As a person with Asd I love the fact that Cole is based off of Patrick Weeks autistic nephew here’s why:
I know a lot of people think the autistic child with magic powers is over done. Cole is an ADULT an Adult with Asd a trope that is often overlooked in a society where it’s hard for adults with disabilities to get service or jobs or even be recognized.
Everyone calls Cole it or thing and that bothers me but it’s supposed to as it’s a direct call out to when people dehumanize people with autism by calling them special or R***rd
He stims and is badass as a character based off someone with Asd. So stimming doesn’t negate the strength of his character.
He has a strange way of thinking but if you try you can figure it out. A lot of people have said I think strange or it’s hard to understand where I’m comming from.
I love that he’s not portrayed as a genius or as somebody who is dumb. He’s nieve socially but he can keep up with a conversation and honestly I wish more people who write characters with Autism as well as Cole is written even though Cole is a metaphor.
I like to think most spirits are written the same way as they all embodie one subject but I don’t think they are.
Most importantly Solas and Varric. Varric is so kind and understanding of him and encourages him to grow without shunning him.of course somethings he’s misguided but he makes such and effort to just Care about the person who spent his life and afterlife caring for everyone else.
And Solas just Solas, Solas kills me he would make one hell of a special ed teacher let me tell you! I love that Solas says he actively tries to befriend spirits because most people never try. Damn if that ain’t a metaphor. Solas has lived his life caring for those nobody tried to. He actively defends and cares about Cole unconditionally
Shit I’m crying
It’s beautiful
But When you have to choose between helping Cole be human and letting him stay as he is and not trying to change him Solas doesn’t try to change him he defends Cole and supports COLES decision to be a spirit so just 95% of the reason I usually keep Solas and Cole in my party.
I usually don’t see representation written this well and it’s part of the reason these games are so important to me… they just don’t shy away. I mean I’ve been around Asd my whole life and I have Aspergers so it’s hard to tell but I have friends who are a lot like Cole not genius not stupid just average and sometimes too caring for their own good
Just food for thought.
Ps all hail the Asd party Varric Solas and Cole
Pps love @galifreyas Solas Cole doctor who reference
