63 common autistic traits you never realised were signs of autism! How many apply to you?

63 common autistic traits you never realised were signs of autism. Do you ever wonder if you might be autistic? What is autism anyway? It can be hard to define, but if you know enough autistic people there are some obvious patterns. How many of the common 63 autistic traits apply to you? Maybe you've had someone say to you, "How can someone so clever be so stupid?" or you feel like you're either too much or not enough in certain areas. From scripting conversations to advanced or delayed childhood development, in this video, we'll explore what it means to be autistic and what it can look like in different individuals.
Any one of these traits by themselves is quite common, but patterns tend to emerge when autistic people come together. That’s why autistic social activities can be a great way to connect and learn from each other. Here are the links to some autistic social groups you might be interested in:
Want to join our autistic community? Join our Social Meetup Facebook Group here:
/ 722729774905114
(we also have Discord server: / discord )
Or this online community for Late Diagnosed adults - www.autastic.com/community/
🎞️Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:50 63 Common Autistic Traits
5:05 Are you the opposite of the common autistic traits?
5:35 Social Events and Groups
6:06 Arranging a meetup in your city
-----------------------------------------------
👋Welcome to Autism From The Inside!!!
If you're autistic or think you or someone you love might be on the autism spectrum, this channel is for you!
I'm Paul Micallef, and I discovered my own autism at age 30.
Yes, I know, I don't look autistic. That's exactly why I started this channel in the first place because if I didn't show you, you would never know.
Autism affects many (if not all!) aspects of our lives, so on this channel, I want to show you what Autism looks like in real people and give you some insight into what's happening for us on the inside. We'll break down myths and misconceptions, discuss how to embrace autism and live well, and share what it's like to be an autistic person.
Join me as I share what I've found along my journey, so you don't have to learn it the hard way.
Make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss my new video every Friday and some bonus content thrown in mid-week too.
➡️️ / @autismfromtheinside
👋Connect with me:
➡️️ Patreon: / aspergersfromtheinside
➡️️ Facebook: / autismfromtheinside.co...
➡️️ Twitter: / aspiefrominside
➡️️ Written Blog: aspergersfromtheinside.com/
➡️️ Email: [e-mail]
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy my channel!
Peace,
~ Paul
#autism #asd #autismawareness

[@NothingByHalves]

My favourite description of an autistic trait is "I miss what others catch, but I catch what others miss" So true for me.

[@NickWrightDataYT]

I'm literally teaching myself to pick up on subtle social cues in cinema and IRL. When I can actually predict the "unexpected social thing" in a movie/TV show, I actually get a bit proud lol

[@NothingByHalves]

@@NickWrightDataYT Excellent! And so you should get a bit proud - it's a gift! I have been able to read body language and emotions ever since I was small and yet in many situations still cannot figure out the right response. I chew over what I should have said or what I should say for days. I would do well as a psychic mute 😂

[@stevevitka7442]

Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see- Oscar Wilde, I believe.

[@NothingByHalves]

@@stevevitka7442 Oo, I like it, Steve - I haven't heard that one!

[@ros8986]

I am in a special category "I miss what others catch, AND I miss what others miss". So I am twice as talented.

[@kathleenmaryparker8662]

Being really good at things other people find hard - and really bad at things other people find easy …

[@JJ-qo7th]

Seeing the things that everyone missed. Missing the things that everyone saw. My foreman has me double-check him after he inspects our work because he knows I'll see stuff he missed even if I miss stuff he saw. He knows I'm 'different' in a lot of ways.

[@heedmydemands]

Yeah I have a real difficulty with sense of direction

[@wolfdreams2000]

​@@heedmydemands Me too 💯😊

[@shayshayshayshayshayshayshay]

my 15.6 million high score in mobile tetris when none of my friends can pass the 500k mark edit: attention span is the main thing here for me lol. used to be so obsessed w minecraft, more than any of my friends. after everyone would stop playing on a world, id be there for a other 6 months

[@artistA1215]

Yes!😊

[@remyscott6296]

Bro I have been depressed for a long time, but after taking shrooms few months ago, l feel much happier and highly motivated and my ADHD gone , lost a ton of anxiousness and had a few epiphanies about how I should live my life. I decided to buy an ounce for backup, but haven’t yet felt the need to take any more since then.

[@jamesharris3137]

I have autism, I was diagnosed with it when I was 15. I tried shrooms and it made me function so much better.

[@AndreaNicholls-pr2wd]

Eek I’m autistic too and might wanna try mushrooms. How do I go about it?

[@jamesharris3137]

Yeah doc.brenttt is your guide. Man is exceptional with anything psychedelics.

[@ingridsara213]

Hello Can he be reached on IG?

[@jamesharris3137]

Yes doc.Brenttt

[@NoxAtlas]

Today my insecurities hit again and made me question if I'm "autistic enough to actually call myself autistic" even though I'm actually diagnosed (I've been diagnosed at the age of 29 which is why I still have doubts sometimes). Then I watched this video and counted all the points on your list that match me, realize what I'm doing and realized "Yep, I'm definitely autistic!" My result: 51 out of 63 traits.

[@emoryolsoff96]

Very close to mine. 49/63. Not diagnosed but I heavily suspect it

[@mesuraion7919]

I had 44

[@mimicbbeanieboo1575]

I had 53 but I'm not diagnosed, just suspected

[@arianewinter4266]

My result IS 56 Out of 63 undiagnosed, am kinda Unsure whatever I am Reading to much into IT or misreading the criteria somehow cause I think ai am good at masking and Fake way more competancy then I got

[@NoxAtlas]

@asterross Same here. My parents already had a suspicion ever since I was a child, but I never got a proper diagnosis. My friends would often say I behave autistic and I'd always be in denial and say something stupid like "I'm not autistic, I'm just not trying hard enough!" Then, one day, the psychiatrist gave me the assessment paper and basically told me, "You tried your hardest, but you can't change the fact that you're autistic."

[@apocalypseofplush]

“Seeing people as people” is one I personally relate to. I’ve always thought that racism and such things were stupid, because we’re all human beings.

[@laure9242]

Look this is the strength of autism I have as well. We see how life is the way it is, social structures can make us more stupid and hateful towards others sometimes.

[@marthamurphy3913]

I related to it in that I, a high school teacher, relate to students as people rather than as students. Each is an individual. I like some, dislike others, treat them all professionally. It was a drawback in my career that I didn't want to spend my off time volunteering with teenagers.

[@apocalypseofplush]

@Amina90982 what the

[@adamlane6453]

​@@apocalypseofplushIt is a spam bot and I've reported it as such. I would encourage others to do the same.

[@apocalypseofplush]

@@adamlane6453 Yeah, figured.

[@oBluePandaO]

"How could someone so clever be so stupid?" I felt that 😂

[@luthientinuviel3883]

For sure, im considered smart but Im also such an airhead

[@heedmydemands]

Yeah I even think this about myself some, pretty sure others do too

[@ob7369]

Right?? Haha

[@cancandoit]

My sister has always said that to me. 😭😭😭 She says I'm stupid, but smart, but stupid. I'm not stupid. I'm more intelligent than her. I'm just 1. Painstakingly literal. Even when i get the joke, i double-check to see if im missing something. 2. On a different frequency. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@LaurasYouTube]

My parents used to ask me that all the time!

[@philipe7937]

I would add another one, feeling awkward when someone takes a picture of you, not being able to smile naturally or what facial expression to use, body position. I like my pictures when I don’t know I’m being photographed but I feel strange and awkward when someone wants to take my picture, I feel unworthy, unattractive, pretentious etc

[@Matt_Mosley1983]

i don't smile for pictures and I've been told a couple of times that strangers seeing me in a ic have asked if I'm Polish ... I guess they don't smile much :-) (irony is I comminicate in emojis online)

[@Savitar.2020]

Exactly, when I try smiling for a picture, it turns out looking like Sheldon Cooper's smile from Big Bang Theory 💀

[@lizhornauer4614]

My daughter smiles the exact moment we put down the camera :D But sometimes when she's climbing or sitting in a tree, she forgets anything around her and we can catch her wonderful smile.

[@EDMcIntoshBrocher]

I am 54 years old and have recently been diagnosed Autistic/ADHD. It's not a subject that I have paid any attention to over the years but am having a great time researching now. It's actually a wonderful feeling to find out that someone has already written a manual for what I have always thought were my own personal quirks and shortcomings. This channel is really helping me to 'find myself' in a very simple and understandable way (your'e not an oddball if there are a billion more people like you). This video in particular was like watching all of my lottery numbers coming in one after the other - thank you so much Paul for the reassurance and understanding you are sharing, it means a lot.

[@user-rx3us4md8o]

I'm 46 and kind of realizing there is a pretty good chance I'm autistic. I've been considering the possibility I might be for probably the last 15 years. I asked my mom about it the other day. She said describe autism, so I did. She was like yep, that makes sense. I would say I probably stood out more as a child but I understand my "quirks" better as an adult.

[@Littlewildone0]

Our son was severely autistic. He had several other issues . He was brilliant and had mechanical abilities. He did college-level math & science at 14. But had trouble dressing and using eating utensils. He died a month before his sixteenth Birthday. We miss him every day.

[@DeadNotSleeping789]

I'm so sorry. It sounds like you saw him for him, so I can only imagine he knew you truly loved him.

