My Journey Through LEGO Technic: From 1988 to the Present – With Autistic Traits Along for the Ride
Since my first experience with LEGO Technic in 1988, my fascination with building has been a powerful and consistent thread running through my life—sometimes quietly in the background, sometimes all-consuming. Looking back, I can now see how my autistic traits—especially around structure, problem-solving, and deep focus—played a huge role in how I connected with LEGO Technic. As I’ve grown older, those traits have become more apparent and, in many ways, have shaped not just my approach to LEGO, but how I experience creativity and the world around me.
The Genesis: 1988 - 2000
The year 1988 marked the beginning of my journey with LEGO Technic. Even as a child, I was drawn to the complexity and logic of the Technic system—gears, axles, and beams that made sense in a world that often didn’t. While others might have seen a pile of plastic parts, I saw potential, systems, and patterns that I could understand and control. It gave me a sense of calm and confidence that was hard to find elsewhere.
During the '90s, my collection grew steadily, as did my passion for engineering and mechanical design. Sets like the Technic Supercar and the Space Shuttle Endeavour sparked not just my imagination but a powerful internal drive to master how things worked. In hindsight, my intense interest in LEGO—what might now be called a “special interest”—was a grounding force for me in childhood, giving me a creative outlet that fit perfectly with my autistic brain.
The Dark Ages: Early 2000s
Like many others, the early 2000s brought a pause in my LEGO Technic journey. Life, study, and work took center stage, and my bricks stayed packed away. But even during this so-called "dark age," the joy and comfort LEGO had once brought me never really left. I now realise that stepping away from LEGO also meant stepping away from one of my key emotional regulators—a structured, rewarding activity that had always helped me cope with a sometimes overwhelming world.
Resurgence and Renaissance: Embracing MODs and MOCs
My return to LEGO Technic in the late 2000s was not just a rediscovery of a childhood hobby—it was a reconnection with a core part of who I am. This time, however, I came back with new ideas and new intentions. I wasn't just building sets anymore—I was modifying them, redesigning them, and eventually creating entirely original builds.
This phase unlocked something deeper. My focus, attention to detail, and love for precision—traits that had always been part of my personality—found a new outlet in MODs (modifications) and MOCs (my own creations). I would spend hours refining builds, adjusting mechanisms, and solving design problems. Rather than being a limitation, my autistic traits gave me the focus and drive to go further, learn more, and create things that others found impressive and useful.
Sharing my work online connected me with other builders and gave me a sense of belonging. The clear rules and constructive feedback of the LEGO community appealed to me, providing both structure and connection—something that can be hard to find in more chaotic social settings.
The Present and Beyond
Today, LEGO Technic continues to be both a passion and a form of expression. I’ve grown into a semi-professional LEGO Technic designer and builder, with some of my MOCs sold to collectors and even businesses. What started as a childhood interest rooted in structure and predictability has matured into a craft that balances creativity, logic, and skill—qualities that reflect who I am at my core.
My autistic traits are no longer something hidden in the background. They've become a part of how I understand myself, and they've enriched my LEGO journey. The same attention to detail, the need for structure, the focus on function, and the deep-dive thinking that once set me apart as a kid now fuel the work I do and the joy I find in it.
As I look to the future, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next. One thing I know for certain: as long as there are parts to assemble and challenges to solve, LEGO Technic will be more than a hobby—it will remain a lifelong companion, a creative outlet, and a bridge between my inner world and the one around me.
No comments:
Post a Comment