Are There Positive Autism Traits? - World Autism Awareness Week 2021

[@jenm7996]

I love this. I'm a single mom of a 6 your old boy with autism. I'm trying to learn more, most importantly the positive aspects and how to help him to grow and navigate life in a positive way. Thank you for posting your videos and sharing your feelings and experiences.

[@whitneymason406]

My son is 4 and has autism and we live in MT. When I got his diagnosis the narrative I had heard up until then had been very negative. The more research and videos I watch the more I see he's going to be fine! The fact that you are doing research and looking for the positives is great! Doing a great job Jen :)

[@murielbilly4296]

My special interests are psychology (it was my job, and even if I don't work anymore, I can speak of it for hours and hours, and I have a plenty of books), I also looove sorting think, like my socks or t shirts by color, and books by alphabetic order and number of pages, sometimes when I feel really bad, I count the number of letters of a page. Sometimes at work, feeling nervous, I asked if someone has something to sort 😅. But I can't find anything positive about autism except my friends and family like my skills of organization.

[@VeeJayASMR]

Thank you so much for this kind reaction video! Glad I could participate in Autism Awareness Week in this way, and spread some positivity and hopefully acceptance. Your channel has been a great help for me ever since I found out I'm on the spectrum. Also... Pokémon is my special interest as well so that tied in well 😆

[@RosheenQuynh]

This comment is gonna get hearted and/or pinned, I'm calling it right now!

[@IndieAndy]

Thanks Veejay and it was not a problem at all!

[@RosheenQuynh]

Called it :3

[@Ari-rb4zc]

💗

[@josephsells4187]

Listening to music of ALL genres, video games, comic books, old black & white movies and tv shows, classic british comedy shows, anime, almost anything animated to be honest, Star Trek (original series), Doctor Who (all the doctors)... after 49 years i think "special interests" are my special interest.

[@modmaker7617]

Some of my special interests; Pokémon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Marvel, DC, Shane Acker's 9, Star Wars, Doctor Who (a bit), Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts (not anymore due to JK Rowling's transphobia), LEGO, psychology/therapy (hobby level), history, modern politics (kinda) & political geography. Let's spread autistic positivity.

[@mathilda6763]

I still like Harry Potter. I like that Hogwarts is a place where kids that are perceived as different and "weird" in the Muggle world feel at home and are welcome specifically because of their "magic"/being different. Jkr dropped the ball massively when she started to touch a work that is already finished and even in the original there is some stuff that is not that well-written, but she can pry the dream of how I perceived Hogwarts (a safe space to learn and feel at home and be respected for being different.) from my cold hands. I am not letting her take that away from me.

[@jonathanbalsdon6444]

On the note of special interests, my main ones are Formula 1, theme parks, railways (especially the London Underground), and the Eurovision Song Contest.

[@Ari-rb4zc]

I think that your'e channel is importent and I love your'e videos so much

[@shawntiprince]

I really appreciate you both for sharing. Sometimes I feel like I'm on another planet, but knowing there are other people out there who think the same and have the same positive outlooks on life, makes me feel tremendously better about myself. Sims 4, music, cooking and good movies are my special interests and I can't get enough of them. My youngest likes Sims 3, anime, mindcraft, roblocks, and fortnight to the point I can't get her to take a break, even when it's time to sleep, but we're working on it. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@willowisp9150]

I do have some favorite autistic traits. Feeling so deeply. Not even accepting most social rules because most of them come from capitalism and make no sense. My strong sense of justice and empathy. Not accepting authorities just for the sake of it (I'm also an anarchist and climate justice activist). Being headstrong enough to take my special interest, social justice, so far (e.g. social disobedience, not doing fast fashion, veganism). If all these things come from me being neurodiverse, then I'm so glad I am. Also most neurotypical humans are so uninteresting, talking to them can be almost painfully boring. I can obsess over tv shows and have the time of my life, can't imagine just talking about the weather. without even mentioning climate change. Neurodiverse folks are not just not less, we are amazing!

[@siennaprice1351]

I get where you’re coming from when you talk about feeling deeply and having a lot of empathy. My husband and I think really deeply as well, and I have a lot of empathy myself. I don’t think me feeling so deeply and having a lot of empathy just comes from autism. I think it also stims from my PTSD as well.

[@JadeDRail]

"TALK ABOUT POKEMON" Alright alright! XD Gengar is my favourite but I also like Dragonite, Garchomp and Giratina! I have some very old small pokemon beanie plushies I got at a thrift shop. There's a Pikachu, Charizard, Gengar and Snorlax!

