Category Archives: Writing

The Autistic Writer: Perfectionism

Autistic people of all stripes are often acutely aware when something is out of place, not as it should be. They share this trait with other neurodivergent types of course; obsessive compulsive disorder is a prime example. Nevertheless, when it comes to Autism this adherence to expectations often focuses on specific experiences or components of …

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The Autistic Writer: Tropes and Genre

Arbitrary rules and standards are an excellent way to drive Autistic people nuts. Routine? Predictability? Keeping to an agreed upon schedule even for social activities? By and large we love those things. But going through with a process, a label, a system, or a guideline simply because “that’s the way it is”? You might as …

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The Autistic Writer: Info Dumps

Info dumps. Anyone can do it, but it is often associated with Autistic people. The slightest chance to mention a special interest or a recent intense study and boom…a person on the Spectrum will share anything and everything they know about same, sometimes to their detriment. (It tends to put off people who are unaware …

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The Autistic Writer: Personas and Masks

People on the Autism Spectrum will often talk of “masking.” I myself have mentioned it several times in this series, but I’ll explain it in brief once more. When someone with Autism masks, they are presenting a personality, state of being, attitude, or even an opinion that runs contrary to their nature in order to …

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The Autistic Writer: On a Whim

Over the years, I have been criticized for a lack of spontaneity. It’s an unfair assessment. Not that I think there is anything wrong with those are not spontaneous; I dare say it’s a somewhat overrated trait. It’s just that in the interest of accuracy, I refute the notion that I am never free-spirited.

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