8 Signs Of AUTISM In SCHOOL | What I Wish Teachers Saw

[@idkwuzgoinon]

I remember when I was growing up (I have depression and I suspect I might have adhd and autism). My mom would clean my room for me while I was in school or out and about. I appreciate her helping me out but I would get so distressed when I couldn’t find something that she had moved. Sometimes she forgot where she moved it. Same thing with laundry she often mixed up my clothes with my brothers. I eventually started doing my own laundry. My poor mother lol.

[@nekochadechu]

Same i have breakdowns everytime my mom starts cleaning my room even a little bit, the worst is that it's my fault for not cleaning it and she can't bear seeing it like that but it's so hard for me to clean my room i probably have executive function issues

[@jianlisa4885]

Same! I also can’t keep my room tidy and organized so I’ll have to let my mom clean it sometimes. I appreciate it but it’s so annoying 😢

[@realpaigelayle]

Lol. I hope my mom sees this comment, cause it is all too relatable. She cleaned my room maybe 5 times, cause I think by the 5th time she got that her desire to keep her house clean and organized was not worth the meltdown and inevitable shutdown that followed. She is allowed to do my dishes though when she comes over now!! Cause screw the dishes lol. Win-win there

[@2002stylan]

omg what? is this an asd thing??? i used to cry bc my mom hates “loose paper” and would buy me countless sketchbooks but i insisted on using printer paper and then having a full on meltdown when she’d move it or organize it 🥴

[@Maorawrath]

@@realpaigelayle I think you might find this interesting Paige Layle. The Autistic Neanderthal Theory kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqnbeJyDYtp6rpY

[@ashleywillis6601]

My son was diagnosed in 2016, he’s now 6 and I’m doing everything in my power to listen to what he needs. My daughter, however, was born in 2018 and I KNOW she’s autistic and nobody wants to formally diagnose her because she’s “so smart” and I’m over here screaming. 🤬😩

[@_wish_it_believe_it_]

I feel this on a deeper level 😅 My brother was diagnosed at a young age. I however had to get tested 3 times to eventually get my autistic diagnosis when I was already 16 y/o (Thankfully my mum was sure I am autistic and didn't give up)

[@theghcu]

Yeah, that hurts, bad. It's so vile to me that people still grant a negative connotation to autism. Being smart or gifted will not help when the struggles and social pressures and problems begin. If anything, it will not only make her more keenly aware of the differences, but it will cause the majority to blame her and sometimes be aggressive instead of recognizing her struggles for what they are. It took the first 13-14 years of my life to be able to feel a meltdown coming on before it happened and walk away because i was only ever told it was my temper. Once I started doing that, all I got was that I was being childish for walking away and I should just take it like a man because I didn't have a right to get angry in the first place. Now at 41, having only just been diagnosed this year, I am just now learning to not only step away, but remove the bright light and other overwhelming stimuli, and talk myself through what I'm experiencing and actually be able then to avert some meltdowns. Don't even get me started on learning the differences between ND and NT communication this late in life. Denotation beats connotation every single time. Thank you for not letting up, and keep moving to get her evaluated. Stay strong!

[@magicalwatermelon5147]

Thank you for advocating for your kid

[@stef.jane20]

Aww i hope your daughter finds the help and doctors she needs 🥺

[@Catlily5]

I was smart. I did well in school until college. College was too much for me. The work wasn't too hard but my executive functioning could not handle it.

[@tessdevenney3178]

As an autistic early childhood educator this video hits so close to home! My cooperating teachers are baffled at how I can build rapport with the 'odd' and/or 'difficult' kids (and the pre-verbal ones). It's pretty easy to do because I felt the same as a kid and struggled in the same ways. It's a huge part of why I'm a teacher!

[@strawberrymarshmallow7370]

Thank you for everything you do!!

[@malloryhowarth9905]

You sound like a wonderful teacher!

[@iamtheaether]

Your being in this world gives me hope for a better one

[@Munawa3atwatra2if]

❤❤❤

[@oscarhernandez-ou9jh]

Thanks for being such an amazing human being

[@mert828]

I'm autistic and I don't get hung up on abstract concepts. I just think it's weird that we can't just read a story for the sake of a story without reading a bunch of other shit into it. I get the idea. I just don't find that it helps me enjoy the story or whatever. I took a literature and history class combined in college and it was wonderful because it really put the stories in context and made that stuff make more sense.

[@k2990j]

History!! I think art museums are only interesting when you have a working knowledge of the history of each piece. So basically, no art museum is interesting :/

[@alienrat-z3g]

as far as I know I'm not autistic, but I too hate having to interpret literature. Even if I liked a story or poem or play before, interpretation at school will ruin it for me.

[@Nerodotnet]

Thisss

[@stormapparition]

Thats like me too, i like abstract concepts and symbolization

[@damienwit]

abstract concepts make sense but i don't get why they have to exist. why does the uneven rhyme structure have to represent uneasiness in the poets life>

[@kneonspace]

For people who struggle with language's know that dyslexia can also be a co-morbit disorder of autism but it doesn't have to be. And being bad at grammar, spelling, reading or learning new languages doesn't have to be caused by dyslexia but very well could be.

[@claireisabella7898]

they are not necessarily opposites! especially bc hyperlexia refers to a phenomenon in young children whereas dyslexia is a lifelong developmental disability

[@allyjean7020]

I swear in a different video she says she’s dyslexic so this really confused me

[@lelalu101]

I am both!

[@lsmmoore1]

You can also have hyperlexia and make dyslexia-style errors, in the past and/or present. So yeah, it gets weird.

[@winniefindstheway]

I am pretty sure i have both hyperlexia and dyslexia 😅

[@anyawatchesmovies]

I just recently started thinking that i could be autistic (I'm turning 23 in a couple of days) and basically all my experience can be summarised in one phrase: "wait, so you wanna say, that this thing that I've been doing my whole life is not normal?" I mean, i have three exact same cardigans and two exact same beanies. My mom hates that i wear the same things for years and just buys me the same ones so i at least don't look like garbage. Didn't even think about it before.

[@jcothers1]

I get that! If I find something comfortable I just buy it in every color possible so I have lots of choices of the same thing 😆

[@kajielin4354]

I've been diagnosed for two years now, back when I was 23! And I'll tell you, this experience keeps on going for longer than you might think. I still often have those "wait not everyone does/feels this?!"

[@rachelthompson7487]

Kinda similar for me I'm 23 found out when I was 22

[@epoodlesahoi]

I have a friend who has the same coat for 12 years, another friend of mine wears the same hat for over 14 years, for me I keep plushies. I am having a hard time because I have become healthier and need basicly all new clothes cause everything i owned no longer fits. Its been hard letting go. I want to find the same 3 skirts i had to give away :(

[@justahuman9273]

I really like your profile name 😂👍

[@degrassiglee2]

I was so quiet and shy in school that when I started kindergarten I would literally throw up before school because I was so anxious about school. I had very few friends at school and they all took advantage of me or were dominant over me. My teachers wouldn't have much to say to my parents at parent-teacher conferences because I was just "so polite and quiet" so the teachers didn't really pay attention to me at all because I was not problematic for them. I struggled with understanding what we were learning and always felt that I wasn't as smart as others because I wasn't able to get things as fast. I wouldn't ever raise my hand and would be mortified when a teacher would randomly pick me to answer something or read out loud. I wouldn't even ask to go to the bathroom so I would hold everything in all day or go to the bathroom if I went home for lunch. I wasn't coordinated at all and hated gym class. I came in almost last place for everything in track and field. I despised doing group activities and would intentionally try to not get involved as much as possible. I would ask my parents to write notes to the teacher asking if I could do my presentations at recess so I didn't have to present in front of the class. I am not sure if I am autistic as I'm waiting to see a psychologist but there WAS something wrong and I struggled so much and I know there has to be a reason for that and I feel like I've been trying to find that reason for my entire life.

