Autism vs ADHD (The Difference between ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Autism vs ADHD. The difference between ADHD and Autism is not always immediately obvious.
Is it Autism or ADHD, or BOTH Autism AND ADHD?! Getting the right diagnosis is important!
The difference between autism and ADHD can be subtle sometimes. In some areas they seem opposite but there are lots of overlapping characteristics too.
CHANNEL LINKS:
Patreon: / aspergersfromtheinside
Facebook: / aspergersfromtheinside
Twitter: / aspiefrominside
Written Blog: aspergersfromtheinside.com/
More Videos: / aspergersfromtheinside
Email: [e-mail]
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// WELCOME TO ASPERGERS FROM THE INSIDE!!
My name is Paul and I discovered I have Aspergers at age 30.
If you're new you can check out a playlist of some of my most popular videos here: / aspergersfromtheinside
Yes, I know, I don't look autistic. That's exactly why I started this blog, because if I didn't show you, you would never know.
As the name suggests, this channel is devoted to giving you insight into the world of Aspergers.
This blog started off being just my story, but I've learned SO MUCH about my own condition
from meeting others on the Autism Spectrum that now I make sure to feature their stories as well.
I've come a long way in my own personal journey.
Now I'm sharing what I've found so you don't have to learn it the hard way too.
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// WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS BLOG
You can expect me to get to the point with concise useful information.
I focus on what is most important and don't shy away from difficult topics.
The best way to learn about Autism is to see it in real life ( i.e. via the stories of many, many people on the spectrum).
In this channel I endeavour to show you what Autism and Aspergers look like in real people and to also give you some insight as to what's happening on the inside.
I upload a new video every weekend with some bonus content thrown in mid-week too.
There's always new stuff coming through so be sure to check back and see what you've missed. (Is this where I'm supposed to tell you to hit that subscribe button?)
Topics Include:
- What is Aspergers/Autism?
- Aspie Tips, coping strategies, and advice on common issues
- Learning Emotional Intelligence (this is my special interest!)
- Autism in real life: stories from special guests
Everything I do is and endeavour to go deeper and take you 'behind the scenes' to understand what may, at first glance, seem 'odd'.
oh, and I love busting stereotypes and turning preconceptions upsidedown :)
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// ABOUT ME
I discovered I have aspergers at the age of thrity.
It has been my life's mission to understand these funny creatures we call humans.
My special interest is a combination of emotional intelligence, psychology, neuroscience, thinking styles, behaviour, and motivation. (I.e. what makes people tick)
My background is in engineering and I see the world in systems to be analysed.
My passion is for taking the incredibly complex, deciphering the pattern, and explaining it very simply.
My philosophy is that blogging is an adventure best shared.
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// EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING
I also run autism friendly online emotional intelligence training. So if you like my direct, systematic style, and would like to improve your own emotional intelligence skills, check it out here:
emotionsexplained.com.au
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// CONTACT
Blogging is an adventure best shared which means I'd love to hear from you!
Feel free to leave me a comment or send me and email at any time and I'll do my best to respond promptly.
Email: [e-mail]
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this channel!
I look forward to hearing from you!
Peace,
~Paul

[@Elmerstickers]

ADHDer “start watching comments, no longer following video”

[@sraniewbanie366]

dont attack me like that

[@Sleepy_on_the_moon]

Dude why do you gotta call me out like that

[@daisies667]

😂😂 omg

[@grace-ke8xk]

LMAO LITERALLY ME RN

[@ariellemunro4646]

Ahahaha here I am

[@treearoha]

Another symptom of ADHD for me is needing to absorb information quickly. I struggle with people who talk slowly or take ages to get to the point even if I'm genuinely interested in what they have to say. I'll often watch videos on KZbin sped up because I lose focus quickly if information isn't given to me at lightning speed. The irony of all this is that usually when I'm the one presenting information it takes me a decade and a half to get to the point no matter how fast I speak lol.

