13 autism symptoms in adults (you're not just a "highly sensitive person/hsp")

[@Whoever68]

I’m now in my mid 50’s and I have always felt different. I never understood how I was different, just that I was different to others. I’m very sensitive and I remember as a child my older sister laughing at me and mocking me, particularly in front of my relatives. I remember how embarrassed and humiliated she made me feel. To this day if I see someone being mocked or teased I see the discomfort that person is feeling and I try to distract them in a nice way so that they don’t feel embarrassed or humiliated. My son has been diagnosed with ASD and ADHD. I understand that both are hereditary and I believe I too have both. I have not had contact with my siblings for almost eight years because I finally realised that I don’t deserve to be poorly treated by those that I have known all my life simply because they are related to me.

[@HoneyGemHappy]

🫶💐

[@CosmicChild1111]

Thank you, I also was bullied and made fun of by my sister in front of friends and family. I stepped away for over 10 years now but she has been trying to reconnect again. I don’t trust her.

[@pipwhitefeather5768]

This sounds just like me! I've had no contact with my siblings for over a decade now. They treated me terribly! It took me so long to realise. We deserve to be treated with respect and it serves us and our mental health to remove ourselves from painful relationships. I am also in my 50's and only last year did I find out it may be ASD and ADHD. It explains my whole life! Find the people that help you feel good and I will too. 🙏 x

[@AlissaSss23]

Agreed. Sending 🫂

[@AlissaSss23]

Good for you for staying no contact. Home is where we feel safe 🙏

[@JohnGeorge-pw2xo]

I'm a veteran, was actually addicted to cigarettes and alcohol. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder, got diagnosed with cptsd. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.

[@Islasss-z8m]

I love hearing great life changing stories like this. I want to become a mycologist because honestly mushrooms are the best form of medicine (most especially the psychedelic ones) There are so many people today used magic mushrooms to ween off of SSRI medication- its amazing! Years back i wrote an entire essay about psychedelics. they saved you from death buddy, lets be honest here.

[@ErnestoHorner88]

Can you help me with the reliable source 🙏. I'm 56 and have suffered for years with addiction, anxiety and severe ptsd, I got my panic attacks under control myself years ago and they have come back with a vengeance, I'm constantly trying to take full breaths but can't get the full satisfying breath out, it's absolutely crippling me, i live in Germany. I don't know much about these mushrooms. Really need a reliable source!! Can't wait to get them

[@CARIBBEAN_365]

YES very sure of mycologist Predroavaro. This treatment worked for me. Helped me got rid of my life long depression and BPD.

[@DonnDenisse]

So happy for you, brother that you found mushrooms. I struggle with some of the same issues and mushrooms helped me immensely as well. God bless you keep fighting the good fight.

[@Wimruther-hk4zn]

How do I reach out to him? Is he on insta

[@jeddklampitt9749]

I am an introvert. I was a very quietly spoken child and teenager. I rarely talked to anyone because I lacked social skills and the ability to express myself openly. I was a passive naive young person. I preferred to be alone and do what I wanted in my spare time. I am not a misanthropic person because I have dealt with my inner demons and come to terms with who I am. The fact that I grew up in a toxic family who physically, emotionally, and verbally abused me made me hate everyone until I became an adult. I never knew what an introvert was until I read Dr Carl Jung's books about different personalities and archetypes. I also read Emotional Intelligence and other self-help books which improve myself. I dislike being classified into various labels, negative stereotyping and being pigeonholed into a category by certain therapists.

[@melissavalentine9771]

🎉🎉🎉

[@peterhodge570]

Well said

[@ariellas.5150]

I found out I have autism by such a test. It explains alot now at age 60. All my life I felt misunderstood.

[@fireflyfree311]

How to afford $3000 for a test though?

[@waynefay8210]

theres heaps of free authentic online tests I recently met a psychiatrist who specialises in this field and he put me onto them after doing a few you’ll have a very clear idea of where you sit on the spectrum

[@Cy-bz9jh]

I'm 68. I've never understood how people work. I had a friend that I trusted teach me how to do the "hug greeting" when I was 65. Before that, I had always either avoided it or did this awkward bobbing dance, leaning the wrong way and then looking like those weird bird mating dances. I got pretty good at just shoving out my hand in front of myself for a handshake. Awkward, but less awkward than that dance. I have zero understanding of the majority of social cues and small talk makes me want to claw out my own eyes. I took some of those on-line tests and they were like if you score 27 you might be autistic.... as I stare at a score of 134. Does getting an actual diagnosis at this age really help?? I hope you answer even if the answer is no. Thank you.

[@hannahmitchell87]

@@Cy-bz9jh Nice work on getting the hug greeting down! I'm often doing the bird mating dance or just feeling awkward & anxious, "Too short? Long? Am I sweaty? Were they even expecting or wanting a hug?" I've been asking how or if diagnoses have helped people for a while now & feel quite conflicted as to whether it's something to pursue personally. Most people have said it helped them understand themselves. I think I need strategies & skills to function better, rather than a reason why I don't. But maybe that comes with understanding onesself? This is the first video I've seen where the topic of diagnosis was discussed as a possible negative & I'm interested to hear more of her thoughts on it. I hope you find the path that's right for you X

[@mysticlover]

@@waynefay8210 Do you know where I can find these authentic tests or could you provide any links? Thanks.

[@DominikPavel-fk2wb]

I was severely traumatized years ago as a teenage, got diagnosed with Bipolar, spent my whole life fighting bipolar. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.

[@Harris_jones]

I'm so very happy for you, Psilocybin is absolutely amazing, the way it shows you things, the way it teaches you things. I can not believe our world and our people shows less interest about it's helpfulness to humanity. It's love. The mushrooms heals people by showing the truth, it would be so beneficial for so many people, especially politicians and the rich who have lost their way and every other persons out there.

[@ErnestoHorner88]

Hey mates! Can you help with the source? I suffer severe anxiety, panic and depression and I usually take prescription medicine, but they don't always help. Where can I find those psilocybin mushrooms? I'm really interested in treating my mental health without Rxs. I live in Germany don't know much about these. I'm so glad they helped you. I can't wait to get them too. Really need a reliable source 🙏

[@DonnDenisse]

Hey! Yes Mr.medmushies

[@CARIBBEAN_365]

Mushrooms are very medicinal. This is why anybody familiar with psilocybin and any other kind of fungi will tell you, "They are alive." They have a very ancient wisdom. To my experience, all mushrooms have always said, "Pay attention to your life. How you think, how you feel, and what will you do with the information that you always knew, but now are seeing in this point of view." This is why mushrooms are so respected in tribal cultures. This mental health treatment works for me too. Half micro doses do the trick for me. At least a few days at a time with lengthy time in between. Never addictive. Thank you for sharing this point!