[@Littlewildone0]

@@DeadNotSleeping789 Thank you, He was the sunshine of our lives. We had him late. I was 36 and we'd been told that because of my health issues, I'd never have a child. Despite his many challenges, he smiled and laughed all of the time. He was born in 1996. Back then most people had no idea about how to treat those with autism. We attended several conferences and then went home and just loved him.He never realized that he was any different than any other child.

[@jukkaahonen6557]

🕯❤

[@karlabanks4908]

Sincere condolences.

[@Littlewildone0]

@@karlabanks4908 thank you. I won't lie, it's a pain I carry with me. It gets a bit easier to carry as time passes but never goes away.

[@SarahJigglypuff]

About 75% of these apply to me and yet my psychologists/therapists keep telling me I can't be autistic because I "maintain eye contact" and "am very good at empathy". 💀 The joys of being an undiagnosed woman!

[@vinsonche9088]

One of the things that therapists don't tend to take into account with adults is that they've learned and mastered (some) masking skills throughout their lifetimes already. Most of the research is done on minors and they just tend to forget that these children grow up into adults too. I had a therapist tell me that I wasn't on the spectrum, so I decided to show up to my next appointment and completely unmasked (or unmask what I was knowledgable of). Her perception of me afterwards had changed. My best friend is 32 and she was finally diagnosed last year after many therapists.

[@FibroKitten]

Girls mask. They should know this!

[@enby_trash1659]

I'm a minor, but I live in a small town, so the doctors kinda suck. I asked abt getting a diagnosis but they said it was unlikely since it's more common in boys and if I did it was "very mild" and said I was "high-funcioning"

[@suzanne1797]

I started my learning journey back around 2014 maybe, I can't remember. But I went to the state mental health center and ended up getting in a fight with the in-take "specialist". She said (very haughtily) that there is no way I could have ASD because she works with autistic (boys) every single day and I don't have the traits. I mentioned that women display differently, and Tony Atwood's research, and the internet research I had done, including books, etc. And she practically sneered at me and thought I was utterly ridiculous with my "little internet research." The most she would give me is social anxiety and general anxiety disorders. I was trying to get support to get through college. She hated me. She ended up sending me to some guy who was really creepy and only spent four sessions with him before he creeped me out so much I couldn't bring myself to go back. Not to mention those four sessions were mostly spent on him and "his practice" and all the bureaucracy crap. I finally did at least get a letter for my college to help with the anxiety. They told me I just need social skills training. We both know that's just the tip of the ice berg. I went to those free classes and that instructor also didn't like me. He invited the whole class back except me. 🙄 Life long experiences of rejection, hate, misunderstandings, no support, being taken advantage of, abuse, and the list goes on. I'm the ultimate loner and have had to figure everything out myself. I hope you fare better and find the support you need. It has at least gotten better in that respect since 2014! But here where I am it is an easy $3000 to go through the process of getting diagnosed. That doesn't mean they will actually diagnose you. So more exploitation. I gave up on getting diagnosed.

[@dessyred5785]

I agree, I have autism but I don't want to go through the run around again, I was misdiagnosed when I was younger and don't want to put up with it again.

[@patriaciasmith3499]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[@APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!

[@Jennifer-bw7ku]

Yes, dr.sporesss. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.

[@steceymorgan814]

I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.

[@APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Is he on instagram?

[@Jennifer-bw7ku]

Yes he is. dr.sporesss

[@NobodyToCareAbout]

I don't like phone calls, I prefer texting over message since I'm introverted, I usually don't realize when I'm hungry or thirsty, I need to be reminded of to feel it. I reply to text messages, if I NOTICE I have one. And I usually think a bit what to reply before replying. I don't like socks cause it's uncomfortable to me, and also usually my body is always on high temperature. I'm a very good liar, but I don't like lying, unless it's necessary. I feel out of sync alot when I'm on groups, if I'm on one, because I usually like being alone. I don't like being told what to do if I already know. I feel comfort on repetition, cause it's something I'm used to. I act alot different on crowds, acting nicely and always being very worried about what people think of me. My hearing is above average, I do not struggle to loud sounds unless its high pitched, I hate high pitched sounds, on school 1/20 of the days I had to leave early cause of headache, I can't handle loud screams or high pitched sounds. I can hear low sounds from far away. My pain tolerance depends on what part of the body it is, on the head I cannot tolerate pain, on the palm of the hand I can easly tolerate pain, on the fingers depends what type of pain. On the legs if it's a hit then I can handle it, but if it's something like a cut then I struggle, on the feet i can handle things like cuts, one day i hit my fingers in a corner of a object, it started bleeding but i barely felt pain. Overapologizing is something I don't do alot, I just apologize normally. I know when it's my fault, and when it is I apologize, everytime I do a little mistake I apologize. I'm good at useless things, but also good at useful things. I'm usually not sarcastic. Unless I'm really mad. I always struggle to find a gap in group conversation. I usually don't like trying new things. Unless I'm interested. I eat the same food cause I'm a bit different, I almost vomit when I try to eat most of the things, so I can only eat few things. I do not like being touched, and I usually pay attention to small things. I'm very curious and I always want to understand why. I like repetition since it's the same thing which I'm used to. But if it's way too much then I change. I prefer to move around than staying quiet sat down. But if it's important I can easly control myself to keep quiet. I always think about previous social interactions to remember if I did something wrong, or if it's an argument, why they did that, who's wrong and how to arguments. My memory is pretty much random, I can remember things very good independent of the attention span or bad. I struggle to know what people feel, or even what I feel. I always feel akward and I'm always worried on groups. I like being alone alot, since I'm free to take out my anger, act how I want without being worried, sing the song I want to sing, and I don't have to think on how to socialize. I'm happy with things as long as they work. I try to think what to say before something, and if it's an argument, I think on what I could have said. This is everything I relate to. Oh and I see people as people, if they're nice to other people, and in general not some jerk, I dont care about their skin color, gender or pronouns.

[@ambrosianapier7545]

I think it’s important to note that a lot of these things can be caused by trauma or be signs of Childhood PTSD

[@AuraSparks]

there's some great vids on this channel regarding trauma and autism

[@TheTabascodragon]

A lot of parents seem to have an obsession bordering on delusion centered around having a "normal" child. When a person's natural inborn traits are treated as a problem to be corrected instead of just how they are it's pretty reasonable to expect that many would walk away from their childhood traumatized.

[@BardicRanger]

A well, I have autism and childhood PTSD so yeah

[@cameronnaylor4046]

it's important to note that autism can be caused by trauma and PTSD

[@chelsjones]

@@cameronnaylor4046 … no it can’t. sometimes childhood trauma can make autistic traits more obvious, but not cause them. we have no idea what ‘causes autism’ but we do know it’s biological not psychological. it’s a different neurotype, a structural brain difference.

[@Acceleronics]

Going over and over social interactions *before* they happen. It is like a movie playing in my head.

[@nathanaelstricker9056]

I used to do this when I would be reprimanded or had some sort of a teaching moment with an authority figure and, regrettably, it used to put my mom in some pretty frustrating situations. I would literally freeze and sit there like a statue for hours sometimes, just thinking of all the ways that I might hope to convey what I was thinking/feeling and always ended up convincing myself I’d only ultimately be invalidated and unheard. I might be wrong, but I think it came from the juxtaposition of extreme social anxiety and a need/desire for structure and rules to follow, almost in an algorithmic sense.

[@visionvixxen]

I hate this. People think I’m annoying or being dependent and difficult, but I’ve tried everything and am so exhausted by all the thought and agony that goes into important and even ANY conversations. Very codependent on others doing the plannjng and negotiations and interviews and letters to businesses for me. Because the time and energy invested by me yields minimal results. I hate this and wish there were a way to figure out how to live like others- even if 30 years of wasted life has passed by. I want a healthy life

[@ddhqj2023]

@@visionvixxen I'm 67 and still go through the whole process as you explained and sorry to say, it hasn't gotten any easier. I'm finally lucky enough to be able to manage it all by withdrawing from the world. Good luck to you. I feel for you.

[@ALaughingMan]

And then the same thing after they take place.

[@Fluxikator]

And (at least in my expericence) then the real interaction plays out very differently as imagined. And quite thinking about social interactions is like self entertainment for me. Which usually incluedes a lot of repitition.

[@VegardThefilmmaker]

I can add one more to the list : being obsessed with interests and suddenly not caring

[@imtherapycat]

My son was diagnosed with being on the spectrum many, many years ago, and the more I've learned about autism, the more I've thought I see it in myself. I tallied these traits as you went through them and 53 of them resonated with me, some very strongly. I know that at 66 years old I've never been comfortable with people, always felt out of sync, and struggled with so much that seems to come easily to others, although I'm quite intelligent and am singled out for handling things (usually organizational or in a leadership role) that others have difficulty with. I wish autism had had the recognition it does now back in my developmental years when I felt so very awkward and alone. Thank goodness people on the spectrum don't have to feel isolated anymore.