[@MissMotita]

I'm the same. Well, now, I'm a bit better because I learned how to behave/ say things. I don't know for certain what it is. What caused it. I have theories like avoidant personality disorder. Or maybe autism? But not 100 percent sure.

[@fact_got]

@@MissMotita learning how to behave could be masking

[@jbug884]

When you find out, could you please report back. I could’ve written what you said word for word. I’m desperate for answers too. Thanks x

[@beckymcdonald9529]

I'm in this boat with y'all. I got diagnosed with ADHD a week after I turned 38. I have always know that my brain worked differently. I relate to a lot of this. Now that my ADHD is being treated, my depression and anxiety have almost disappeared. I'm beginning to suspect I'm also on the autism spectrum. It's surreal to look back on my life and see all the things that were ND related

[@shhh_itsmegs]

I could of wrote your comment myself. I was exactly the same. I felt sick everyday and wanted to stay home since kindergarten. I also had sensory issues as a kid and diagnosed with ocd at 7/8. Presentations are the worst for me, I started panicking about it in middle school and by high school I had to leave school because of it. I did online high school after that. It’s been a real struggle, and after a brief meeting with a psychologist he said it could be social phobia, or ASD. Considering the sensory issues and OCD, difficulty with change as a kid I’m leaning toward the latter. Now I’m about to start an evaluation for ASD this week. I hope you /we receive answers and support. We all deserve that.

[@racheluomini5134]

OH MY GOODNESS. I distinctly remember being in middle school English class and the teacher said "read between the lines." And I physically looked in between the lines trying to find what they were talking about. I thought it was like one of those seeing eye puzzles where you have to look past it to see the picture and was so confused why everyone could see the "hidden words" and I couldn't

[@DhhskkHehdis]

This doc helped my son improve and get over autism with his herbs His name is Dr Oyalo on channel My sons speech and behavior/social skill has improved perfectly using his herbs

[@Rockwith_gyu]

omg you just unlocked a very similar memory, even to this day when people say “read between the lines” i visually picture something between the lines even if i’ve learned what it means

[@readsamread]

I love that you said you loved the swings--it was the easiest way to be a loner in elementary school for me! I'm 30 and I still go on the swings any chance I get :)

[@alibongo818]

My people

[@thetonytaye]

My family has the same swing set from my brothers and I were kids and I still find myself using it at 21 lol.

[@thisisepic3052]

Swings fan club💗lol

[@sleepyspacegremlin]

Swings are autistic ❤

[@Jennifer-uv7kp]

I over achieved and failed, all through school. Nobody cared and the teachers knew I was a weirdo, and some teachers would encourage the other kids to make fun of me, because the teachers were pissed because I needed extra help. Daydreamed my whole way through until grade 12. I failed high school , got my diploma 10 years later, went to university failed that after 2 and a half years, then years later diagnosed with ADHD and C-PTSD along with crippling anxiety and depression. Now im trying to go back to finish school online. Paige you basically explained me during gym, and trying to share. I will tear up to this day if someone takes or touches my stuff. My family just laughs and calls me selfish, no matter how many times I tell them to please stop. It feels good to hear you explaining alot of my struggles. Thank you!

[@gracemiller520]

You are so much loved and you are wanted and you have a right to be heard and included!

[@CatherineLee3000]

Those teachers should get fired. If they cannot teach, if they bully someone who is different and they encourage others to bully, they should not have a job working with kids, and especially those who have autism, or something like that. Your family is selfish. Not you. They refuse to hear your side of things. They don't have a backbone. I say, from what it sounds like, this is an "Every accusation is a confession" case, and that is what your family is doing. You are loved here (in the comments section). I hope things are getting better for you. I was diagnosed when I was two. I have dealt with my fair share of idiots. It seems when people don't understand, they want to fix, or want to get away from that person, which is wrong. This "fixing" and "running away" behavior from people who are different, and that behavior needs to stop. It is super immature. They never said I was not smart, in-fact, they praised me for how smart I am, but I have had someone try to get me to stay in the building when there was a fire drill--I am sound-sensitive to certain sounds (but I had my dad talk to her, and she apologized profusely to me). My dad is someone you don't want to piss off. I never stayed in for a fire drill. People don't understand the struggles we have to go through. I believe that teachers need to be taught that some "normal, everyday" things could have a negative impact on people with autism, and they NEED to understand that. It's things like that, they don't understand. - Catherine

[@lupen_rein]

I think a lot of autistic people fail in neurotypical school systems, but they are good when they can do it again as an adult because the school setting there tends to be better suited for them, like autonomous learning, online settings, more accommodations for your own learning styles etc.

[@leilap2495]

I remember being 18, attending a dance class, and the instructor was talking about me like I was a person with some sort of “special need.” She would notice and comment on my rhythm/musicality like I was some sort of a freak. At the end of the course, she came up to me and proceeded to give me tips on how to integrate the hemispheres of my brain through moving opposing sides of my body to the other side. I just looked at her perplexed, thinking she must think I am intellectually impaired. She was the first person to make a comment about my brain to me. It amazes me that through all of school, nobody seemed to notice or care.

[@autisticavenger3197]

During recess I would literally just walk around, daydream and fidget... And I got made fun of a bunch of times for it. I also hated fire drills because the sound was too loud and abrupt... and when I finally mentioned it to the schools they either let me stay home or go outside ahead of time. I was fine with lockdowns, though, because they weren't loud and abrupt.

[@rachelm9350]

yeah i had a kick me sign stuck on me multiple times by some brats... one of which i had to drop kick then that stopped....

[@chloegibbons2066]

at my school they play a siren during the entire lockdown drill and they also don’t tell us in advance

[@hishouha]

Omg yes I HATE fire drills already that I have a big phobia of my house burning down and stuff, fire drills scared me so much. Now it’s more about the sound, the alarms are so loud and there are people everywhere…

[@benji01]

Same here. Except, I would pace back and forth and daydream. When my school allowed the class to listen to their music players during class, it was a dream come true, haha. My ear buds cancelled-out any noise, and I paced in the beginning of gym class. The teachers thought my pacing was rather strange, but they figured, at least I was physically active and not sitting down. Fire drills were the worst! They're loud, abrupt, and the worst part was that the alarm got louder as the class would walk down the hallway. Since I have spastic hemiplegia, an abrupt noise can cause my left side to spaz-out, heh.

[@rachelm9350]

@@sandpiper_ that sounds horrible... :0. Some annoying person set off our school fire alarm and I ran out as fast as possible it was so awful.

[@jcothers1]

Holy crap. I didn’t know anything about reading connected to Autism. I always tested off the charts when we did those stupid tests. They went to “college level” and that was it. I tested above that level and they kind of shrugged. So what I was reading in elementary school I had to re-read in High School and it confused me on a sub atomic level. I feel like a big weight of my weirdness has been lifted so thank you! I’m 39 *no idea how that happened 😅* and I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 28 and it was my daughter who started diagnosing me. She was in Middle School and spent every summer since 1st grade going to summer school to help the “special ed” teacher and the kids that had to stay an extra two weeks for extra help. She was so so good with those kids and the teacher adored her ❤ and by 6th grade she had spent so much time with a variety of kids, several of whom were autistic that she started noticing it in me too. She set up a meeting for me with the special teacher and my life turned upside down. And yes, my kid set up the meeting that I didn’t even ask for 😂😂 she is so like me in so many ways but she has the social thing down.