[@icsdeironic4]

How do I reach out to him? Is he on insta

[@Me-hf4ii]

I’ve detached from “normal life” and chose to be a stay at home mom because it was the most I could do in the world without living in shutdown/meltdown. It’s the only way I could function with any Grace. Still many days I get overwhelmed, which lead me to try to understand why. As I have started homeschooling, I’ve also noticed things in my children that I did - and because they are being homeschooled, they aren’t treated as bad or wrong or disordered for doing them. Just recognized and accommodated and then we work thru the things that are disruptive so they can have a better experience and give a better experience to others (which is something highly sensitives want, even tho ASD sensitives may not inherently know how to achieve.) This lead me to research autism, which lead me to Embrace Autism. Been down the rabbit hole for a bit today. My results: MQ 4.7 (221/235) - more monotropic than 95% of autistic people and 100% of allistic people. RAADS-R: 193 (highest autistic score is 227 and anything over 160 is highly indicative of autism) Aspie Quiz: 160 of 200 (100% probability of being atypical) AQ score: 45 of 50 (“a score of 32 or higher tends to identify respondents with clinically significant levels of autism-related traits.”) This makes my entire life make so much sense. It actually kind of feels liberating - even though I know no one is going to believe it and everyone is going to think it’s a cop out. So I will just keep this information for me. Allow it to help me develop kinder tools to assist myself and my children, and be a better mother and wife.

[@handebarlas6248]

No. I actually believe you and your research does help me a lot. I'll start my own journey of tests and researches. My congrats to you for accepting yourself as you are- whatever that may be (and it may actually be an invaluable asset, as it is. This I do not know yet, but maybe it is better than being "just normal". All the best🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[@heat420_7]

Up until you posted your test results, I was thinking is this me? You see, I have yet to take the tests. It's so great seeing people getting validated after all these years. It feels great to be validated, too. ❤

[@Quit3Cut3]

I’ve always felt off and different from people in society. I’ve been misdiagnosed in the past. At first I got told I just had general learning disabilities. Then as an adult I got diagnosed with adhd. But I truly think I’m mildly autistic. The over sensitivity to everything hits home. The social difficulty resonates a lot with me as well. Told I’m annoying, I over share, I’m weird. My entire life lol. I’m married now, and have learned how to function most days, but the over stimulation and needing an off day, is so true for me.

[@cartermusic2020]

Also high intelligence can impact the traits that are mentioned here.

[@lisaweatheral4458]

My parents thought when my pediatrician said I had minimal brain dysfunction in 1963 they thought he was telling them I was mildly retarded. (Words used back then) So that was how I was treated. Like there was no hope for me and no one wanted to waste their time with me. I also had seizures. I had many behaviors and sensory issues that is normally associated only with Autism but I was higher functioning and had language. I had really bad sensory issues. I had my downs. Everything you said about autism applies to me. But didn’t find out till my mid life. Cognitively my IQ rest they gave me in grade school showed I was in the superior intelligence level but my mom said I could not use my intelligence when I asked about it a year later. I was one confused and lonely child. Although I absolutely prefer being alone more times than not I still craved humanity interactions. Because of the seizures and the TBI I had at birth people didn’t let their kids play with me because they thought I was as mentally ill and retarded. People were so ignorant to seizures back then. I was born in 1960 and people didn’t understand a lot of things that they do now in the 21st-century. I’ve never been able to keep friends. I’ve had two close friends my whole entire life. I do everything alone with no problem. But I have phobias up the ying Yang. Oh I have written too much but I get so stimulated when another piece of the puzzle falls into place for me. Thank you for taking the time to make that video.

[@lisaweatheral4458]

Also, I wanted to add because I did not notice. I have the zebra disease and so did my dad. We were both quite stretchy and bendy ours was the common connective tissue type, but I was blessed not to have it too bad. Ehlers Danios survive things that they mean pop up and listen.

[@Bearerofwater18]

Thank you for sharing your story! I was born in 82 I can relay in a lot of ways that a lot of the way that people treated me was that I was just a little bit dumber than everybody else. Almost as if I had a plague I too had an IQ test At 3 years old and tested very high However I have a twin sister I did not know until recently, After two of my younger children were diagnosed ASD About female masking. I've always known I was sensitive and my mother always told me how sensitive I was I took it as it was a weakness, a flaw. Education is power. 💪

[@karenholmes6565]

I was labeled as retarded by my 3rd grade teacher. This was in the 1970s. I think my mom knew there was something different about me, it turned out I have a very high IQ, but I was so clumsy, I couldn't tell time, and my processing speed for learning my multiplication tables was the worst in my class. I was 2 yrs behind in reading. By the time I was in 6th grade I was reading at a collegiate level. Autistic brains are weird like that. We have what is called a "spikey profile". My cousin was diagnosed with autism in the early 70s. My brother had what they termed "hyperactive kinetic disorder" in the 1960s, that diagnosis is called ADHD today. I am sorry you went through being labeled as retarded. As someone who was labeled that I understand how it follows you around for the rest of your life. I went back to college around 30 yrs old and became a scholar with perfect grades partially to prove to myself I wasn't mentally retarded. It was like I was running away from it.

[@mileysong1117]

It's disgusting what I telling advanced people have to deal with...a planet of ignorant apes it seems..

[@babycakes8434]

It is better to have fewer good friends than many fake ones. You are not the only one with 2 friends. Did your seizures continued in adulthood?

[@mindfulmaximalism]

OMG, you mentioned the satin on the blanket! I'm 45 and still sleep with my baby blanket because of the feeling of the satin trim on it. It's so shredded and worn, but man, I have never found a satisfying replacement. Also, squeezing BIC lighters in my hand. I haven't smoked in 11 years, but that feeling of a BIC lighter in my hand helps me enter a highly creative trance state. I don't know anyone else like me in this way. I just took the Autism Spectrum Quotient test you recommended and scored a 38. I am new to following you, and now I think you are so cool for making this video. Thanks

[@Tricia-xo6fq]

Not the lighter but my child has a satin blanket and has been diagnosed with Autism.

[@mindfulmaximalism]

@@Tricia-xo6fq I'm curious which came first? Did you get the blanket after the diagnosis? I've seen highly autistic kids with spoons in their hands. I assume the BIC lighter serves the same purpose for me. Lighters are more condensed, and the BIC brand has nice contours for comfortable clenching. I know it's so weird, but clenching the lighters triggers my brain to create visuals for manifesting. Squeezing the satin on the blanket at night is just comforting for sleep. It's the cooling sensation in my hand that I crave. Again, I know it's so weird, but I learned to do this before I could even speak, and I stuck with it.

[@handebarlas6248]

@@mindfulmaximalism Well, they say "my baby blanket", so clearly it came first, not the diagnosis.

[@mindfulmaximalism]

@@handebarlas6248 Actually, she said her child had a satin blanket. Have you had your eyes checked recently?

[@pippadot679]

Thank you so much for this video. Very important content.

[@isabellammusic]

I'm highly sensitive and AuDHD and this video is very good! I labeled myself as highly sensitive for a while before I started listening to content creators and psychologists and it was mind blowing to me. It felt like everything I experience and struggle with was validated and it has become a passion to understand more. It's very fascinating and now I understand why I've always felt like I'm a very complex person! Thank you so much for talking about it!

