/jp/ - Otaku Culture

The National Autistic Society conducted a survey of 81 young adults with autism and Asperger syndrome to investigate their putative 'special relationship' with Visual Novels. The survey confirmed our assumption from anecdotal evidence that adults with autism spectrum disorders associate far more strongly with Saber than with other visual novel characters.
For some, Saber can inspire previously unthinkable leaps of emotion, imagination and symbolic play.
Saber can be a point of entry to the world of communication and learning.
Saber serves an important role as a comfort blanket / friend in a friendless world for many adults with autism.
The calm and clear narration which exaggerates and 'swords' changes clearly.
The easy to follow storylines, where something usually goes wrong but it is resolved by the end of the route.
The still background and scenery. (Adults with autism can be easily distracted by detail and small changes either in sound or movement.)
The easily recognisable and bold hair colours and styles.
The 'friendly' faces whose expressions are exaggerated and are set for some time and so can be understood. "Without doubt it is the faces on each character which first attracted his interest. The expression on the faces never changes and he knows they won't talk back to him!"
The accuracy of the figures. Most interestingly, copies of the licensed toys are recognised instantly as being less accurate by some enthusiasts and are rejected as 'not being Saber'. "They notice a difference in things very easily and so it is important that these little models are exactly the same as the ones on the screen."
The predictability of the roles played by different characters."
The suitability of Saber for identification, listing and collecting, all common characteristics of many grown men with autistic traits.


http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/our-publications/reports/our-policy-and-research-reports/men-with-autism-and-saber