[@charlenedalrymple7739]

Awww, your daughter sounds awesome!

[@jcothers1]

@@charlenedalrymple7739 she is indeed! She’s 22 now and has become an even more amazing person ❤️❤️🌟🌟 I am very blessed

[@JD96893]

People who are autistic are much more likely to have other developmental disorders like dyslexia or adhd. Vice versa as well. I can't remember the exact statistic, but if you are neurodivergent it's worth checking if you have autism.

[@jcothers1]

@@JD96893 yes they do have a high chance of comorbidity. Not the case for me. They tried to diagnose me as having ADD first , put me on some meds and I was high as a kite. For anyone who doesn’t know, if you don’t have ADD or ADHD then the meds used to help those will act like a stimulant to those without it. 🌟

[@k.lambda4948]

hyperlexia FTW!

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

*Every one* of these resonated with me. I was just telling my husband about when I was in middle school and my mother told me to give away my favorite doll to her friend’s daughter, since I no longer played with it. I had such a deep, visceral feeling of horrified shock and indignation at the ‘injustice’ of it! I refused and she made me feel selfish for it, though I did (admittedly with reluctance) choose a different, less loved, doll to give away. Relating the story *still* grips my gut with an intense conflicting combination of rage and shame. *I am in my 60s* and just recently realized that I’m likely autistic. Explains SO much!

[@dolphone6748]

wow, I didn't realize people in their sixties even really use KZbin, let alone watch Gen Z content creators.

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

@@dolphone6748 I don’t see why I *wouldn’t* do either of those simply because I’m older. I don’t think you meant to be unkind by stereotyping me, so I won’t take offense. We all have a lot to learn from one other -regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion (or lack thereof), political affiliation, physical challenges, or neurology- if we are open to seeing each person as the unique *individual* they are, rather than our own preconceived ideas of any of those things. Someday you will wake up to suddenly find that you are old. But, *you will still be YOU inside.* 😉

[@elyssiacook6913]

@@altitudeiseverything3163 👏👏👏

[@melaniegrace7707]

@@altitudeiseverything3163 absolutely love your comment. I personally got frustrated at the preconception but just so deeply admire how you handled responding to the assumption

[@altitudeiseverything3163]

@@melaniegrace7707 Thank you. ❤️

[@bruce5]

Time stamps: 0:00: Intro. 2:01: Hyperlexia. 3:27: Friends r hard. :/ 4:28: Not good at team sports specifically. 6:02: Not good at English. 7:17: Repitition in everything. 7:47: Change is distressing. 9:29: Don't touch my stuff. 11:29: Everyone thought I was different.

[@carlypolnik163]

This is very insightful and well presented Paige. Thank you. As a teacher I’ve worked really hard to educate myself about ASD, especially in females and it’s really paid off. My reactions and expectations for students who struggle in ways you described has definitely changed as I’ve learned more. What I find so, so hard is communicating this to parents!! They will sit with me and agree that the emotional reactions are too large, the adherence to routines and sameness is not typical, the social stuff is hard… but as soon as I mention Autism, they freak out!! I just wish everyone knew that autism is not a tragedy! It’s not a thing that is “wrong” with your child. It’s just a different way of thinking and moving in the world. And accommodations and self-awareness matter!!

[@shlawgb0b]

thank you for being there for your students!

[@MaryanaMaskar]

Those parents are telling you "I'd rather make sure my daughter doesn't get any assistance than be subjected to social stigma" This is infuriating!

[@andrewclark3157]

So. I am 45 years old and have struggled my entire life. Recently (2 months ago) diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and as the dr phrased it, might be dipping my toes into the autism spectrum. The first two were not unexpected, I was seeking assistance because of constant struggle after all. But the last bit, that set me back a little. All representations of autism that I had ever seen were of bizarre behavior. Severely debilitating differences, at least in some realms. I literally couldn’t even look directly at the part of the write up that mentioned it without feeling…like my core beliefs about who and what I was were under assault. It was very unsettling. And yet, I love the truth, and to be completely honest the ADHD and OCD did not explain everything. So I started watching a few videos here on KZbin, doing a small amount of reading. I could see some bits here and there that seemed to fit, but still didn’t feel quite right. I stumbled upon a lady that makes videos here, Mom on the Spectrum, who was also diagnosed with both. And listening to her and reading through the comments finally drove it home. It answered everything. The love of routine, but also the mind bending desire to shake up routines when they got boring. Anyway, not trying to start a novel writing career here in the comments, just trying to say that harsh judgement for not fitting a particular mold can effect anyone, neuro-diverse children, or even their potentially undiagnosed neuro-diverse or neuro-typical parents. Sometimes, it can be best to start with discussing the issues and solutions surrounding them, and ease into use of the label of autism. For whatever reason that particular label seems to have a special ability to change how others view you from human into something other. Incomprehensible and foreign. The label even affected my view of myself that way for quite a while. Thank you for trying so hard to understand and advocate for and care for those students in your care.

[@cc_snipergirl]

My parents were like that. If they're really resistant to the autism diagnosis, and their kid is high-functioning, try suggesting Sensory Processing Disorder. It's basically the sensory symptoms of autism and arguably may not even be a separate diagnosis. The difference is that they may be more open to it, and it'll give them something to look into and gain a better understanding. I've never gotten an official diagnosis, but someone suggesting SPD to my parents instead of autism significantly improved their patience with me and my quality of life. It would be nice if the stigma wasn't there, but suggesting something similar could be more helpful for the person with autism than trying to change preconceived notions.

[@cc_snipergirl]

@@MaryanaMaskar It comes from a place of love. You have to remember that our current understanding of autism is not that old.

[@madisonlayne53]

I'm autistic and a special education teacher. i absolutely love my job because I am able to teach social/emotional lessons to kids who are just like me! I'm able to give them another perspective from someone on the spectrum, and I've helped four kiddos get diagnosed to receive the services and accommodations they need:)

[@AskDrDoreen]

Awesome!!

[@jeng6786]

I- please help me understand how to interact with kids like this because I try, but I think I'm doing it wrong. For instance a little girl stays by the wall. For snack time other teacher wants to eat in blanket on the floor. Girl is still by wall, I try to show her what the food is (she already said yes to wanting to eat and pointed at the what she wanted) and walk to the blanket with it. I set it down and hope for the girl to come over. But the other kids try taking it so I hold it up instead. The other teacher wants me to set it down so I set it down and try to keep the other kids away. She eventually makes it to the blanket, but the other teacher seems to think she doesn't want it and the kids are done so she picks it up and puts it away. I tell her she still wants it and we find a seat at a table for her while the other kids play. (Hind sight I wish I would of given her the table option earlier because I think the other kids were scaring her, but I didn't know what to do at the time but I could tell she was distressed. Situation two little boy running around finally came to a stop on the blanket (just before the situation with the little girl) and he sat down. I went to give him his food but the other teacher wanted him to acknowledge he would sit on the blanket to eat it. I stayed still so Im my mind that was a yes, but she didn't want me to give it to him. He stayed still so I tried handing it to him again, but the teacher again was waiting for verbal confirmation, but I wasn't sure he could and also thought his being still was an answer, but she didn't think so. What should we have done in that instance to help. Also that little boy was rambunctious and we had a hard time engaging him, what could have helped?

[@tazyou11]

Unfortunately I grew up in the late sixties, seventies and eighties, so not much was known about Autism. I was told at age 5 I had a Fine Motor Disability and my mom was told, don't bother trying to do anything about it. Later on with a different pediatrician, he said try video games for hand/eye coordination. I was actually diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was about age 40, so isn't that great. I had a tough time growing up and suffered with pretty much everything said in this video.

