Autism - Blog Posts
Autism is developing entire species with full evolution paths, hierarchies, and unique customs for the world from just a single thought that you then expand on.
(I also spent approx 5 hours worldbuilding the other day)
ADHD is developing the plot for an entire book while zoned out and daydreaming and then getting so immersed in it that you spend the next week developing characters, their traits, places, development, twists and turns and just hoping the creativity holds up and you'll get to finish it.
(I spend approx 5 hours making character moodboards today)
I wanna format my infodumps into video essays but I know my ADHD would make me lose interest after 1 hour
Why I Personally See Tech as Good Representation as an Autistic Viewer
Obligatory disclaimer: I don’t speak for every other autistic person, and this post is based on my opinions, experiences, and feelings. Not all autistic viewers will feel the same way, and that is absolutely okay. I am also not claiming that Tech is 100% perfect representation or that we don’t need more diverse autistic representation in general. I am, however, saying that for me, he is overwhelmingly positive representation.
Tech is allowed to be a character and his autism isn’t made his only defining trait. Yes, Tech absolutely has autistic traits and they do come up in-text, but his character development focuses more on his journey from a regimented military life to life on the run with a young child. This isn’t the nine millionth “heartwarming” inspiration porn story about an autistic protagonist doing “normal people” things “in spite of their autism”, and that’s so refreshing to me.
Tech isn’t looked down upon by the narrative. He isn’t a caricature followed around by a laugh track like Sheldon Cooper, and the narrative doesn’t treat him as *~inspiring~* for just doing things that allistic characters do. The framing around him doesn’t feel like it’s designed to be a voyeuristic invitation for neurotypical viewers to laugh and gawk. Tech is just Some Guy, and it’s awesome.
Tech isn’t portrayed as a burden. Yes, his disability does sometimes make communication more difficult for him (see The Crossing), but the other characters aren’t shown ruminating about how things would just be so much easier if he weren’t around. He is instead portrayed as being an integral and capable part of the team.
Tech is allowed to be an adult. Autistic adults are often stereotyped as “eternal children”, but Tech isn’t given that kind of treatment at all. He takes on a parental role with Omega, and is shown having drinks, dating, piloting, and engaging in combat. The fact that he is the only member of his team to have a love interest is also huge, because autistic adults are often treated like non-sexual entities incapable of understanding romance.
Tech is caring. Yes, he can be sarcastic and a bit bitchy when he’s in a bad mood (and I love that for him), but he is shown to care deeply for his family. When you google “can autistic people…”, one of the autocomplete options is “can autistic people love”. People genuinely think that we are unable to love others, and Tech loving so fiercely on screen directly refutes that.
While Tech fits some autistic stereotypes, he subverts others. Yes, he’s an intelligent, tech-savvy man, but he also an outgoing and confident person. He doesn’t often belittle others for not being “smart enough” and is shown to be physically capable and strong. Yeah, he is a STEM oriented dude, but he doesn’t get the “scrawny mean, and insecure guy” baggage that often comes with these types of autistic characters. He’s also a person of color (albeit a whitewashed one), and the general stereotype is that autistic people are all little white boys.
Look it’s me a new undiscovered anon! Thoughts on writing stuff on your hand. Be harsh. Don’t hold back. /silly
Autism symptom, next question
sometimes I genuinely tweak because what y'all are lying to me and secretly think I'm annoying and need to stfu
Im just cool like that {Diagnosed with anxiety at the age of 12} So fun
Is Thomas {Hewitt} Neurodivergent?
TW: Discussions of mental health, TCM-Canon-activities
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I’ve headcanoned Thomas as neurodivergent, specifically with high-function/low-support needs autism {What would’ve previously been diagnosed as Asperger’s} for quite some time now, which I brought up in a previous post. As someone who’s autistic, being diagnosed late gave me..mixed feelings. On one hand, I’m glad I was diagnosed. On the other; Feeling so isolated socially, being overwhelmed and “trapped” in my head without knowing why, and being so aggravated / anxious all the time made me feel like something was wrong with me. I literally imagined myself as a druid, elf, siren, and even an alien at times because I felt so ‘inhuman.’ I imagine Thomas felt and still feels this way, too. I mean, the most he was diagnosed with was ‘mental deterioration’, which for the time period, makes sense. Mental deterioration is often described as loss in memory, changes in mood, decline in intellectual functioning, social isolation, changes in thought, difficulty perceiving things, and so forth. Considering Thomas doesn’t speak, is very reserved, very much ‘in his own world’, and has had violent / destructive tendencies since a young age, the diagnosis makes sense. For the time period. First of all, Thomas has a very cluttered and inconsistent family life. Having a family member in the military is no easy trip; It takes a lot of mental energy to keep yourself together when they leave {coming from someone who’s father is in the military.} I spent a little under half my life without my dad, Thomas only spent a year without Charlie/Hoyt, but the impact is still there. Second of all, Thomas was and still is intensely ridiculed socially. The childhood pictures of people covering his face? He’s basically been told he needs to ‘cover it up’ his entire life. The only time we get to see his face {besides his reveal} is the pictures at Henrietta and ‘Kathy’s’ trailer. Even then, his face isn’t shown in that, you have to look it up.
