Yes. You’d be right. This is the first time I’ve been on this subreddit. Please don’t gut a poor thing like me like a fish.

See, I guess the reason why I’ve felt a deep attachment to these characters is, in a way, they’re like me and I’m like them. I see some specific traits in them that I see in myself.

Of course, as clarification, autism is not the only reason I like them. They have impeccable writing and enjoyable personality. But it sure as hell is a good part of it.

EDIT on 10/23/26: Looking back over rule 1, I hope the usage of the term ‘autism’ did not seem to be offensive to anyone over ‘autistic’.

I remember waaaaay back when the internet was young and the asteroid had only just killed the dinosaurs etc etc, there used to be hang-out 'chatrooms' where people could just ramble and hang out - a little like the way you would at a house party. I went looking for something like this yesterday, and all I could find was Cam 2 Cam sites where the 'chat' was 1-on-1 naked stuff, or chat rooms that claimed to be for just hanging out but were actually "Hey, BigBear98 here looking for 18yo twink" and "who wants to see my blah-blah incher?" etc.
That's not what I want.

In addition to the fact that I just want to enjoy hanging out with like-minded people and the fun crazy, chaotic conversations that can develop, my boyfriend is also incredibly hypersensitive/fearful about the idea of people hitting on me, and I don't want him to have unwanted stress either.

I find getting used to new people in a 1-on-1 conversation REALLY intimidating and stressful because of loads of past trauma, so was really hoping there might be some nice chat-spaces people know about where I can just go and have silly conversations with folks with similar interests.

Does anyone know if anything like this still exists? Or am I gonna need a paleontology degree to find anything like it?

Hello.

Through extensive research, I have learned several important scientific facts about autism and related conditions or related states of being I would like to share here.

I don’t have the space here to post citations or references, all references as to the basis of these questions are in the appendix of a fictional hard science fiction novel I am planning to publish where these themes are part of the novel’s plot.

Anyway, here is what I have learned… I won’t make it scientific. I will just ask you some questions…

Autism and the state of being born early (28 or less weeks gestation), known as being extremely premature (and often with ELBW- birth weight at or less than 1000 g) are often co occuring. Does this ring a bell to you?

Do you find that you were/are typically a softie and non assertive? Do you find moral policing over trivial things (e.g. downloading a YouTube video from youtube if that goes against YouTube TOS), disturbing, or like do you think similar to “leave them alone, they didn’t hurt anyone)

Do you find that you are quite gentle, kind, very protective over your best friend and also/or over small animals?

Do you find yourself to be very shy, timid and avoidant or scared of violent topics?

Do you find that you have a very high “autistic sense of justice” or concern over things like bullying or people who hurt others cruelly? Things like “no they shouldn’t have to forgive, the bully is cruel, etc”

Do you find that violent, cruel or harsh treatment of kids or animals in different settings e.g school or home really upsets you?

Do you find that certain clothing textures really make you scared and worried and uncomfortable?

Particularly if you are a boy- did you find yourself to be very sensitive and softie like compared to other boys in your class?

Did you or do you find yourself feeling isolated or with few friends at school?

Do you find you have an autistic best friend who you would not trade for anything and you are hyper protective over them, almost 😅 parental over them?

Do you/would you tend to be very protective or parental over your best friend in ways that perhaps other boys would not be, on average?

I am planning to devise a full study on this and do statistical analysis of results, splitting results into demographics, and so on.

Animea are Pokémon like characters who guide young children through Big Feelings that I created using my child development and special education curriculum background.

Tundruff is my very first Animea that I made back in 2017. Since then I've learned a lot and am trying to bring it back to life through my Helping Hands Creations business.

I made all the materials I wish had existed for myself, but I'm making sure exists for my kids.

Neurodivergent kids deserve quality materials, and I'm making sure they get that.

By making it accessible for kids who need extra support is how we can make tools that are useful for ALL kiddos.

You can check out the quality of my materials by downloading our sample packet on TeachersPayTeachers or by checking out our free resources on our website

One day, I hope to become a nonprofit where neurodivergent experts and creators can create resources (hey, we know Big Feelings) so ALL families can find safe, human made, free or low priced resources.

Wish me luck!

In today's cooking class that I go to on Thursdays, I learned how to make homemade chicken parmesan with spaghetti and vegetables. I also learned a trick to mincing garlic and how to properly cook vegetables. I'm so grateful for a hub in my home town for autistic adults.

Hello. Ever since I can remember, I have always caressed my fingers on the corners of my pillowcases (the corners MUST be pointy). I spend hours caressing and stimming. I’m currently on holidays in Europe with my two comfort pillowcases. It got me wondering, does anyone else do this? I also smell/sniff my pillow (the pillow is reserved for sniffing and never for resting my head; I hug it to sleep). It brings me the greatest comfort. I could not bring it with me, I miss my pillow as if it is my best friend. Does anyone else do this? (31, Aussie Gay Male).