[@Maarjaanaa]

I survived 😅, I'm 70 and this is my best time. I'm strong and free, at last 🙂

[@Aimee03110]

Why is it your best time?

[@MRRS-ee1cd]

IT IS NOT A DISORDER, it’s a different way in which a brain is wired.

[@Portia620]

Agreed!!!!

[@Portia620]

We must label it sadly! Annoying! I think this is true of Highly sensitive people too

[@averykitsch]

1000%

[@kimsnyder5456]

You are absolutely correct.

[@marie-annecody83]

I found a definition that it always involves a slow developing frontal lobe?

[@louiseyoung1231]

Thank you for all your videos on autism. I am 53 & was just diagnosed with autism & adhd. I thought it was trauma & it caused me to be an HSP! Someone in my family who works with autistic children still doesn't believe my diagnosis. They said it's just CPTSD.

[@ladyhagaming]

oh "just " cptsd😮 wow and I am sorry that person doesn't get it or understand.

[@HoneyGemHappy]

🫶💐

[@louiseyoung1231]

@ladyhagaming it hurt, but she doesn't make light of CPTSD. She has it too, and I also know she loves me. She only knows what she was taught. I'm hoping she'll be willing to watch videos like this. If not, it's her choice

[@angelalakes]

Same.

[@MIOLAZARUS]

I think I have both.. CPTSD and autism❤

[@tek3freak]

I am ADHD, but have many friends and family members on the Austic spectrum, who've also experienced trauma. This video makes sense.

[@shemuelobadyah]

I'm an Aspie. Thank you so much for this video. You've explained so many symptoms (which) I can't explain. I'm 46, got my diagnosis when I was 41 and I'm continuing on my personal adventure to understand myself better so I can learn to adapt to function in a world that is not made for a person like myself. I'm going to add you to my list of experts who I follow and learn from. Live long and prosper! (L)

[@WahkeenaSitka]

Well I just went to Embrace Autism and took several of the tests on their website, and it looks like - according to their tests - that I am not autistic. So I must be highly sensitive, because I relate to EVERYTHING you said about HSP.

[@ChristineKikiMac]

Same for me. I am a HSP for sure, however, not autistic.

[@karenholmes6565]

I am a newly diagnosed with ASD. The neuropsychologist that diagnosed me told me that to understand my place on the spectrum that I am highly masking, highly functional, barely detectable on the autism spectrum with many tests. I am highly imaginative, I am highly empathetic and sensitive to others. But socializing is exhausting for me. I point this out because the way they screen for autism in women has been transformed very recently. The thing to understand about autism is that autistic brains process information differently. Sometimes that looks very different from the outside, other times not to much. If you have ADHD and autism, which the majority of autistic people do have co-occuring ADHD on top of their autism, you are probably not going to screen as autistic on online tests because ADHD masks the autism and the autism masks the ADHD. I think it is much more helpful to think back on your childhood and your experiences. Did you feel excluded socially? Were you bullied? Were you a picky eater? Did you engage in repetitive behaviors? Lots of my repetitive behaviors were inside my head. I would count things when I couldn't physically stim. I think that we can mask so thoroughly and completely that we've convinced ourselves we are "normal" when we are not. I still think "I can't be autistic because I have a sense of humor, I am not literal, I can engage in small talk easily", but the neuropsychologist told me she could spot my autism right away. She said that autistic women have a certain type of way we relax our faces. We seem more serious than the average person, It is hard to mask our resting face for hours.

[@crystalclear6864]

Rather a lot of labelling going on in this world. Great video,in the end we have to find skills to cope with the world no matter our diagnosis. Sadly getting a good diagnosis mostly sucks

[@lornocford6482]

Did you take the HSP test?

[@Catlily5]

@@crystalclear6864 Labels can be good, bad or neutral. They aren't inherently bad

[@ShoutItFromTheHousetops]

Yes. Sudden change is really hard for me because of the need and comfort gained from routine, repetition and need to focus/fixate on something I’m passionate about. Currently in that place and it’s been really hard.

[@nee-na6874]

I relate to being in a hard place right now and the change was not of my own doing but I am seriously affected by it. 🙏 Keep fighting the good fight..

[@Tara-oy5ni]

I read Elaine's books several years ago, and scored extremely high on HSP. I notice subtleties in body language, tone, what's said and unsaid. I also have fibromyalgia and CFS caused by a car wreck. I just want to express that these illnesses are possible with being a HSP and not just autistic. A lot of the medical community don't even recognize HSP. So, studies are sorely lacking.

[@lornocford6482]

Plus, illness is related to trauma and stress. HSPs are very likely to have trauma and stress.

[@NoName-pd7uf]

And it all can overlap or hide other traits. I am very sure I would be diagnosed as Autist, but when I think back when I worked in science, all was different. People understood my jokes, and supposedly weird thoughts were considered interesting, and smart, not weird. So how much of my so called social awkwardness is people just not grasping what I am saying, so I tend to be quiet even more, and how much is really autism.

[@taramay8174]

Have you been through extreme trauma ?

[@vingedheart]

@@NoName-pd7uf Highly intelligent is another thing that makes it hard being in society.

[@peterskove3476]

Needing recovery time and social struggles caught my attention. Eventually being alone became the sought after goal … It seems completely natural to keep people at a distance, and to have lost any desire for a partner. It is enormously stressful to interact with others for very long, yet I don’t really feel like I chose a solitary lifestyle, more like I do well with what others don’t tolerate well , conditions Funny , I once looked into being a Light House Keep, until I remembered they also have to use a fog horn.

[@elizabethf9096]

Lol

[@campbub]

43 years old.. and i hit the mark on almost all of these .. it’s been a long journey 😪 i didn’t talk till is was 5, not that i didn’t know how, i didn’t want to, everything was to intense .. im really good at seeing patterns in life, not good at maintaining friendships 🥺 that one hurt saying.. can’t wear on sleep on certain fabric ( i like 100 percent natural fabrics) in need a lot of alone time to make sense of things .. i fell into a drug addiction.. because everything was to intense ( im now almost 6 years sober 🙏🏻) i get over stimulated around to many people and stim ? i could go on.. but im sure others here know. btw im James 👋🏼 i wanna also remind you all out there how beautiful we are 🥹 we are creative, fun, caring, interesting.. we see life differently.. we see life in a vary special way.. and you are so special ❤ i also wanna say sorry if you have been hurt by others because they don’t understand. .. i truly believe we are like this for a purpose 🙏🏻 ❤️‍🩹

[@mariannelabanane2589]

I've always felt this way. I could talk, but I chose not to because everything was so intense. I didn't want to break this silence. How can you talk when soooo much is going on? I feel like I came to this earth to observe, not to participate. My life has been so difficult, almost a constant suffering. When there are people around, it's hard. I always try to go as far away as possible, as alone as possible. I always tried to find places to hide to eat (sometimes I even went to hide in the toilet ;) ) like a small animal that needs to protect itself while eating. Just being there takes a lot out of me. Eating at the same time... a major challenge. When I'm in nature, alone with the majesty of the trees, I feel infinitely good (and even more so if there are animals - I feel good with animals(I like talking to crows when I see them :D - I say to them if they squawks: ''don't be afraid, I am Marianne, I am a good girl''. Ha ha! I just make sure I'm alone in the vicinity ;) ;) ), they and I speak the same language ;) ).

