Trouble writing Autism.

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To any writers out there, this is a question for you.
I always have trouble portraying a character that has autism, even though I really want to, I always get stumped. Creating a twisted, psycho-maniac? No probs, I can create a network of how's and why's, but Autism? I can never come up with anything satisfying. I'm not sure if it's because I don't want to create something cliche and stereotypical, or if it's because it's too close to home that I can't bring myself to commit to it.
Because it's not just with Autism either, I've also wanted to make an Ace character as well, but just immediately stumped as if I don't have a referrence on how to create such characters.
Just wanted to know if anyone else has these problems or if it's me being weird.

Help!
I don't understand.
Sorry!
Maybe someone will answer you and I'll get an idea of ​​what you mean.
If so, I could write something more relevant to your question.

I had a different problem, all the characters I created had autistic behaviours.

But I guess you can base them on some of your traits or other autistic people.

See, I try doing that already, but it always comes out not right, kind of stale, or more like a checklist of some sort. I don't know if that says something about me, but it always looks unnatural.

Well.. I might be able to help you, if you'd like PM me.

Oh, I couldn't bother you that much, but thank you anyway.

Making your characters likable and relatable and having a good story is much more important than their neurodiversity, race, religion and/or sexual orientation. Too bad most modern professional writers seem unaware of this and come out with awful stuff like "Velma" or "Santa Inc".

It's no bother.. I do like wiriting (also script) but at the time I'm not doing it so I can help, no presure, just if you want.

Some quick tips

I don't in what specific you're focusing for the character but there are some specific traits I focus on:

• Behaviours: Including Repetitive things that they do in certain situations before or after, Particular ways of doing things including preferences or cognitive and motor difficulties like dyspraxia (like if the character tends to forget things (or have an exceptional memory) or things tend to fall from their hands), Reactions to particular things or interest.

• Emotional expression: Including if the characters is emotionally open showing it through their body and facial expressions or closed not showing emotions and staying calm in some or every situations without body and facial expressions (could be alexythimic).

• Verbal Expression: Including if the character tends to give long detailed answer, tends to give short precise answer or avoids answering.

I tend to create a separate note for every character with their traits neurotypical or neurodivergent, so as story develops the traits there are the ones that will take place in the scene.

No, I get that, and I do try and make that a priority over anything else. My general rule of thumb is that if I'm trying too hard to force something, then that's a sign it isn't necessary for the story and scrap it entirely.
But the thing is I also want to make a character that people can relate/find inspiration from. I've read comments from so many people in regards to other media about how X character helped them come to terms with something or helped them understand themselves, and I feel like I want that to be my goal too; to have even just one person say "This story/this character helped me in such a way", so I also want to consider those things, even if just a little bit, when creating characters.
It's just a tight rope of balancing between apparent and not cringeworthy. And my awful writing skills lol.

Ah, these are some good notes, thank you very much. But again, I can't help but ask, doesn't this feel a bit too checklist-y? Like, if making a character and going "Okay, they should have this and this and this" feel a bit like a mandatory fill out rather than natural? Because, also considering the spectrum and all, some people have little signs and others have a lot, where is a good marker that makes it feel natural and not just a checklist of signs?
Maybe I'm just being nitpicky about it all.

It might feel like a checklist but in the end even IRL people have characteristics that define who they are, to make them look natural is better developing a pre-story basic character past so their reactions depends on what they have experienced or how they were born.

My note is not strictly, maybe it doesn't feel natural as you're looking for different traits for your character than the ones you put them, look for what you want until you're sure.

It is easier to portrait characters who are psychotic because they are unpredictable and can act in any way. But those who are not do have certain characteristics.

I tried writing a male lead character who's on the spectrum for a short story who's obsessed with wanting a girlfriend.

It didn't work, so I'm going to change him to someone who's "socially awkward" despite befriending a seemingly NT couple, but the husband is on the spectrum and not the wife. The couple becomes a surprise hit in their community while the lead character refuses to give in to insults thrown at him from people in their community.

I think the main thing that you should keep in mind, to avoid it feeling like a checklist, is to not reveal everything at once. Granted, I know this sounds obvious. However, if you have it in your mind Oh, I need this to happen to show this particular trait about the character then you might unintentionally start rushing the story because you're trying to get there for the sheer sake of getting there which will throw off the pace.

Now, I think I might provide some advice on writing an asexual character since you mentioned it. At some point I might make a post on this in the Questions and Misconceptions thread in the LGBT forum when I have time.

viewtopic.php?t=425721&hilit=+questions+and+misconceptions

Writing an asexual character

Firstly, asexuality is a spectrum. Is the character aroace (aromantic and asexual) or are they interested in romantic relationships? Does the character know that they are asexual or is this something they realise about themselves during the story? Do they accept their asexuality or is this something they struggle with?

Asexual characters tend to be stereotyped as cold and calculating. You may have heard people say that Love and Sex is what makes us human and there is a misconception that people who are asexual aren't quite human. It's common for asexual characters to be alien, villains and / or sociopathic. If you're going for an asexual character who happens to be cold and calculating then it's important to make sure that it's clear to the audience that your character's lack of interest isn't due to extreme introversion or personal views.

Saiki K from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is an aroace character. He has no interest in relationships but his asexuality does fall into the supernatural sexuality trope. Due to his superpowers, particularly laser vision, he tends to see other humans as walking skeletons so he doesn't understand the appeal. Whether he would remain asexual if he lost his powers or never had them in the first place is a common debate among fans.

Whereas, on the flip side you have Todd from BoJack Horseman. Now, Todd is unusual for ace representation. He's not the brightest but he's friendly and optimistic. Unlike Saiki, Todd is interested in an relationship.

However, Todd lacks the terminology to describe his experience. He knows he's different but he feels alone in his experience. While he cares about his girlfriend Emily, she feels that he is giving her mixed signals. This creates conflict and makes Todd consider his identity and why he is the way he is.

How much your character knows is up to you. They might not have all the answers. Even if they do, they're unlikely to reveal everything all at once even if it isn't a coming out story. It's likely to come up naturally as a subject in their interactions with others and as the story progresses.

My protagonist is autistic

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9WFY1ZN

I modeled him after myself.

If you want, you can listen for free.

Please enjoy one free audio review copy of Liberal Tears, now available on Audible. Redeem the one-time use code below at https://www.audible.co.uk/acx-promo

384AC33EF3EWN

I think trying to create an autistic character is the wrong way to start. Instead ask yourself what kind of behaviour do you want to explore, explain or give voice to and why? When you have figured that out I think the writing will come naturally.