[@faeriesmak]

I did as well. I am 47. I remember my school telling my Mom that I could not skip and that she needed to work on that with me. The 70s and 80s were not great for kids who had differences at all.

[@tazyou11]

@@faeriesmak I am totally with you on all you say

[@theghcu]

80's-90's for me. Walk on balls of feet, check. Line up toys, well, lined up and categorized by color, type, and body style, check. Fascinated by spinning things, motion, and mechanical systems, double check. Could tell if my things were moved, check, even only a few millimeters. Had a routine for every task, check. Doesn't like change, check, please notify me in advance so I can adjust my expectations. Could take apart, reassemble (without extra pieces), and describe in detail the functioning and mechanisms of every toy I owned before kindergarten, check (didn't even hear of pre-k until third grade.) Hate rough or itchy fabric (yay burlap and wool socks,) plastic wind breakers with the seems that cut into your wrists, tags, or the elastic leg holes of tighty whiteys that dig into groin, triple check. Never wear shorts, never walk barefoot, always have a long sleeve or jacket to throw on over that tee shirt, check. Hated loud, repetitive, or high pitched sounds, check. Would watch the same movie or listen to the same song on repeat for hours on end, check. Hate crowds, check. Hate bright light (> 40 Watt,) check. Hated food touching each other, check. Have a temper, check, funny how it always seemed to flare up in bright, loud, human ridden and stressful environments when people are all up in your grill. You can hit a baseball better than 90% of your classmates, pass every fitness test with flying colors, taught yourself to dribble and sink a ball from everywhere but the 3 point line first try, throw a near perfect spiral, climb the rope with only your hands, can't be touched in dodgeball, can run a 6 minute mile on your first try, and make nearly straight A's in all of your academics. What do you mean nobody taught you how to play sportsball? What do you mean you don't know the rules? Everybody knows the rules! Your just lying, nobody teaches those things, you just figure it out! Maybe if I smack you in the back of your head or jump down your throat you'll figure it out! Maybe if you didn't spend your free time grid searching the playground and tapping your fingers, or shooting hoops, practicing that spiral, or hitting baseballs alone you'd have some friends! Why do you run yourself through the obstacle course over and over again? Why does your leg always bounce when you work at your desk, sometimes both? Why are you more engaged in class when I let you pace at the back of the room? Why do you listen better when you face a wall? Why do you always want to talk about computers, science, video games, and nerd crap? Why do you always have these weirdly specific questions about everything? Why when I dress you down can you not look me in the eye, then you either get so mad you start punching yourself in the head like you're in a bar fight or go completely silent and still for like 30 minutes? I mean, what's wrong with you? Do you think you're better than everyone else? Nah, you're an eccentric gifted kid! Never one single question raised by a teacher or coach, except that I didn't answer to "Randy" (my dad's name.) Yep, never showed a single sign of ASD (diagnosed @ 41) or ADHD (diagnosed @23 and again @41...)

[@faeriesmak]

@@theghcu A lot of what you are saying here applies to both of my sons and they were in school from about 2005 to the present. My eldest was never diagnosed even though he is a textbook case of ASD. He was only ever diagnosed with ADHD. My youngest also was not diagnosed until he started to do very, very badly and we needed to switch child psychiatrists due to the ONLY ONE in the area retiring. He was diagnosed by her within 45 minutes and then again by the school during some intensive testing to get an IEP. I didn't even know that I had ASD until I started looking into it a lot more (special interest) when I suspected that my eldest son was actually ASD and not just ADHD (I was right). The system fails so many kids even today. I don't fault my parents for never noticing since I am pretty positive that my Mother also has ASD as well as most of my family on my maternal side. Plus it didn't help that I am female and the presentation of ASD is totally different in a lot of ASD girls.

[@tazyou11]

@@theghcu That's a mouthful. I appreciate you telling your story and can only hope it might get better from here on out.

[@elennapointer701]

Brilliant video. So much of this resonated with me. Yes, there are differences, but I went through this point by point and, when it was finished, I checked my list. This is it: 1 - hyperlexic ( was reading books about physics at infants school - my mother told me to stop, and to read fiction instead. Since it was an order, I did). 2 - lonely as hell - making friends was impossible. Other kids were like dodgems: they'd encounter me and ricochet away. 3 - terrible at team sports (clumsy, not wanted, constant mistakes). I scored one goal in football in six years, and that was a deflection. 4 - terrible communicator - much better in written form, hopeless at analysis. When I went to university, I lasted one semester in literature before I switched to history. 5 - Repetition - clothes, sandwiches, job; everything. I've been in this cycle for 54 years. 6 - Change is bad. actually, change is just baffling. Why would I want to do anything different? Different is unknown, and unknown is beyond my control. 7 - nope 8 - YES YES YES

[@taoist32]

I agree with almost everything she says, and being Chinese American is even tougher. My parents never even thought of mental illnesses, psychological disorders, or mental breakdowns. They thought it was fantastic that I started reading so early. Not Having friends was not the end of the world for them. Studying, studying, and studying. That was it. My school years lasted far too long for me. I never bonded that deeply with others, although I did have a few acquaintances. My communication skills were almost nonexistent. I remember my 6th grade teaching telling my mother I would never make it through high school. Well, I did make it through. College was a lot more lenient. I actually made a few friends although, again, it seems not very deeply. Never had a best friend, had 2 relationships my entire 48 years. Life is still tough, and my mother recently admitted I had some autistic tendencies.

[@ZairaBandy]

Paige, I hope you can make a bigger thing, like an association that gives lectures to teachers so they know how to treat their neuro divergent alumni. I hope your words get to larger audience so you can help many more children.

[@robinwolferink7315]

Can we call it 'Autism Listens'?

[@spacebar9733]

I’ve always dreamed of this. I’m so disappointed with how my teachers dealt with the neuro divergent kids, and how they let the other kids treat us.

[@Floof1122]

I wish the government would allocate money to teachers for this as well. They don't get paid enough for all the things they have to do. It should be a part of the schooling and training.

[@julesa1754]

She's a hidden gem

[@superseasnails8368]

yeah it’s so hard because when you’re good at school nobody cares if you’re struggling. I wish people had paid more attention to me and instead of praising me for always being quiet and listening, helped me

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

I always had a problem with team sports, I couldn't keep up with the rules and the other kids didn't like me so I can relate, I always liked track and field, after I graduated, I liked sports that was going along like mountain biking and also fishing or kayaking, most outdoor sports around trees, woods and water in nature.

[@JD96893]

I can relate to that as well. It got to the point where I felt so bad because I'd do something deemed inappropriate or just 'play bad' or be picked last or outright left out that i would avoid playing with other kids because they were a hurtful bunch of little ***** and just watch them when there was nothing better to do because I "had to be there" or "had to go". My fondest memories are just exploring nature with my brothers. I developed a passion for outdoors activities because of it. No peer pressure to not be there because nobody likes you. No expectations to perform. And it was usually with family, that for the most part accepted me as a quirky intelligent kid.

[@MeganOlivier]

Literally me! I begged to be allowed to read in the classroom at playtimes (the boy who was diagnosed with ‘Asperger’s’ was allowed to do this). I was told no and I still remember how my heart sank. Hopefully getting diagnosed soon at 26!

