Since the release of Keiths paladin vlog, I’ve been wanting to make a post going more into detail about Autistic Keith.
1.) Social difficulty.
This is the clearest and most obvious example of autistic Keith that we see throughout the show and various other canon (ie the vlog) The most evident and discussed example of this is in “I say vol, you say tron!” In which Keith doesn’t understand the point of the game (as mentioned in his paladin vlog, where he talks about it being unnecessary and taking up extra time, not seeing the fun within it.) And in which he doesn’t understand the cues of the game (Ie, repeating tron after lance, rather than just saying Voltron himself.)
This is also shown in Keith having trouble noting sarcasm or other forms of humor that’s not extremely obvious.
(pictured: a screenshot of keith saying “Are you joking”)
And again, in draining social experiences (which we’ll talk more about later on), which is reflected in his anger in response to extended social situations that can be seen as draining or stressful.
2.) Aversion to touch.
Under the branch of social difficulty, we see an aversion to touch. As we see throughout most every season of Voltron, Keith isn’t comfortable with being touched, hugged, or feeling closed in. A response to this is backing away, stiff posture, a verbal response, or any combination of those three. In example, when Allura hugs him there’s an extended pause, as if Keith doesn’t know what to do, and he’s shown standing quite stiff.
(pictured: A screenshot of Allura hugging Keith)
And again, when Hunk hugs Keith and Lance,
(pictured: A picture of hunk hugging keith and lance. Hunk and Lance are smiling, Keith looks distressed.)
Hunk and Lance both seem to enjoy the hug, but Keith’s face shows clear aversion and upset, and it also seems as if he doesn’t know how to respond, posture very rigid.
(pictured: Lance poking keith. Keith looks upset)
Here, again, we see someone touching Keith and his reaction being negative. Posture stiff, upset expression, backing away, and a noise expressing discomfort.
3.) Body posture and motor skills.
(pictured, all the paladins. Most show in very relaxed standing. Keith standing with his arms crossed)
Keith has a very stiff and structured posture. He’s most often shown standing very rigid and closed off when in the group. Arms crossed and posture very stiff, straight up, hardly ever slouching or relaxed unless he’s shown alone. This show again here:
(pictured: the group watching pidge work, Keith standing arms crossed.)
And then here, he’s show copying Lance’s stance and movement, assumingly as an attempt to blend in and match the others,to appear as if he’s relaxed in the situation, though he still stands a lot stiffer than Lance does in the photo.
(Pictured: Keith and Lance standing side by side. Keith watching Lance and copying his stance.)
4.) Meltdowns.
An autistic meltdown is defined via the following: “Loss of control can be expressed verbally (eg shouting, screaming, crying), physically (eg kicking, lashing out, biting) or in both ways.”
In Keith, this is reflected through outward verbal expression. This is shown through outbursts of anger and aggression, and then in the vlog where it’s shown he expected to cry in the situation (“I said I wouldn’t cry!”) and again in the vlog, when he slams his hands on the desk, and shouts.
(pictured: Keith screaming)
Some bonus:
Difficulty identifying feelings and emotions, as well as being seen as angry when you’re not, reflected in Keith being seen as very angry and aggressive at all times.
Cadet-For-Your-SpaceRescue 