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The ridicule most definitely caused image/confidence issues, as well as some social anxiety. I tend to get aggressive when I’m anxious {prior to my Lord and savior prozac}, which I think could be the case with Thomas. He can control himself, sure, but he still gets overstimulated. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to get overstimulated from loud noises and textures; But maybe those things bring him comfort. He’s very attentive with an almost heightened sense of hearing, which is surprising considering he basically breathes through his chainsaw. Especially at around 1:17:7-8 in the 2003 film. Bro whipped his head around so fast once he heard those rats. He does seem to shy away from touch, unless it's a necessity or something he initiates. This is incredibly clear at 1:09:15 during The Beginning 2006; When he comes in to amputate Monty’s legs with his new mask. When Luda Mae tries to touch him / his mask, he just..stares down and adjusts his jaw. He doesn’t lean in, he doesn’t acknowledge anyone; Just zones out almost. He’s there to get a job done, not to talk. I think this is a form of self-regulation for him: Just focus on what needs to get done, then we can go back to the basement. Speaking of the basement, I think that’s his preferred space. It’s the one place {besides his bedroom / sewing room} that feels like his. No one else comes down there, spare the victims which he brings, and Hoyt on occasion. Even then, it’s short and to the point; Hoyt’s a busy man, he doesn’t linger too long. Thomas gets to let loose and be violent. It’s like as soon as he opens that steel door, the mask drops {pun intended.} He gets to create, he gets to be violent; There’s no expectations for him. In the 2003 remake, he’s listening to the radio with a HEAD ON A PLATTER as well as bottled eyeballs, sets of teeth, jars of petrolatum, and all his little machinery n’ trinkets; He’s just working away with some metal music playing and his collectables sprawled out without a care in the world. That’s his space; His “safe room” if you will. And his sewing machine up in {what is believed to be} his room.
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Going back to his ‘social awkwardness / social isolation,’ Thomas likes to stare. Like, a lot. There's multiple shots in the 2003 remake {34:15-34:23, 34:55, 43:02, 1:11:49, ect} where he’s just..staring / observing. And that’s JUST in 2003. Obviously, he’s trying to see what Erin and other victims are doing, but he’s definitely hyper-aware of things. I brought this up in a previous post, and I’m bringing it up again; in the extended scene in part 2 {0:00 - 0:30}, where Bailey is tied under the table and starts screaming once she sees Thomas just..staring at her from the doorway. He’s doing what’s called ‘T-rex arms’ as well as fidgeting with his fingers which might be a form of self-regulation; ‘Cause lets be honest, he just got introduced to this new ‘way of life’ the previous night. He also just lost his job and killed someone the previous day. He’s a little new to this. #firstkillkindanervous
I think Thomas doesn’t understand, or maybe just doesn’t care / notice he’s doing it. Staring can be very intimate for people, and I guess Thomas is just a curious and cautious fella. And I get why, gotta make sure the family is okay, and nothing goes wrong. Anyway - I also previously discussed how Thomas could have Apraxia of Speech; Which if you didn’t know, is often found in autistic children. It usually progresses with speech therapy, but Thomas very obviously didn’t have that. Expenses + time period and rural areas don’t usually produce good outcomes for neurodivergent kids anyway.
To wrap things up; I definitely think Thomas is neurodivergent. Even if he doesn’t have Autism, Apraxia of Speech is considered neurodivergent. I still firmly believe he has Autism {Level 1?}, but I’m always open to feedback and alternative ideas!
Much love, 🫀
Hyperfixation so bad I'm starting to annoy people
me when mark heathcliff exists
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[photo of the character]
i love my this. the charactr
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charac te r. ... ... . .... #FUUUUCK. THE CHARACTER.
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DOES ANYBODY EVER THINK ABOUT .THE CHARACTER
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[1.5k word essay about the character] #but like idk maybe im wrong
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character i love youso badly.
