Worldbuilding: A Special Interest
I was diagnosed with autism at 31, and as a result of this, I've come to understand how my unique experience of the world shapes the things I’ve been drawn to my life, and one of the main ones has been my special interest of fictional worldbuilding.
Special interests are distinct from hobbies and they can play a profound role in the lives of many* autistic individuals, including myself (*please note that I said “many” and not “all”—being autistic looks different from person-to-person). Unlike hobbies, which are casual and varied, a special interest is more like an anchor, deeply ingrained and often a source of comfort and understanding.
For me, worldbuilding began as something I did for fun as a kid, but now, I can see vital way the little things help me navigate and find solace amidst the larger challenges of life. Living in a world not designed for autistic individuals, I encounter daily struggles that are not always easy to discern from the outside. For example, interpreting social cues or discerning tone of voice is a constant struggle, yet these are crucial in societal interactions, whether I’m reading a text message or trying to get through a doctor’s appointment, it takes me extra effort to understand many aspects of our society that may just be perceived as “normal.” So in my fictional worlds, like the Record Book Library, I create environments where nuances aren’t expected to be understood right away…and “moments” can be revisited and discovered in a more tangible way.
Another way that worldbuilding overlaps with my autistic special interests is in education. Processing and understanding new information often requires me to review material multiple times. For instance, in school, I will often watch recorded lectures 3-4 times just to makes sure I correctly processed the information. Dealing with the strain of time in real life has led me to create fictional worlds that feature manipulation of time, allowing a more fluid and accommodating environment, which is different than the rigid structures I face in reality.
In short, I may not be able to bend time or make the whole world understand the often masked and hidden struggles of people such as myself, but I can make my own worlds. I can make a fictional world within this real world that is very much so a part of my real life. It took me a few decades to get the courage to even share how much worldbuilding has meant to me. I’ve never published novels professional (even though I’ve participated in National Novel Writing Month many times). But whether or not I end up doing that, I am grateful to have discover an unique way in which I can learn, grow, and connect with others.
This process has given me strength not only for creative expression but for meaningful engagement in life. Engaging in worldbuilding for me is about constructing spaces where I can cope and find hope.
Creating these worlds is not just a creative outlet but a necessary imagination for being alive. It's a way for me to carve out a space where I can truly be myself and process life on my own terms, without the constraints and misunderstandings of the external world.
This has been imperative especially since, in addition to autism, I was also diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). People who share my experiences have been studied as facing unique challenges as it relates to mental health, physical health, relationships, career, education, and so much more (for literature on these issues, I put some recommended publications and books by autistic people below). In other words, supportive environments shouldn’t be optional, but a necessity. My hope is that anyone who is struggling can have spaces where they feel like they belong.
- Morgan Harper Nichols
What I Want To Talk About: How Autistic Special Interests Shape a Life by Pete Wharmby
Autistic and Black: Our Experiences of Growth, Progress and Empowerment by Kala Allen Omeiza