I am an AFOL and I am Autistic. I was diagnosed with Autism as an adult, and I have been reflecting on how my neurodiversity and obsession with LEGO bricks are interlinked. This article is written from my personal perspective, and I don’t speak for everyone, but maybe by sharing my experiences others can learn a bit more.

Features of Autism include but are not limited to restricted interests, obsessions, struggling to engage in conversations not to one’s own interest—I am not certain that the latter applies to me—but when I talk about LEGO I certainly feel more comfortable and confident in what I am talking about than when I am trying to navigate the realms of “small talk”.

As a quick aside, Tips & Bricks recently posted about Autism Acceptance Month which is worth a read if you want to hear about others’ experiences as well.

Collecting

Since receiving my diagnosis, I have reflected on my life all the way back to childhood and how I have always been a collector. It started with keyrings—I once challenged myself to buy as many different keyrings as I could from all the different theme parks and such on a family holiday to Orlando. At the time, though, I only had a key to my house and my locker at school, Sylvanian Families. I also collected Barbies, Troll Dolls, Winnie the Pooh Beanie Babies, postcards, and I even a dalliance with stamps. Then, as I matured, my interest in music peaked, and it was more about collecting CDs, Vinyl and other music memorabilia.

And that all brings us to LEGO. I don’t think I will ever have a clear explanation of how, for me, coming out of my dark ages started with wanting to buy a particular LEGO set one weekend in Toys R Us, to having a whole room full of LEGO, and it forming one of the most important aspects of my life.

My LEGO patch hoodie. Still have a couple of patches to sew on … if I can fit them in!

I feel that part of being Autistic is that when I become interested in something, it turns into more of an obsession, and I feel that I have to show dedication to said obsessions. Perhaps I see my obsession with LEGO as a relationship, and in relationships, commitment is a factor—and I certainly feel like I am committed to my LEGO hobby, from a bag filled with a wide selection of LEGO keychains to my hoodie adorned with LEGO-themed patches to my displays of LEGO-themed badges and pins.

Completionism

I fully appreciate that many AFOLs have a wealth of interests and obsessions under the LEGO umbrella, but I certainly feel that being Autistic fuels a sense of obsession and completionism in me when it comes to my various collections!

The beginning of a new collection- sprues!

The level of feeling when I find a patch or pin not in my collection is not so much excitement but more the satisfaction of succeeding in my goals towards completionism within themes.

There is also the feeling of regret when it is beyond my means to complete a particular collection—BrickHeadz being the prime example here. I am proud that I have purchased every single one that has been available for retail sale- but the Comic-Con exclusives, for example, will always be out of budget!

Fabuland tiles (possibly a couple of other themes in the number tiles!)

Moving along, Fabuland tiles are nice—can I collect one of each in great condition? What interesting parts are there out there that will spark my interest- the different coloured fairies from Belleville or the Fabuland tree?

And what about before LEGO was plastic bricks—yes of course I need one of those little metal bikes! And a little VW metal van—yes, I need one of those.

Microfigures-I fear this collection may never be complete due to the prices of some!

I also find that my anxiety is quelled by finding a new area of interest or obsession—how many colours of 2x4 bricks are there, and can I collect them all? How many different printed 2x4 bricks are there? How many different printed 2x2 tiles are there?

Comfort

When I am experiencing anxiety or sensory overload, I find that losing myself in building a LEGO set distracts me from my thoughts and helps me to self-regulate. It is just me and the bricks in our own little world, focusing on methodically clicking them together. Something that is logical and fits together is comforting. The world is a challenging place, and things do not fit together in the way that LEGO’s famous clutch power clicks bricks into place.

Two colours of LEGO frogs missing at the moment- in my bricklink basket!

Conclusion

My statuette collection (including some customs at the top) only missing a rather pricey iron man one

Finally, being Autistic I often struggle to fit in and question how and where I fit in. But within the AFOL world, I feel comfortable. I have forged friendships with other AFOLs, and am at ease when I attend LEGO shows and conventions. We have the same language. We collect things I know about. We build with pieces I am familiar with. And we talk with other builders that go through the same process I do. I feel like I am in a world where I truly belong, and do not have to worry about how other people perceive me in the way that I do in other areas of life.

Being an AFOL and Autistic has allowed me to explore and express myself through my passion for LEGO. My obsessions and dedication to completionism are traits that are interlinked with my neurodiversity. Building LEGO sets provides me with a sense of comfort and distraction from anxiety and sensory overload. Through the AFOL community, I have found a place where I feel comfortable and a sense of belonging. My journey with LEGO has been a journey of self-discovery, and I am grateful for the joy and fulfillment it brings to my life.

Best of BrickNerd - Article originally published April 18, 2023

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