The author’s original intention in creating “The Adventures of Aspie Mouse” was to develop 15 chapters of 12-16 pages each. As early chapters (such as A — formerly J — B, C & D) were first written, they started out that way — Chapter D was originally only eight pages. Even before all four of these four chapters were “finished” in first draft, I (the author) kept adding material and expanding these chapters. It became apparent that 20, 24 or even more pages would become the “average” length. Not wanting theses Adventures to go much past 240 pages, the total number of chapters was reduced to 10 — including what was Ch. A, but now is Ch. Pre-A — and what was originally written as Ch. J became Ch. H, and then Ch. A — with Ch. A’s material repeated in Ch. H, but then doubled in length with new material just for Ch. H.

The last chapter was then intended to be Chapter I (At the Zoo During a Pandemic). This is somewhat obvious at the end of that chapter, as Aspie Mouse suddenly is told a whole bunch of news that leaves him — and hopefully curious readers — hanging. The assumption was that this would get resolved in a sequel (starting with Chapter J) entitled “The Further Adventures of Aspie Mouse.” That may still occur, but if/ when it does, “Further Adventures…” would start with Chapter K.

Why? It’s because what I assumed during the pandemic shutdown was that a finished “Adventures” would be formally published by 2021, or early 2022 at the latest. However, life intruded, and new ideas for making the completed panels of the graphic novel more useful to Autistic readers kept coming. So to get SOMETHING published by year-end 2023 or early 2024 at the latest, I decided to break “Adventures…” into two volumes (after considering and rejecting three), to get the first half finished and out! Yet no matter where I’d split the chapters, I’d be unhappy with the split. For one thing, Chapter H resolves much of what its half-twin Ch. A leaves unanswered, but they’d now be in separate volumes. For another, there are NINE action chapters (not counting the Preface, Pre-A, which makes 10), but the two longest chapters are both in the second half (G & I), and the two shortest are A & E in the first half. Ending the first volume with Ch. D just didn’t feel right, but without adding another chapter, ending it with Ch. E didn’t feel right either, even if the lengths of the two volumes with five action chapters in one and four action chapters (non-preface material) might have been equivalent.

Given that Pre-A is as long as the longest “action” chapter currently — though it will be reduced somewhat in its last edit — it just made sense to add a 10th “action” chapter, and have only a brief “Pre-F” start the second half, given all the long chapters from Ch. G on. The other compelling reason to add a new Chapter J is my desire to add two new Autistic mouse characters, different in significant ways from the Autistic mice already appearing in Chapters A-I. The new Autistic mice are brother and sister, yet quite different from each other: the brother is “profoundly Autistic” — non-verbal, etc., but very intuitive when it comes to solving real world “scientific/ geometric” problems (such as fighting fires and floods); the sister is very bright, articulate, knowledgeable — with a photographic memory — and while uninterested in romantic relationships, has learned that when she and her brother collaborate to solve a problem, the result is genius-level — beyond what either could accomplish alone. Other themes in this chapter include the need to address climate change and challenging both Autistic and racial stereotypes

Chapter J Notes & Questions — Notes:

Chapter J is a brand new chapter, conceived in 2023 when the decision was made to split “Adventures of Aspie Mouse” into two volumes. Thus each of the two volumes has five “action chapters.” The shorter chapters in Volume I are somewhat offset by having a much longer “preface” (Pre-A) than Vol. II (Pre-F).

Chapter J — originally conceived as the first chapter of “The Further Adventures of Aspie Mouse,” when Chapters A-I were expected to first appear as a single volume — resolves the “hanging” questions Aspie Mouse is left with at the end of Ch. I, but it’s so much more. First, I’ve added two new Autistic characters who differ from the ones already appearing. They are brother and sister, but quite different from each other: the brother is “profoundly Autistic” — non-verbal, etc., but very intuitive when it comes to solving real world “scientific/ geometric/ logic” problems such as fighting fires and floods; the sister is very bright, articulate, knowledgeable — with a photographic memory — and while uninterested in romantic relationships, has learned that when she and her brother collaborate to solve a problem, the result is genius-level, beyond what either could accomplish alone. Other themes in this chapter include the need to address climate change and confronting Autistic and racial stereotypes.

