7 day headcanon challenge
Day 2: headcanon a character with a disability (and explain why + explain what the disability is if it lacks proper education/awareness)
I don't often headcanon autism for characters since they rarely fit the criteria objectively, but I think Beedle actually does fit it.
This is a character who has obvious social communicavive differences to the rest of the Hylians, restrictive interests, repetitive behaviors, and emotional regulation difficulties.
Socially, he's saying strange "rehersed-sounding" lines to Link before opening up trades, which could show that he isn't quite sure how to start a conversation but is making an attempt using what he knows. He comes off as being naive, self-focused, and in his own world of perception, though he generally tries to get along with people. I also wouldn't be surprised if he had minor language or speech delays growing up.
I think they tried to portray him as someone who is socially awkward and reactive but very ernest, but they accidentally made him meet the criteria for autism. Especially with there also being the rrbs he fits
He's consistently decked out in beetle gear, has a beetle collection, wants every beetle Link obtains, personifies them, plots to steal them if Link refuses to trade. I have a personal headcanon that Beedle isn't his birth name and is what he goes by because he loves Beetles so much.
His mannerisms are generally consistent and predictable until he gets excited or upset, in which he has more impulsive emotional reactions.
He does stim. He sways, hums, claps, taps, and exhibits posturing behaviors. Like notably more than other NPCs. I've been able to identify him from afar by the way he moves (as opposed to mistaking his backpack for a monster or other strange thing), because his movements follow a combination of odd postures and stereotypys.
He wears clothing that is inappropriate for the environment (usually the same outfit across every region of Hyrule), indicating trouble with selecting his own clothing for the weather or with wearing something different from his usual favorite
I could probably think of more, but that's all I'm able to think of from memory without reviewing more game material