[@johannaljungqvist9359]

Hahaha this is so relatable

[@clairekholin6935]

I watch all videos at 2* speed, it is just normal for me now

[@bayarearealestate7920]

100%

[@mariadelpilarcambrabrown4176]

Absolutely me too.

[@tommzytree2787]

i don’t have adhd but i highly relate to that.

[@garrettwhite3922]

My favorite part of ADHD is when someone is talking to me and after a few minutes I suddenly realize I've been thinking about paying attention rather than actually doing it.

[@kenichimendoza8571]

Yeah happened to me

[@skynetrules340]

That’s me most of the time.

[@christiandk09]

Literally me in school everyday

[@nahiro12345]

I am not ashamed that my mind wonders, I politely let them know I did not pay attention and ask for a repeat. Or I try to recall whatever noise I remember them making and repeat it as if I did not hear.

[@tuaneneel1842]

Or focusing on eye contact instead of the conversation

[@BravosReviews]

Loved the part where you said: “you’re probably not even watching anymore” because I wasn’t but I was LISTENING to it and you caught me at the exact moment my attention wandered. God it’s like you’re inside my head. You roped me right back in.

[@TheOneTrueNoName]

Yea that was crazy lol

[@Stringbean1138]

The ball bouncing was also really helpful for pulling my focus back to the video itself when my mind started to wander

[@rebekahream2276]

SAME

[@annienewman8312]

same. i picked up my knitting

[@coreyloveless606]

i think its worse that i just realized i mustve missed this part lmfao

[@barborahalova3514]

"ADHD is probably the worst named thing in the entire medical profession." - video liked

[@Aikano9]

Anti Social Personality Disorder (Psychopathy/Sociopathy), I think is worse named. They’re usually better at social than virtually everyone else, there’s a reason they tend to have high positions and such.

[@inpursuitofhappiness4873]

got a good cackle out of me thx (the " - video liked" part)

[@laurabeane8862]

This is why the Syndrome is no longer called Post-Traumatic Stress "Disorder".

[@lunar686]

@@Aikano9totally agree 😊 I think all the “personality disorders” are not only incorrectly classified, but really badly named, I think if you were diagnosed with something that essentially said there’s something wrong with your personality it wouldn’t feel that nice, sounds more like a personal attack than a diagnosis... Then again I got classified with ADHD and my first reaction was “ but I don’t feel like I’ve got deficits in attention”

[@Aikano9]

@@lunar686 I have very big deficit of attention

[@alexandriadoing5925]

ADHD also masks. We can spend the day pretending we know what's going on when we're actually not able to process written or verbal instructions or focus on a required task. By the time we get home we're completely exhausted physically and mentally. This creates anxiety, depression, emotional disregulation, low confidence, sensitivity disorder, etc.

[@toriless]

It appears to be from being distracted. With autism you can be both distracted and focused at same time. One person just hears the loud truck going by and can not type out a youtube comment while it is doing so but another is focused typing youtube comments while being pissed that the loud truck is going by and another only see the typing and does not even sense and truck going by, ADHD, autism and neurotypical.

[@Jzombi301]

so many times ive come back from school and my mom asked what we did and i just cant answer because i literally dont remember

[@WillenaFlewelling]

I didn't know I had ADHD till I was over 50. Suddenly I understood I have spent my entire life masking, i.e. trying to be like everyone else, or at least look like I am. I seldom hear the first part of a joke or story, but laugh at the appropriate times, knowing it would be funnier if I knew the beginning. :\ I know now how much energy I spend trying to be "normal", but even now, at 67, I'm still fighting who I am, without realizing I'm doing it.

[@obsidian_oki]

Yes

[@dont_harsh_my_mellow]

You read me soooo well. 😭

[@haseebafzal4409]

The worst thing about ADHD is that if you try to look up ideas on how to deal with it, you will get 0 ADHD resources, and only get resources for Parents on how to handle chidden with ADHD. I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 26, and A lot of my past tendencies make a lot more sense now, but not being able to find resources for how to handle this is very frustrating.

