Why Donatello in Rise of The TMNT is such brilliant autistic representation

[@TravistheDragon]

As an autistic person, I find myself relating to Donatello in some way. Although I am a hugger when it comes to people I’m actually comfortable with, such as close friends, I’m not particularly comfortable being touched by anyone else. Especially my family. When my mom tells me I need to give a certain family member a hug before leaving, I just reluctantly do it because I know there’s no getting out of it. I’m also very sensitive to noises in general as well. I work at McDonald’s and I can confirm that my job can be a living hell when it comes to working there. Especially when I hear all the noises you can possibly imagine, like managers yelling the orders to other employees, one of my coworkers making random noises, and lots of beeping machines, all while I’m trying to do my job. It’s exhausting. I know I’m probably just venting now but yeah, it feels really nice to see an accurate autistic representation. I actually plan to do the same thing with my comic.

[@PixelaGames2000]

Oh wow that awesome and interesting I didn’t know you were on the spectrum (or maybe I did and I just forgot idk) but yeah it’s super satisfying that we have a character like Donnie to represent use autistic folks

[@EchoAce04]

Same

[@GoddessOfCats]

I've been watching these videos on Donnie's autism for a while now. I've started to notice that what's said in these videos also apply to me. I haven't been diagnosed with autism, but the similarities I'm seeing make me think I should get an assessment. My best friend, who has Asperger's Syndrome, thinks I should too. Thing is, I'm 34 and I feel I'm too old and too late to be diagnosed.

[@PixelaGames2000]

You are never too old or too late to get diagnosed, if you think you may be autistic…then go ahead and get an appointment to get diagnosed. There’s plenty of people who are in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s and 60s who got diagnosed. There is no age limit for autism, it’s a life long condition, your born with it and you die with it

[@elliart7432]

He also demonstrates Echolalia! Before they leave to return Splinter’s dvd, Splinter for some reason I forget goes “New York: What a town!” For the rest of the episode Donnie proceeds to repeat this over and over for every situation in the exact same tone and cadence, even when it doesn’t fully make sense.

[@PixelaGames2000]

Ah yes I love that quote “New York: What a town!” Definition a favorite of mine

[@elliart7432]

Another example of Donnie vocal stimming is when April’s interviewing him about Leo’s “attack” in the lair games, and he’s like “I need a minute” then just puts his head down and makes a noise like an eagle dying in slow motion. And like- same 😂 He also starts trying to literally chant “Ohm’s law” during the group mediation at the end of season 1

[@PixelaGames2000]

Oh yeah that was a good one (I wonder how his voice actor made that sound) but yeah definitely a great example

[@SoftshellTaco19]

13:00 i do this all the time I mainly say "dramatic sigh" and "gasp" lmao I love donnie he is not only my favorite turtle but my favorite character. ever. I've never felt such a connection with a character like i do with donnie hes just like me. also. the think about autistic people being drawn to technology. I compleatly agree with that statement it also makes sense. I am also very drawn to tech. I remember when i heard that opportunity (the mars rover) lost communication i. actually teared up a bit lol I loved that silly robot (her last message was telling that she ran out of power and the sky was dark. sobs

[@PixelaGames2000]

Yes absolutely.

[@WannabeArtist55]

What I like the most about Donnie is that in one episode he literally says ‘hiss’ before actually hissing. I have ADHD and I for some reason relate to him more than any ADHD media rep, especially when it comes to the hissing, I’ve always been known to make these little squeaks or what I like to call them ‘Pokemon noises’ and I’m glad I’m not alone :3 Edit: oh and also a confession… I too, am scared of beach balls or just, balls in general. I’ve been hit with them to many times. Like, the second I see a ball coming towards me the first thing I do is duck. It’s flipping muscle memory at this point 🥲 6:32 I kind of find this scene funny, IDK if it’s the fact that I have a broken humor, or the fact that I am the exact opposite, (Me and my dad had to clean a broken fridge and I was the only one that didn’t gag, ever since that I would always say that I have an iron stomach). 7:16 My boi being going to The Upside Down Dimension with this one (Stranger Things reference since I can’t get the Chrissy Wake Up meme out of my head)

[@PixelaGames2000]

Wow, that’s pretty cool!

[@TheologyVGM]

Makes me excited to see the movie soon! My best friend has Autism and Asperger's and the way we are drawn to technology absolutely strengthens our bond :)

[@joshuasmith8865]

Oh boy I love the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

[@noahbueno2168]

0:00 OH! NO WAY! CJ my man, does that mean you’ve heard of San Andreas!?

[@PixelaGames2000]

Well yeah I know about the game I never played it I just know about the clip because of memes

[@noahbueno2168]

Ahh, that’s how

[@GooeycatUWU]

I do some of these like stimming whan I'm angry at my homework I need to wave my arms around and my interests are a bit weird l LOVE cups I collect as many as I can and I can be very blunt I don't realize am being blunt or mean and it's kind of hard especially curse I don't even know if am autistic I have a lot in common with autistic characters

[@mittens-cat-lord]

I love my purple middle child

[@popsquirt9370]

10:03 mine might also be my tablet/Apple Pencil cause I love to draw and animate. I recently broke my tablet screen and I started crying cause I couldn’t use it to play Genshin impact (my favorite game) or draw or animate and thinking about that made me so upset partially cause I had previously broken my apple pencil’s tip and I JUST got a new one so I could start drawing digitally again and now I have to wait for another 4ish months so I can save up money to buy a new tablet and then once I get new tablet I’ll also have to get a new Apple Pencil and it’s just really frustrating (sorry to rant)

[@PixelaGames2000]

Oof, Same. Just when my TMNT hyperfixation started last year, my old iPad bricked and stopped working properly, and my pencil stopped working. So, I had to not only get a new IPad, but a new Apple Pencil as well! So, I get the struggle.

[@Kwiltnanna]

UR OC IS SOO CUTE!!! tbh tho i don't have autism or anything on the spectrum but I have many friends that are on the spectrum. I love the beautiful purple baby Boi

[@Kaze_420]

I have a sad story. So I was living with my dad for two years “my parents are divorced” and I got diagnosed twice. One by my school and the other by an actual doctor. My perfectionist mom refuses to accept it and expects me to act like a normal guy

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

He’s my fave character in Rise and I also have ADHD like Mikey 🥺❤️

[@PixelaGames2000]

Aww, that’s cool. And yeah, I relate to both Donnie and Mikey in a way. Donnie because of autism and being into tech and nerdy stuff, and Mikey because of a few personality traits of mine…and being the youngest.

[@Catty-Crashy]

I 100% approve this video, The fact that Donnie is autistic and had Autism made my day Greatt, Hes has some Intrested personallty that he is addicated too. And that how most Autism people have like myself.

[@cucublueberry8078]

💜

[@EchoAce04]

I got tisum 💙

[@GrimRolland]

Hey quick question, what species of turtle is ur sona for this video they look sick and I wanna draw it!

[@PixelaGames2000]

She is a leather back seat turtle

[@EchoAce04]

Luv him