[@LifeofMorag]

I never knew hyperlexia was a thing and I honestly feel like my who educational life has just made sense. I have pretty bad dyslexia and struggle with spelling, numbers, pattern recognition, structuring text and processing issues. However I have always loved to read and had a very high reading age. At one point in primary school I was the only person in the class in the bottom spelling group but I also had one of the highest reading age. So no one ever thought I was dyslexic because I could read. Finally getting a diagnosis aged 14 was incredible and suddenly I got the help I needed and understood what was going on and things made sense. But I still had people questioning if I was faking it because I read all the time. It is only now I am in my twenties I understand that I taught myself to read by the shape of words not the individual letters so that's why I can read so well but I don't pick up spelling mistakes. I don't know if I have hyperlexia or not, kind of doesn't matter to me. But to know there are other dyslexics who love reading. That means a lot.

[@musicmama2864]

There's something called "stealth dyslexia", where the person is so smart they can mask symptoms of the disability and read as though they don't have problems. I'm not sure if it fits when you add autism to the equation, but it seems to make sense in your situation!

[@megpwnedyou]

I would absolutely love to hear you talk more about being "too smart for your own good." I have often felt that I would be so much happier if I were dumber. I know too much, and I think too much, and it hurts me. Having to spend hours in a classroom each day with people that didn't understand what I understood was infuriating, and I felt really othered by that. I'd like to hear your experiences with this. ❤

[@livvielov]

I'm training to teach and I've already referred 3 girls to the special needs coordinator for autism 😎 I also had to argue in my training that hyperlexia is a consequence of autism in some people and that low reading levels has NOTHING to do with autism it's just that a lot of autism comes with extra divergences. To which he condescended me about "extreme autism" 🤦

[@babysunshinesmommy]

Again, thank you! Got my littles evaluated recently and they are on the spectrum and I’m so glad I didn’t just ignore it like so many doctors and family members suggested in a way. I don’t want my kids struggling alone like I did!

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

I was always daydreaming in class in elementary school and most of middle school about creating something I was interested in causing my grades to suffer until high school I started overachieving and was called a genius getting a GPA rank that was 13 out of 550 seniors in senior year which was from all As but was stressed out of my mind holding up those grades just to make sure I would graduate to get the hell out of high school.

[@rhondawest6838]

Yes. All of those things. But I was a child in the ancient 80's, and though they knew something was wrong and I had guidance counselors trying to figure me out, no one thought autism, or ADHD, probably because girls didn't get those things back then.

[@rachelm9350]

they thought everyone at my school had adhd (though I dont think so - i did not I was just bored out of my mind). Half the class was on medication though i didn't realize that until later on.

[@rhondawest6838]

@@rachelm9350 from one extreme to the other. Like overdiagnosis makes up for all the previously missed diagnoses

[@faeriesmak]

Same here. They just thought that I was weird and lazy.

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

Yeah I had some mean unfeeling teachers in elementary school and part of middle school, my second grade teacher said I reminded her of rain man in a parent teacher conference and I would always bite my nails in elementary school, the other kids saw me as germly and dirty and my second grade teacher was telling the whole class about not biting nails like me, the teacher mentioned my name in front of everyone as an example like I wasn't there and not acknowledged that I'm a human being. Now I bite my lip and mouth in place of biting nails and am extremely Germophobic now.

[@LunarWind99]

Being compared to Rain Man sucks, same happened to me smh

[@rachelm9350]

wow rude teacher... although rain man was like a genius... but that isnt very nice.

[@asukalangleysoryu7878]

that can be OCD, both biting nails and being afraid of germs

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

@@asukalangleysoryu7878 yeah it's definitely OCD, one of my diagnoses, nail biting and chewing my lip up is kinda both OCD and stimming habit.

[@shlawgb0b]

i was always yelled at by my mom for biting my nails, and now i bite my lip and mouth in place of it too. i almost wish that i still just bit my nails because ouch

[@brimarie4196]

🤦 You're telling me that's why team sports are so hard. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO READ BODY LANGUAGE?!?! The sweater and shoe repeating and the hair parting are also things I have always done. Also I have also struggled so much with sharing but that's something people don't really talk about and I've always felt like it was my own moral flaw.

[@THExRISER]

Thank you, I'm 24, never been diagnosed (yet) and this is putting a lot of things into perspective.

[@clareclark6535]

I'm older than you but very clearly autistic.. I still don't have a diagnosis

[@carkajoo]

Yeah, I'm 21 and I felt that too 😳

[@kaylanek1]

I’m 13 and I think I’m autistic. I’m scared to talk to my parents though.

[@THExRISER]

@@kaylanek1 Even if you don't get diagnosed right now it's good that you're realizing things about yourself this early, I was so confused about why I was the way I am until a couple years ago.

[@wickedwest89]

Always have been outraged (which is why I left the profession) at the feigned ignorance so many teachers practice when it comes to student happiness and social interactions. You deserved better! So many teachers “missed” the signs my daughter was neurodivergent, and dismissed any questions I did have about her functioning in the classroom.

[@mmxah1402]

dear Paige! you are one of my best friends whom i talk with a lot in my every day imagination. your experiences are so similar to mine and i've learned so many things from you. you made me not to ashamed of myself. you made me to know the reasons of my habits and traits and it all make sence to me right now. last week, i had educational round with infectious disease group's attending in hospital; i allowed myself to touch things, shake my hands if needed as i felt stressed, allowed myself not to make eye contact, and i had got the selfsteem to ask and answer questions during rounds and also i was thinking about that its ok to have autism; its really ok to be myself. i've learned from you that i deserve to accept myself and not pretend to be someone else. thank you. (also i wait every friday for your videos)

[@talasheart7889]

I have been diagnosed just two weeks ago at the age of 20 and yeah, I remember that I spent every recess in primary school playing Connect 4 with the teacher, or Pokémon with a classmate because Pokémon has always been that one thing that helped me connect with people. I also remember running away from school a lot, but just like outside of the building, because all the sounds and people were too much for me. I really wish people would have seen that earlier.

[@2002stylan]

heyy i’m 20 as well :’) do you have any advice about starting to get a diagnosis?

[@talasheart7889]

@@2002stylan I think it really depends on the country you're living in. Thankfully, I live in Germany, so the diagnosis didn't cost anything for me. But what I did was just researching any doctors in my city that do autism-diagnosis and asking around. It can be really hard to find anyone who does that, especially when you're an adult. Since I was still 20 I could go to a child- and youth-psychiatrist, they are definitely easier to find, maybe you have one of them close to you? What is very helpful, even before getting an appointment, is starting to write down all the symptoms and reasons why you think it might be autism. That's gonna save you a lot time and gives the doctor something to immediatly work with. You can also take this list to your regular doctor and ask them if they can transfer you to someone who can give you a diagnosis. I'm sorry, I can't help you more, but I hope you'll find someone. Good luck!

[@izza198]

DUDE OMG i did literally all of these as a kid, even down to the hair thing (!!) I'm almost 19 years old now and I only found out I'm autistic about a month ago or so. It really baffles me how no one has ever noticed - not my teachers, not my family, not even myself. People, especially teachers, really should be more informed on neurodiversity and how to spot it. It literally saves lives. So, tysm Paige for making these videos and spreading more awareness! Wishing you all the best

[@IndraSchrage]

The hair elastic story still happens to me in my working life. Also because people see I always have one on my wrist (it's my subtle fidget). I have learned to not ask for it anymore because people say they want to borrow stuff but they don't. Oh and in high school I bought personalised labels with my name and number on them in a bright colour and would stick them on my precious pens so that people would return them after I was pressured into borrowing them a pen.

