And now for 5 somethings COMPLETELY different. :D

I hope these stories makes you think a little differently when you see an autistic person who isn't capable of fluent speech. Not being able to talk does not mean lesser intelligence because communication is more than spoken words. Always presume nonverbal autistic people have normal intellect and competence. Trust me, they will be very grateful even though they may not be able to say so.

Autism awareness isn't enough. There needs to be autism acceptance.

P.S.: I headcanon 'autism' to be the 'neurotypical' neurology of the Flora Colossus species. Groot is aware he sees things differently than his alien friends and thinks their ability to socialize and process things instantly is weird, but he doesn't see himself as 'disabled'. He is also conscious of the fact that his normal behavior is seen as atypical to other species and that it makes some people treat him as unintelligent. (Which he HATES.)

TRIGGER WARNING FOR AUTISTIC READERS: These fics contain instances of self-injurious behavior(SIB) and mention abusive ABA-like therapy.

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TITLE: Being ~*~* FF.net and AO3 *~*~
SUMMARY: …different is not less. What most species call autism is normal neurology for Flora Colossi. Therefore, Groot does not see himself as disabled and thinks the way everyone else experiences the world is weird!
RATING: T due to some violence and Rocket’s potty mouth.
GENRE: Friendship, hurt/comfort, introspective

TITLE: Always, Really and Forever ~*~* FF.net and AO3 *~*~
SUMMARY: (Sequel to Being.) Friendship is the most understated form of love. Groot’s quest to understand love goes awry when Rocket ends up in the hospital because of his out-of-control drinking. Without his social crutch around, Groot suddenly finds himself having to prove his competence again and again.
RATING: M due to descriptions of nudity and Rocket’s potty mouth.
GENRE: Friendship, hurt/comfort, introspective.
TRIGGER WARNING: Emetophobes might be bothered by this. Also, Groot has an encounter that might be triggery to sexual assault survivors.
SIDE NOTE: I thumbed my nose at Autism Speaks in this story. See if you can spot where I did it. It happens more than once. >:3

TITLE: Inner Gardens ~*~* FF.net and AO3 *~*~
SUMMARY: We become what we plant within ourselves. Something triggers Groot’s memories of Halfworld, which in turn results in uncontrollable self-injurious meltdowns. The side of himself he never wanted anyone other than Rocket to see is about to be laid bare.
RATING: M due to graphic violence and sexual content.
GENRE: Friendship, hurt/comfort, introspective
TRIGGER WARNING: Emetophobes might be bothered by this. Also, there are graphic flashbacks involving horrific physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

TITLE: Disclosure ~*~* FF.net and AO3 *~*~
SUMMARY: Limits are not shameful. Groot sees Quill experience frightening symptoms related to an undisclosed medical condition. Quill asks Groot not to tell anyone about what he saw. Groot, being the selfless sweetheart that he is, goes on a solo journey into the city to retrieve Quill’s medicine because he doesn’t want to spill the secret. In doing so, he comes face to face with his mental and physical limits.
RATING: T due to some swearing.
GENRE: Friendship, hurt/comfort, introspective
TRIGGER WARNING: Vague mention of past ABA-like therapy.

TITLE: It Takes A Forest ~*~* FF.net and AO3 *~*~ (((New fic!)))
SUMMARY: “Friends take care of friends.” Something on the Milano makes Groot think he’s on Halfworld again. He goes into a self-injurious tailspin and it becomes the only way he’s able to communicate. His friends recognize something is wrong and do everything possible to comfort him. But what set him off, and what will calm him down?
RATING: T due to some swearing.
GENRE: Friendship, hurt/comfort, introspective
TRIGGER WARNING: Very vague mention of sexual abuse.