[@feth7747]

ADHD is A FRAUD to hidden the INDIGO CHILDS. ADHD is the unique mind against BS the world has told everyone to listen, follow, and obey.

[@sadtosuccess]

If you haven't found it yet, How to ADHD channel is very helpful.

[@nuwansampath7348]

i'm 28 year old trainee electrician and i'm stressed! i don't know this is ADHD or not when i'm focused on one task time will fly and nothing is getting finished.mostly i'm zoning out and sometimes i don't understand what is people telling me.Maybe i'm Stupid.

[@SerenityPeaceTree]

@@sadtosuccess she is so good at explaining it and letting you know, you're ok.

[@seraphthegatekeeper]

@@nuwansampath7348 I work in IT. I have found that, if I plan out as much as I can on paper and in my head, the reward is a lot less stress and anxiety.

[@JuanPablodelaTorre]

As an AuDHDer, it's interesting to notice that the answer to questions like "Do you talk too much or nothing at all?", "Do you enjoy overstimulating spaces or would you rather stay inside in silence with dim lights?", and "Can you switch context easily or do you need some time to adjust?" is always "Yes".

[@shawnana89]

People with ADHD struggle with initiation of tasks we don't enjoy.

[@Claire-Sewings]

Exactly, its dreadful, and hard for people to understand when I forget to take my meds.

[@marisalucian9490]

And tasks we do enjoy.

[@lianncurran6801]

But also * for me personally* I usually have a lot of inertia in a new hobby but easily lose all the momentum later on. It's kind of the opposite of the example that he gave.

[@pyrrhicvictoly]

That's why I clicked on this video. I'm avoiding chores.

[@sunshinecasey]

Ooph... Very much so

[@_peachjam_]

So basically what I got from this was: ADHD: I understand, but I cannot focus Autism: I can focus, but I do not understand

[@kvetchnik]

i have both i cannot understand and i certainly cannot focus

[@zoeykeilbarth9930]

shinji lili me too :(

[@camila_costa12]

@@kvetchnik you made my day

[@HayLeesHomeMade]

@@kvetchnik this is me I've been seen thank you

[@valdavermillion4545]

I can't focus, and I don't understand. Damn.

[@sharonamberbennett4725]

ADHD hyperfocus is exactly as you describe it is for autism. I block out all external stimuli. I could be hungry, in physical pain, etc but I block that out and just focus on whatever I'm doing. But I can't always control my hyperfocus- it usually happens only with things I'm interested in. It's also one reason why people with adhd can be late a lot. Once locked into hyperfocus it's hard to shut it off or stop what I'm doing. Also I have time blindness while in it. ( I always have time blindness but it's worse during hyperfocus)

[@slectivehearing]

when i hyper focus it’s usually when i find something new or get back into something new and it can be the only thing i think about for weeks to months until i forget about it completely and forget that it existed.

[@kragary]

I think the most important point of his explanation was that ADHD hyperfocus can only happen with activities that give that continuous stream of rewarding dopamine, it's a state that feels good, while autism hyperfocus is more mind-based, the autistic person can decide to focus on something even if it's not that rewarding or doesn't feel good. And "feeling good" in this case is not referring only to physical sensations, it's a more holistic sense of well-being, happiness, etc. I'm almost sure I'm ADHD (undiagnosed), and for me hyperfocus feels amazing, it's like my whole body and mind are thrumming with joy and excitement, to the point that minor physical discomforts become inconsequential. That's why it's so difficult to tear myself away from the activity that gives that feeling and go do something that feels like an unimportant and pointless distraction instead. It doesn't make sense for the ADHD brain.