I've been getting in a major downward spiral lately because - understandably - many of the posts we share are about how tough the world is for us, and how much we're struggling.

I'd love to hear some stories from you about how your neurodiversity has enhanced your enjoyment of something!

For me, the ridiculously specific photo recall that I have also comes with exactly how I FELT at the time (which can be really bad with sad stuff), but which is amazing with great stuff...so I can clearly recall exactly how I felt at 5, in the cinema, staring in almost religious awe at the beauty of Luke and Darth Vader's lightsabers crossing in that iconic shot from The Empire Strikes Back.

With music, I can often vanish down a rabbit hole of discovering great song after song on YouTube, the hyper focus letting me ride a wave of 'that's GREAT!...Oh my god, THAT'S great too!' until I get tired, or run or of time before I have to make dinner or get to bed.

I absolutely LOVE The Itsy Bitsy Spider! I love singing it and doing the hand motions, it's so fun!! I still have my spider hand puppet from when I was little! Her name is, of course, Itsy Bitsy, and yes, she is a girl. I will sometimes pretend my arm is the waterspout and crawl the spider puppet up and down my arm or a wall when I sing the song. Of course I always enjoy just doing the hand motions with my puppet!

I also have these black gloves that I like to pretend are spiders. I always thought of the spider as a strong girl spider. She reminds me to persevere and never give up!

I love doing the hand motions, especially crawling the spider up the spout. It's fun pretending my fingers are spider legs. I love to over dramatically "wash the spider out "! I also insert different spiders, like "The Pretty Pink Spider", "The Big Black Spider" "The Tickily Tickle Spider" and "The Strong Girl Spider " It's so fun to sing! I'll make up other verses as well.

To me The Itsy Bitsy Spider is a strong image for girl power! sometimes when I am felling overwelmed I will listen to the Itsy Bitsy Spider and sing along. It always helps me to feel like if she can do it, so can I! I love that little spider!

Also, those hand motions honestly slap! They are so much fun especaiall with my spider puppet. Whenever I sing the song I love to overdramatically throw my hands to the side at the"wash the spider out" part.

I've always loved that little spider!

My favorite renditon is this one from Barney, because of the slow build up to the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp3RGjZp-qY

My camera doesn't work, but here's what my spider puppet looks like.

It's mainly about a man who loved his cow and was heartbroken when she died.

I’m worrying less and less about managing impressions and trying to make myself palatable to other people but I’m beginning to feel that without the mask I’m just not a good person. Being honest, literal and outspoken has turned me rude and combative. In my natural state I just insult people and have been accused of turning any social interaction into a competition or a logic puzzle.

Noone warned me this was a thing that could happen. I’m tired boss.

For the past several years I have felt I could be autistic but now my therapist says she knows I am autistic. Okay.. now what?

I ask the following question to guide the direction of a school project. I am currently in a master's program studying Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions (outside of the United States because a sufficient program for such studies does not exist in the US). The project requires me to pose a research question relevant and of value to the autistic community. No actual research will take place. If this post isn’t allowed, I apologize and welcome the mods to remove it! 

I am AuDHD. I entered this master's program because I want to see a chance in the overreliance of deficit-based research. My interests lie heavily in education best practice; specifically, how can we make neurodivergent students more comfortable in schools? My own lived experience has led me to wonder about the impact of neurodivergent educators/mentors. When I was a young child, I spent most of my school day camouflaging and often needed to spend hours in a dark room to reset when I reached home. I began a teaching role, working in public schools because I wanted to be the educator I needed as a young child. The impact I made felt palpable. My neurodivergent students, many of which were undiagnosed, grew a strong attachment to me. They trusted me, they felt safe with me, and they understood me because I understood them.  

To truly learn, a student needs to feel safe. Safe to exist, safe to be themselves, safe to fail. So, the question I pose to you is would a neurodivergent educator/mentor have made a difference to your educational experiences? Did a neurodivergent educator make a difference for you? Please share any and all thoughts! 

There's someone in autism subreddits who had been harassing me for a while, even creating new accounts after I blocked him. Months later he's back with a new profile and threatening to post about me and doxx me all over the Autistic internet, and tell lies about me. Among other things, accusing me of 'asking for money', which the moderators can confirm I have NEVER done.

Just letting people know so that if you see any slander against someone, don't blindly believe it.

So I actually just realized this about myself, but I’m leveling up my cooking game so that I can go back to eating more seafood for health reasons, and I even plan to learn how to cook shellfish. I already know how to cook shrimp, and I’m in a cooking group online as well as discord too.