[@sl-fu3uh]

exactly, and just because most people have preconceived opinions on what 'autism looks like' its very hard to communicate world views with them or opinions and sometimes dont even believe you have autism because you have learnt to 'mask' it so well 'masking' - the term for adapting in social situations. i struggle to make my parents understand my perspective after avoiding the conversation for so many years but they insist on blaming external things and feeling heartbroken as they think im in a deep pit, but in reality they dont see it in a positive light as i do, they just thought i was always happy, but in reality ive discovered the addictive personality type i have been given, managed to quit smoking after smoking occasionally for 2/3 years as ive not been able to be open with parents they just dont understand, and i feel like its impossible to unmask as they think im 'sad'. XD

[@sl-fu3uh]

doesnt help the communist escape era they lived through and the fact 'mental health' in their eyes is non existent and if its brought up you are considered victimiser or simply 'retarded' rather than different.

[@lolitscly]

I always think I'm exaggerating when I say I might have autism, but then I watch this, and there's not even a way for me to deny it because it's too accurate 😭

[@voiceofstem]

I think a lot of non-autistic people have these traits to. But you can do the RAADS-R test if you want to get a better view on wheter you're autistic or not.

[@TrackpadProductions]

This video honestly really helped me come to terms with my diagnosis. Because _literally every single one_ has been a _life-defining_ trait for me

[@lolitscly]

@@voiceofstem u tryna tell me people can have all autism traits and not be austistic? 😭

[@LynnConleyR2A]

@@lolitscly yes. You could have ADHD and sensory processing disorder (SPD). A lot of what he lists are neurodivergent traits, not specifically autism.

[@deirdrestatham5730]

@@voiceofstem I found an online RAADS-R test. My son is autistic but I didn't think I was until I started noticing things he does I also do. I took the test and it said a score above 65 is likely autistic. I got a 197/240. eeeee....

[@sr2291]

A friend once told me that I get really upset over things that most people don't care about, and I don't care about things that most people get upset over.

[@micahrobbins8353]

Felt

[@sr2291]

@micahrobbins8353 So where are my peeps?

[@TheRamenRetriever]

Sometimes... I get the same way.

[@arianewinter4266]

Thats a good one

[@laraboucher7564]

I can relate

[@taylorm1690]

The repetition joke is the first thing that’s made me genuinely crack a smile all day. Thank you ❤️

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

I laughed way harder than I should at that one.

[@GMariaAndFunBlogs]

61/63 I have ADHD and anxiety. The only two I didn't at least partially relate with was telling the truth even when you shouldn't (usually I lie to not hurt someone's feelings) and always finishing what you started (I have to really really love it). I definitely related with 3 the most: 63-How could someone be so smart yet so stupid? Im above grade level by at least 2 grades in every subject, yet sometimes I forget how old I am. Or cut my hair by myself... 56-preferring written communication. Yesss! I love writing stories so much and whenever I do something hard I write it out first 36-enjoying repetition. I loved when you repeated that clip and I laughed so hard. I especially love whiteboards and other things where you write it and then erase and rewrite it. My mom always says there's no way I'm autistic, but this video basically proves my point. In books or videos about autistic people, I relate soooo much. I feel like I could basically be that person. I'm going to keep pressuring my mom to get me tested for autism.

[@sarahlawson2726]

At my last job, I worked primarily with a team of autistic people. It helped me figure out that I'm autistic because of how seamless but bizarre our group behavior was. Once no customers were around, we'd be mimicking each other, making noises back and forth, dancing/gesturing at random, and putting on the same playlists most nights. Other nights, we'd be working in complete silence and it wouldn't feel awkward because it's just what we all needed. It was a pretty special experience.

[@ispilloil]

If only we could have these safe spaces everywhere! Happiness rates would skyrocket

[@steveneardley7541]

I'd love to be in a situation where people were "making noises back and forth."

[@Blind_Eye046]

Oh shi- _{Does everything listed in friendgroup.}_

[@yadda333]

No, you are not autistic.

[@nokimet7398]

​@@yadda333and you'd know this how?

[@alexalke1417]

Laughed so hard at the repetition joke. I wish it wasn't so hard to get a diagnoctic as an adult in France.

[@hausafilmstv]

Same, in fact, I enjoyed it so much so that I toggled the looping feature and now listening to this on repeat (in order to jot them all down and analyze which ones I have).

[@wilkby]

The more of these videos I watch, the more depressed I get seeing how many of these things apply to me. I’ve suspected that I’m on the spectrum for at least two decades now. Sometimes I think I should get tested, and then the next day I feel like it’s just an exercise in futility. 53 years old and I’m basically afraid of people, socializing, and pretty much my own shadow. It’s funny but I just got to the part where you mention “super sensitive hearing” and right now I am sitting in a coffee shop with a high pitched hum that makes me want to hit my head on the table.

[@ianrobertpountain8621]

He didn't mention a terrible sense of humour he just mentioned deadpan sarcasm.

[@spiicyliime22]

@@ianrobertpountain8621 And laughing at inappropriate things/jokes

[@ianrobertpountain8621]

@@spiicyliime22 Me I think I'm quite good at deadpan sarcasm.

[@SuperNotoriousT]

Wow 😳👍🏾It’s a relief to be understood. I can relate to many points. I hope you ain’t been stalking me to know so much 🙅🏾‍♀️🤭 Thank you; I was confirmed with the disorder in 2021 after an entire lifetime of it. So far all I know about the condition is that ‘I qualify as having it’, so this has helped me to know some more. I am really grateful. Bless you 🙏🏾👋🏾🇬🇧

[@jackattacktron1000]

As an autistic person myself I kept nodding at practically all of these, and I’m confident in saying this is my personality and it makes me who I am and it makes me a truly unique individual.

[@TheLittleLambTalks]

Ditto

[@micahrobbins8353]

I am also that exact same unique and one of a kind individual lol

[@arianewinter4266]

Yeah only 7 die Not aply to me notably the bright colors, dont Like them, especially Not in me, to much input

[@tinahatch7440]

Diagnosed at 49 and videos like this make me feel simultaneously joyful that I have found my people and sad/angry that I spent DECADES trying to cram myself into a socially acceptable box. 😢

[@cookiemonster3147]

I was diagnosed at 45. I totally relate to what you say.

[@jerrimenard3092]

Diagnosed at 40. If only I had known, I would have been a lot easier in myself.

[@rbrucebicknell5038]

Highly suspicious at 57

[@neelubird]

I'm in my 40s and suspect I'm borderline autistic. I think I wasn't diagnosed cos I went to a rubbish school, did well academically and also I'm female and girls are less likely to get a diagnosis. Out of his list of 63 traits, 44 of them apply to me. The last one in particular "how can someone so clever be so stupid" doesn't just apply to me but also my brother and dad.

[@ancientgear7192]

I don't have an official diagnosis but I suspect I have asperger's. Thankfully I am 22 now and relatively young.

[@vfrances5159]

Wasn't diagnosed as Autistic until I was over 40, now I'm pushing 80 and have learned how to "cover up" the weirdness, but I look back at my high school days and my 20's and 30's, and I see it clearly! By 50 I was doing quite well passing as "normal". Today only my closest friends recognize my true self, and most of them are secret Autistics of a Certain Age, too!

[@marnierose7816]

I had to cover up severe Autism throughout childhood with varying degrees of success, but I can say covering is not healthy and is killing me. It's resulted in nervous system problems and a poor immune system, it's a lot of energy and fuel going into disguise instead of acceptance. Bring out more of the I don't give a shyte what people think and be yourself...it's not worth the health toll!!!

[@nancypardee8310]

I feel u frances. You have a admirer here, 70 yr old messed up woman. But loving life. Think of how many there are of us? lots

[@IsidorTheNordicGuy]

I am a 32 year old man and recently got diagnosed with Autism and PTSD and they want to further investigate to see if I have other conditions I might need help with. I am overwhelmed and also relieved about it. Been struggling my entire life and still am. I actually feel everything has gotten harder to cope with as I got older, might be because I have been on my own in all this until now but I so hope I get to the point where you are at one day. Thank you for sharing, it gives me hope I'll pull through too one day ❤

[@nancypardee8310]

i let my weirdness ring out, heck with othersl

[@AntonYadrov777]

Best of luck to you, you're a living proof for all those dolts of parents who think "it'll go away with age" and "my kid just needs more social exposure or maybe scout/church camps". No it _absolutely_ won't. And forced social exposure and these "camps" will only accelerate the mental breakdown. One needs to recognize crucial signs, pre-school if at all possible, and get proper diagnosis and treatment plans asap. This will literally make or break a life. And there are more and more of us every day, no wonder child/teen suicide rates are getting sky-high, especially in third-world countries. I got my proper diagnosis way too late (brain damage+ hormonal and autoimmune issues that require lifetime prescription medication) and will no longer be the same person, so I can personally attest to sheer importance of proper, timely diagnosis. I'm 27, btw, got diagnosed at 24, total hell started happening at 18 in my life, so 6 years without knowing what the hell is going on with me and things getting progressively worse all that time. Also sincerely hope you will avoid Alzheimer's, given your age. That is another level of hell I wouldn't wish on anybody, and, sadly, quite prevalent in my family, still dreading the day I will exhibit my first symptoms. I would rather just have somebody I trust k*ll me when that happens.

[@shaylamarie960]

So funny, i just started down the Autism rabbit hole today the last day of Autism awareness month, ive been watching these videos for hours now and im convinced and i got probably 53 out of the 63. Thanks for the great video! Edit: 52 out of 63, so close!!

[@frankiefavero1666]

I got 50 out of your 63... I'm diagnosed ADHD but never on the autism spectrum... though Ive always suspected it... great video!

[@katarzynazdrojewska4233]

A lot of ADHD and Autism overlaps, I also have ADHD diagnosis but not the Au... On one hand I want to get tested, on the other I had so much trouble pushing through just one living alone (and earning an income alone) that I sometimes wonder if it's that much worth it if it's still neurodivergence in general...

[@ruggi23]

I have adhd and autism but i only related to a few things on the video kinda suspecting that i might only have adhd

[@averylouise1024]

“How can someone so clever be so stupid?” hit me like a truck. This has been said to me quite a few times throughout my life. I related to the majority of these, but that last one… oof…

[@jenniferbourne1053]

In new situations, I often miss the "obvious" interpretation of what to do, and am often paralyzed by any ambiguity. The fear of doing it "wrong" and the shame and embarrassment that follow makes everything worse.

[@averylouise1024]

@@jenniferbourne1053 SAME!! Learning to drive was a huge struggle for me because of that.

[@jenniferbourne1053]

@@averylouise1024 The first time I was behind the wheel, on the road, the instructor told me to "stop" (probably an intersection coming up) so I hit the brakes then and there. I stopped, right? Then I heard breaks screeching behind me, followed by the driver pulling up along side me and shouting "IDIOT!!!"

[@moujayay]

for me it was "how can someone so clever be unemployed" I heard that a lot after my depression diagnose and therapy that were the reason for the unemployment. The biggest part that is left from my depression (other than the occational slope of depressive feelings) is a pretty strong stress disorder with tendencies to anxiety/panic attacks. Getting employed like this is almost impossible for me.

[@mevksenovych]

@@jenniferbourne1053 in new things people laugh at me or/and being impatient and aggressive treating me like stupid person, because im feeling that kind of paralysis, but soon enough when i get the 'thing' im often became even more efficient than them. honestly sometimes i hate people:(

[@wingardiumlachancla9078]

List in case if you'd like to take time to think of each one (also I thank this channel for those interesting facts, kinda cleared things out about myself) : 1. Wearing bright colors 2. Hating phone calls 3. Not realizing you're hungry/thirsty 4. Not replying to text messages 5. Hate wearing socks/seams 6. Having atypical humor 7. Telling the truth 8. Out of sync in groups 9. Aversion or obsession with popular culture 10. Overplanning everything 11. Low sense of gender 12. Always feeling tired 13. Don't like being told what to do 14. Teaching yourself to read 15. Comfort in repetition & routine 16. Struggling with crowds 17. Seeing people as people 18. Sensitive hearing 19. High pain tolerance 20. Over apologizing 21. Not caring what people think 22. Good at something useless 23. Being sarcastic 24. Prefers face to face communication 25. Struggling to find gap in group conversation 26. Constant background anxiety 27. Being overly empathic 28. Relating to animals more 29. Avoiding trying new things 30. Eating the same food 31. Finding inappropriate things funny 32. Not liking to be touched 33. Tendency to notice small details 34. Hating fluorescent & down lights 35. Always wanting to understand why 36. Enjoying repetition 37. Thinking in pictures 38. Having a flat affect 39. Prefers pacing than sitting 40. Imitating other people 41. Having a favorite thing 42. Getting excited and interrupting people 43. Thinking previous social interactions 44. Seeing patterns in everything 45. Either having a good and bad memory 46. Prefers non verbal communication 47. Hating brushing of teeth 48. Having a monotone voice 49. Difficulty identifying emotions 50. Getting overwhelmed by many tasks 51. Watching the same TV series/movies 52. Awkward in groups 53. Thinking outside the box 54. Having unique brilliant ideas 55. Struggling to read between lines 56. Preferring written communication 57. Two speed productivity 58. Compartmentalizing life experiences 59. Comfortable being alone 60. Happy with few material comforts 61. Always finishing what you started 62. Scripting conversation 63. "How can someone be clever and stupid ?"

[@tonycardone990]

Well this may make it easier for me to stress myself out going over everything without having to watch the video 18 times to make sure I heard everything right the first 17 times. I've decided, It's not going to be easier for me because now I'm already starting to wonder if you changed something in the list to fuck with me. And now I'm going to have to write down this list and watch the video again to confirm your list is accurate. Or I won't and I will be thinking about it for at least a week knowing it doesn't matter anyway

[@jaymie-leacollingwood2753]

THANK-YOU!

[@SmerkyRandomised]

​@@tonycardone990 don't worry, i went over it too, that's nothing that sounds unfamiliar after watching the video, so they didn't change anything

[@CrowzCarnival]

i could NOT focus my time in reading all of those

[@jeffellis1149]

64. Needing to list everything

[@nooffencebut8175]

I hope videos like this don’t cause people to self-diagnose because MANY people could relate to these without having autism.

[@mootbooxle]

I scored 51. I have been running away from official diagnoses all my life until I hit a place where I was unable to cope/mask anymore. I just turned 40 and was only diagnosed officially with ADHD, combined type this year. It has changed my life. lately I have been thinking about the autistic people in my life and attempting to reframe all of this with a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. The pathological demand avoidance and things of that nature have caused me to run away from professional help all of these years and I have suffered greatly for it. Now I have begun to explore the comparisons and contrasts of ADHD and autism and what I am finding is that there is an alarming amount of overlap but that I can tell that I differ from autistic people in a few key ways. it is not processing of the five senses that I struggle with the most; it is my processing of the “inner” senses that is out of the norm (and often out of balance). some of us are able to mask more efficiently and effectively than others. I have been so good at it that I hid it even from myself all these years and instead accepted what others told me: that I was lazy, selfish, and irresponsible. I have been in a cycle of self loathing for most of my life because all of my attempts to prove that I was otherwise have ended in failure because I didn’t recognize what they stemmed from. I would always end up back at square one but somehow kept hiding under layers and layers of masks until the circumstances of my life became so overwhelming that I was no longer able to allocate mental processes to keeping up the façade any longer! burnout always happens sooner or later from masking.

[@jasmint6703]

I am undiagnosed. I cry every time I watch these videos. I can't easily describe why I cry, except that it's a mixed jumble of emotions, the release of which is cathartic.

[@Dino3014]

I would have written a reply precisely as you did with the same words and cadence. The wiring schematic of the autistic brain has capacitors for extra storage in some areas, released through specialized filters we create.

[@Akemaste]

I think it's the OCD aspect constantly eating away at your mind and shoving self directed hate into whatever cracks it can find whenever an issue caused by autism arises. That coupled with often intense isolation, ongoing stress(I think we hold mental stress in our bodies longer naturally) from multiple (put off due to avoidance problems) and small moments of connection provide intense and immense relief. At least in my personal experience. Hope you feel better

[@someguy3429]

It's comforting for some reason. I don't exactly know why but I listen to this type of content regularly

[@thesincitymama]

I think it’s because of the feeling of “belonging” these videos give me. Because I’ve always been “other than” or “different” or “special” but here, I’m clearly part of the group. It’s the joy of thinking they might finally say, “you’re one of us, you belong here in this group.”

[@Elodie_N_INTJ_Analyzes]

Because feeling understood is one of the best feeling, and because we feel so deeply ^^ Cry of happiness and relief.

[@wolfden68]

Got 57 of 63. When I was going through PTSD and depression therapy, my therapist (who specializes in ASD/ADHD subjects) acknowledged the high likelihood that I may be autistic. But, at 54 years old, her question was "what would you get out of a formal diagnosis?" So, I remain undiagnosed (officially), but this is the single unifying explanation for very literally every issue I've had in my life. Ever.

[@ace1148]

Wait same!! like idk what the focus is on “why do you want a label” or “why do you NEED the diagnosis” like gurl idk maybe because I feel off in situation and socially and I feel that an ASD diagnosis (if that if what it is) would be liberating almost . But alas, ill have to wait until I can find someone to take me seriously.

[@JaneNewAuthor]

What do you get out of a diagnosis? My entire life made sense! At last! Ffs, that is a person with zero empathy or understanding.

[@feather314]

My therapist asked me that question too and I had no idea what to say. Like idk man I'm just almost certain I have it and I want a professional to confirm. Is that so bad? And then my med doctor said he thought testing was unnecessary because it was just another label that wouldn't change anything. Kinda felt really awful when he said that tbh

[@ace1148]

@@feather314 yeah like i think having a label might make it easier to get support? But still, why does it matter why, if youre very sure you have it? I feel like professionals should be helping ugg

[@Authenictruthoid]

My number is almost as high as yours of the 63.

[@thefoxoflaurels3437]

I like this list because it’s literally personally traits anyone could have stated normally and states them as normally

[@timozuna]

I should probably get thoroughly checked out sometime at 43 I feel impacted by most of the traits listed in this video and am starting to realize I'm a lot different reacting to situations at work then others and have been constantly questioning why.

[@tl7163]

“Being really good at something that is completely useless” 😅 love it

[@heedmydemands]

I'm good at sudokus

[@Nami-dq3ox]

@@heedmydemands I would say me too, but I don't know how to measure "good" in sudokus. It is my default activity when I am in the waiting room for an appointment, and also my last pre-sleep activity to help quiet down my mind :D

[@heedmydemands]

@@Nami-dq3ox well I have them in the newspaper sometimes and I was laughing about it one day that they give u the answer, I was boggled that someone would need to b told the answers. I mean it's not that I can figure it out every time sometimes I get stuck but if I fill it in I would never question whether I had it right, u only write a number when u know it's correct. I told my husband this and he thought I was nutty lol. I do them in pen but I do admit that I have ended up crossing them out in disgust when I realized I'd made a mistake

[@Nami-dq3ox]

@@heedmydemands I do my sudokus in pen too! I have a book of 100 "difficult sudokus" and if I make a mistake and have to cross out the entire thing, I enter the original sudoku into an app called "Sudoku Pad" (from a KZbin channel called "Cracking the Cryptic") and start again. I don't understand why the answers are given either- it's either correct or it isn't.

[@cookiemonster3147]

so cool, you have 63 likes on your comment.

[@wakeupstylellc]

My daughter was just diagnosed with ASD and I always felt she was special. She talked super early, understood grammar and how to use it without any explanation. Now she is 6 and one of her favorite things to do is write poetry. She tippy toes since she was 2, and now I know that’s because of her Autism. She hates strong food smells and even tells me ketchup smells weird to her. She has a hard time with eye contact with strangers, and can’t put herself in other peoples shoes. Everything is either a fact or not. Which also affects the way she plays, there is no role playing or pretending. We do dance competitions, tag, legos. I can’t wait to see what a wonderful adult she turns into. ❤❤

[@randomheadful7190]

I have a kid who was diagnosed “aspie” back in 2005 (I’m also autistic). We really can take those pet interests and run with them. When he was little, he was working on making a vaccine to cure all the world’s diseases. Now he’s a physician’s assistant. Just give her the space and support to be herself and she’ll be able to do whatever she wants.

[@rileydruley3993]

All 4 of my kids hit the list and my oldest, 7, sounds alot like yours, add in extreme struggles with seams and extreme hearing though lol

[@paulmryglod4802]

​@Riley Druley socks and clothing for my daughter. A grain of sand in her shoe would stop her too.

[@tracey5324]

Thank you for being such an understanding mother. I was raised back before children (especially girls) were routinely diagnosed and if they were- training involved forcing them to act atypical until it broke them down to a mere shell and a mask. My mother was my rock, I could give her a single look and she'd talk for me. She also yelled back at several teachers who tried to label or punish me for not acting 'right'. The reason I am able to slip into society and live my life without predjudice or trauma is because she was willing to go to war for me when everyone else wanted throw me into the trenches instead.

[@AutismsLostBoy]

- "and can’t put herself in other peoples shoes." - I can understand that, as a six year old human being, she's much much too big to fit inside anyone's shoes! 🙃🤣

[@kate_lizzerd]

I love this video and everything is just SO ABOUT ME. Every time I tell my family I think I'm autistic they're "nah you're just creative and all that wiggly wobbly" but I relate to all of this sooooooo much. Thank you! And I laughed so hard when you said about talking in full sentences at the age of 2. My mom loves to tell about how when I was a child I was speaking like an old literature professor and I could say smth like "My dear caregivers why don't we take a walk along the river?" instead of "moooooooom river goooo nooow"

[@SuperMellow21]

Thanks for your really interesting video. Double thanks for not having distracting music playing in the background :)

[@drasweet1]

Also ,Autism is very individualized 😊 I am a mother of 2 young boys with autism who are polar opposite. One loves to hug and the other one won't. One draws and the other one does music. They both answer each other with a vocal stimm. The don't like spring or summer because of bugs,they only like fall and winter. We have learned that we need to adapt to their world because the future will be for them. I wish that the acceptance could continue to support all walks of life. Thank you for making Autism a conversation as well as bringing awareness towards inclusion.

[@gabecole736]

I have two boys one with Autism and the other don't my son with autism likes to hug but my other son doesn't like to hug.

[@krystalmary1985]

Same for me. Both of my sweet boys are autistic yet so different in many ways lol. One loves touch and has physical stims like flapping and flicking the other doesn't ever want to be touched and all his stims are vocal 😂

[@WhoThisMonkey]

Have you ever asked your musical son, to make music based on your other sons drawings? Definitely worth a try, because some of the best music of our era was caused by this exact set up. For example most Shpongle songs are written that way, Raj an autistic artist draws all sorts of interesting things, and then Simon makes music depending on what those pictures make him feel. Honestly, Shpongle for me, is one of the highest pinnacles of music, but yes it is subjective opinion.

[@Kiwi_Tea]

Well it is called a Spectrum for a reason...I personally like to see it as starbursts, others can follow your exact lines, but then boom, off in a completely different direction.

[@juliannadamm7030]

This comment made me so happy. I personally believe that there aren't enough parents to autistics that think like this. What I mean by that is being able to separate them as individuals, understanding their different ways of thinking, and different needs. Thank YOU for wanting to be apart of the conversation!!

[@annakaro9081]

I never considered myself autistic, but I decided to watch this on a whim and I said yes to 46 of these. Some actually ruin my life (like being unable to reply to a message, even if it's super important, and the more time passes, the heavier it weighs on me, but it also gets harder to do, to the point where I can feel shaking in my chest whenever I think about it).

[@SarafinaSummers]

I said yes to 62 of these.

[@Kav86]

Same i got 46 too

[@nathanielcabansay4535]

Dang it, I'm not diagnosed but somehow I got 42 out of 63.

[@perse_00]

i got 45

[@_skelly667_]

Yea said yes to 50 but also just watched this on a whim and had never really thought about this possibility

[@kimmonks116]

I'm 52 and was late diagnosed with autism..at 43 🤨😀I've noticed I have around 57 or 58 of those traits..I also have savant skills in Art..Music..singing and Writing abilities plus a photographic memory. I've memorised over 2,500 birthdays of famous and non famous people up to now and still adding more 😁🤩brill video Paul 🥰👍

[@marinjacobs]

i’m 18, and i’ve never been diagnosed with autism, nor have i ever considered that i was, even when i dated someone who had autism, who was diagnosed very young. I got 54 out of 63 on this, and more recently, since i started college, i have noticed that these traits become more and more prevalent in my day to day life. I don’t understand any of this and i’ve tried to do research but it’s really hard because it is, as you said, very hard to describe it as a whole.

[@Ravyne]

57 of the 63 mentioned traits. I wasn't diagnosed as on the spectrum until I was 45. Growing up, I was labeled 'quiet, weird, shy, introverted, and too smart' by family and friends. When I was finally diagnosed, it all made sense to me.

[@nathanh6439]

I am, as of yet, undiagnosed. But my son, who is just like I was as a child only with a bit more anxiety, is diagnosed. I, too, was the "introverted, exceptionally smart, and different" kid. Now that I have become more aware of what autism is, things make more sense here too.

[@AMcDub0708]

“Too smart” lol 😂😂😂😂 What a dumb thing for anyone to say. “Exceptionally smart”, now that’s better!

[@nathanh6439]

@@AMcDub0708 And yet, the majority of people think of us as "too smart". That says something about society, doesn't it?

[@nekonebula5260]

@@nathanh6439 I gave your comment a like(me pointing this out won't make a difference if more people do though,for now at least you know who did, if you wonder or care about that). I don't want my like to be mistaken for someone else's either in this comment section and for my like to paint a more likeable picture of someone else for it and give you a false sense of things, I guess you could say. All this really doesn't matter in the long scheme of things though suffice to say...lmao. A factual courtesy has been delivered,also you go with that comment 👍Hoorah

[@nathanh6439]

@@nekonebula5260 Thank you! (That first thumbs up is from me too, btw.)

[@BladeX11883]

the brushing of the teeth thing really resonated with me. IDK why such a simple everyday task is so hard and so forgotten for me and I hate doing as well

[@TheSandman121212]

I never forget or anything. But two things I hate doing is brushing my teeth and taking a dump.

[@lindaferguson2640]

My aversion to brushing the teeth I thought was due to a hypersensitive gag reflex, where anything kept in the mouth would start me gagging. So dentists, Drs' tongue depressors or holding a pencil/pen in the mouth, etc etc was a real problem for me.

[@naylisyazwina6836]

@@lindaferguson2640 SAME and I have different flavours of toothpaste to help me gag less

[@fireflyfree311]

Self care is difficult as well. I do just the basics. Do others feel too lazy to do anything with their hair except quickly brush it and the less the easier. Maybe a quick clip or barrette, but it's too time consuming to do more.

[@HudaefCares]

I ruined my teeth due to what I thought was laziness. I don't like doing basic hygiene really, tho thankfully I was given the "no body odor" gene. If I bathe every other day I won't stink, but even that I find hard to do. When getting my hair cut all I say is "just shorten it, vert short." I don't like too many luxuries, I'm convinced all the luxury I need is my phone and a powerbank. I don't smoke, no drugs, and I barely drink. (I only drank on my birthday last year) I should be low-maintenance. But I find it so hard to be an adult. My relatives's favorite way of communicating is hints and reading between the lines... It's so frustrating when they won't just tell me, but they get mad at me and call me dumb when I don't understand what they want. Why is life so hard man.

[@nathandaniel5451]

I was diagnosed recently, and I definitely experience these. I got a new job, and I hear "How can you be so smart yet so stupid" all of the time. The same person could be telling someone I am a genius (I am not, I just like learning stuff, like math, science, and other hobbies) and then almost in the same breath ask why I am so stupid.

[@lalouettefluette7832]

I love what you do! Your content is really helpful ^^

[@sarahhull5064]

Final count: 50. When you played "enjoying repetition" twice, I thought mentally 'please do it three times' and you did and it made my brain so unbelievably satisfied. I've never considered myself autistic but I've noticed recently that 5 of my closest friends have high functioning autism and decided to look into it. Watching this felt like you were describing parts of my life that so many people never notice but are so persistent in my day to day. I am two spirit. I was discussing with my friend who power dynamics are useless and how we wished all people were considered just as such. I write notes to my closest of friends even though we can all text because I prefer my thoughts to be organized and PERFECT in perception. I will spend days thinking about how a conversation went and what I should have said instead to the point of acting it out repeatedly. I can't stand facetime therapy sessions or online class. I have considered myself nearly empathic for years yet cannot never fully flesh out the complexities of my own emotions that are so conflicting and together that sometimes they seem different personalities. Ah alas, I speak too much about myself. I enjoyed this video, it gave me much to consider. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@MattDavis_BeechingsGhosts]

Did you notice point 15?

[@vxvxxvxvxvxvxvxvxvxxv]

I feel like I have adult ADHD and high functioning autism if that makes sense. 😅 Same I feel like my thoughts to be organized and PERFECT but idk about in perception but at the same time I do feel like it need to be in perception but other time I just don't care cuz I'm used to feeling misunderstood. I't good that you're deciding to look into high functioning autism and figured out that you might have it, too and it's also good that you're two spirited. Same - I will spend days thinking about how a conversation went and what I should have said instead to the point of acting it out repeatedly, too, but other times I won't cuz I'll be too busy daydreaming. I can't stand face time therapy sessions or online class but other times I can cuz I don't like going outside for appointments but at the same time I don't really care cuz it's just an appointment and I'll get it done with it, but also I love going to store and buying stuff that I want and need. Kinda the same but I'm empathic, too, but other time over empathic if that makes sense of just in-between. Sometime I don't know how to express my own emotions or just express than as normal and other times just keep them bottled up. but those are about me. :) 49/63 I have considered myself nearly empathic for years yet cannot never fully flesh out the complexities of my own emotions that are so conflicting and together that sometimes they seem different personalities. Kinda confused on what you mean they seem different personalities. And when you said this "When you played "enjoying repetition" twice, I thought mentally 'please do it three times' and you did and it made my brain so unbelievably satisfied." I sound like a just right trait which OCD people have which I kinda have but don't have OCD. But I do hate repetition and other time don't if they do it right :) Well I hope you had fun reading and you might be wondering why does it all depend. I don't know but that's just how I am.

[@dfirth224]

You also need to read the book "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" by Tony Atwood.

[@RTOF]

I can tell that you are very intricate with what you try to say judging from the big paragraph. (I'm a diagnosed Aspie speaking btw)

[@AgelessBeauty777]

😂😂😂😂 omg I thought I was the only one.

[@archienness]

The "either too much or too little" meshes very well with something I've been thinking - it's the polarisation of various traits that can indicate autism. What we have trouble with is the middle ground. This is where some of the tests (and general thinking) go wrong, I think. They tend to assign high achievement in certain traits as NT and deficits as ND, rather than recognising that both poles are indicators and add up to a pattern.

[@aligator6010]

Когда я в 5 классе поняла, что мои усилия не приводят к отличному результату в школе, я перестала делать что либо по учёбе вплоть до 9 класса. Когда в 1 классе мне сказали, что я слишком весёлая и активная, чтобы со мной было комфортно дружить, я замкнулась до такой степени, что не знала имён одноклассников, боялась менять что либо в одежде, и так же, до 9 класса носила одну и ту же причёску, чтобы ни в коем случае не показаться "слишком активной". Считается за черту античности? У меня нет диагноза, я хз :р

[@charleston1789]

Yes! This!!!

[@SusanneBal]

Hate phone calls, thrive on written communication where I have the time to think about what I am going to say and a proper way to say it.

[@Hell0fri3nd]

This video is a mix of feeling validated and also going “Wait, not everyone does that?!?”

[@ZhovtoBlakytniy]

Almost all of these resonated with me, other than wearing bright colors. I prefer black, muted colors, and also darker jewel tones. I hate seams and tight hems, so I always wear loose clothing with long sleeves and pants or long skirts. I only wear natural fibers and somehow wool doesn't bother me one bit. Another one that I can almost never do is finish something quickly. I am a perfectionist in my crafts, therefore nothing gets finished. 😢

[@sheikyerbouti39]

I'm totally with you! Only a few didn't resonate much with me, but the bright color one was the only one I find I'm the complete opposite. Always preferred black, gray, or at most dark blue or brown. And sensitivity to the feeling of clothes and seams has always been a HUGE thing for me. My mom tells me that even as early as 2 years old, I'd refuse to put on shoes or leave the house until I had the seam on the toe of my socks JUST RIGHT so I couldn't feel it haha.

[@anyagetman8596]

I wear a lot of black and grey with a bright screaming rose on a shirt hidden under.

[@sheikyerbouti39]

@@anyagetman8596 A rose colored shirt? Or an actual picture of a screaming rose on a shirt? And do you have it hidden under the black and grey for a reason?

[@anyagetman8596]

@@sheikyerbouti39 huge red rose on screaming yellow background. No sleeves, so has to be under something w sleeves.

[@noblethoughts4500]

​@@anyagetman8596 I have been deeply fascinated for years by the idea of hidden symbols or messages or beautiful seams in clothing. I never associated it with autism before this minute. I love knowing you are out there in the world wearing a hugely emotive rose underneath. My name is Ayla Rose btw. Similar to your name and...roses. (mine hidden away behind my first name! Lol)

[@mrnm6482]

For me number 17 'seeing people as people' really resonates with me. I talk to everyone (regardless of age, background etc) in the same way as if they are my best friend. I didn't realize that people neurotypical people avoid people of different social classes. That seems like discrimination. Someone social class says nothing about their character. Which is why I don't see any issue with engaging with people of different classes. I might go so far as to say that the whole 'social class' thing is BS.

[@FlanaFugue]

I think this trait is kind of BS anyways. It's not autistic so much as human. It's the people who follow these social classes with such meticulousness that have something wrong with them.

[@tristantheoofer2]

wait i also do this holy shit. like i dont care who you are, if i strike up a convo with you somehow i will literally talk to you like im your friend lol. and i also dont get how ppl can be so.... judgemental about others with nothing to base it on. like fr. my brother who is in special ed classes n stuff literally sometimes judges other people... who are in the same sorta group as him. i dont understand it

[@FlanaFugue]

Registering this as symptoms of a condition or disease is a sign of how fucked up the world is, in my opinion.

[@felixoupopote]

Yeah, I snorted and said « How else am I supposed to see them? » I can barely keep up with the nod now, ok, now I have to look at you, shit, I missed what he just said stuff without also having to keep track of your country of origin or what you grandfather does for a living.

[@danim.r2276]

​@@FlanaFuguenot a decease bro but a syndrome but I agree that I think/thought that's just the right way of seeing people, y’know, as people? Human and worthy because that is basic human rights(?)

[@jamiemarsburtonmusic]

ive been diagnosed with autism (finally) earlier this year. i was told that difficulty identifying emotions (no. 49) is also known as Alexythemia and quite commonly goes with autism. it really helps me understand a lot about why i am the way that i am, and have been throughout my life.

[@CATAZTR0PHE]

Ja się nauczyłam nazywać emocje w ten sposób, że miałam spisaną listę emocji (mozna o nią poprosić terapeutę, czy znaleźć w internecie). I najpierw opisywałam jakąś sytuację (np. że się z kimś pokłóciłam, czy cokolwiek), potem patrzyłam na tę listę i spisywałam te emocje, które mi pasowały do tego, co czuję. A potem opisywałam myśli, które mam w związku z tą sytuacją. Sytuacja. Emocje. Myśli. I w taki sposób nauczyłam się identyfikować (nazywać) to, co czuję.

[@JohnnyD69FG]

It's good you narrowed it down so much.

[@jerrylockhart3069]

There is no narrow there’s more than that

[@mxlsiia]

EVERY single one of these calls me out 😭 especially the "always having to ask why" one, i always get into arguments because i keep needing to know why or i "keep asking too many questions" and even after realizing i'm autistic i still never understood why me trying to understand something is always an annoyance to people

[@l3p3]

same, it pisses me off how people could ignore reasons for things.

[@aliciarosemusic]

I feel you. I've experienced the same thing. I hate not knowing the reasons for things. Drives me nuts.

[@marnierose7816]

Same, we never grow out of the but why stage. I have learnt parenting Autistics the frustration is in people not knowing the answers and wanting you to do the research, and sometimes because to survive in the world many people settle for not knowing but miss that desire to ask why...and we live in a world that discourages people to ask why and expect us just to mindlessly go with the crowd...and we don't like to be told what to do😊

[@marnierose7816]

It also challenges people to look at themselves and why they just accept things..and many just want to conform and not stand out, so we make them uncomfortable because we often dig till we find truth.

[@QuirkyCercle]

Same! I'm also baffled at how people DON'T ask why. I'm thinking, how can you not have any questions?! 😂

[@peteracton2246]

Can I be a bit provocative? There is an often quoted truism that goes - "if you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person". However, in my decades of experience, we are really all the same in non-clinical terms, an extreme personality type. So much of my life has been text book autistic, mostly without me being aware of it. Also the experiences of other autistic people so resonate with me it's almost unbelievable. Does anyone else "feel" this to be the case?

