Autism 101: Example Handbook

Example: Agent or Object?

Today, we're talking about passive and active characters! Active characters are more interesting, so I'll rewrite the scene two ways: one with a character who is passive (a sadly common mistake in stories with autistic characters), and one with an active autistic character who plays a real role in the story.

Let's pretend that I'm writing a supernatural story revolving around a mysterious cave in the forest near the main character's home. My goal in this scene is for the main character's autistic brother to lead her to the cave. I'll do it twice, first with an amateur mistake, and then in a better way.

First I'll write it with "Patrick," who is mostly passive. Then I'll re-write it with "Andrew," who plays an active role. Patrick/passive, Andrew/active, easy to remember. Feel free to make observations (in your head or in the comments) as we go along.

Let's begin!

The Cave That Patrick Found

"PATRICK!" I cup my hands around my mouth, hoping that it'll help my brother hear me. Beside me, our beagle, Lucky, is sniffing at trees and wagging her tail.

Patrick loves to wander, which might not be a huge problem if not for the fact that we live right on the edge of the woods. Sometimes my dad jokes that we should tether Patrick to a tree so we don't have to worry anymore. But I don't think it would be fair to limit his freedom like that.

But, y'know, do I really have to be the one to go get Patrick when he wanders off like this? It's honestly a pain. The woods are full of mosquitoes and ticks, and while there's a bit of a breeze, I'm pretty sure I've gotten at least 2 mosquito bites already, maybe more. And the whole "looking for a lost boy" thing hits a little too close to home for me, since I was once lost in the woods for several hours at the age of 12, and it was hands down the most terrifying experience of my life.

But I have to stay calm. Patrick will be fine. He always is.

"PATRICK!" I shout again. I sigh, and hold out one of his favorite fidget toys: a stuffed bunny with a ribbon around its neck and soft ears that Patrick loves to flap around. I lower the bunny close to the ground, and Lucky sniffs it. "Find Patrick, girl. He smells like this, remember?"

Lucky sniffs, walks up to a tree, lifts her leg, and pees on it.

Wow. Helpful.

I wait for her to finish, then start walking again. As I walk, I hear a familiar voice babbling: "Hole hole hole, hole hole hole."

Patrick!

Lucky barks with excitement and takes off running. I dash after her, branches whipping against my knees (I should have worn jeans, ugh!) until I reach a clearing. Patrick is crouching on the ground, petting Lucky, whose tail wags furiously.

"Hi, Lucky," he says. "Hole hole hole."

I sigh. "Patrick, what are you doing out here? We're like a 15 minute walk away from home! You're not supposed to wander that far!"

He stares at me blankly. "Hole."

"Okay, show me the hole, so we can go home."

Patrick nods, turns away, and starts walking. Lucky and I follow him to a clearing. I see a rock face that must be from the nearby cliff...

And that's when I see the giant cave.

"Oh my gosh!" I say. "Patrick, you found a cave?" I step closer to it. It's a hole in a giant rock face, the interior in shadow, although I think I can see light coming from the other side. "Did you go in there?"