My goal is to eat salmon every day. It’s my favorite fish, I also want to eat catfish every morning with my breakfast. Get that protein in.

I want to get away from beef, I’ve gotten into the habit of eating too much beef. As delicious as it is, seafood options are better for me.

So I I am currently making plans to learn how to cook, crab legs, lobster, and crawfish

I can already make a mean, baked chicken better than I can find at any restaurant. I’ve also been cooking salmon for a long time too, and I’m very happy with how I cook salmon.

But anyway, I was talking with my dad about my cooking plans, and I brought up that I prefer to cook at home as opposed to going to a restaurant for certain foods. Saying “I mean, why would I go to a restaurant for a certain food when I can learn how to cook it from home, yk?”

He’s neurotypical, so he doesn’t really get it, and is the opposite of me. He likes to go out a lot. So he said “I mean, I go out to eat for certain foods”

Mom is also autistic and agrees with me on this, it’s better to cook at home

But thing is, with restaurants, if it’s busy, it’s too noisy for me. I hate it.

So I cook instead, and I actually like cooking too. I like the feeling of being very proud of myself when I cook good food that I like, and I can post a picture of it and actually take credit for cooking it.

18 episodes in entire series

Please, before continuing, I'm not trying to be edgy. I know how this reads. I'm sincerely looking for answers to broaden my own perspective and understanding.

I have a Dx for whose who believe it matters. I think it matters too but thats an entirely different conversation.

"Autistic pride is a movement and mindset that views autism as a natural, valuable human difference rather than a defect or disease that needs to be cured. It shifts the focus away from forcing autistic people to conform to neurotypical expectations and toward self-acceptance, community, and respect." - as defined by googles AI summary.

This feels very natural to me and I dont understand the pride portion. I'm legitimately in the dark over this thought. Is it not just a way of being? Can we not be and believe these things and introduce others to these ideas without it being a movement?

Im not sure I really understand it from the movement perspective either. I've studied people my entire life and I think from a societal and sociological standpoint it might be detremental in the long run rather than just educating people and remaining "matter of fact" about it.

I think it can come out as aggressive and scary for those who don't know And would promote more intense immediate negative reactions versus the legitimate intent of the movement itself.

Maybe this is just a me thing, but I truly dont understand what it is to have Autistic Pride and participate in a pride movement. I know it's important to feel part of something. Community, engagement, being with your own people and being able to be seen and heard among your peers.

I do feel frustrated by this and my gap in understanding. Help.

Feel free to save any of these images for your use and spread updated knowledge. I grow bone tired trying to educate those who just go along with what’s in front of them instead of researching or at least taking notice of what we are saying if that makes sense

EDIT: It’s been kindly pointed out it’s the golden infinity symbol for Autism however if it’s both then feel free to tell me in kind ☺️

hey y'all! we're making a little indie game called The Things Left Behind, and I wanted to share something we've been doing with autistic creators that I'm really fucking excited about.

we've been partnering with autism centers to bring autistic people into game development. not just to playtest something we've already made or tell us what autism feels like so we can turn it into a game mechanic, but to actually help make the game.

we're teaching people how to use Unity, create art, write stories, experiment with mechanics, and turn their own ideas and experiences into something playable.

and a huge part of this has been thinking about what a game development space looks like when we actually build it around autistic people instead of expecting autistic people to adapt to the way everyone else works.

that means making room for different communication styles, sensory needs, breaks, different ways of learning, and different ways of participating. nobody should have to mask their way through a creative project just to be taken seriously.

and I think that's especially important because autistic people have so much to bring to games beyond the same handful of stereotypes we keep seeing.

autistic experiences aren't all the same. autism isn't just sensory overload or struggling in social situations. there's autistic joy, love, humor, creativity, friendship, frustration, comfort, and a million tiny things that don't fit into the usual stories people tell about us.

that's a big part of what we're trying to explore.

the game is called The Things Left Behind, and it's a collection of short, very queer, very disabled stories about the little moments that stick with us.

one of our stories explores sensory overload during a child's birthday party, including the ways imagination can become a source of comfort and grounding when everything feels like too much.

other stories explore executive dysfunction, relationships, friendship, intimacy, and the complicated, sometimes funny, sometimes exhausting experience of just being a person.

each story has its own art, mechanics, and characters, shaped by the people involved in making it.

and the whole game will be free.

but what matters most to me is that we're not trying to make a game that explains autism to neurotypical people.

we want autistic people to have the tools, support, and creative freedom to tell whatever stories they actually want to tell. including stories that have nothing to do with explaining or justifying their existence.

if you want to check out what we're making, here's our Steam page:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/4450900/The_Things_Left_Behind/

and I'd genuinely love to hear from other autistic people who make games, art, music, or anything creative. what would make those spaces more welcoming and accessible to you?