#as i said i'm autistic so i get the passion but also ya'll get so pissed off so easily it's impressive

[noperopesaredope]

You know, I'm autistic, so I get very passionate about certain stuff. But I swear to god, sometimes I'll be in a fandom and there will be people that make me go:

Like, ya'll, it's not that serious. Please, I'm begging you. Touch some grass. Go to the grocery store. Calm down.

[iv3lostcontrolofmylif3]

So there's this trend happening lately

I've seen it spanning a couple of different fandoms, and it's more or less harmless, but at the risk of losing a few followers I kind of want to put my two scents forward. I don't normally like to get too real on this account but still..If you agree, great, if you don't, fair enough.

I kind of hate that autism and neurodivergency are suddenly being treated like a trope. Or like, borderline romanticized.

Let me clarify. I am NOT bothered if anyone with neurodivergency or autism identifies with any particular character, or that there have been more and more creators out there including characters that are autistic or neurodivergent in their stories for representation. Thats awesome! It's something we would never (officially) see in media 20+ years ago. Autism, adhd, a.d.d, those were all conditions that people were still getting used to and trying to grasp in a more widespread sense. Most of my classmates had no clue what a.d.d was when I'd tell them I had it and that's why I had difficulty paying attention.

What bothers me, is now and then I'll see posts with the following wording.

"I'm looking at you with 'autistic' eyes'

"I love -insert character here- he's so autism!"

"Omg they look so autistic!"

Autism isn't an AESTHETIC guys. Neurodivergency isn't a personality as a whole. it's just a piece to the puzzle.

It's a neurological condition that effects way more of the population than people seem to realize. I'm not a fan of calling it a disability because I don't see it as one, but having a.d.d on its own came with it's own series of challenges growing up that still effect me to this day, working and living as an adult in society. I've had to watch my husband, who DOES have autism (aspergers syndrome, idk what we're supposed to call it now.) struggle with things that could be fairly simple for someone who wasn't neurodivergent or autistic.

I realize a lot of the posts I mentioned above are coming from a good place, but it still makes me cringe a little each time. Seeing something that has effected either me or someone I care about become infantilized like this does not feel good. It feels kinda gross to be honest.

Please, if you don't agree with me do not attack me in the comments, Like I said, this is just my opinion as a 30 year old who is admittedly removed from a large part of the fandom culture for my own self preservation, (ya'll are some passionate folks. it's both amazing and terrifying.) BUT ALSO if you DO agree with me, don't use this as an excuse to attack anybody who may be saying stuff like what I used as an example above. As I said, I don't think it comes from a malicious place.

It's a trend, kind of like how everyone said things were 'random' or 'epic' 10 ish years ago, it'll die down. I've seen it time and time again, but in the meantime I'm just kind of uncomfortable with the whole thing and wanted to vent..