[@loreleyvomfelsen9542]

I met with the autistic community in my area for the very first time. And I recognized them bevor entering the building. Just standing at the traffic lights in a certain kind auf manner... And it felt like "coming home to a long lost kind of family"

[@peteracton2246]

@@loreleyvomfelsen9542 No just me then! I love my tribe and understanding them helps me understand myself. Best wishes Peter

[@loreleyvomfelsen9542]

@@peteracton2246 Thank you so much. I learned more in that one meeting than in one year of depression support group... Best wishes for you too. 🌸

[@heedmydemands]

​@@loreleyvomfelsen9542 how did u find depression support group? Did u feel very anxious about the social part? I did a group thing that was about self compassion and it was in person, also it was all women and I'm a woman so that could b y it felt better, also the woman in charge I really liked, she wasn't very dominant, very sweet person. Now I'm in a virtual therapy thing which is a group for anxiety and depression and I find it really hard socially. There's often time to share and no one wants to so I feel I have to just to keep things moving and make the therapist feel like things r working smoothly. Sometimes I don't really understand what's expected and I think maybe I take too much time when I share or like idk, like I didn't say the right thing

[@heedmydemands]

I don't have the experience to say whether we are that alike with eachother yet and I'm also not 100% sure I'm autistic but it is amazing how u can feel like certain people understand u. I identify a lot with different autistic creators on youtube

[@jamesjackson161]

I'm undiagnosed/self diagnosed and I just counted 45 of those traits in myself. Thank you!

[@Ruftinator]

I also know of a good trait: paying way too much attention to something that’s pretty insignificant

[@XxBrittany20xX]

1. Hating phone calls 2. Always feeling out if sync in groups 3. Obsession over popular culture 4. Tired all the time 5. Not like being told what to do 6. Seeing people as people and not caring about social class or expectations 7. Good at something useless 8. Prefer face to face communication to avoid misunderstanding (irl. Especially when having friend issues) 9. Struggling to find a gap in group conversation 10. Being overly empathic 11. Finding inappropriate things funny 12. Always wanting to understand why 13. Thinking in pictures 14. Prefer pacing up and down instead of sitting still 15. Getting excited and interrupting ppl 16. Thinking over previous social interactions over n over again 17. Either having good memory (bout some things) or bad memory (with everything else) 18. Hating teeth brushing 19. Overwhelmed by to many tasks 20. Watching same movie/TV series 21. Awkward in groups 22. Thinking outside the box 23. having unique brilliant ideas 24. two speed productivity 25. Always finishing what u start even if you should stop 26. Scripting conversation 27. Clever but stupid ...about a quarter of traits.

[@medore13]

Actually, 27/63 is way more than a third.

[@ethanlarge3572]

About 43%, so almost half.

[@lynlee874]

I have about half these.

[@fatorangecat21]

after reading these, i present you the 64th trait: 64. just existing

[@lynlee874]

Interesting about hating teeth brushing! I do, but do it meticulously every night. Lots of others apply but I never, ever connected this with anything but a peculiarity of my own.

[@Mrs.Silversmith]

55 out of 63, so yes, this all seems a bit familiar. I didn't expect dressing in bright colors to be on the list. I love neutrals and soothing colors. Most bright colors are overstimulating for me.

[@neelubird]

I got 44 out of 63 and have long suspected that I'm borderline autistic. I mostly wear neutral colours as well. I relate to a lot of issues he mentions on this channel

[@fedoramcclaren4294]

I am on the spectrum as well, but have a disdain for wearing colours. I adore my all black wears...

[@ilovecats21]

Me too, i hate wearing bright colors. It's very overwhelming. I like to use black, gray, white etc. It's what makes me comfortable. But people criticize me for that sadly

[@JG-qg1gz]

for me I have preferences for certain textures of clothing, if it's to smooth or to rough I tend to steer clear. I will admit to not liking neon colors, I prefer darker/warm colors XD

[@dmnhntr86]

Like he said, for many of these the opposite traits apply as well. We tend to be at the extremes of a lot of things, like sensory seeking and sensory avoidance both being characteristics of autism, so some of us like the brightest colors we can find and others can't stand them.

[@MrAndrew535]

I have studied, and indeed experimented with groups for the best part of a century and, in this context, the problem is, quite categorically, not with those with so-called autism.

[@shipmaster1295]

Don’t mind me having previously thought that these were all traits that basically everyone has-

[@linden5165]

51/63 (Late-diagnosed in my 40s) There were a few more in the list I had when younger but not now - such as fear of trying new things. I'm more willing and have an easier time now I know I'm autistic, know my needs, accommodate them and work with them rather than against them. It's opened life up a lot more.

[@theandreality6069]

Copy and paste your comment for me. 33, undiagnosed, and looking into a diagnosis now.

[@luli237]

i also had some when younger and they were kind of beaten out of me. the one i miss the most is not caring what other people think of me, that one sounds so helpful at this point in my life. i hope i can regain it.

[@AidaBarreraPerez]

52/63 too. Also late-diagnosed

[@TurtleDudeProd]

I was late diagnosed as well. I feel like so many of the typical things, Ive spent so long masking and adapting that Its almost natural now. Most people that don’t know a lot about autism, would never know. Even my neuropsychologist that diagnosed me, had a bit of trouble at first.

[@lolitajade]

About to go through Dx process I scored 50 plus I always round down as some screeners ill do with doing that to avoid any likely misreads. All end up higher than expected, its quite considerable. I think knowing for sure will be a lot I am failing masking its starting to be way too much strain for added things aka life on fire

[@wilko871]

It was my parents who convinced me I wasn't autistic. For years I took medication for mental health conditions I never had! The behavioural issues as an adult meant I was in trouble with the law all the time, so it truly can destroy lives. Your videos are a fantastic way of raising awareness. When I understood how I felt it became easier to predict and cope with. I am still a very lonely, but completely healthy autistic adult, and take no medication at all. My anxiety is limited to crowded or noisy environments, whereas before it would intrude into everything. Thank you! If there are any people here who this sounds familiar to, and you'd like some advice, I'm always looking for friends...

[@marnierose7816]

Same here did the whole gambit of mental health cycle and spat out otherside. Happy to be friends😊

[@nancypardee8310]

I would love to be your friend.

[@kit049]

My parents kept me shielded from mental health for a long time and just assumed I was an anxious child who would grow out of my neurotic tendencies. I am 26 now and I am not diagnosed with autism but it makes so much sense if it were to be true. How have you managed your anxieties day to day? I am suspecting I have a PDA profile so anxieties come from demands even like if I decide I want to watch a show to make a KZbin video on it suddenly I'm terrified to watch the show amd my brain turns to static when I try to start.

[@jennajoseph893]

Hello, new friend!!

[@TinyLittleSilver]

Oof. Did not expect to have 50 out of the 63 mentioned. It became clear a couple days ago that there's a very high chance I am, plus I have a sister already diagnosed with autism. Been watching several videos now and these are just cementing the suspicions

[@penguin_evere]

35 out of 63. wouldn't be surprised if i was, or if i wasn't. same thing with adhd. trait that resonates most with me is the obsession with tvs and movies, watching them over and over not getting enough. how to train your dragon has always been my favorite movie series, and i can't even count how many times i've wanted to watch one of the movies again just a day after i last watched it

[@EnglishMathTutor]

Relating to animals more than people = YES! I relate to this one so much. I have always loved dogs more than other animals and animals more than people. I've been told that I'm cold and heartless, because I "wasn't upset enough" at my grandmother's funeral.

[@nerf_or_nothin9551]

Same, but with my cats. Didn't even shed a tear at my grandma's death, but was "over the top" upset when my cat passed

[@ravenmeyer3740]

Relate to trees and plants.

[@twisttytails]

same i didn't shed a tear at my great grandma's funeral but when the neighbor's cat died i was bawling i can read animal expression and body language, but not human

[@twisttytails]

@@ravenmeyer3740 sammmeeeeeeeeee

[@wolfe6220]

Of the 5 funerals for family/friends, the only one that upset me was the one for my best friend. Every pet death though has sent me into months long depression.

[@kai_desu]

17. really hit me. I work in a grocery store and we're expected to "look out for suspicious people" or just not help them. A man had come over and asked for some food, I handed it to him like nothing was wrong and noticed he had nose drippings so I offered a napkin. My coworker told me later how creeped out she was in seeing him and why I helped him. Or when I helped someone to the bathroom cause there's a code on the door, and another coworker asked why I allowed him in the bathroom. I'm clearly not cut out for this.

[@Arvak777]

Same. I think it's just the world we live in is devoid of community and we are forced to put people into boxes and judge them accordingly. It feels heartless

[@theuncalledfor]

"Why'd you let him in the bathroom?!" "So he can use it, duh. That's what a bathroom is for."

[@Iquey]

Thank you for letting people use the bathroom. I don't like shoplifters at my retail job but at the same time everyone deserves the dignity to use a toilet.

[@Beefywheels]

No, no, that’s called being kind and non-judgemental and it’s a beautiful trait! Please never change!

[@wintergray1221]

I do not understand what was wrong with either of those situations. Man has a cold but can't get some food? Someone needs the restroom? You'd better let them in because the alternative is a big mess on the floor.

