Why do autistic people seem to connect with nerdy characters

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Jason Thayer
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07 Mar 2025, 7:52 pm

I notice that a lot of autistic-coded characters tend to be nerdy characters. Why do these seem to work best?


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funeralxempire
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07 Mar 2025, 7:55 pm

I notice that a lot of autistic-coded people tend to be nerdy people.


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07 Mar 2025, 9:26 pm

The common themes of introversion and/or social anxiety and loneliness, special interests and/or differences in one's own developmental trajectory and profile compared to the overall allistic norms -- mixed in with being a target of bullying, clumsiness, being the odd one out, and even sometimes implied certain sensitivities whether biological like allergies or sensory...


The deeper ones are how one reacts to relatedness; the longing to be more (like typical) human, to be with more humans (regardless of what it is)...
Whether it's an expression of finding their own tribe or their so called place... The things they're vulnerable to (exploitative relationships), the things they will be grateful for (small circle of tightly knitted friends or something)...

Or detest it the premise entirely because they deny to have those things, like a very disappointed optimist or a deprived elitist.

And some are fully neutral/apathetic. Usually are alien/foreign/artificial/whatever.

Either found love or family or whatever "redemption themes" of a reward they got and toned down, or double it down into their downfall...
Or just, well, do not change for better or worse whether because comedy and/or status quo or just is...



Well, even I cannot relate to it.

It's a mix of cultural, circumstances and a very different personal approach to just being different in my own case.

Like, yeah, I have similar starting points; initial similar traits, potentials and even some conditions, but it just ends there.

The rest of the story is mostly about the human or the person, the reactions, desires, priorities and endings... Things I cannot relate.



To me, coded characterization is just a sign of predictability to me.

Some things I just fancy being like them or just liking them characters.
Yet none relatable. None made me feel seen.


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08 Mar 2025, 8:39 am

I just saw that The Accountant 2 movie is released in April. Christian Wollf is not nerdy. That is nice for a change.


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08 Mar 2025, 8:49 am

I think that autistic people don't enjoy socialising / manipulating other peoples emotions for good/bad/fun
as much as they enjoy gathering information and developing their special interest.

That means they are closer to nerds than others.



lostonearth35
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10 Mar 2025, 6:10 pm

I don't connect with nerdy people because nerds are supposed to be really smart.
As in they're like, "Omg I got a 99 out of a hundred on my algebra test, I'm a failure!!"
:lol:



mwalker1996
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20 Mar 2025, 8:42 am

Needs to be socially awkward, and not into a lot of superfical stuff. They also tend to be uncoordinated and non athletic. Not all nerds are like this but many are. Nerds who are in the neurodivergent community are prime targets for bullying and being outcasted in high school settings.

My friend on Tiktok has a nerdy look but don't identify with nerd/geek culture due to him not being as academically gifted and have no interest in comics. He does watch pbs, but he's also into a lot of kid/preschool shows despite being 38. He's diagnosed as an aspie, but have a lot of support needs.