[@garrettwhite3922]

Don't forget the irrational anger at anything that pulls the attention away from the hyperfocus

[@mntrmntr]

@@kragary In my case, when I (hyper-)focus on something, it gives me rewarding pleasure. And I believe, I can focus on anything, the difference is the amount of effort needed. A computer game grabs focus all by itself, while some other tasks require weeks of pushing myself to finally get to them. But when I finally do, it's invariably a pleasure, and I think what a fool I was, delaying it for all those weeks. So what is it more like? ADHD hyperfocus or autistic focus? (My bet ADHD)

[@slectivehearing]

@@kragary hyper focus does feel good i’ve been pretty bored because i haven’t got a new hyper focus since i injured my knee during my skateboarding hyper focus

[@mcboingboingsister6258]

so, i recently found out that i was apparently diagnosed with both autism and adhd but my mom decided not to tell anyone, because she was afraid that her reputation would be affected. and she still decided to ask me why i lose focus quickly and why i struggle with communication and empathy so much. she said that if she had known i would be "less than" she wouldve gotten an abortion. im literally 12 mom.

[@lori10155]

😱 I'm so sorry your mom said that to you. That absolutely horrifies me. You are not less than, just different and that is okay. I hope that there are other people around you that at least make an effort to try to understand. If you don't know about Yo Samdy Sam, I recommend her KZbin channel. She also has both autism and adhd

[@TexasGirl05]

You poor thing sweetheart I am so sorry you had to hear that from your own mother.

[@silpakaza7841]

Perhaps, it's time to diagnose the diagn-iser!!!

[@Foxisreallymyname]

Hey, I know this means nothing right now because you’re 12 and can’t live on your own, but understand that your mom could have a sickness that doesn’t involve you and IS NOT caused by you or have anything to do with you whatsoever. She sounds like she could be Bipolar, Depressed, Narcissistic, any number of things. I only say this because, I want you to know, EVERYONE has something. Every single person on this planet. So if she was worried about someone being less than, then she shouldn’t have had children. Because everyone has something. NO human is a normal, ideal human. We made that up for some reason. And I want you to know that you are perfect, just as you are. Give your mother some empathy and understand that she probably has something going on that she doesn’t know about. Don’t try to change her and try to think of it as nothing personal. Send her love and just hope in your heart that she gets help one day. You can’t fix people, but you can still love them quietly in your own heart and hope they can stop being miserable and find out what’s wrong with themselves one day. And I hope you can have the confidence to know that Autism and ADHD are your super power. Watch this channel, this guy is amazing. And focus on who you are and on LOVING yourself because YOU DESERVE LOVE. ❤️

[@Djinnthewishmaster]

Why does SHE struggle with empathy more like?! As you get older, you Definitely find your tribe. Keep strong hun, you are worthy and loved

[@umibrahimibrahim4966]

“If I speak slowly, I will forget what I want to say” this is me.

[@findx9402]

Me too

[@smithtasticness]

Definitely me too. Like, if I don't do this thing right now it definitely will not get done. Ever!

[@Ozzyisunavailable]

immediately after he was like "Back on track, what was i saying?"

[@Spayyce]

The worst is me in the middle of a sentence and getting distracted by the smallest things. Literally in the comments typing because I have lost focus on the video 😅

[@yonta123]

Umibrahim Ibrahim meeeeee toooooo

[@weewoo8850]

"you're probably not even watching anymore" Me: *looks up from the comment section* 👁️👄👁️

[@jeremyhannah58]

Hahah1

[@Jaessae]

Watching? No. Listening? You bet! My teacher in primary school told my parents that I was usually distracted, looking out the window - one time apparently I got up and just went to play. But she also observed that if I looked up just for a second at the end of class, and looked at the blackboard, I understood it all. She was a good teacher.

[@kaylirowe1153]

Me right now...

[@MOLPESIMS]

Well, now I have to go back tosee what I missed :D

[@lanacrystal8147]

😂😂

[@canwejustnot]

I have ADHD, to me homework (for the subjects that I liked) was way more fun than running around. I loved learning new things in the structured way of homework, but once I understood it, I grew bored super quickly from having to repeat it to remember it long term.