[@nee-na6874]

​@@mariannelabanane2589 I was talking to an owl the other day and I showed my grandson and he was so amazed and that made my chest expand with 😊❤

[@EnergyCenterTV]

As a highly sensitive empath, I have struggled with anxiety and depression for 40 years. I realized however that I was not able to express myself to the degree I was feeling, and so the core issue was a spiritual deficiency, not a prozac or lithium deficiency. Having a vision in my life allowed me to work toward a long term goal and expressing myself writing songs and singing. However, I have fully recovered from all depression and anxiety as I no longer feel this darkness any more. This is a recent breakthrough this week. A couple weeks ago I still was struggling. It is fully gone now this feeling. I feel like my life is just beginning. It was a gradual experience though bc I have done holotropic breathwork, energy work, reiki, cranio sacral therapy, lymphatic bodywork, neuromuscular therapy, gestalt, hypnosis, meditation, yoga, soul retrieval, endless tears, and prayer gradually allowed me to fully transform the darkness into light while embracing both

[@vingedheart]

I don't really like the term 'empath' - it's like some elitist new age garble. Empaths are just highly emotional people, usually having dealt with trauma as a child. It's not a title.

[@EnergyCenterTV]

@@vingedheart Empaths that go through trauma and develop specialized hyper awareness and extra sensory perception have fine-tuned their emotions to an advanced degree.

[@vingedheart]

@@EnergyCenterTV I agree that that's why we are more empathic - but a lot of people who call themselves 'empath' aren't even aware of that. They see it as some 'special' title like 'Indigo children' that I am not a fan of either.

[@mnelson9057]

Very helpful, thank you, as always. For me the route was finding HSP in 2011 but it didn’t explain everything. Then while searching for hyperempathy vs HSP I found similar women on the wrongplanet website, then found Intense World Theory, then read everything I could find. Autism is clear in me, my eggshell father (w/daily meltdowns), and other family. I am so glad to see the rise in awareness in other high-masking women. I hope your status as a psychologist helps other psychologists not be so ignorant about autism in AFABs. I’m 59, and so wish I had known about autistic me and my autistic father decades ago. Lots of grief. Having read Neurotribes and everything else I could find on autism and its history, I’m so disgusted by how badly both psychiatry and psychology have screwed this up. My psychiatrist (for TRD that’s hard to parse from autistic burnout& is likely both plus PTSD) said in 2012 that I “wasn’t odd enough”🙄 . I don’t talk about it much w/him or therapist, they just don’t want to know, want it to all be trauma. I’ve always told people close to me that I deserve an Oscar, so the recent “discovery” of masking has been so helpful in understanding myself. I also have hEDS and a bunch of the other comorbidities that also were late-diagnosed. Medicine has also really failed us. Thank you for your work and for sharing it with us. I look forward to your videos!

[@wolfdreams2000]

Thank you, Dr Kim.😊 Early this year, I was dx as autistic and adhd at 62 yrs old. I love the Embrace Autism website, and I follow a content creater's channel who's also autistic and adhd called Mom on the Spectrum. I'm glad that I found you! 😊

[@Bearerofwater18]

Eye opening. It's finally okay to be myself. I'm not crazy nor am I the only one who is bothered by everyone and everything. With your videos, and bravery to share your voice, it helps people like me well into adulthood with grown children better understand myself.. ❤

[@katherinehealy6534]

My granddaughter is definitely a highly sensitive person. She is still dealing with the trauma caused by her alcoholic, unstable mother, and she also deals with OCD. She’s 16 now and could probably tick off most of the boxes for autism, but she had no noticeable indicators as an infant and young child. I have quite a few indicators myself, and I recently read an article about the possibility of something like sub clinical autism, where the indicators are present, but not to the degree where a clinical diagnosis of autism could be given. I’m not fond of crowded, noisy places, but have discovered if I stay on the fringes, those situations are more tolerable. I don’t like small talk because I don’t like talking to people in general, unless it’s someone I know. I like to stick to certain routines, and feel a little unsettled if things are out of order, but at 73 years of age, 53 years of marriage, 4 kids and 3 grandkids, I’ve learned to adapt, even if it’s uncomfortable and irritable. Anyway, who knows… but great video and great info.

[@ladyhagaming]

ocd can be part of austisme

[@katherinehealy6534]

@@ladyhagamingyes, autism and OCD can go hand in hand, but my granddaughter’s traits didn’t begin in early childhood, only after she began experiencing the trauma caused by her mother, starting when she was about 10. Thanks for the input.

[@BladeX11883]

@@katherinehealy6534 my ocd seemed to be triggered when stress and trauma when I was a tween. I was an undiagnosed with autism as a child and no one thought I had autistic traits as a child, but now looking back, my adults at the time realized they were there the whole time and I learned to mask real quickly so many of the traits can be hidded. so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of having the diagnosis of both

[@michelledudro7429]

Have you looked into CPTSD (Complex PTSD)? Dr. Kim has a fairly recent video comparing it with autism. You might also find Heidi Priebe's channel helpful for info on CPTSD.

[@lornocford6482]

What makes you think that your granddaughter is a highly sensitive person? It can appear the same as trauma symptoms. SPS has a positive side too though.

[@louiseyoung1231]

Yes!!! Autoimmune: EDS, MCAS, POTS & neurodiversity go together.

[@philly8184]

Ehlers, AuDHD and PMDD 👋

[@louiseyoung1231]

@@philly8184 hugs. I get it

[@happytobehere1111]

Maybe you are right but I still believe they follow small-t / big-t traumas and I hope to prove it fully (in my case at least). After almost a decade of hell a Faster EFT coach seriously reduced my Mold / MCS symptoms in just 5x sessions. Good luck!

[@toogood_toobad]

I'm confused but i see the world with pure heart, caring & loving the nature , animals and peoples ✨ Also have deep understanding.. I love to give happiness into others ❤️🌠

[@soniacalcagno1121]

So please!!!! Never change 😊

[@toogood_toobad]

@@soniacalcagno1121 Never Ever ✅ I'm a true Indian 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 Love is in my blood ❤️

[@Superbabey]

I FINALLY got my official autism diagnosm after a second opinion with health care professionals. Had to "fight" for it SO hard, took me 1.5 year in total. And now, after fightening all the way, i feel nothing about it anymore.😢 i hope the feeling will return & i can get more peace with it

[@kayvids8772]

It’s feel weird that I completely relate to all of this but it feels like such a trend right now. It sucks when you can relate and have struggled your whole life but now it’s such a trend and everyone thinks they have ADHD, Autism or both. Makes me want to hide more.

[@allainaheve]

Everyone probably does. We are all suffering tremendously on this unhealthy planet.