[@stormapparition]

I remember in kindergarden i gave someone my chapstick to take home and bring me back (because thats how i apparently thought when i was 6?) and then i tried to ask for it back and they were confused and i got so embarrassed and stressed lol

[@muttsbefantastic900]

Because of your content I realized my ASD/ADHD. We have very similar lived experiences through school. I am now helping my now 11 year old daughter learn about her brain. The change is insane. My husband and son also have ASD and we all accommodate ourselves and are learning about our brains. You matter. What you say and do matters Paige. Thank you so much.

[@userbunny]

Oooooh that triggered a old memory. We had something called "tablemarathon" in class where we had to make different kind of stations with 2 to 3 tables. About 5 different station where you had to do a bunch of different tasks and then you had to change the table for the next tasks. I HATED THESE! different tables, classmates walking around and changing tables all the time, so always different children with me at my table. Too many tasks, deadlines/timelines for each table, maybe teamwork, loud. THAT was horrific.

[@thetonytaye]

In elementary school my family discovered that I was able to tell you what day of the week a certain day in history fell on and I was basically turned into a spectacle because of it. Turned out this is a pretty common autism thing.

[@ktufktuf333]

Wait that's so cool! I can't even tell what date it's going to be in 5 days, I have to stop and think for a moment or even check my phone lmao.

[@natalieedelstein]

Do you know how you figure it out? I'm autistic and always wondered what the algorithm was that people who do this use since 7 days in a week and figuring out how many days ago that date was divided by 7 and using the remainder to identify the day of the week from the present seems like it takes more than just a moment so probably a different algorithm...nobody has been able to tell me lol

[@ktufktuf333]

@@natalieedelstein Oh I can figure out what day it was up to like two weeks ago/forward, if it’s more then that I do need my phone. Like say it’s the 27 may like today and you need to know which day in the week the 6 June is I just think: today is Friday and 27 May, tomorrow is Saturday and 28 May and just go on like that. Eventually you forget where you are but it works if it’s in the near future/past. The 6 June is a Monday btw.

[@thetonytaye]

@@natalieedelstein My algorithm is that the pattern repeats every 28 years, which makes sense because 7 days a week, leap year every 4 years. That means that today (May 27, 2022) is Friday, and therefore May 27, 1994 was a Friday and May 27, 2050 will be a Friday.

[@natalieedelstein]

@@thetonytaye thanks for the clarification. I guess how do you keep track though...like say today is Friday May 27 and I asked you 19 years ago on Jan 18 what that day of the week was how do you do something like that? I've seen random people know things like that in 3 seconds. I find that so fascinating. Your algorithm makes perfect sense though for mental math if I am given something reasonably close to today and reasonably close to a multiple of that 28 year mark.

[@melcostabile37]

So many similarities, I am Gen X born 76 & there was no awareness back then. Great video ❤

[@MareaRayneOleander]

Holy shit man..... litsening to this was like re-living my entire childhood schooling. Everything was just "yes, i've done that, this is me". The only difference was that i did have 1 friend, who was similar to me. I have not been formally diagnosed with anything and am nearing 30. Watching your videos has brought to my attention that i too feel like i've been masking my entire life. I just don't know where to begin. Thank you Paige💖

[@raymondburlage6927]

Life can be so hard just for being different from others.😯

[@sherrypolleyart]

Childhood was horrific. My autism was identified at age 34 and I finally have a freakin' chance!

[@TaylorSwiftLoverr]

I love your videos Paige! Thank you for creating great relatable content! Your videos make my day!❤️

[@deutsch_s3186]

Hii Paige!! Thank you for this video! I am a highly emphatic autistic. I was wondering could you make a video about emphatic autistic people too? Because I always thought it is the opposite with autism and I think there may be people like me out there without knowing it. About my school experience: I was very lucky in my school years. I had friends who are weird like me and since I am emphatic and extremely good at masking, I've had always one or two friends I can talk to and be myself. I had also hyperlexia and my best friend also had and we were kinda the socially accepted weirdos :D So, I feel very lucky about that. But yeah, loneliness came after he had different friend groups and I learnt that I was autistic after very traumatic years (I'm 22 now).

[@topsyturvygirl]

Not knit-picking, I want to know if you mean empathetic, because I think I am too!

[@kirbycobain1845]

I feel so much of this so hard. Teachers and school staff saw that I was socially isolated, maybe they even saw the bullying, they just didn't care. Since I got good grades nothing else mattered. My parents would dismiss it by saying I was only bullied because I was smart and pretty. That is such complete bullshit

[@benji01]

Great video, Paige! I can relate to some of the topics discussed in this video. Verbal communication wasn't exactly my strong-suit. It's like my brain and mouth are playing Marco Polo: they're not on the same court, lol. But interestingly, I never had an issue with reading aloud to the classroom during English class. Most of my classmates dreaded it, but I enjoyed it. During primary school, seating changes were a little difficult, too, since I got used to the way the seats were arranged, I would always walk to where my old desk was.

[@kathleenoregan4205]

I just wanted to thank you for all your shows. I’m 52 in 3 weeks 53 and I just got diagnosed. My life has been a nightmare, but I wanted to thank you because you have helped me better understand and feel better about myself, you give me confidence to go ahead and be me. I also feel that I do not have to mask anymore it has depleted my energy and mind. Thank you again for everything ❤️

[@leahscrivs]

The intro from the vine is something I would quote SO OFTEN omg

[@dandelion2490]

the few things i found that were different were directly related to me having very severe adhd as well as being autistic. like reading, i COULD read anything you handed to me, and i would enjoy doing it, but i lacked motivation because all the little descriptions on the books were so similar and i wanted something that actually peaked my interest based on those few paragraphs, which i rarely found. i have the capacity for so much more knowledge but because of the adhd and the instant dopamine driven motivation system, i struggle a lot

[@georgerobins4110]

I still find it funny that nobody thought me disassembling my sandwiches and eating each bit separately was sus lol

[@Inamichan]

Along the lines of teachers and people around you not paying attention I struggled with depression and anxiety for years in highschool and middle school and the only reason I got help in the end is when I cut myself and didn’t hide it as well. It’s like no one pays attention until things have gotten really bad so you spend your adult life trying to undo damage that could’ve been avoided all together.

[@thetonytaye]

That intro 😂 I’m gonna love this aren’t I?

[@MirRandom]

Thank you for bringing attention to the needs you had as a student that went unnoticed or ignored. As someone who worked as a teacher for a while I saw things of this nature in my classroom, lamented the isolation of those students, and felt helpless to know how to support them. If you feel so included, would you make a follow up to this video with practical suggestions of what those in education and childcare can do to care for students who need accommodations for experiences like yours? I want to know how I can support. I am familiarizing myself as best I can with the information that is available to me, but those who have lived these experiences usually have the best ideas for ways the adults in their lives could have been more helpful. I would love to hear more from your experiences! Thanks for being so willing to share all of your experiences and learning with all of us!

