5?

I.. I couldn’t see what street he was on initially.. I’ll look around. *She goes back to RJ and tried to look for a street sign* -Neb

*The street signs looks like it says Ashworth and Ridge, but you can't completely tell, as for some reason they seem to blur and shift, letters missing or a new word. Ashworth, or at the very least "Ash" is the most common, and the "R" never leaving from the other*

*The twins have managed to find their way home after the tear, which thankfully hadn't drop them too far. The two sets of headphones are on the table, the open space that joined the dining, living, and kitchen rooms providing enough area for the two of them to mill about while still within sight.*

*CJ is uploading footage from his camera into the computer, a flashlight next to him. RJ was rummaging through the kitchen, occasionally producing a small flashlight from one drawer or another. He had five on the counter before he moved to the pantry. Despite the relatively normal looking scene, both are tense and tired, RJ's usual chatter doesn't flow and doesn't come as often. CJ hasn't moved from his spot in front of the computer, which isn't all that uncommon, but there's an emptiness to his routine now.*

🅘'🅜 🅢🅞🅡🅡🅨 🅐🅑🅞🅤🅣 🅣🅗🅐🅣.

°His expression doesn't change much. Maybe a little more thoughtful, though.°

°Acknowledged. Would you mind telling me what this is about then? I need to get to Jim.°

°..I can sit down in a minute, but I do not want to sleep yet, thank you.°

°He glances around. Would you want tea or anything while you are?°

*Knocks on the door, a bunch of stuff in hand* CJ?

°*there’s the sounds of several locks being undone before the door opens. He’s there, and looking more than a little exhausted* Doc? Yeah come in he is in the living room- *he moves to leave a clear path, walking over to the matress on the floor*°

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.

°The air is oppressive here, the colors muted to the point where one could barely make out what had looked like what. The signs read 'R!dge' and 'Ashwor+h', and right at the mouth of an ally way, the remains of a crash are present. It was hit from the side, the impact zone crunched like a punched aluminum can. The other car is nowhere to be seen. Actually, nothing is to be seen. There are no people here...°

°Except for one.°

°CJ doesn't know the exact moment that despite the air that feels like a punch to breath in that he starts running, he doesn't know when he touches the door why it seems to not quite feel like he's touching it, or why when he pulls it the door rips off like paper, like in a dream, and he doesn't know when he started cradling RJ like he's a small child who's only just fallen asleep, or how he got him out in the first place.°

°He doesn't know when the tears started, but he knows when they change. He knows why they change as his fingers still find a pulse benieth them.°

°His brother is alive. And he's going to keep him that way.°

°He needs to get out of here and to a doctor though, fast.°

If you think asexual people aren’t LGBTQ get the fuck off my blog right now

*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..°

*The doll calmed down and started chanting again. The room glowed purple.*

°If Disney had taught him anything, it was that purple and green were not safe in these contexts. His mind was still reeling from what Neb had said, but if self-preservation hadn't convinced him that he needed to get out, his brother being in danger had.°

°Let. Me. Go.°

*They walked through the portal with CJ.*

°He glanced around, blinking in the new space. It looked like... downtown? There's a tension in the air though, and the colors are muted, like the world is a bowstring strung tight through a camera filter. It's familiar, and not just because it looks like the streets he'd driven down with RJ a thousand times.°

°...°

°He starts walking forward°