^dash when someone is possessed by The Character core (this post is positive)
Today, all I have is medication and lemonade, and I forgot to take my meds.
i wasn't planning to be this invested in the whole marina autism thing, but. here we are.
as someone who's also some flavor of neurodivergent, it's actually disturbing to me how so many of yall are reducing her down to the most stereotypical autistic babygirl traits. and when there's more to it, or these just don't apply, respond like we're attacking her pure childlike image with our edgy headcanons or something.
the sentiment of "there's nothing deep about it, she's just autistic and it makes her quirky and clueless" i've often seen whenever her past, her culture, or her accomplishments come up, is... kinda concerning. and it's gotten plenty more common.
can't we collectively not be ableist, and understand that the fictional octopus woman is a whole complex grown adult with skeletons in her closet, and not an angelically innocent baby untainted by worldly filth? or does the word "autism" need to be removed from some people's vocabularies, at least in association with the word "baby".
I often forget that being autistic still isn't fully accepted or even considered normal in 90% of the world. For example, I was having a conversation in the car and my mom saw a man standing on the side of the road staring at a bush. She pointed it out as if the man was insane or intoxicated and laughed, but I didn't understand why. He didn't seem to be hurting anyone, he was just looking at a bush. Maybe it was interesting or there was a bug on it. Maybe he has a special interest in botany or landscaping. I tried to think of it as a neurotypical might and I think it was the fact he was just standing, staring at a bush on the sidewalk that made her think that and that forced me to realize how many people think the same things about me. Why do neurotypicals find neurodivergent folks so funny? What is it that amuses them about someone who is simply not what they are used to? Why do they need to be so thoughtlessly mean?
ugh i love Tech so much and relate to him on an emotional level, ESPECIALLY in the crossing when he’s speaking to Omega in the cave, saying just because he doesn’t express things, doesn’t mean he doesn’t necessarily feel them too AND I GET THAT!! (which is also another reason why the crossing is one of my favorite episodes)
like,, if i have problems i won’t talk about them and i will pray that someone else then asks if im okay so i have an excuse to actaully talk
i struggle talking to people/expressing things/portraying emotions and i genuinely hate that about myself but i love seeing that represented in my favorite thing ever, and in a character like Tech
if only he wasn’t killed off
anyway im super upset rn so this was just yap 🤌
something that i’ve realized about why tech means so much to me as an autistic person…
in sci-fi/fantasy-type media, seeing my autistic traits in a character is rare (that’s not really a secret—we all know that there isn’t enough autism representation in the media). BUT, when there is a character with traits i relate to, it is often an alien.
think mantis or drax from guardians of the galaxy. sure, they’re main characters, but their traits that feel relatable to me are made to be a joke, and they’re like… literally aliens. it’s common in media for aliens to miss sarcasm and social cues, to be blunt, things like that. things that are also autistic traits.
so, i watch guardians of the galaxy and see myself in the aliens, the outcasts, the ones who don’t fit the same as the others because they are literally not human. this doesn’t apply to all aliens ofc but my point stands.
tech, on the other hand, is just… different. he thinks and acts differently, as do the rest of the batch, and all their differences are so celebrated. i mean, aside from that kinda being the point of the show, they’re also portraying his differences as who he is, and using it as a tool for him. which i love. he’s not an alien species. he’s not a joke (he’s teased by his brothers, but that’s just siblings lol).
(also this isn’t to say that drax and mantis are bad characters or anything. i love them and find them hilarious.)
anyway. i’ve been thinking a lot about tech lately and why he means the actual world to me, and this whole thing hasn’t left my head in days so i’m making a post about it. hopefully it resonates with someone😂
fellow autism
no context needed
No context needed
No
If everyone wanted to know about autism, look at tiktok for more
All apps MUST give me at LEAST 24 hours notice before changing ANYTHING in appearance, organization, or function. I am so serious please I can't take this anymore
I used to be haunted by demons but now I have train pattern bedsheets
Yk when you're having a conversation and it's like... too much stuff is going on, options, tasks, plans, etc, and it gets too overwhelming, but you can't do anything about it bc then you're being "rude". Like, I'm just overstimulated. Like, they claim to want to help me, but the moment it becomes annoying they just give up completely.
Personally, I prefer not to use labels. But I'm fine with others using it for themselves and stuff.
Edit: Yk after some thinking I feel like yeah things like support labels are deffo useful when they are not being used to put some people's needs below others - that was the main reason why I didn't like it, but I think if used well instead of as "well you're low-support so you should be able to do that", they are actually good tools.
