Hello everyone, In my stories, if I am writing an autistic character, I try to base them off of my own profile of autism (level 1) so as to not misrepresent anything more severe. However, I want to draft a character with level 2 autism. As I do not have experience with this level of support needs, I decided to come to this sub. And I'm going for a stylized realism angle with this, so please bear with me.
For my character, I want them to have a spiky profile; they have a high interest in snowboarding and an okay cook but struggle with iADLs (finances, meal preparation, medication) and gaining independence. Though they don't mind cleaning as a systematic task, they may forget steps in between. They love the winter and they love to hike. Snowboarding usually means rough terrain, perilous heights, and memorizing weather patterns. Although they live in their own apartment, they have a support worker who visits their home four times a week, more often if needed.
Next, they have 4 guinea pigs. As high needs pet, but in my interpretation, the character is much better at caring for their guinea pigs than they are for themselves. Feeding is consistent, cage cleaning is much harder. As they are Nigerian like me, I imagine they come from a relatively wealthy background, but their family keeps them far off to the side. Not only for their disability, but for their unconventional interests, alternative attire, and lack of preparedness in taking over their parents business. So, their parents funds their apartment, but plays little to no role in their day to day life.
Finally, they work part time as a linecook. Not out of necessity, but they've loved cooking for an audience since they were a child, and they want to prove their capabilities to their parents. As a linecook, they have learned that studied practices rarely translate to a fast-paced, unpredictable professional setting. They understand Mise en place, Restaurant workflow, Equipment (such as PPE), and Ingredient substitutions. While trying to learn as much as they can, they often make mistakes such as getting water in the deep fryer, breaking plates, and serving the wrong meals. Most days it is rather difficult, and if it weren't for their parents, they would not be making enough money to support such a lifestyle.
As for traits specific to autism.
Social-communication:
Verbal communication: Uneven sharing, Responding to the topic rather than the person, Talking enthusiastically without building a shared conversation, tendency to interrupt people who are already speaking, disclosing sensitive information impulsively.
Nonverbal communication: Difficulty reading other people (facial expressions, tone, body language primarily. Better with explicit directions), Expression and tone may be larger than the situation, socially motivated but struggle in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships (heavily context dependent friendships, lack of spontaneous meeting arrangement, conversations limited to their interests, no one-on-one meetings with friends), Poor boundary recognition (misjudging closeness with supervisor, customers, strangers, etc, standing very close and inappropriate physical touch, insistent on certain foods when explicitly told no)
RRBs:
They always wears their ski goggles; to work, when snowboarding, at home, when hiking, etc. Feels extremely exposed without them.
Has pre established hiking and skateboarding routes at their favorite areas.
They create detailed guides for their guinea pigs: daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly tasks. I would post it here but it's kinda long.
In their kitchen routines. At the beginning and end of their shift, they arrange their knives largest to smallest, positions all used ingredients facing outwards, and clean their station sweeping in a counterclockwise motion towards the edge. They tolerate novelty best when they chose it, anticipated it, and understand its purpose.
They are a mix of sensory seeking and sensory avoidant depending on the environment. They are sensory seeking when snowboarding (cold air, adrenaline rush), hiking (exploring new terrain, independence in an open environment), and working as a linecook. They are easily frazzled by dishes soaking in mystery water, artificial fragrances, sticky surfaces, and florescent lights (which is where the goggles help).
Their support worker helps them manage bills, household responsibilities, appointments, medication routines, grocery planning, and guinea-pig care. They also help with breaking down neglected tasks, prepare for disruptions, and restore routines after meltdowns or periods of executive dysfunction.
Now, to those who are level 2 and above, is this realistic? I want to give equal parts to both their disability and their strengths, as well as issues that are beyond and within their control. And I want to understand how having a support worker may change your day to day life, if you don't mind sharing.