[@kopiikun]

i've been following your videos since around pandemic days, so learning and understanding about autism alongside you for the past year and a half, it has been very reassuring and comforting. i had some suspicious, as i've always struggled deeply in many regards, but lacked the self confidence in advocating for myself, and feared others would think "you can't possibly be autistic" because of the way i mask. Seeing people who are like me being open to conversation and sharing their experiences, it feels reassuring. This video is very informative, and i think will help my family ease into the conversation of a possible autism diagnosis for myself. Thank you, Dr. Sage! 💙

[@Coneman3]

A teacher asked me if I was a loner, others said I needed to come out of my shell, and one teacher said my friends weren’t as intelligent as me. I got no help, this was the 1980s.

[@janetmalcolm6191]

That was better than him saying you are not as intelligent as your friends. Take it as a compliment.

[@Coneman3]

Yes, wasn’t saying it was all negative. It just made clear the situation I was in.

[@keilana6]

For me it was the 50's so have spent most of my life unfulfilled & never will know due to lack of resources.

[@Coneman3]

Yeah a late diagnosis is a bummer but it’s given me a great perspective as any difficulties in life do.

[@earthdogpj1]

Love your content and stretch to think about the over-laps. You’ve mentioned your marriage quite a few times, and I’m sure your focus is directed towards your children’s lives and career development. I hope at some point you could explain how your understandings of relationships dynamics from childhood… marriage…. Has influenced your choices and decisions in new relationships since your divorce and have they been successful because of your evolving interpersonal awareness’s. How are you challenging your own dynamics? Just food for another video to share what your relationship journey has been like in this last 17 years. It’s always helpful for me to see through the lens of real life experiences. Thank you Kim

[@Christine-uf3oj]

Thanks for the food for thought. I've always claimed neurodivergence for several reasons but you're the first person who has made me truly consider if I am autistic. I have an autistic son and he struggles so much with social stuff and doesn't read social cues well. I have always said I would be autistic if not for that I DO read people especially well and am highly aware of social stuff and unspoken social cues such as subtle body language that most don't pick up on. I have extreme sensory issues as well as the other traits including hypermobility disorder. Now I'm thinking I am more like you and I have learned to excel at reading these social cues because I am an expert scanner, which I think is my nature but then I also had to become and expert because of my traumatic childhood. I have been in a similar field or work to you, as well. I chuckled about the eating others' food at gatherings, too, since potlucks are my nightmare!

[@angelalakes]

Same.

[@deborahswart1718]

Wow! An eye-opener for me. Particularly when it comes to HSP & ADHD overlap, but also CPTSD. Thank you.

[@shelteredsparrow2736]

Great video. I do need to research this more. I am hyper sensitive. I have fybromyalgia. I am also known as very safe person. I also don’t make eye contact with people. I said to a friend that I LOVE people and spending time with them but I don’t have the songs, you might call them, of what to say to people. I find spending time with them absolutely exhausting. My friend comes from an extremely safe home. I blamed my upbringing because my parents prided themselves on the great put downs they would come up with. Maybe this is a more accurate reason. I do know that I need to sit on the end whether it is a dinner with best friends a movie or a conference. I need to research this more. I do know that even making phone calls to set up important medical appointments really bothers me even though it is no big deal. Thanks for the test idea. I will definitely be researching this more.

[@TheAllisonLab]

This is the most helpful video on autism I've watched so far, and I've watched a great deal. I had no idea about the whole stimming-thing in regards to watching the same thing over and over and over again.😔

[@jbiddle9235]

I've never felt so understood in a video before. Especially after mentioning migraine and possible ptsd issues.

[@ingevideospot]

There seems to be a misunderstanding in the autistic community about the meaning of the word "disorder". It is not a derogatery term, but it is a way of allowing therapists to assess whether or not the condition is causing (severe) social, emotional or even physical distress and impairment for normal functioning. If so the diagnosis will allow you access to therapy, training, as well as give you the right to have extra aids and facilities available for you during education or at work. For example, noise blocking headphones, extra time to make a test, a seperate room to sit quietly, or an educational assistant to help with structuring school work. Those who fight the so called stigma of the word disorder and wish to see autism as some different ( and possibly in somevterms superior) wiring of the brain, greatly underestimate the debilitating impairments of some autistic people and the hardships of their caretakers. Some may never be able to support themselves independently. If your own symptoms are milder, consider yourself blessed, but please do not downplay this disorder, for you may harm those that depend on a clear diagnosis.

[@NoName-pd7uf]

I can assure you that it IS a derogatory term. That is why real experts distinguish between clinically relevant, i.e. disease, and just a trait or personality structure. Please do not downplay the devastating effects such labels can have on careers, and lives in general.

[@malkaz9167]

@@NoName-pd7uf We really need to be careful how we describe personal characteristics. When I first started teaching special education, my students were called perceptually handicapped.

[@kimsnyder5456]

I am an empath which means I'm highly sensitive. However it is very clear that I'm not autistic. Having said that it is extremely interesting to me how much overlap I do have with autistic traits. What I think that most people don't get is that autism is just what we call a part of the spectrum of how the human brain works. It isn't actually separate. It seems to be separate because we have historically in this society only catered to what we were falsely taught to be what all humans were supposed to be like. The reality is that each of us are the very definition of what it means to be human for us. We are getting better at recognizing that we each have different needs and we are slowly changing the way we are setting up society to accommodate all of us... but we have a long way to go. Having said all this I may actually be labeled as autistic in the future simply because I do have too much empathy and have many similarities to my autistic counterparts. But I don't actually display the sensory problems more than most neuro-typical individuals. Peace.

[@BadNessie]

These videos are so helpful when it comes to gaining perspective and knowledge. I'm currently 'investigating' myself, have quite certainly ruled out a few things and found others that where a much better fit. Not ready to go seeking an actual diagnosis yet, but amongst other things my work situation tells me that maybe I should. It'll probably take years to get an assessment.

[@laurelinlorefield318]

Have you looked at the research on very high IQ people? They tend to have those highly sensitive tendencies, among other things mentioned here. But not the autistic tendencies. They have many interests and go wide and deep with those interests. They don't have the need for routine and repetition and actually crave novelty. They prefer dealing with abstract concepts rather than the concrete. They have interpersonal difficulties for different reasons ... They take in stimuli and learn and think at a much higher speed and remember a lot more than normal IQ individuals, making communication and interaction more difficult. They do often mask to 'fit in, particularly women. They do need more time alone to recover from these interpersonal difficulties as well as to persue their interests. Because there are so few of them, they were rarely mirrored by anyone when growing up and find it hard to locate others like themselves. But I think the neural divergence causes some of the issues you mention here.

