This month we’re asking our autistic community members What Do You Want? What Do You Need?
We’re featuring their answers all April long, right here. Today
we’re having a conversation with TH, age 12. Please read, listen, and share.

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What are some things you like people to know about you?

I am shy, so nothing.

What are some things that make you happy? Why?

Chess and Minecraft. Because they are fun games in my opinion.

What are some things you avoid whenever possible? Why?

People that I do not know, because I am very shy as you may have already noticed.

What features does your ideal living space have, and why?

I am not entirely sure, but I like the couch that I am on and the laptop I have.

What are your favorite books, movies, and/or TV shows?

I like Spongebob Squarepants, the Star Wars franchise, the Indiana Jones series, and a book I just read about the Mayflower.

What autistic experiences would you like to see more of, when it comes to storytelling efforts like books, movies, and/or TV shows?

I’m not sure, because I have rarely even seen any Autistic stories.

What are some things you’d like the media and other people to stop saying about autistic people?

The media is useful and misleading at the same time. Therefore, while some media outlets will tell you the correct terms of Autism, others will not. I would just like those who mislead people to be nicer about it.

If you could change one thing to make the world more friendly to autistic people, what would it be?

Since I rarely ever interact with other Autistic people, I have yet to say what they actually like. Some children I saw liked video games and Pokemon, so all I ask is they keep making Pokemon games.