The title of the chapter, Our ASD Friends, Excel Tackling Shelter, Survival for Profound, Climate Change Disasters, is a tease, a play on words. What gives that tease away — besides what’s revealed ‘in early pages of the chapter — is the unusual placement of commas. If “Excel” is a verb, there’d be no need for the comma preceding it after “Friends.” The second comma is appropriate, though the word “and” would more likely go between “shelter/ survival.” But the third comma after “Profound” makes no sense if it’s an adjective — unless another adjective, such as “disruptive” or “extreme” were placed there ahead of “climate change….” But then we meet the sister, “Excel” (XL in Morse Code), who does indeed “excel” in what she does; and the brother, “Profound” (PRO in Morse Code), who yes, is “profoundly” Autistic and non-verbal, but as becomes evident as the chapter proceeds, he is also profoundly intelligent and resourceful in ways that deserve praise for his potential positive impact on his and others’ lives, even if IQ tests don’t measure it.

The list of 27 Common Autism Characteristics condensed from Chapter Pre-A, P. 8:

1. No eye contact
2. Sensory sensitivity: noise, certain lights, smells, touch/ textures, foods, hunger/ bathroom needs; physical space (stand too close/ far from others; need escape); creative, passionate re art, music, touch
3. Self-Regulation: Speech: voice volume, repetition & variability; amount (see #6)
4. Self-Regulation: Stimming – flapping, swaying, repetitive body/ hand movements/ head banging; use “fidgets”
5. Anxiety (fear) & Overwhelm. Executive Function closes up > Meltdown: fight, flight or freeze. #1 barrier to ASD good mental health. Key: lower anxiety — yoga, meditation, count to 10, positive self-talk.
6. All-or-None Thinking & Behavior: Say too much/ ask too many questions or say/ ask nothing; flat affect or too dramatic; not show or over-express feelings (see #7); avoid people or obsessed w/ some; loves/ overuses puns or humorless; substance abuser or teetotaler — extremes, no gray. Learn to sit in discomfort, seek middle.
7. Difficulty identifying feelings; then not show or over-express them. Mistake not showing for not feeling & over-showing for “acting/ exaggerating.” Learn core feelings (mad, glad, sad, scared) & “not about me”
8. Lack of Social Understanding, of others’ expectations (unaware). Ask for rules, put in writing and study as if taking school test. The core trait that drives the Adventures of Aspie Mouse: why his choices makes one laugh.
9. Pattern-seeking/ solving problems in unique ways: why they’re inventors, good at “detail oriented” jobs; creative, intuitive.
10. Special Interest(s) can pay off having unique expertise for work/ hobby. Great for self-esteem, relaxing, lowering anxiety.
11. Independent thinkers/ most inventors; no/ weak peer influence/ expectations.
12. Work well independently once focused, trained, boss “gets”/ in right environment
13. Self-entertaining: If access to special interests, never bored; need no playmate.
14. Rule follower: conscientious once buys in; then help enforce, offer improvements.
15. Honesty, innocence, naivete: unusually truthful, will even tell on oneself. Positive side of “lack of social understanding” (see #8).
16. Love routine/ dislike change and transitions: helps in self-regulation; holds on; loyal, slow to adjust, won’t jump ship.
17. Unaware of impact of actions on others (adds to friction from #8): so invite feedback, don’t explain yourself.
18. More logical than emotional: Makes for discomfort – Aspie of feelings; others for Aspie not expressing them.
19. Emotionally delayed: emotional age 2/3-3/4 of chronological. Catch up slowly. Good to delay intimacy (honor your own clock).
20. Low self-esteem: Stop self-blame! Give counter-messages: your unique strengths & you’re not at fault.
21. Lack of trust, all feels unsafe: others’ trust/ safety priorities puzzling, why is my “feels right” labeled “unacceptable?” No! Unexpected! Choose your own safety priorities or those of others in household.
22. Over-sensitivity > what’s said/ happens: over-reacts or no visible reaction (cares, can’t show it). Don’t take personally, let it go, Laugh about it vs. taking too seriously.
23. Can’t remember names (even faces), read body language – not priority, can be by choice.
24. Disconnected from body, including health, personal hygiene, need to eat/ sleep/ use bathroom, place in “space,” prone to self-injury (intentional & not).
25. Extreme thoughts swirl inside mind, unrestrained by social norms; if spoken often leads to trouble, even if you’d never act upon the more scary thoughts. Challenge negative self-talk with positives and dismissal.
26. Depression, suicidal thoughts, acts: anxiety & depression treated w/ same meds (body can’t tell difference); from low self-esteem, bad self-talk, sense of hopelessness. Get help, especially Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
27. Hard to get & keep friends, jobs & relationships: to overcome, must work to lessen own & others’ discomfort. Listen! Show interest in others’ lives, passions & get feedback on your impact on them (see #17).

Ch. J Questions for Thought or Discussion: