Writing on the Spectrum: The Importance of Stories by and About People With Autism

Art, when it’s at its best, reflects humanity. It’s part of the reason why the “books like us” and “we need diverse books” movement has gained so much traction in recent years. The fact is, long before words like diversity and inclusivity became part of our daily language, our communities have always been diverse. What’s more, diversity goes beyond race, ethnicity, religion, and gender identity.

(On Writing Neurodivergent Characters.)

“Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits,” wrote neurologists Nicole Baumer and Julia Frueh in a Havard Medical School blog. “The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).”

Well-drawn diverse stories can bring people together. Because reading about our differences has a way of highlighting our similarities, as well. Author Madeleine L'Engle (best known for her book A Wrinkle in Time) put it beautifully when she said, “Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving.”

What enables a story to affect readers so deeply? Authenticity. Every element of your writing must feel authentic to the reader—not just the description of time and place or the accuracy of facts, but also in the distinctive voices and points-of-view in a diverse cast of characters.

Reading memoirs and personal essays written by people with ASD is extremely helpful. Unlike other nonfiction, these genres deliver a singular experience or perspective. Such works allow you to get inside the author’s head; and when you’re in their head, you can see the world through their eyes.

Sowing Seeds is a collection of short writing and poetry by adults with ASD published by SEEDs for Autism in Phoenix. SEEDs is a nonprofit organization that provides education, social skills, and vocational training for teens and adults on the spectrum. Developing communication skills is a vital part of the program.

“Writing is a powerful form of self-expression and individuality. It enables us to connect with others and share information in a meaningful way,” said Michele Bledsoe, an artist and poet who works at SEEDs as the newsletter instructor. “We encourage our participants to find their own voice as they share their stories and experiences through their writing and poetry. That opens a unique window into the thoughts, dreams and interests of a population that is often not heard or heard enough.”

Documentaries and podcasts featuring autistic people provide helpful insights, as well. Just like every other minority demographic—and frankly, just like humanity at large—not everyone with ASD likes to write. They have a wide range of interests and passions. Some are nonverbal, while others are well-spoken. Some sing. Others communicate through visual arts.

One-on-one interaction is a powerful way to get to know and understand people with different world views and experiences than our own. Talking with someone on the spectrum, or simply sitting quietly with them, can be enlightening. It’s an effective and rewarding way to develop fictional characters in your writing, as well as to develop your own character in life.

My historical novel, Peculiar Savage Beauty, includes a character on the spectrum named Woody. I hadn’t set out to include a character with ASD in my novel. But when you have a child on the spectrum, you live and breathe that every minute of every day. As a writer, your everyday life naturally informs what you ultimately write about, even if it is unintentional. By the time I started writing Peculiar Savage Beauty, I had met dozens of individuals on the spectrum and read countless books and articles. It was all done to help me better understand my son and his experiences.

When Woody showed up in my novel draft, all that interaction and reading helped me understand and develop his character. It also helped me appreciate how the other characters in the story might respond and relate to him. Woody is not based on my son or any one person. He is a unique, fictional character on the autism spectrum, formed from my imagination and my collective understanding of the many challenges, abilities, qualities, and gifts that someone with ASD can have.

If you’d like to meet writers on the spectrum, the Sowing Seeds contributors will be featured (along with 30 other neurotypical and neurodiverse authors) at the Arizona Author Book Festival in Phoenix, April 27, 2025. The free community event will include author talks, book signings, children’s story time, food trucks, live music, giveaways and more. It takes place at the SEEDs for Autism campus and 100 percent of sponsorships and vendor fees support their programs.