[@mrj3217]

I am like this with careers and people at times. Once I get good at everything at a job I avoid management because I don't get to work with my hands much and I do t like doing that.

[@nuynobi]

I have ADHD and I am an avid learner and did very well in school as a result. I just love learning new stuff. But I'm not always learning something useful. Now, as an adult with a smartphone, a lot of my hyper focus moments involve going down rabbit holes on wikis--usually but not always Wikipedia--to the point where I can't even remember what it was I originally looked up. Maybe I looked up an actor in the movie I just watched to see what else they've been in, and then 3 hours later I'm reading about gangrene or the history of cowboy hats, or Sufism or the cosmology of Middle Earth. I probably forget about 90% of what I read, but I read so much that I still end up with a basic understanding of a huge variety of topics. The fiddly details tend to get forgotten while the broad principles stick.

[@nonenone-gg7sm]

​@@nuynobi same for me buddy, I'm an avid learner and I have ADHD. It sucks, especially when you have to prepare that power point for your job meeting but you are too focused in learning analytic geometry only too get bored of it after a week and start researching how do clams reproduce. But hey, at least I have a little bit of knowledge of everything

[@SpiritArtLife]

People with adhd can and often do hyperfocus on things they're interested in. So, adhd people can also have trouble quitting and moving on from tasks. It may not be what they need to do at the time, but it is what is holding their interest.

[@keturahspencer1211]

"I've canceled everything today because I have energy for this video." Words I could relate to more, may have never been spoken.

[@nicolerainier8498]

I thought that was a unique way to put things

[@seanjones3500]

Hi I am undiagnosed but have a genetic disorder I just can't not ask what you meant incase I understood it or didnt, did u say that or did the video, I took it as you and instantly agreed so much so i had to comment haha

[@Baz87100]

@@seanjones3500 He mentions it near the beginning of the video.

[@jaassil]

Autism: I can focus, but I need to understand why ADHD: I understand why, but I’m only going to focus if it’s really exciting

[@rahbeeuh]

Having both is chaotic yet manageable for some

[@Beetletreuse]

does that apply to having to have "all the information" about a task required of you in order to focus? Because when I feel as if I don't have all the information, it's hard for me to find the level of importance in a task someone else has asked of me to the level of urgency they expect when they don't fully explain it to the level I feel is necessary for me to understand... and then I tend to get anxiety about asking them for more information because they get annoyed and impatient with me and think I'm stupid.

[@eboethrasher]

Umm for my ADHD I can easily rabbit hole... on something trivial and far less important than the overall thing that needs done, and that is why I'm now on disability, amongst other problems it has caused for me. And that is if I am lucky and can focus at all. Sometimes what I can focus on is weeding a patio. Not exciting in the least. Yet my brain can somehow say "OOOOH LETS DO THIS FOR 3 HOURS!!!" despite there being about 17 other things I could do that would be far more useful.

[@tikimillie]

Sobs in both

[@lorjejed2]

@@Beetletreuse get out of my head! I know EXACTLY what you mean!

[@ohkaygoplay]

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and underlying autism at 41. It's both nice to finally have an answer as to why life has been so hard just to be normal, how I'm terrible in social situations, and anger-inducing to think about how my life could have been had I - a girl with inattentive ADHD with hyperactivity and autism - went under the radar. I was the normal kid. A life of frustration at people not understanding how hard it is to try, to work to be normal, and to do things I don't find interesting makes me cry. I've had meltdowns over the stupidest stuff that wasn't even about that thing, but was built up frustrations and emotions, and trying so hard to be normal that I crack.

[@feth7747]

ADHD is A FRAUD to hidden the INDIGO CHILDS. ADHD is the unique mind against BS the world has told everyone to listen, follow, and obey.