[@MadMio2U]

I’m in the UK and have lived with Autism all of my life and was just one of the many that was diagnosed later on in life. You are absolutely spot on with everything, and I mean everything you have said in this video. I have what they call high functioning ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) and probably due to that fact, I have never been unemployed ever and I’m now over 60. It has all come at a detrimental price to my own heath and wellbeing though over the years, having to mask my condition every single day to a point that I’m literally exhausted from living in the ‘Neurotypical World’ that I have found myself to be living in. Which incidentally is a very ignorant place for any Autistic person to live, especially here in the UK where disability discrimination here is rife. The biggest challenge I have found is making yourself be understood correctly, without unintentionally insulting someone. You see, in my world, everything is black or white, wrong or right, good or bad with no grey area’s at all. Anyway, well done and thank you for sharing your video. Brilliant! 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@annikajohansson9171]

I especially cant stand it when bill collectors ask "how are you today?".....i mean really?? Not only is small talk pointless, but i KNOW you dont care how im doing

[@watchinvidzwatchinvidz7691]

It's fake & not ok. I usually just ignore that question & ask on professional questions to bypass the fake weird questions.

[@Keyboardje]

To me as a European (Dutch) that is not just a "bill collector's" thing, but ALL AMERICANS. If a Dutch person (bill collector or not) asks you how you are doing, they ask because they are interested and WANT and expect to hear your real answer, because we CARE!

[@NoName-pd7uf]

​@@Keyboardje not just Americans, Swiss, Turks, other cultures, too. I am Swiss, and I had to outright train myself to ask how people are before saying anything else to a client. People are shocked if you are answering anything other than "fine, thx, hbu". My Finnish teacher told me even Finns ask that as small talk, and Finland is the country where being silent for an hour counts as a nice visit or party.

[@feliciar2773]

Small Talk maybe pointless to you but to somebody that is very socially awkward it makes a big difference whenever you are having to interact with somebody. Whenever my brain is literally exploding with anxiety I have to be saying something I feel like I'm going to explode. So small talk is not pointless to everybody and not everyone is thinking like you are saying. I do care if I ask because otherwise I feel like my brain is going to explode. I do care if I am asking. Otherwise I wouldn't waste my breath

[@ucanleaveyourhaton]

@@Keyboardje, yeah… I get that feeling also 😍

[@CaliWeHo]

I'd just like to say that you have such a nice, calming voice. I just went to the Autism site and the bright colors and too many choices completely overwhelmed me, and I had to click out of it. I'll try again at some point. The characters also move; it's like, "Look at me!" All I felt was panic.

[@ixneinno]

I was taught that small talk is like putting out little “feelers”. It’s hard to want to jump right into deeper topics with someone, for a lot of people, you need to get a feel for them first. So, people keep topics light and surface level. They’re subconsciously sizing up to see if you’re someone they can mesh with. 😮 That was my face when my Mom explained it to me. I think it’s just been naive of me to think someone being polite actual meant they were nice/caring, which would translate to me info dumping tons of stuff on them. I could see how I would have been a very overwhelming individual that way. Cause those poor people were still trying to feel me out. But here I am with the fast pass to friendship trying to skip the line that I should be waiting in. Small talk felt like it just always got in the way of really knowing someone. I wanted to get to the person behind the front we put on to world. Didn’t consider in those moments that these others want the same thing, but it takes way more time to forge something genuine. This is sometimes took as disinterest and my RSD would make me completely shut down the progress. I’d then ghost. 😅 I wonder how different things would have been if I just understood these small conversations were “feelers”.

[@RoxyTrevellas]

I still just think that smalltalk is so stupid. Why should agreeing that the weather is unreliable at the moment prove to another person that I am trustworthy to talk about more serious stuff. I know that is how NTs work. But all I learn from smalltalk is often that the other person is silly, insincere and a liar. I value people who show honest feelings and can analyse and disect situations in a logical manner. For me, smalltalk is almost always a lose-lose. NTs find out I am strange and I find out that they are stupid.

[@ixneinno]

@@RoxyTrevellas That’s not true tho. You should talk to somebody about that, in all honesty and to put it bluntly. Such pessimism about others and thinking every NT is operating on just stupidity is wrong. You’re wrong to expect people to show honest feelings and be open to someone they barely know. Being open is a form of vulnerability that isn’t just given out. That’s why they say autistic people are likely to and tend to over share. Which actually makes many uncomfortable. What you’re saying isn’t logical at all? It’s actually screaming you need therapy to address why you think this way of others. This probably harms a lot of your interpersonal relationships and their potential. You also aren’t dissecting any situation with outlooks like this. You have preconceived judgements because of poor experiences you haven’t worked through. I suggest you do.

[@milouschmidt]

I asked my Dr psychiatrist where I could take a test on the autostic spectrum. He looked at me and said I am not autistic as autistic people need to be constantly assisted. He is a good Dr though but I never brought up the issue. I feel like I need desperdly to find the way to get tested. I took three online tests the last with almost 200 questions and in all three I got the result saying I am highly possible in the spectrum. But I can’t manage to find a place to register for being tested. I live in a small town in the Alps and there is no much services for anything. I will keep looking for a place to be tested. This video has been great and very accurate at least in my case. I can relate 100% with the description of autistic people in the video. Thank you so much ❤

[@nmartin5551]

You should, if possible, seek out a different psychiatrist or psychologist about pursuing diagnostic testing. Your doc told you clearly his mind is closed.

[@martingd777]

This just helped me connect some dots in audhd. My audhd led to bod thanks to so much relational trauma and it is the most tangled puzzle my brain has ever had to unravel… THANK YOU! 🙏🏼 ❤

[@caseybirgitta-skoog5532]

I feel like the ADHD/Autism combo is like the two-wolves fighting meme.

[@nataliam5744]

That’s the best video on autism I’ve ever seen. Thanks so much dr Sage. I’ve checked many boxes and the test showed that I have some autistic traits. I’ve always known that there must be a disorder that impedes me from getting jokes and social cues, also reading face expressions. I felt slow in that moments even though I didn’t doubt my intelligence. Now I know.

[@berrysnooze]

I've been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and PTSD/CPTSD. I'm still really struggling to ascertain if all of the social unease is due to these or whether I may also be autistic. I have to consciously make myself hold eye contact, i'm constantly processing in my mind what is an appropriate way to respond to someone i'm having a conversation with. I overshare a lot and am very sensitive to anything that I perceive as social rejection, but I also prefer time alone and don't like events where i'd be socially expected to interact with a lot of other people. At 37 years old i'm not sure what i'd gain from a diagnosis apart from a greater understanding/acceptance of myself as I don't believe any real support is offered for autistic people if they are deemed capable of work.

[@imawlkr]

Thank you. :) This video helped clarify autism in adults. I am seeing more and more the behaviors that are comfortable for me and how they are impacting my relationship. I now can accept my self diagnosis of autism and have more grace for me and with my spouse.

[@amysusanna214]

Can you do a similar breakdown on HSP vs ADHD?

[@RG60Ibanez]

The beauty of having a video on autism, with the music of Erik Satie, who was most likely himself neurodivergent, was not lost on me.

[@leilap2495]

Hyposensitivity and sensory seeking were the main reasons why I did not believe I was an HSP.

[@gg_ingy]

I got my ADHD diagnose, and was also tested for autism, but was negative for that. I am for sure highly sensitive though, so always get a professional to check this out. My youngest son has autism, so trying to learn more so i can support him in the best way possible.