[@IndieAndy]

Aww awesome! Umberon, Litwick are my main favs ☺️

[@ginnymay8965]

Hmm this was a nice video.. but it was a bit of a shame that my mind kept on zoning out.. I can’t seem to control when I zone out.. but my special interests are umm.. dot to dots (adult edition) I also like a few other things like retro gaming stuff like Pokémon, arcade games (sometimes) hmm I must be tired coz I keep on zoning out.. I think my brain is trying to force me to sleep coz I have had a very long and hard day.. I had to go on a bus today.. I haven’t been on a bus in years.. (probably been about 3 years now.. think)

[@ginnymay8965]

Force not focus..

[@robynriana396]

Share what you’re interested in? OKAY! LOL I think every autistic person loves to hear that! 😁 my interests: Names (origins and trends) and fantasy genre books! I’m going to post on my blog for World Autism Awareness Day and I’m mentioning you and other content creators. Great start to the week, Andy! 👍❤️

[@IndieAndy]

Aww that's cool! Do you know the origin of Andrew (it's my name, shorten to Andy because I prefer it). Aww cool please send me the blog 👍

[@robynriana396]

@@IndieAndy I like the nickname Andy! Andrew might have originally been a nickname, too, for Andreas! It’s a Greek name meaning ‘manly’. We’d call Andrew the Christian version of Andreas! 😆 Lots Of really great names were originally Greek. Sure, my blog is: voiceofreasonbyrobyn.wordpress.com 💙

[@JadeDRail]

Sometimes I do tell people about you. I tell them you have some good educational videos and that you're quite nice and help me with my videos sometimes which is great. :) So there we go, now you don't have to worry about what I say about you. :p

[@DBaumification]

Japanese Pokemon cards are SO much better then the English versions. If you look at the original sets of pokemon, and compare the quality of the holos, Japanese cards are far more superior. imgur.com/a/HiZrpZe here’s a link to just a couple of some of my old Japanese cards.

[@SezFrancis1]

Oh my gosh, tbh, this video almost made me cry 🥲 I’m going for a cast reading tomorrow and I haven’t learnt any lines at all because I’ve been concentrating on World Autism Awareness Week more. However, VeeJay’s video made me realise that it’s okay to be unprepared but to believe in myself even the part I’m going for a big main part. I don’t think I’ll get it but if I don’t try, I don’t know. Also, my favourite things to talk about are history and the arts but mainly history; I’m a historical nerd behind the camera haha 😆 Great video Andy and thank you and thank you VeeJay for the positive motivation; I really needed it too 🦋✨

[@solunasassoon]

my "thing" is making nail polish. really anything that involves pigments and colors. started with just loving nail polish then I went deeper into it until I was making polish for everything and everyone lol

[@Nekotaku_TV]

Things like this doesn't work on me when it's not a person I trust talking to me. I keep finding flaws in what she's saying and to me words don't change reality, but then I also don't go up and down a lot. I stay low for years... Here are my positive autism traits, I got some more that I'm less sure I can link to autism. - Extreme honesty - Logical - Hyperfocus - Resistant to group pressure - Eye for details/thorough - Avoids using social tricks/games/masks - Good at organizing I did notice the weight gain. Same in Sweden, weather is a big topic. It makes sense since we're bad at small talk in general and are keeping our distance. Yeah, often people think I'm not serious or joking or trying to be mean with a compliment etc.

[@siennaprice1351]

My husband and I are extremely brutally honest as well. I also think my brutal honesty comes from PTSD too.

[@MartKart8]

I'm somewhat the opposite I can't find positive things about neurotypicals.

[@ReiverBlue1971]

Just like us, NTs vary. Some are pathetic, brainless cows moving from birthday to death without ever questioning...anything....others are thoughtful, empathic and intelligent individuals blazing their own path through life, helping all they meet along the way. Just look for other NTs ;D

[@IndieAndy]

Yeah just like us, NTs are all different. Some will be your people and some won't be. Everyone has their own pros and cons so it's the last thing I try to think about.

[@hypersonic8280]

The way you reacted in parts as if you were actually having a back and forth conversation with her was great ha. She seems to be really sweet, will definitely be giving her a sub ☺️

[@ReiverBlue1971]

My family constantly try to get me to shave off my beard....no f**king way, I've only just gotten it the way I like it :D (16 years....get over it FFS) They're going to have the surprise of their lives soon...I've got a facial tattoo lined up :P (BTW: You can always make me laugh). Special Interests: Singing/Music, Dr Who (up to the 12th Doctor) and video gaming.....ooh, interesting sound pop at the end there!

[@melissaroscher1080]

I flipped the script. Like this weekend I had a jerk attempting to put me down and knowing so, then using my literal interpretation to defuse his intentions and disappointment him. 😃. This took me while to realize this can be a tool for positive a outcome

[@catherinedesrochers]

I will listen to her video... Definitely!

[@75maxdv35]

Haha when you said “JUST TALK ABOUT POKEMON” I felt that so much 🤣 although in my case it would be about cars or something

[@IndieAndy]

Aww that's fair enough. Don't know anything about cars but I love the look of vintage cars.