[@raapyna8544]

I'm not her, but I've been thinking about this question, as someone who was 'inexplicably different' as a kid. The kids who had diabetes, or a different ethnic background, and introduced that to the class at the beginning, were included in friend groups. But in contrast, if you were just 'weird', rumors started to spread or you became socially avoided. I think it could be because kids are naturally curious, so if you have something off about you, and they don't know what it is, they maybe think you have a secret and don't trust you. So I didn't face the class upfront about my difference and explain what it was, so people started to go about it as 'what's wrong with her', 'i know, right?'. I mean that's my guess. That also seems to be how things go in kid groups I lead in the scouts. If the kid is open and honest about their difference and it doesn't become a taboo, it doesn't become 'weird'. The other kids become more tolerant of the difference because it has an explanation. So for an educator or an adult working with kids, it's important that you are open with the kids and parents and establish that these things are not taboos. You talk to them like it's a normal and neutral thing and that will create an atmosphere in the group where the kid feels comfortable to share about their difference to others. If the kid doesn't have a diagnosis, and is treated like the odd one, if you have a suspicion, maybe bring it up in a neutral way. Like in a group setting, where you teach the group about different kinds of neurodivergence and what those are like (and don't take the lead to name the kid you have suspicion about, but welcome anyone to share their experience on their own terms). Or if you know the kid personally, maybe bring it up with them alone, like, "I was learning about autism, because [I wanted to become a better teacher / I wondered if I may have it] and I came across these traits. I thought maybe you can relate? Like [this and this trait]. What do you think?" And maybe tell the same thing to their parents? Like helping them find this thing on a neutral ground. They can be defensive or offended if it's worded in a way like it's an illness or a problem and it comes 'out of nowhere'. So summary: - *Create a socially safe environment with how you talk about the subject* Saying "this is a safe space and bullying is forbidden" is not enough, you need to set the example. Kids won't think they're bullying for 'normal behaviour'. They're going to read how you behave so you need to work on your own prejudices. - *Help neurodivergent kids and their peers learn about neurodivergent traits and experiences, and find resources that they can/can't relate to* This will help nd kids identify themselves and increase empathy among their peers, because everyone has 'a little bit' of these traits, but only some have a lot of them. - *You can't teach them about the subject in a group setting if you can't create a safe environment.* So if your group is problematic, but you feel this is very important to reach the lonely kid as soon as possible, maybe you can assign the information as reading homework, like a set of short stories or blog extractions. The quiet kid who doesn't draw attention will read this, if others may skip it. However, it's really important to work on the group dynamic problem. It may take a while but the lonely kid will feel bethrayed if you don't try.

[@happysappygirl101]

I feel this very strongly. I was tested for autism as a child, was very visibly autistic, but was "too nice" and "too smart" to be autistic, or for the school to care. This led to so much self-hatred, so much confusion, so much isolation, so much suicidal thinking later on, but no one picked up on it except my mom. Now I'm a teacher, and I will NOT let someone else put up with this for so long silently.

[@AmericanAmy]

So many things so many familiar things so glad that part o& my life (school) is long over. 🙂

[@Natalia-hb7pk]

Hi, Paige! I was recording an audio to my friend and remembered my struggle with flirting 🤣 as an autistic person diagnosed with 24 years old. I just didn't get the body language AT ALL! To the point i thought people read each other's mind 😳. Or i was aro or ace. Anyways, maybe it's an interesting autistic topic if you struggle with that. I would feel validated if there was a video about it 🖤

[@amandamandamands]

Thank you for what you said about English class, I would get told often that if I tried I would understand it (would score highly on anything that was short answer or multiple choice but bomb essays). Also doesn't help that you can understand the 'difficult' things but have trouble with the 'easy' things. For me I was ahead with reading (not as much as you) but my spelling and punctuation were terrible. These days spell check is my saviour and my punctuation has improved over the years.

[@zoe2882222]

Thanks for your videos, Paige! I relate to so much of this and have recently self-diagnosed with ASD. I also grew up in Ontario (and went to McMaster) and all of my traits were completely missed by the school system as well... It's hard not to be resentful about how much less suffering I might have had, if someone had just noticed me. It seems like there's a number of us (especially females) who continue to struggle because we never got the help we so desperately needed... I'm grateful I've finally learned this about myself, thanks to people like you who make these videos! :)

[@zrienkersh1475]

It’s insane how adults don’t care about kids.

[@dstinnettmusic]

I think passion you show in wanting nobody to deal with just…feeling so different and left out all the time is really nice ❤

[@pollyprd7903]

Every time that I watch any of your videos I feel soooo related with so many things in a way that I've never felt with anything or anyone before. I talked to my therapist about it and the fact that every time I see any video about autistic traits in women I just understand everything so much to a point where I seriously thought nobody else in the world had those same things or thoughts or feelings and I had them because "I've always been weird". My therapist at first said that pretty much I couldn't be autistic because I actually have a lot of empathy and emotional intelligence within others and with myself (which is true and I've always been very sensitive but at the same time not really because human interactions sometimes are weird af, if it's not something that I can relate in some way or I can see similarities with situations I know or lived before I don't understand a thing and I feel like my head breaks). We were running out of time so she told me to explain myself further via email if I wanted and or share some of the videos that I watched so she could have a better look and today she told me even though she still feels that I kind of "can't be autistic" she could be wrong so she talked to me about a friend of her who's also a therapist and specialised in autism. To be honest, whatever results I could end up with, I just wish I can at least get to understand myself and kind of everything better and this is a long ass comment but yeaH basically: thank you so so so much for your videos, I'm taking a big step that I really needed in many different and important ways and I just feel very thankful.

[@kajielin4354]

Hair on my neck is the bane of my existence! Also, this made me cry, there were so many signs in me aswell. Teachers should be taught about that!

[@DavidSmith-vz9uu]

I could read really well and spell if I am writing words down but I couldn't comprehend what I was reading and couldn't and still can't understand what a lot of fancy words mean, I constantly have to look up words to understand what they mean.

[@chloegibbons2066]

i was able to “decode” very advanced texts from a young age, but i didn’t have the life experience to understand the context of the higher level books, so i was level J or so at the end of kindergarten

[@jay.theoutsider]

Just freakin out a little bit because I relate to EVERY SINGLE thing in this video but I gotta refrain myself from ranting about my experiences- I just know I was a very weird, different kid at school and people didn’t like that very much :’)

[@chloegibbons2066]

hey, the comments section is the place to vent/rant if you want to (just keep in mind that it’s public lol)

[@maddie7899]

Thank you for this Paige. I don’t have autism but I always felt like a weird kid in school and had terrible social anxiety and didn’t fit in. It’s a large part of why I became a special ed teacher. I’ve taught many students with autism and special-ed only schools, and I love that there’s no such thing as “weird.” Every kid is unique and different. Your video helped me better understand some of the challenges my students go through, though. Thanks!!

[@mirithilrose54]

Thank you for the video. It's very relatable. Also, I love the background you use. Because I'm light-sensitive, it makes your videos so much easier to watch instead of people who use a white background.

[@juliad8524]

I am watching this as a teacher. Thank you so much for posting this video! It is sooooo needed! I'm going to spread this around!

[@Lovegood0]

This is way too relatable honestly, I didn't have absolutely no friends but the friends that I did have/have to this day are all autistic and here I am I just turned 28 and I've been speculating for years that I'm probably also autistic but holy flock of flamingos it's so difficult for an adult to even go in for testing! Right now I'm trying to figure out the proper steps to take to get some testing done to see if I actually am!

[@jehoqz]

Paige … Bestie … your a mini me!!! I was diagnosed in 2020 at 33 and my world finally made sense. You’re such a beautiful soul sweetheart. Keep spreading the word. You’ve educated me more than any doctor or therapist ever has. You really should be giving talks in schools for the faculty. #yayforweirdos

[@peach_levell]

Even just thinking about those seating changes in class stresses me out🥲

[@cassy2789]

I am a mother of two, a daughter who is 10 and a son who is 8, my son is currently getting tested for autism after a long battle with the school district who kept refusing to listen or help. As of now all we know is he's low on the spectrum but should know more soon. Wanted to thank you for spreading awareness so others can notice certain signs and get the help the kid(s) may need. My family and I truly care and appreciate all you have done and continue to do. Thank you!

[@Enaevy]

Low on the spectrum?