[@ruthreese6287]

Your video was so well done, so informative and so compassionate.

[@debbied9740]

My home is in patterns. Placed in twos and threes and fours. Not good at maintaining friends. Work had always given me balance. Now retired and widowed,notice I'm so alone. Being okay with it and acceptance. Glad I have alittle autism.

[@pointofnoreturn3103]

Hmmm. I took the Autism quotient test at the website you mentioned. I scored 26 out of 50, which was the cut off point. I might be on the Spectrum. 52%. However, on Dr. Aron's HSP test, I scored 75%. DEFINITELY, I have the HSP temperament! There is no doubt about it... I am an INFP-A. I tend to rely on my intuition (N). 99 times out of 100, my gut reaction is correct! I have learned to pay attention to my instincts! I think that everyone has intuition to a greater or lesser degree... I used to be an INFJ. Over time, I have developed more right brain spontaneity. I remember when I needed more routine. But, now, being able to "go with the flow" is a skill that I have learned. I LIKE to think on my feet! 😀 I wouldn't be against having the Autism diagnosis. But, it sounds like I am more of an HSP... Thank you so much for making this video! I have wanted to know for some time whether or not I have autism, myself! Me and my husband have 11 year old twins who are on the Spectrum. Hopefully, with the knowledge you have given me, I will be better able to help those Precious Little Ones make the most of every situation they encounter in the future! Thanks again! Take care. Susan

[@prodigalson1870]

I’m going to need this video after my evaluation because I have a strong feeling I have ASD. And I know my family and friends are NOT going to be accepting of it!

[@janicepritchard4871]

I have Ehlers-Danlos and have always been an HSP. I'm waiting for Autism assessment. I always score high on self assessments. Makes sense. Not going to change! 😊

[@michelefitzmaurice4610]

Always have to look at menu before going to a restaurant (mostly due to food allergies & being picky). 😊

[@AnnamarieShellard]

Wow❤This is a brilliant video. Ive been HSP since I can remember,everything you say here really resonates with me and no doubt many others ❤

[@clairerobertson4442]

I always need people to just get straight to the point

[@theresa5114]

The point about "Context Independent" was very interesting to me. Though I doubt I have autism, it reminded me of some typical life-situations. For example, people think I draw a plank, am slowthinking. But I'm still thinking about and want to grab the thing I was told before and not yet into the next topic. Well, I can be slow as well. It looks like other people have their brain everywhere while I think that's too fast - too much "multitasking-thinking and -doing. As a result, now and then other people look at me standing frozen in place and wonder a bit what is going on. That is one of the moments I have to try to focus again, be in the flow again (thinking and doing stuff at the same time nicely). Do such situations go hand in hand with "Context Independent"? It gets better when I am very relaxed emotionally, because my thinking kinda gets more wide as well (more like these tentacles I wrote about). Are there people here that can relate to the things I wrote? 🙂

[@anotherpersonontheinternet4676]

I'm HSP. But sometimes have them doubts that maybe I'm autistic? This video was so useful. Based on them differences you've pointed I don't think I'm autistic. It's mind blowing how acuretly you discribe me as hsp. Thank you x

[@christinakuhn5739]

Wow, just took the AQ test on the website you mentioned. I've always scored high as an HSP, but I also scored 33 on the AQ test, too. This does make me wonder! I think there are things that make me stand out and feel different from my other HSP friends. Maybe this could be it? Social awkwardness hit the nail on the head for me.

[@lornocford6482]

SPS is definitely not autism. Too often when people discribe SPS they don't include extroverts who make up approximately 30% of HSPs or high sensation seakers or HSPs who've been brought up in a healthy environment. Even HSPs who have trauma have a higher ability for healing than non HSPs. Someone can be HSP and autistic. Being autistic doesn't mean that someone is 'highly sensitive' as in HSP/SPS.

[@TheForgotme]

I always thought for years I was HSP & ADHD. I am watching this the 2nd time and now it seems to reasonate more adhd.

[@enlightenedenergy3328]

Adhd Autism Aspergers Dyslexic And dealing with cancer I felt my life was F*** up since a child. I did not know I was anything of this but slightly dyslexic until 3 years ago and I am almost 51 My whole life has been nothing but trauma. Cried my whole life as to why I could not make and keep friends and always wanted a best friend 3 failed marriages Thank goodness I never had children. I always felt more life a child But I am SUPER smart! Super intuitive But the shutting down and freeze modes I have went through my whole life has been debilitating I have self sabotaged my whole life Learning more about this does help me I learn I have to have a lot of down time to self regulate and find I get into freeze mode for weeks or even months where I do not want to do anything. To do anything seems painful sometimes

[@ohkay7418]

OMG I am the same

[@wendyhughes2234]

Thank you for your very informative video, and it is good to find a doctor who is so understanding of this disorder. May Abba [God] bless you, your family, and your ministry. I wish psychologists were all so caring of their patients.

[@OsloTime]

Thank you Dr. Sage! 💐 Your videos are so helpful!

[@remydrh]

I do think there is overlap. I am HSP and my ex was very much high functioning autistic. But I feel like the overlap is between two different things. Sort of like saying you're nauseous can be attributed to multiple different causes that are unrelated. We were significantly different in how we thought about problems. I understood incredibly different shades of gray while his thinking was rigid, black and white. I also described things using overall concepts and working my way downward while he began with details and worked bottom up. My ex also had the tissue disorders that you describe but it was difficult to get them to the doctor because they didn't function well in an environment where they had to speak to an authority figure and would often just freeze. I had to go with him so that I could be the one to ask questions. I understand sarcasm and dark humor while he took everything literally. I would also describe my feelings while protecting his while he was incredibly blunt and unintentionally hurtful. There were also ways that my ex operated resembling OCD (including the rigid thinking) that were foreign to me that are aligned with masking. The biggest gaps being how we handled empathy for another person. He experienced empathy but it was filtered out while I think many HSPs may over-empathize with others. How this empathy was expressed was an incredibly stark difference. This experience really feels like these are two very different things and where they overlap includes deep processing (but processed differently). And sensory sensitivity but different reactions to being overwhelmed.

[@shapeofsoup]

Very thorough descriptions of these traits.

[@screentake01]

OMG...another thing to worry about! I thank you for the quiz info but wow, ha, nothing to be surprised about since all these issues were created from the darkness and not the true Light.

[@ericxb]

as a late diagnosis autistic person i really enjoyed this video and your energy 🌞, thank you

[@marydelaney9696]

Extremely pertinent info on the connection between autism and other disorders. I have had fibromyalgia for a couple of decades. I recently did the tests available on the embracing autism site. I was prompted to do the tests this week, as I read almost by accident about a perceived correlation between autism and fibromyalgia. I scored within range for both tests for autism. I am involved in the Fibromyalgia Association of Canada and we make lots of efforts and have a whole committee dedicated to research. Once I started investigating, it seems that this connection is not a new one. Having had fibromyalgia for a significant period of time, and being actively involved in fibromyalgia issues, I am simply blown away that this knowledge has only been recently bestowed on me. Our research committee is currently reviewing a study I submitted to them describing this connection.

