#like all the other autistic ppl i know don’t like strong flavors and now I feel 💥💥💥💥

[ruinhood]

any other autistic person here like strong flavors

[brightmalcolm]

What are some of Malcolm’s behaviors, especially from the pilot that puts him on the spectrum? I’m asking because I’m curious, i didn’t notice any behaviors that set him apart. Thanks for answering although I don’t think you’ll mind talking about autistic Malcolm.

Thanks for the question! I’m actually working on a master post of Malcolm’s autistic traits so I’ll just pull some highlights from there.

First of all, here is a list of autistic traits found in adults that I think Malcolm fits: 

Difficulty regulating emotion

Difficulty maintaining the natural give-and-take of a conversation; prone to monologues on a favorite subject

Strict consistency to daily routines; outbursts when changes occur

Exhibiting strong, special interests

Inflection that does not reflect feelings

You’ve always wanted a best friend, but never found one.

Seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to

Finding it hard to say how you feel

Not understanding social "rules", such as not talking over people

Noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not

(sources: x, x) 

Pilot

The cicada scene: Malcolm is shown to be hypersensitive to sound. 

Correcting the FBI: Idk how relatable this is to other autistic ppl but I have a problem with correcting people. 

Malcolm’s routine: Autistic people often have very strict routines. 

Meeting JT and Dani: Malcolm is shown to be rather uninterested in introducing himself at the crime scene. He is hyperfixated on seeing the body; while Gil is introducing him to Dani, Malcolm is only focused on reading the case file and when he’s introduced to JT, he’s looking over his shoulder to see the body. (x)

“Most food makes me sick”: Autistic people tend to be “picky eaters,” due largely to the texture of food, since we’re hyper sensitive to things like that.

The rest of the show

Social awkwardness: We see Malcolm rehearsing what to say to the team before he gives them lollipops in 1x03. In 1x05, Malcolm tries to relate to JT by talking about “the game”, despite not really knowing what he’s talking about. He also uses very formal and academic language even when around people who may not understand and is, like JT says, “always overdressed” bc suits are what he feels comfortable in. He’s also repeatedly shown to have difficulty maintaining friendships and other personal relationships, despite having a gift for “reading” people. 

Infodumping: We see Malcolm do this twice; in 1x13 when he gets excited about The Count of Monte Cristo and starts talking about the plot of the book until Gil reminds him they just need to know the basics and again in 2x01 when he’s talking about the guillotine. 

Special interests: This goes with the above point, but Malcolm is shown to have a great knowledge on specific subjects (criminology, psychology, literature, antique weaponry). 

Copying body language: When Gil yells at him in 1x03 about pushing the dude off the roof, Malcolm doesn’t know how to position himself so he looks over to Dani and stands like she is, with his hands clasped in front. You see this again in 1x16 when Vijay punches Malcolm’s shoulder and calls him “buddy”, Malcolm repeats what he does.  

Fidgeting: Malcolm’s hands are always in motion. This could be an example of autistic stimming. 

Routine: Malcolm still sees his childhood therapist bc he’s resistant to change.

Inappropriate reactions to things that would upset others. 1x03: Malcolm asks Elaine Page (?) to sign his book despite just informing her that her colleague was murdered and doesn’t understand why she looks confused at his request. 1x07: Malcolm: They’re just now realizing the pleasure they feel from inflicting pain. JT: Could you at least try to sound disturbed by that? 1x09: Malcolm: Murder? Great! Uh, sorry, I don’t mean great as in...forget it.

Shut downs/going non verbal: Malcolm canonically did this after his father was arrested.

“One track mind:” Malcolm hyperfixates on murder cases. 

Issues with food: Has “same foods” (licorice) and in 1x12 makes a point about how he’s sensitive to the color of jello and can tell the different flavors apart even when the colors are very close. 

This is just what comes to mind first; like I said I’m working on a more in depth post. Check out my autistic Malcolm Bright tag if you want more examples/headcanons :)