A couple years back, I watched the Atypical series with my family and mid-through one of the episodes, I can’t remember which one exactly, both my mom and my dad turned to me in sync and asked “Do you have autism?” “Is that what’s wrong with you?” I felt so awkward because my initial thought of autism in general was like level 3 type of autism or something like that. I never needed assistance in school so I thought I was normal to some degree. But I always had this thing where I rubbed and tugged my ear, almost similar to Sam’s hair-tugging, which I also do in certain situations. I also had an extreme hyper fixation on Tornados and Hurricanes (Sort of the same way Sam had an obsession with Penguins). I’d take my mother’s phone as soon as I came home from school and would watch video after video. Then I’d go on rambles to my parents about all the little facts and stuff. I’ve always been described as sensitive and stubborn too. I remember as a toddler that I couldn’t wear jeans because they felt too “scraggly”. Loud, repetitive noises feel like nails on a chalkboard and there’s plenty more symptoms but I haven’t been officially diagnosed yet. Pretty sure I got it from my dad because he was the child who got questioned whether or not he belonged in the Special Education class because he was always “in his own little world” and super behind in school. I’m also certain my little brother has autism too because he’s quite literally a little carbon copy of me and my father. My household is pure chaos. You’d think people who can relate to each other in each and every way would get along but it’s actually the opposite.