Just An Ordinary Boy...

Ishida Shouya from A Silent Voice <3

(obligatory disclaimer - this is a headcanon and, though i am autistic, may not be entirely accurate to autism as a whole. may also include common autistic traits as opposed to symptoms)

suicidal, more common in autistic people

as a kid, always has something in his mouth, suggests he's sensory seeking

very physical as a kid, sensory seeking behavior

no sense of danger

adrenaline junkie, sensory seeking behavior

tag is always sticking out of his shirt, suggests sensory difficulties

hyperfixates on shoko as her deafness was very new to him

inappropriate interaction with shoko, didnt know how to be respectful of her disability

class clown, doesnt always realize his behavior is inappropriate

teases shoko to get attention, likely doesnt realize how mean his actions are till he gets bullied

stims by clicking his pencil

doesnt understand why his friends didnt confess, suggests a strong sense of justice

cant forgive himself for causing trouble for his mom or hurting shoko, suggests strong sense of justice

gets angry when he cant decipher others emotions

learned sign language just to be able to make amends for his mistakes

fully plans his suicide attempt, including the days leading up to it, suggests a need for preparation

does everything in his power to make up for his mistakes but still feels guilty

felt like he deserved loneliness even though his old friends were bullies too

covering his ears and closing his eyes in the school halls suggest sensory avoidance/overload

feels distant from everyone, cant figure out how to close the gap or make friends again

overanalyzes social situations

avoids eye contact

uses scripts

avoids social situations and conflict but sense of justice wont let him ignore those in need

needs to have a scripted reason to engage with someone, not socially spontaneous

struggles to remember/follow unwritten social rules

has trouble adapting to new friendships

soft spoken and slightly monotone

went from one extreme to the other after trauma, suggests high masking or burnout

flat expression

doesnt openly express emotions, uncommon emotional expressions

doesnt understand the requirements of being friends, suggests a need for rules

fixation on being a good friend, doesnt want to repeat his past mistakes

doesnt speak much but uses lots of clarifying/specific language

flight response when overwhelmed

sign language echolalia

high empathy

stutters, stunted speech when not scripted

somewhat deadpan, can be perceived as rude

seeks advice, even when its socially awkward

begins to unmask, but regresses when reminded of his trauma

black or white thinking, shown in the Xs over peoples faces

tries to keep the peace

got physically sick at the thought that his trauma would be repeated

freezes at others big emotions

puts on an overenthusiastic mask to be clear that hes happy with shoko, doesnt want to be misunderstood

didnt ever actually apologize to shoko before becoming friends

shuts down at his school festival when people are talking about him

practices smiling before his school festival

extreme discomfort when looking people in the face, save for his friends, but when overwhelmed he cant look at them either

doesnt hug people back

doesnt react well to gifts

overcoming his social anxiety eased his sensory struggles