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Questions to ask yourself when writing an Autistic character

In media, canonically autistic characters are commonly portrayed as false stereotypes about autism, or they convey false/outdated information.

For anyone writing an autistic character, there should be many questions to ask about that character. As someone who has ASD, I really like to see well written autistic characters. Here I have compiled some questions that I use when starting a new character. I have also included links on terms that may be unfamiliar for those just starting out. This list is just a handful of questions, so make sure to continue researching.

General

1. How and/or when were they diagnosed as Autistic?

2. Do they view their autism as a disability? Why or why not?

3. What are some things they like and/or dislike about being autistic?

Support Needs

4. What are their support needs?

5. Do they struggle with executive dysfunction?

6. What kind of tasks are difficult for them?

7. What kind of tasks are they really good at?

8. What kind of accommodations do they have? (Specifically in a school or work environment)

Communication

9. What are their speech habits? Are they fully-verbal, semi-verbal, non-verbal, or does it vary?

10. Do they use echolalia and/or palilalia to communicate?

11. Do they use echopraxia to communicate?

12. Do they use AAC to communicate? If so, which type(s)?

Associated Conditions

13. Do they have/struggle with any kind of agnosia(s)?

14. Do they have/struggle with Alexithymia?

15. Do they have any other common or associated conditions?

Sensory and Stimming

16. Are they a sensory-seeker or sensory-avoidant?

17. What sensations do they like?

18. What sensations do they hate?

19. Describe a place that would be sensory-heaven for this character

20. Describe a place that would be sensory-hell for this character

21. What do they do to stim? Favorite stims? Least favorite stims?

22. Do they use echolalia, echopraxia, etc. for stimming?

Overload, Meltdown, Shutdown & Burnout

23. What puts this character into sensory overload?

24. What are meltdowns like for them? (What are signs a meltdown is starting? Do they seek or avoid comfort? How do they recover?)

25. What are shutdowns* like for them? (What are signs a shutdown is starting? Do they seek or avoid comfort? How do they recover?)

26. What is autistic burnout like for them? (What are signs burnout is coming? How long does it last? What kinds of support do they need? How do they recover?)

Special Interests

27. What are their special interests?

28. What kinds of topics can they infodump about?

Social

29. Does their family know? Are they supportive?

30. Do their friends know? Are they supportive?

31. What aspects of socializing are hard for them?

32. Are they very aware of their social difficulties (i.e. anxious and shy about socializing in fear of messing up) or are they less sensitive to their difficulties (i.e. unafraid/unaware of social mistakes, feels no anxiety to socialize)

*This link should take you to a playlist of videos that covers a lot of the topics talked about in this list. I highly recommend watching them!

Thank you for sticking it out to the end. I hope this helps!