[@MrAndrew535]

Autism can be characterised as having no control over one's perception of social convention. This includes every adult, without exception, on the planet. To understand this, one needs to have a firm grasp of the difference between perceiving a thing and seeing it. In order to see a thing, one needs to be fully cognizant of the context which imbues that thing with meaning and value. Who is Fully cognizant of such things (beyond myself, of course)? No one!

[@marilfortyseven]

I'm supposed to be getting diagnosed on a later date, but I still wanted to count how many traits I had that you listed! I got 50/63 :)

[@cosmicrift2763]

a lot of this video speaks to me, especially the memory part. I can remember every detail about one specific unimportant day 5 years ago but not the things i just learned a week ago

[@metalhead_girl06]

Same. I can memorize and recount the most useless/unimportant information from years ago but I cannot for the life of me remember anything I don't learn.

[@kyladevantier495]

As some others have said, I’m undiagnosed, but my son is on the spectrum. That has forced me to look in the mirror and question myself. My mom has told me that when I was younger she always used to say about me, “how can someone so booksmart have no common sense?” 😂

[@icasuallyexist]

Ah my mother says that to me a lot

[@myownlilbubble]

Same here......my son is diagnosed as autistic and through his early intervention programme and therapies....I saw similar behaviours from my own childhood.....

[@allcatz]

Me too. I have a child (now an adult) who was diagnosed with being on the spectrum. We have similar traits, and I think I am also.

[@twisttytails]

ah yes- my booksmarts are like that of the teacher in front of me but i can't even think to put blankets on my bed, i just end up freezing

[@thecreativeintuitive]

Many of these can also be ADHD. I’m diagnosed ADHD and my son is Autistic. I think we all have traits of both in my family 😊

[@susboi7134]

I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism about 2 years ago and never agreed with it until I saw this video and 56 of the 63 things apply to me.

[@biljam972]

Almost all of these. No one ever thought I am autistic, but I started to doubt recently.

[@jaredrodriguez9784]

I'm not diagnosed with autism, but I am diagnosed with ADHD combined, anxiety and depression and I find that I can relate to a lot of the symptoms people with autism tend to experience. For example, all the social anxiety and the forgetfulness and interrupting people when excited and having a very bad sense of humor. I've been trying to get tested for autism, but with my other diagnoses I've found it hard to convince my doctors that I should get tested at all because most of my symptoms can be chalked down to what I'm already diagnosed with. But as of right now I'm not diagnosed, so I'm not going to say I'm autistic. But I am going to say that I can relate.

[@BreadWrenner]

Same, diagnosed with adhd-c and anxiety (and on an antidepressant) and I related to at least 40 of these 63 things. I don’t think an official autism diagnosis would help me right now, but it’s really interesting and comforting finding things relatable

[@dirtybies]

I also got diagnosed adhd and feel like the traits that are mentioned seem very familiar, 42/63.

[@no-gracias9863]

I alwayas play back conversations and plan for the future, i am also always anxious, would like to test myself

[@UJT-ft8ye]

47 out of 63 do I pass as autistic

[@unibirb]

wait you have adhd and anxiety and your doctors don't think there's a possibility of asd?? wtf? its fairly common for people with asd to also have adhd, ocd, and/or anxiety

[@brucewelnack6382]

I was diagnosed with Asperger’s at 52. Suddenly everything made sense and I see it as a gift except that maintaining romantic relationships have always been short lived. Mostly I prefer to be alone 90% of the time.

[@InfiniteBeach101]

OMG me too, I'm twenty something but romantic relationships feel too much of hassle for me and I want to be alone which drives them crazy

[@undergroundDisc]

52/63. started talking when i was likeeeee a month old?? I NEED TO EXPLORE THIS!!

[@undergroundDisc]

sorry this comment makes no sense, got a little too excited sorry

[@zenmama4160]

Love self diagnosis using lists so thanks for this. I think the first video I came across of yours was about misunderstanding over the wearing of shoes indoors in Sweden. Nice channel

[@nancyskinner5207]

I am 72 years old and this video describes me in so many ways. I am just comforted to know I am not alone. I am so sensitive to others that I’ve always thought of myself as empathic. Lately I have to schedule less and less contact with people because I just can’t cope. No one would believe this because people think of me as friendly and outgoing. When I’m with people something takes over and I’m focused on the other person listening,empathizing,encouraging. I have learned to be able to talk to anyone, especially if they seem uncomfortable or troubled. But later I pay an awful price. I won’t be seeking out a group of people similar to myself because that would be even more stressful; but I thank you for your work and videos. I am just going to appreciate who I am and try to take better care of myself. Who would have thought? Autism is something I would have never dreamed of; but it make’s perfect sense now. I think this will give me some peace.

[@alida756]

I wish you all the best. Actually happy to read that you, as a 72 year old, find comfort in this video & the posibility that you might have found your answer. Never forget, you're never alone 🫶🏻

[@blackcyklops]

Planning conversations in advance, two speed productivity, preferring written conversation, someone so clever being so (SO) stupid, (very, very)comfortable being alone (and only being alone) - all of these are so relatable for me. In total, I counted around 45 traits which matched me 😶

[@rileydruley3993]

So I'm not the only one who had to stop and count! 😂 I got 55-58 depending on if you count things I "got over"

[@leakekeritz8825]

I've got 55 of 63. But due to my "hypersensitive emotional detection abilities" 😉 I didn't think that autism is a thing in our family. But many AD(H)D's, several burnouts, many highly sensitive relatives, highly intelligent and gifted - but always kind of being off the "normalos"... Thank you for the traits list!

[@MrAndrew535]

"An aversion to popular culture" the root of which, is the word, "cult", much like, "adult" is the root word of "adulterated".

[@dazryan3463]

I scored 55/63. What did I win? Actually just nice to know I am not alone in the way I interact with the rest of the world

[@heedmydemands]

Virtual high 5!

[@stevedryden803]

I was officially diagnosed last week at 61

[@StayTiny4life]

58/63, I’m not diagnosed with anything(haven’t gone for a test) but almost everything applies 🧐 I’m not surprised though.😅 Great video!

[@charleston1789]

47.5 because I am pedantic and some of these applied only some of the time but when they do it is intense. Also difficulty regulating body temperature is a common one, hyper or hypo sensitivity to taste, info-dumping as a means of bonding with others, there are so many.

[@jutta3378]

Just got diagnosed this January. Your channel has helped me enormously over the last few months. I counted about 46 traits that I definitely have. I find it so comforting to know that there are so many other people who experience the world in similar ways.

[@Sbag3588]

I think I got about 57 😆 that’s a great list. I like hearing these kind of descriptions rather than the text book ones - it’s the sometimes subtle aspects of our daily lives that are unmistakeable ND when you put it all together

[@dlynne2131]

i always question whether or not i'm autistic enough or even autistic at all bc i've never been clinically diagnosed. and then i see others talking abt their autistic experiences and i feel very seen and heard. my results: 54 out of 63

[@mairaleao]

"Being either too much or not enough"... by any chance do you know me personally?!!😅. I've got 80~90% of this list. I'm officially going through the evaluation diagnosis process rn (I'm 35), but for myself is so blatantly obvious how my life has started making so much sense after I started educating myself on ASD. Sometimes is very tough tho, bc I'm way too trained at masking and common sense only acknowledges very extreme stereotypical autistic traits. So watching a video like this is very soothing and reassuring for me.

[@moxytherapy3934]

I laughed so hard watching this! My boyfriend started calling me Literal Lucy a few years ago, makes us both laugh. Another joke we have is that I don't like going 'anywhere the general public gathers'. My non-verbals are epic. My mind goes way too fast for my words to catch up, exhausts me to try to put my thoughts into words. I frequently default to non-verbals to finish my sentences--something I never knew until he started teasing me about it. Can't lie or even spin the truth to save my life and I go crazy when others lie. These are only a few of my behaviors that I'm discovering at the age of 57 are signs of autism (he has no idea, just a keen observer). Anyway, AWESOME VIDEO, thank you!! 🐥

[@sherrattpemberton6089]

Oh my god I can relate sooo much to "My mind goes way too fast for my words to catch up." Even worse with typing.

[@vitart-info]

wait a minute! I had an idea you were describing me, but when you said you are also 57... Aren't you a Gemini, by occasion?

[@stillnotstill]

Premires in 34 hours: what do you mean i gotta wait! 😅

[@ronanbakker]

I have the worst form of autism in existance so like 40-50 outside of monotone voice because I have very tonal voice and I can recognize and speak about emotions and stop with tasks timely. Thanks for your efforts and have a nice day brother!

[@NouveauPopulist]

"Think you're autistic? Join one of our social events..." and then recoil at the idea of being *social* with others.

[@emilyosler6664]

I'm a private teacher and I seem to attract many autistic students, with whom I connect in various surprising ways! Thank you for this precious information!!!

[@dlight9849]

2:48 Enjoying repetition. Enjoying repetition. Enjoying repetition. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 It's like we've meet before. Excellence sense of humor.

[@MegaTriumph1]

Seeing people as people now I realize people can have deep hangups and I should be more vanilla in my understanding. This whole thing was an eye opener and very interesting.

[@Samantha-jd6hv]

about a year ish ago I learned I was on the spectrum and at first it made me really upset, but the "How can someone be so clever be so stupid" and the seeing details others miss/not being able to find a gap have been my biggest problems with Autism, I related to 56/63 of those