I think this is something really, really important. It can be hard to feel like you're "not disabled anough". Being "high-functioning", not ticking all the boxes, not being the textbook definition, not being "neurodivergent anough".
As a "high-functioning" autistic, I constantly feel like I'm not autistic anough. Like I act too "normal". But then I feel so guilty, because I should feel so lucky and grateful that I don't struggle as much as others. I feel so selfish for wanting people to recognise that I struggle too.
Just know you are valid. It doesn't matter if your diagnosis is official or not. It doesnt matter if you're labeled as "high-functioning" or "low-functioning". It doesn't matter, because you are valid.
(not just talking about autism btw. This goes for all neurodivergents <3333)
fuck it. shout out to "high functioning" neurodivergents
the ones who can mask easily, the ones who can get social cues, the ones who have managed to go most of their life not even knowing they were ND because they didn't present as the stereotypical ND person.
the ones who can pay attention in class, understand social etiquette, who understand societial expectations
the ones who don't feel neurodivergent enough bc they don't struggle in the same ways/areas a lot of NDs do, or they can't relate to other NDs' experiences because they always understood these things easily
the ones with high empathy, the ones who DO get the joke, the ones who are constantly told that they can't possibly be neurodivergent because they don't act like what you'd expect a neurodivergent person to act like.
you are neurodivergent enough. you are valid, and so are your experiences. not struggling as much as others do in some places doesn't mean you dont struggle at all. your condition and diagnosis is valid. your symptoms are valid. YOU ARE VALID. not checking all the supposed boxes doesn't mean you aren't neurodivergent. you are enough. you are valid. you are loved. you are valued. you matter. you belong in neurodivergent spaces, you deserve to use whatever resources are available to you, you are allowed to take up space in these communities. and i am so, so proud of you.
feel free to, and actually, i encourage you to reblog this with your experiences. we belong in this community as much as anyone else. please also tag this w/ any neurodivergent conditions i may have forgotten 💙
since this is getting lots of notes I'd like to add, even if you're undiagnosed or maybe self diagnosed, for whatever reason, (i.e. can't get access to a diagnosis, not being taken seriously, or just not wanting an official diagnosis, etc.) this still applies to you. actually especially to you folks. don't think for a second you're not valid just bc you don't have the paperwork or whatever to say it
So, like, I just really wanted to write this down and like others have talked about this but like... most of y'all prob know the whole saying of "autism is a superpower" and all that. And that's all well and good, and it aims to encourage people to see autistic traits and behaviors in a positive light, and notice what they can bring to the world.
But do people think about this?
Autistic people aren't superheroes. They're people. Humans. Humans who think and breathe and laugh and cry and feel.
Autistics are not these crazy, weird anomalies to dissect, to study. We are not an attraction to laugh and talk about. We're people.
People who have struggled and been misunderstood and isolated because this world was not built for us, because we do not have the tools necessary at our disposal. Because no matter how hard we try there will always be those people. Those situations. Ones we are not able to handle like others do.
And this isn't just autism! It also goes for other neurodivergent or people with mental health problems - and even problems with physical health! We do not fit in the category of "normal" that has been fabricated by society that puts people in groups and places some higher than the rest, so we become this weird, alien thing to look down on and study.
We are not aliens.
We are people, just like the rest of you.
