Special Interests

Next on the list of Autism Acceptance is Newt Scamander. Special case as he’s like the character I relate to the most but hardest to draw for numerous reasons so here’s a bowtruckle!!
What I love about Newt is Eddie's performance and his personality. Everything to how he walks, his posture, his overall uncomfortableness and natural avoidance of eye contact, for once it felt like I was seeing myself in another character, I felt seen in a new way by Newt Scamander and watching his special interest saving the Wizarding World makes me more comfortable in my own skin and interests. As well as his ease to just be himself, from swinging from lamps to licking the ground, Newt has no trouble being Newt.
And my favourite part really of Newt’s story is introducing Jacob to the case and just how much more natural he seems in that world rather than by other humans. He’s so confident and all into these creatures and his compassion is wonderfully played out.
But the scene I highlighted here is a younger Newt comforting Leta. He’s not doing it by hugging or asking her about the experience. He’s doing it by introducing her into his life and playing his interests into the mix to try to cheer her up. I have read how ASD has a different way to comfort and more naturally want to fix the problem for them or offer them help through actions and not words and I kind of felt this fitted in there.