people with Autism take any medications for it? like if you are diagnosed with Autism are you just sent him with a pat on the back and a lollypop? or do you pick up Medicine and stimulators?

-how early can Autism be diagnosed?

Thanks again!

Can you be Social with autism, because everyone I've met with autism has been shy and quiet, Is it possible to have autism and be very social and like being with other people?

Yup

Can Autism get better as you get older? Not be cured or anything, but dull after time?

No, I just think people get better at masking their autistic traits.

Do people with Autism take any medications for it? like if you are diagnosed with Autism are you just sent him with a pat on the back and a lollypop? or do you pick up Medicine and stimulators?

There's no medication for autism. However, it is worth mentioning that a lot of autistic people might have other conditions that are commonly associated with autism that they might take medication for (like epilepsy, ADHD, OCD, depression, etc.)

how early can Autism be diagnosed?

Google is telling me that 2 years old is when a diagnosis is considered to be "reliable". It's not super uncommon though to be diagnosed much later though.

Great! thanks :) if I have any more questions ill ask here!

I'm going to add onto this because I often see people saying not to use high/low functioning labels but no one ever says what terms to use instead.

Instead of "High functioning" or "mild" use "Level 1"- Level 1 autism is what I have. It's not super obvious that I have a disability and a lot of people might just think I'm very shy or awkward.

Instead of "Low functioning" or "severe" use Level 3- With level 3 autism, it's very obvious that this person has a disability. People with level 3 autism will usually need a lot of one on one help.

There's also Level 2 which is in between the 2. With level 2 autism people can usually tell that this person has a disability.

Here's a diagram I found that goes into a little more depth:

Levels can be just as damaging.
A level doesn't tell me what assistance an autistic person needs.

Don't bring levels into it.

instead, literally just bring up assistance needs. Those could range anywhere from 'sometimes needs assistance tying shoes' or 'may need assistance entering and exiting the shower/tub', or 'may need assistance with understanding social cues'. And none of those things need to be blatantly spoken as 'needs assistance with'. You can literally say sometimes they need help doing x task; sometimes parent or guardian assists with x task etc.