Yall. I See A Lot About Masking, And I Just Wanted To Ask That, Well Personally, I Dont Mask. And I Feel

I am so glad I found this! I wish someone knew how to redirect my headbanging when I was younger (thankfully I mostly grew out of that one), or that other stims were okay; I used to be gotten onto a lot for any kind of stimming, but a few persisted to now, much to my family's annoyance.

don’t know what parent of an autistic child needs to hear this but as long as they’re not harming anyone your kid’s stimming is not a “problem behaviour”

I'm close to 30, and I'm in some heavy-ass denial. It doesn't help that I don't trust that greased-up, Frankenstein-wannabe breath-talker. 🤬

Do I have any late 20’s/early 30’s mutuals willing to reassure me that I’m NOT bat shit crazy for being this upset over a character death?

(My husband is trying to be supportive but I can tell he thinks I’m bonkers)

Everyone else seems to have their soapbox lately when it comes to Star Wars and representation, so here's mine.

On Autism representation.

I can't think of many examples, but the two that spring to my mind are Thrawn and Tech from TBB. In my opinion, I think they are both done well.

I haven't seen much complaining about Thrawn, but the Tech posts have been rampant. Saying he's tone-deaf, unfeeling, robotic, and misses the point frequently. People have said that this is bad representation. The thing is, that is how Autism can present itself, especially in someone that has been more socially isolated. Something that Tech experiences. His social life is limited to the rest of TBB (which all have various aspects of neurodivergency themselves) , Kaminoans (who are an entirely different species and culture that are also isolated), and the other Clones (who have been shown to treat TBB badly).

I see so many traits in him that I see in myself, my family, and a friend of mine. All of these people fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Because that's what Autism is, a spectrum. Everyone experiences it differently.

-leg bouncing when he's anxious

-info-dumping

-meticulously collecting information about topics that he's interested in

-not understanding "it's a feeling" in relation to flying

-frustration when things aren't going according to plan and when the things they are supposed to do are interrupted

-seemingly tone-deaf direct comments on what he sees

-focusing on what's important to him and ignoring other things around him

Everytime he does one of these things, I smile to myself, because I feel seen. The reactions of others around him are so accurate as well. Hunter rolling his eyes/shaking his head. Wrecker saying "yeah yeah we know". I've experienced those reactions my whole life.

Before you criticize representation, and automatically assume that it's bad because it might not be perfect, consider the opinions of those represented. Not their family members, not health professionals, not what you think it is.

Also that ableism term you all like to throw around? Dismissing the experiences of those with the conditions you're critiquing because they don't fit into your narrative is far more ableist than the thing you think is bad.

Happy pride! Have some cryptids 👻🏳️‍🌈 

[Redbubble]

Why is this so ACCURATE?🤣 To be fair, though, they are aloud (even encouraged) to care, they just have to put the good of all first... but this is still hilarious.

The Jedi code: No attachment! No romantic partners! No family!

Anakin sneeking off to meet up with Padme after a night out with the 501st, whilst hiding adoption papers for Ashoka: What attachments? No attachments hear!

Obi Wan sat on Cody's lap whilst waiting for a message from Satine: Be mindful of the code padawan.

Aayla removing herself from Bly's face for 0.5 seconds: What did you say?

Kit Fisto waiting to call Aayla and Bly so they can meet up for date night: You must listen to master Yoda, attachments are dangerous.

Ploo koon and Shaak Ti surrounded by clone younglins as they fill out adoption forms for the entire army: Emotions are not the Jedi way.

Depa Billap tucking Caleb into bed: You must learn to let go of your feelings.

Quinlan Vos in the middle of checking in with Aayla and having given Bly the shovel talk: Listen to Obi Wan, he's usually right.

Mace Windu sitting worriedly at medical waiting for news on his injured men: As Jedi it is are duty to follow the code.

Well now I'm ugly-crying, thanks.😭

Very sad that Crosshair missed out on Omega’s first shooting lesson.

Okay, I just looked to confirm that Clone Captain Howzer looks like that clone toy named Ballast that was seen not that long ago, so likely the same person... but that got me thinking; is it possible that the clone we're seeing is Ballast, and the real Captain Howzer is dead? Maybe Howzer noticed something off with Ballast and accused him of treason, tried to kill him, only to flip the tables and take his place so he could hide in plain sight..... 🤔

Saw your asks were open! Don't burn yourself out with answering, please.

So, a thing I've heard sometimes is autistics having a low "mental age". Both from people in my school* and more influential sources that make out autism as a tragedy. As small news articles and ableist teenage boys aren't the best sources, I'm asking you! Do (some) autistic people actually have "lower mental ages" or is that a complete myth?

("I wish I had autism so I could also get benefits." "Dude, do you want to be four years old for the rest of your life?" That type of thing.)

This is very factual, but with a major caveat: it's not the mental age. It's that we don't adhere to social norms and will continue to enjoy or act in ways seen as younger.

I collect stuffed animals and have a toy box full of colouring books and stim items. I also don't dress my age and wear jeans and Disney t-shirts.

Not all Autistics do this. Some act older than they are. Some have intellectual disabilities that NTs deem as "child like" (they're not... They're adults with intellectual disabilities. Not an adult with the mind of a 4 year old.)

So, yes. But with lots of reasons.

This is too sweet, I'm gonna get cavities!🥰

Just some doodles of Omega trying to be like her big brothers 💕 I love her and I think she’s adorable, but it doesn’t look like Crosshair shares my opinion lol

Honestly, spot on.

the clone wars trio +  variations of a power trio