Im So Over Not Beingenough To Some Degree In Any Space. I Have Low Support Needs But Im Stilltoo Autistic

I’m so over not being “enough’ to some degree in any space. I have low support needs but I’m still “too autistic” to adequately fit into NT spaces. My SIs of bats, Phantom of the Opera, Ghost (band), etc, etc are just too “out there” or “strange” to some degree for the general NT or even some allistic, occasionally autistic communities. While some of my SIs do align with media--which is fine of course--I still find a lack of acceptance essentially everywhere. (This is why Autism Acceptance Month is so important. Even in autistic/ND communities.) 

I wish there was some sort of platform to find SIs across the board and discuss them with people, and ask questions about them. Regardless of the genre/topic/subject.

I only found this original post because I was scrolling through posts tagged Special Interest because I wanted that sense of community I can’t get anywhere else. Even in person with ND friends, you can only discuss so much or discuss every once in a while. (OP did an amazing job “voicing” some of my frustrations!)

I’d love to learn more about my SI by speaking to someone with mine. I’d love to share things about my SI with someone else who actually cares. I’d love to learn about other people’s SIs or current hyperfixations, etc. 

So if anyone knows any platforms like that or has any input on how they connect with other autistic people, etc, please let me know!!! 

*Cue me, speaking into the void of the internet because I only follow one friend on here 🤪🫶

Joined a discord server that was supposed to be a place for talking about special interests and to my utter bemusement, all of the infodump channels were about different media. Shows, movies etc. That was it! No other options.

Listen… y’all know “special interest” is not a synonym for “show I’m obsessed with,” right? I mean, it can be about media. But that is not all it is.

I collect wooden wands and fabric samples. Some autistic people collect figurines. Or stamps, or cards, or catalogs. Or doorknobs. Collecting certain items is a hugely common special interest. So is collecting information, be it about a specific animal, a historical period, a specific type of technology, etc. I’ve read of a kid whose special interest was washing machines.

It is well known that special interests are a way for autistic people to interpret/understand/make sense of the world, to find order in chaos, to create a sense of security by making ourselves “experts” on that topic.

Well, that is not just true for special interests with a Blorbo you can project on!!!

The weird kid in your class whose special interest is collecting gum wrappers? His special interest is as profoundly meaningful to him as your show is to you.

Don’t leave us out of autistic spaces because our special interests are seemingly uncommon or weird or not meaningful. Don’t make the same mistake allistics do when they characterize an autistic person as robotic or subhuman for being obsessed with a specific mundane item or category.

schuylerpeck / instagram: hiitssky

Hey kids, take it from an old forest hag: it's totally okay to half-ass your hobbies

... trace that picture for your journal

... like old cars without knowing how to fix them

... watch the movies without reading the comics

... super glue the part of the model

... learn one (1) way to make a braid

... watch how-to videos for every step of the recipe

... google every second word in that article

... use the automatic setting on your camera

And don't be ashamed. Real life isn't school. The all or nothing mentality is not healthy. Don't gate-keep yourself from stuff that might be fun. Shrug, grin, and hold eye contact with a boomer while you do it. It's good I promise.

yet another question for my fellow tumblr autistics

do you guys also want to analyze and pick apart ur special interests and shit but like. just cant. and then feel so stupid for it. like i need everything spelled out for me and i hate it, i feel like i can basically never read into the deeper parts or meaning of things and UGHHHHHHHSHAVWOOSBS literally HATE it

the overwhelming urge to hold special moments in your pocket forever.

My heartbreak manifests in the way I am everywhere and nowhere at once ???? I want it all and I have none of it right now. That in itself is my villain origin story and I am NOT here for it! Time to get productive about everything really fkin fast :’)

the fact that is impossible for me, in one life, to study classical studies, archaeology, international relations, all the literature in the world, get a languages degree in italian, german, greek, latin, russian and french; learn how to play the violin and also piano, cello, guitar and the flute; learn how to sing, both modern singing and classical singing/opera; is my villain origin story.