Autism is internal.
Does it have external effects? Sure – in how I move, speak, react, and position my body. But if you took away all of that, my mind would still be autistic.
Still gathering details before drawing conclusions.
Still noticing patterns in diverse data.
Still processing some info under a speed limit.
Still processing other info like a turbocharger.
Still captivated by certain sights and sounds.
Still comforted by a few of my favorite things.
Still thoroughly permeated by autistic ways of seeing, thinking, feeling, and being.
No matter how stereotypically autistic or neurotypically passing I appear on the outside, I will always be autistic on the inside.