[@75maxdv35]

@@IndieAndy same tbh, I know nothing about engines or anything I just like the look of cars

[@emdarki]

Hearing this genuinely made me so much better today which is the boost I needed so thank you to both of you! Will check out VeeJay's channel. My special interests are: film photography, neurodiversity, sustainability and animals (specifically dogs and dragonflies).

[@garyfrancis5015]

Andy I do get what you mean about the weather but before lock downs. If started anew conversation with a stranger weather. Good morning, lovly weather" is good small talk. Small talk is just like boxing you need like jabs of conversation. The temperature mild today.

[@Ari-rb4zc]

My special interest is rainbow 🌈 cute pictures/videos of animals like cat Colorful things Dolls and I very like to draw

[@bryanmerton5153]

Hey so sorry you are feeling bad. Of course I do not know you, but your videos are delightful and have been very helpful to me and I am sure lots of people! Autism is a struggle for me I think on a daily bases in one form or another. But I don’t think I would want to change anything! Looking forward to your next installment. Keep up the great work!

[@IndieAndy]

Aww thanks Bryan! I really needed to hear this today so thank you 😊

[@amyn3262]

Love this video 😊

[@evanbjammin]

I got really in to disc golf about five years ago, when I moved to a new town. Its two of my favorite things; walking in the woods and watching things fly. You can do it with friends or alone and like that. I also play guitar and love effects pedals. Both hobbies have gotten me into financial difficulties a time or three. No regrets though. I don't know what I would do without these two activities.

[@Lillyluvsanime]

I judge myself for bodyweight, but... that's a different issue. I think big bodies are beautiful, but it's hard to see that on me.

[@ariesx6515]

As an autistic person I agree about being authentic - in early childhood and how I am now. But in between I realized I needed help and people would only give it o me when I met their social expectations which led to me loosing my personality. I think this is quite common in females on the spectrum and leads to late stage diagnostics plus a lot of unnecessary comorbidities.

[@JadeDRail]

If someone is drinking, I'm drinking! XD I love alcohol and it makes me want some.

[@RosheenQuynh]

I have too many special interests... One that is on my mind pretty much 24/7, however... is a person (but he's a musician so it's tied to my special interest in music)... Is that weird? I mean, a character as a special interest is one thing but is having a special interest in a living, breathing person weird? He's just so fascinating, and being enigmatic doesn't help any 😂 What's hilarious is that within the almost 2 and a half years that I've been... crushing on him, I feel like I've noticed his body language more - you know, the thing autistics aren't known for understanding?! It's crazy! I don't know what it is about him that fully enthralls my autistic brain but MAN is he alluring! You CANNOT go wrong with Avi Kaplan! I don't even know if I should mention any more of my special interests, I had to spend a long time thinking of as many as I could the last time I thought about this haha

[@siennaprice1351]

Not really. My main special interest is music as well. And sometimes I can’t help but think about certain musicians a lot. I’m also very hyper focused on sensory items and sensory equipment.

[@HanChap2]

You are my favourite person to watch Andy.

[@IndieAndy]

Aww thank you ☺️

[@wildflowersar3595]

I don't like it - it's absolutely full of assumotions and further pushes a stereotype.... not your responses but the youtube clip you are responding too.

[@IndieAndy]

Hmm yeah I can see what you mean but to be honest some of it I do feel are like myself and others around me. Hence why I did relate to some of it.

[@ryandawson2877]

That lady‘s accent is amazing.❤

[@Severus34564]

Thanks for this video. Don't think it will ever be my favorite, since I don't really like reaction videos mostly. But thanks for some positive aspects of being autistic.

[@IndieAndy]

Yeah that's fair enough 😁 to be honest I filmed this in a rush and I honestly don't think it's the best thing I've done. However it's all a learning curve and I'll be sure to improve.

[@Ari-rb4zc]

Nice video , I have autism too

[@whitneymason406]

Batman and Pokemon :)

[@NoName-ui5ou]

You misspelled the title

[@ginnymay8965]

Huh yeah “there” not “their” hmm I do that sometimes.. misspelled.. but usually I misspell “your” and “you’re” I’m not even sure if those words are any different.. the English language is weird..

[@IndieAndy]

Thanks

[@ReiverBlue1971]

@@ginnymay8965 "Your" is a possessive (i.e. belongs to or to do with them) and "you're" is a contraction (i.e. a shortening of they-are (replacing the a with the apostrophe ') so is like describing a characteristic (like hair colour for example). "There" is a location and "their" is also like "your" in that it relates to the person. Hope that helps ;)

[@ReiverBlue1971]

@@IndieAndy A grammar checker will normally pick these up ;)

[@Nekotaku_TV]

@@ginnymay8965 English IS weird but with these examples it's pretty easy, they just sound the same like many other things. It's probably a bigger problem because people don't care to do it properly and so it's easier to fall in to the trap. I don't though cause people don't effect me that way.