[@karoline2622]

Thank you so much for this video paige!❤

[@jianlisa4885]

Oh my god I resonate with a lot of stuff! I also hate people touching my stuff and move my things around, and I can spot the changes very easily. I didn’t know it is an autistic thing until now. I also wear the same shoes all the time. Do other people change their shoes every day? How?😅 Also, after knowing more about autism, I believe depression and anxiety just come with autism due to the society we live in. You have to be super super lucky to grow up without getting depressed and without any trauma, which is almost impossible. I hope more people could know more about autism and not just those stereotypes.

[@ninawinning2064]

Paige thank you so much for always being so open and sharing your experiences and thoughts. You just described two of my children so well in their video and their school experiences. As a mother I was constantly talking to everyone to get help and I could so plainly see these things but time and again I was put off or given "their professional advice " and lost again in the search for help. Then BAM stumbled on Autism diagnosis list and it's so blazingly obvious it was Autism all along. One diagnosis down one waiting to hear back from. But my daughters and my experiences with school have left so many scars. I home educate them now. Your videos have been a massive encouragement and support ❤️

[@Kleptomaniac.author]

This resonated with me so much thank you! :)

[@leomcshizzlepjocastdeserve1631]

paige... are you me? you are describing my childhood word for word you are me with blonde hair and blue eyes

[@michelleramey2611]

I have 2 children on the spectrum. A lot of this applies to them and some of it applies to my child with adhd. One of the things my daughter always struggled with was holding her pee in too long bc she doesn't realize until it's too late. Our school also uses laptops and she couldn't use the mose on it...I had to get her a hand held mouse.

[@echo473]

I just got my autism diagnosis yesterday. All of this makes so much sense 😳

[@autumnstormsablowin]

This is so accurate to me. I’ve been trying to get a diagnosis for a while but my parents refuse to take me. I hate seating changes, people touching my stuff sets me off, and I was always one of the top readers in my class, so much so that they had to tell me that some of the books were “too old” for me. I loved the swings and usually sat alone at recess, and although I had friends, I didn’t really talk to them unless they actively sought me out. I was told I was acting weird by several of my classmates repeatedly throughout the years. Literally everything in this list.

[@acciotardisalohomora6302]

Same but I got my ADHD diagnosis in 2nd grade and after 9th grade I refused to take the medication for it anymore because I didn't like the side effects. After multiple of my friends got an ASD diagnosis they said I should look into it. Since then I fit it wayyyy to well. Talked to my mom & dad about it since it fit my struggles growing up with them but they were dismissive and my mom even had the audacity to say it's because my bio my drank while pregnant with me. For clarification I was adopted and my adoptive parents believe in "Keeping up with the Joneses". I even had book recommendations for my teachers lol. Feeling like I didn't fit at home I just finally didn't care what "The Joneses" thought including my mom and society so I dropped my mask and only surrounded myself with the other outcasts like myself or at least the ones that didn't openly judge me since I was always terrible at finding out the true friends and peoples motives in general. EDIT: I only got my ADHD diagnosis because the school forced my parents to go to the doctors with me because I was too disruptive, ended up with eye glasses and that ADHD medication. Think we tried 3 of them.

[@emilianafrankies536]

THE HAIR THING I’ve never seen anything more relatable in my life

[@sarahgumball8597]

Thank you so much for this Paige! 😭❤️

[@samanthaw8837]

"I don't like how hair feels on my neck" Probably 10 years ago I asked a hairdresser to give me an undercut (far before they were trending) just because I couldn't stand the feeling of my hair.

[@darlinqq_]

this woman described EVERYTHING happening to me since i was in kindergarten, yes u do remember mist things dont ask i just do

[@oliviajayward]

one of the things im lucky about is that the head teacher at my school at the time noticed my autism symptoms while i was in nursery

[@jadead]

This really spoke to me, i dont have an official diagnosis but my psychologist agrees i have autism and everyday i would cry for literally like 3 years of my school life as a child and all the teachers did nothing but make snotty remarks and talk about me right in front of my face as if i wasnt there and make fun of me almost if felt like because everyday i would be sobbing about not feeling good and wanting to go home and not knowing what was wrong like i was overstimulated i would get migraines everyday, i would vomit sometimes in the morning from having so much anxiety from being in school and having no help literally its so sick that teachers arent taught about things like this to help make kids feel welcomed, i had literally like no friends in school like i had one friend for a really long time but that was because my mom was friends with her mom i never really could make friends on my own

[@jadead]

It feels good to know others had a similar struggle in school so it doesnt feel so lonely but its like just a disgrace that so many have this experience

[@Tiki765]

OMG!! You are in older version on my daughter! She's going to be 17, she's graduating early with 9 college credits credited to her. She's very intuitive and sensory is huge. She was not diagnosed until 15 and I pushed her schools until we homeschooled. She loves medical anythinng and its her pathway to college. She's not a crowd kinda girl. She always wanted to be with me and my friends. She's also ADHD. Bella hated English too. Lol

[@mpmedia6735]

I've been emitting these signs for a very long time now, and I have been curious what they meant. I always knew that I was different, from the looks they'd give me in the hallway to straight up being bullied by others. This video has helped me realize my autism as I have all 8 signs. It's all so clear now. Thank you!!!

[@ceciliamogan757]

I’m about to start teacher’s college and this is SO HELPFUL! I think all teachers should at least be aware of the signs so they can approach a struggling child with some level of understanding. Hoping I can be a more proactive teacher after watching videos like yours 💕

[@hannahhuls8855]

My daughter is 9 and I’m seeing a lot of this in her! Thank you for sharing your day to day experience!

[@EmStillPlays]

My mom cleaned my room today and I had a meltdown cause I couldn't find anything and she moved almost everything around

[@Rabaheo]

I had such a hard time growing up undiagnosed but I feel like my family would have put me in ABA and done whatever backwards outside view the doctors had to "help" me. I was sort of diagnosed at 17 (in 2003), the doctor said something like "she could be a weird version of autistic, or she could be schizotypal" and I don't think anyone else thought I was in any way schizotypal. It's interesting that you have such faith that an early diagnosis and support would have been better. I love your videos and your insights. keep bein awesome.

[@FoxGlove8]

I actually enjoy diving into abstract concepts. I do so a lot. I have a tendency to Overanalyze both social interaction and that stuff.

[@elibot]

I loved having supply teachers or watching movies in class for other reasons because that meant turning off the lights so they would stop screaming at me! I got diagnosed at 25...

[@forbiddenlove5918]

Super relatable when it comes to seating changes.

[@thedankmemelord5215]

I haven't been diagnosed with autism, but I wish that videos like yours were around when I was younger. Even as a kid when my sensory issues and other issues were less noticeable, they still made my life miserable. Thank you for making me feel less like an alien in society

[@alicia1636]

Yesss My stuff are my stuff ! My parents say I'm egoistic but like I will do things to please people but it stresses me so so much!!

[@brittany7133]

I haven't even made it past 2 minutes and already internally screaming about the hair thing 😩 It's so interesting how we can have both different experiences and also some of the EXACT same experiences, to such a detail. Wow, thank you for existing 💖 Thought the obsessive hair parting was just a 'Brittany' thing lmfao and I even had it pointed out to me the exact same way. EDIT: I also just realized (only from watching this video in the first place, I think), that I didn't actually 'stop' pulling my hair forward... but have just more recently replaced that action with doing the opposite. I literally just do the same 'repetitive movement' or check of my hair, only throwing it all behind my neck/shoulders instead, because I've internalized "oh I guess that must be what's normal then/looks normal?" No... LOL, but I just have to laugh at these kind of realizations, be happy to be having them and continue trying to learn what it really means. 👍

[@aileenlee7106]

Man, this girl is kicking in doors and brining this important information to us! Thank you 🙏