Spectrum Codex

Spectrum Codex is a geek code for people on the autistic spectrum to describe themselves, their diagnoses, and their behaviors.

“I’m on the spectrum” has become the standard shorthand. It replaced older labels ‐ Asperger’s, PDD-NOS, “high-functioning,” “low-functioning” ‐ that were either clinically outdated, associated with uncomfortable history, or just wrong. But the replacement isn’t much better as communication. It tells you someone is autistic. It tells you nothing about how.

Two autistic people can have entirely opposite sensory profiles, opposite communication styles, opposite relationships with routine. One might be hypersensitive to sound and hyposensitive to touch. Another might be the reverse. One masks constantly; another never learned to. The word “spectrum” implies a single axis. The reality is more like an equalizer board.

The Spectrum Codex is a language for describing your particular settings.

It was announced by author Brian Mars, associated with project Evil Geniuses for a Better Tomorrow, on Reddit on July 30, 2026.

Dates and versioning are kept on the changelog.