what neurotypicals think autistics want:
what autistics actually want:
god gives his most niche fandoms to his most autistic warriors
Personally, I actually really like these kinds of stuffed animals! :D They're my favorite kind, and whenever I get a new one I carry it around with me everywhere for a minimum of 2 weeks. Dont get me wrong, floppy softer ones are great as well and are probably more practical if you're trying to actually play with it, but firmer, more stuffed ones feel much easier to squeeze and hold in my opinion. And with their extra weight/firmness they feel almost like the stuffy version of a weighted blanket to me! No hate whatsoever to op ofc, just thought id share my thoughts bc i honestly thought everyone felt this way lol
one thing ive noticed about newer stuffed animals is theyre more rigid. like a lot of the stuffed animals i had as a kid were floppy and easy to pose and play with, but a lot of stuffed animals now are like stiff and overstuffed so they retain a specific shape. and a lot of them feel like theyre just for display, not for a child to actually interact with. like even beanie boos vs beanie babies (no hate to beanie boos) beanie babies were floppy and beanie boos have their shape and theyre not gna move
★.°✩ ɪɴᴛʀᴏ ✩ °.★
☆🌱° Hellooo, welcome to my alterhuman acc! ^^ Here mostly to shitpost/ramble, idrk how Tumblr works tbh. This is probably gonna be abandoned in like 2 weeks lmao °🌱☆
☆🌱° Basic Info °🌱☆
🦴✦ Name ➤ Wander
🦴✦ Age ➤ 19
🦴✦ Pronouns ➤ They/Them - It/Its - Fang/Fangs - Key/Keys - Star/Stars
🦴✦ Gender ➤ Trans-Nonbinary + Xenogender
🦴✦ Other Identities ➤ Queer, Lesbian, Ferasexual and Anthrosexual (humans), Ambiamorous, Rabid, Autistic, ADHD, Chronosian, Radinclus, Furry, Therian, Otherkin, Alterhuman, Non-Human, Conceptkin, Otherlink, Transspecies, IRL Werewolf
🦴✦ Hobbies + Interests ➤ Drawing, Playing Guitar (Spanish Acoustic Castella and Electric Squire), Animation, Parkour, Hiking, Urbex, Skateboarding, Cartoons, Zoology, Human Psychology, Zine Making, Fursuit Making, Social Activism, History, Philosophy, Punk Subculture, Witchcraft, Journaling, Minecraft
🦴✦ Location ➤ WA, USA
☆🌱° Alterhuman Identities °🌱☆
🪐✭ Kintypes ➤ Wolfblood (Psychological), Wingkin (Unknown)
🪐✭ Theriotypes ➤ North American Wolf (Psychological), African Wild Dog (Spiritual), Cape Clawless Otter (Spiritual), Blue Wildebeest (Unknown), Eastern Coyote (Psychological)
🪐✭ Hearttypes ➤ Clado Domestic Dog (Psychological)
🪐✭ Conceptkintypes ➤ Post Apocalyptic Survivor (Spiritual)
🪐✭ Otherlinktypes ➤ Reindeer / Clado Cervids, Clado Corvids
☆🌱° What I'll Post °🌱☆
Uhhh idk like I said mostly just shitposting and small things Im too lazy to journal about 💀 This blog will primarily be dedicated to alterhuman thoughts, experiences, artwork, opinions, and activities, however I may occasionally touch on subjects relating to queerness, transness, neurodivergency, furry, and more.
☆🌱° DNI °🌱☆
I dont rlly have a strict dni, but in general I dislike radqueers + transID ppl and really do not agree with their ideology/their involvement within alterhuman spaces. Same can be applied to folks who publicly glorify and promote abuse/assault for their own personal enjoyment (aka proshippers), and anyone who thinks it's okay to be proud of wanting to assault children (respectfully, you should be hunted for sport <3). As for everyone else, ig just dont be a dick/creep and we're good :3
☆🌱°Thank you for reading this far!! I cant wait to be insanely cringey and say stupid shit, and hopefully make some friends ^^ <3°🌱☆
Dividers credits ➤ 1 - 2
the cool thing about working with animals is that I have one singular neurotypical colleague (as far as I know). and it’s become super obvious to me that the way autistic people relate to animals is fundamentally different to how allistics relate to animals. and the way people with ADHD relate to animals is fundamentally different to those without.
(only one of my colleagues has Tourette’s and only two of us have OCD, so I don’t think that’s enough to make any grand sweeping statements).
anyway. a real interaction between two of my colleagues today.
ADHD: Maggie won’t stop barking at me. I think she’s upset.
autistic: let me go talk to her. I can fix this.
and that’s not uncommon? my autistic colleagues and I seem to talk to the animals to a much greater extent than anyone else. my ADHD colleagues and I seem to be the best at associating the correct name and breed and dietary requirements to the correct dog, which is weird, because I can’t do the same when it comes to humans.
I know that most people communicate with their animals but… it’s different in a way I can’t quite explain. the communication and connection seems so much deeper… I don’t know, it’s just wonderful. also, the fact that so many ND people work with me… that alone… indicates something.
being both autistic and having adhd is just unstoppable force: *need to brush teeth because teeth feel bad™️* vs immovable object: *intense hyperfocus and horrible executive functioning*
hey, remember that having low empathy doesn’t make you a bad or selfish person. it’s perfectly alright that your brain processes things differently.
also if you have heightened empathy, that’s also okay! you’re not over-sensitive, too emotional, or weak just cause you feel things different
there’s a lot of diversity in people and i think society really tends to dumb it down and assign people labels. and a lot of times that can be harmful and show no understanding of the nuances behind behavior. so if you’re struggling with this: i love you! you’re doing fine
just a reminder that your stims don’t have to be small, discreet, or “normal!” no matter how you stim, it’s perfectly alright. you don’t have to water them down for neurotypical approval.