[@MrRicehard]

Small talk is a lie. It's the equivalent of saying. 'Tell me that everything is fine and dandy in your world so I can assure my ego that there are no problems in the world and my delusion is safe and secure.' I refuse to answer the question. 'How are you?' The asker doesn't care. They just want validation.

[@barbaramoran8690]

Wish i had more than one thumb to give you

[@theryn4376]

Sometimes the asker truly does care.

[@MrRicehard]

@@theryn4376 Yes. Occasionally it's a person that you know and they are asking a genuine question. But in the context of small talk. It is always a lie. I know because I have told the truth. People get visibly annoyed or dismissive. I have said nothing and people get butt hurt with a 'how dare you be so rude to me' face. I tell the lie that they want to hear and it makes them happy to have their ego affirmed. Small talk is a lie. I agree with David Mitchell. Abolish small talk and replace it with open, honest massive talk.

[@shareathought769]

I used to think like you, but over the years my thinking has changed about that. Most of the time the words "How are you?" are meant to be open-ended enough of a question to allow someone the space to share whatever they are comfortable to in the moment. It is a way to say to someone "I would like to know you more" without being too pushy. If someone is not in the mood to talk or share anything about themselves, they can always just say "ok". If someone wants to share more, they may say how they are feeling then tell why they are feeling that way.

[@RenataW-x8z]

I was told by English speaking person that it is rude to talk about our problems when someone asks us "how are you?". to that, I stated that asking the question makes absolutely no sense, and that is probably one of the reasons why there are so many depressed people.

[@DC-tq8br]

@16:03 I'm so anxious going into new places for the reasons you have listed!! Definitely hits home!

[@Alfie198]

We are all different. Always will be. We are human beings. I wish we would forget labelling people and just accept the way we are.

[@schoolkid234]

The sound of your voice is so relaxing. Thank you for this precious informations.

[@rja777]

For the record I have eaten food at meetings and gotten very ill.

[@bribripollock]

I’d love for you to talk about being in a relationship with someone who is autistic.

[@Taurusboy07]

Wow!!!!! I have been told by many people that I am on the spectrum of autism. At the point, I know that I am. I resonate with everything you said, 100%.

[@Kadeholden]

I really can't imagine you being anything other than the sweetest person 'out in the world' but hey I get it. I do the same thing to myself. it's a consistent battle everyday, but im doing better on the self criticism thanks to you, and a few others. thanks friend

[@irishkk88]

Can someone just list them?

[@LilyFlowers-hh3sc]

So glad i found you. I have EDS and am also autistic. ❤ Thank you for making this.

[@IdkTrust]

What is a bottoms up way ?

[@mollyh8410]

You process internally then bring it up to interact externally and socially

[@thegreencat9947]

Bottoms up ? Sounds like going to the bar when stressed.😎🤔🤣🍷🥃

[@julz7753]

I will be 62 day after tomorrow and this just blew my mind...I have been thinking this for awhile and the algorithms jsut brought it to finality.

[@Luzanne.]

Interesting comments about use of “disorder” and proves the point. Disorder does not implicate intelligence and certainly does not mean anyone is slow, it’s the term used in the DSM-5.

[@andeebee2530]

I can relate to so much of this but wouldn’t have considered autism. I am very highly sensitive, highly empathetic and make eye contact. It is only recently that I realised during conversation that I am asking myself to remember to look away and not hold constant eye contact. I hate small talk, hate being in social situations and am exhausted by them. I have learned to ask people questions about themselves if I have to try to make conversation. I have always felt different and not sure where I fit in. I consider myself extremely intelligent and wonder now if I do have autism but have been masking. I have Fibromyagia, ME/CFS, POTS and other coxmorbidities.

[@mercifulmermaidtarot2630]

I recently came across something called Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP) that describes family members of autistic people having some autistic traits and behaviours, but not enough to meet the criteria for an autism diagnosis? Have you heard of it before? As someone who has felt they might be autistic, I found it interesting.

[@lellachu1682]

Yes, I have autistic family members and the BAP description fits me well. I have some autistic traits, but not to the degree described by autistics. I test just below the threshold for autism on most of the online tests, except the Aspie Quiz which I score highly likely neurotypical for some reason.

[@mercifulmermaidtarot2630]

@@lellachu1682 I’ve always thought that since autism is a spectrum, that at some point it must flow into a “neurotypical spectrum.” This would mean that some people would be at the threshold of autistic. I’ve always thought this is where I am too.

[@VitruvianVision]

Yah, thats NOT autism, it's adapting to the environment. My grandfather was an Aspie, my gran a hard-core empath- and they wouldn't have mated if the war hadn't erased half of the men. Lol. I grew up around them, and to this day feel comfortable with Aspies. I also acknowledge that I am very different from them in some respects. Also, trauma and gut issues must not be underestimated in influencing brain development and cognitive abilities.

[@carolbrand7060]

I found it interesting that your choice of music is by Eric Satie, whom I adore. I don't find many other people who adore Eric Satie the way I do. I find his music deeply soothing. Almost hauntingly so. I love music. But what I feel when listening to Satie is deeply and profoundly intense. It fills the core of my being. It is impossible for me to explain.

[@Black4Fae]

What are your thoughts on autism and DID as comorbid conditions? I have both and am curious as to how to address autism in my system? This was very useful for me and my wife who is also autistic and has DID. We are working well finally after a few years and the autism pointers from yourself, and other creators has helped us build a structure we thrive in. Thank you so much, btw. This is very useful.

[@coacharielandersson]

Still exploring answers.. and clearly both my daughter and I ride the line between both hsp and autism.. I finally started acknowledging this when my daughter was melting down in a foreign airport with crowds and smells and I realized I had to say out loud that she was on the spectrum as it was the only thing I knew the gate attendants would understand (vs hsp) so I could create a calm space for her to settle into her place on the plane.. It was a strong experience.. and yet allowed me to truly give her what she needed.. and open to more possibilities that could support.. though she masks well..

[@awso-noanazz]

Best info I've ever found on the topic. Looking forward to hearing more. Thank you.

[@j.b.4340]

17:26, many with sex chromosome abnormalities (SCA’s), like Klinefelter Syndrome, Jacobs Syndrome, etc, carry the comorbidity of autism. 13:26, in my life, the autism, and the ADHD, seem to balance each other. Having only one, or the other, would not be very nice. Good video. I feel better.

[@Portia620]

Yes HSP have similar with Allergies and medications too

[@bru1015]

Hi there 🙋🏼‍♀️ just turned 72 and this is the first time I’ve heard the best description of myself. I’m autistic! 😮 ADD as well. 😊

[@thatswhatisaidCA]

I guess it might be good to know for some people if they have one thing or another, but these names are basically meant for treatment options, and at 60, I don't need that. I learned to be me in society, and I'm good coping, have learned a lot over the years about myself and the world. Thanks. 😁