[@JesusChrist-Gives-Eternal-Life]

Oh my gosh, I am 41 and this sounds exactly like me. Our generation really didn't have autism or it went under the radar. I just figured I was extremely introverted, and we are known to be awkward in social situations, and I am literally one of the worst I have ever seen. I am DREADING my husband's family's Christmas event next week because I am ALWAYS the weirdo and they are all so loud and extroverted and they mock me in really subtle ways. But I always felt that there is more going on than just introversion since I am pretty severe and always have been. Your comment may be my answer as well. God bless you.

[@jasperdraca]

I'm 35 and realized I am autistic about a year ago. Your comment about how your life has been hit hard. My folks raised me to be polite - good manners cost nothing after all. It was SO hard to learn what was polite and what was not and I felt stupid for not getting it when so many other got it so easily. So when people are rude, I either refuse to engage with some one so lazy and uncaring or flip my shit at the nasty piece of work. Not really anything in between.... Finding out about being autistic made it both worse and better - some behaviors I'm much more lenient to (like not making eye contact or speaking clearly), and less tolerant of others (like certain tones of voice or snatching things out of my hand).

[@objectivityisourfriend9631]

With you at 45. Well, I got the ADHD Dx at 26 and ASD at 44. Better late than never, but I agree it can be infuriating.

[@bridgetherrington8074]

Where did you go for a diagnosis? The center, here where I am, has declined an interview 3 times and has referred me to Psychiatry 3 times. It's so disheartening. I'm 44 and have intuitively known that I am on the spectrum for about 5 years, now. So, 5 years ago, I discovered that I wasn't defective but that I just needed different tools.

[@snowflakeyflake5239]

My 9 year old son & I just watched this & he’s never felt so understood & seen. You’ve brilliantly described his ADHD symptoms in ways he wasn’t able to articulate.

[@XeL__]

same with "why men arnt dating anymore" i felt so understood

[@SeafoamKitten]

That adhd feel when you said "you're probably not even watching anymore" and it made me come back to the vid because I got distracted and went to another tab lmaoo

[@daniyalmalikmehboob7476]

Hhh and going to the comments like me. I feelt that

[@jordanrichards320]

I was staring off into space when he said that and it made me snap back to reality! lol

[@Gamper1]

lmao same but im not diagnosed with anything i think i might have autism though. i started thinking about how little friends i have had

[@colleen_marie]

I didn’t even process that he said that, I was doing my makeup

[@mayazimmerman6130]

Happened to me too. I was looking at my phone and was like Whuh? Definitely have ADHD and I've long thought I might also be autistic.

[@eddjoestar2424]

As a person who has both ADHD and autism, let me tell you, the experience is truly difficult to put it in words One part of it is like this You're organized yet messy at the same time You want to do one of your favorite things and you're stuck deciding which one to do- Edit: Ayo, where did y'all come from-? I'm very glad that we can share our experiences here. I wanted to add another thing to this complicated experience. Chores is absolutely hell because not only can it be hard physical work at times, the whole house can become a distraction-

[@vendettamedianl]

I have ADD and suspected for years now to maybe have a form of autism light as well. I know what you mean, and when you finally chose something you're completely bored with it after five seconds so you go do something else entirely haha.

[@crackers3978]

it's like "my fridge is orderly, but everything else in my house is not lol" because the fridge is where you store the food, which has my comfort food in it, which means i need it orderly so that i can find food my lmao this, or i just have an obsession over making my fridge orderly lol

[@bladeofSteele]

I really need to see a professional because I have never related to something as much as this

[@shaniaswaby]

I-

[@SRPeeps]

@@shaniaswaby 😄🤣😂

[@lezbeehonest0294]

As someone who suspects to be on both spectrums, I love the "hyperdistraction" vs "hyperfocus" distinction. I have hyperfocuses--things which I will latch on to and get hooked on for years (like playing specific video games to completion, listening to specific music and memorizing all the lyrics, rewatching specific movies), but which do not necessarily _take_ my time, I just _decide_ to keep doing them and not focus on other things like bodily needs. But I also have hyperdistractions--small interests that actively take over my attention system for a full day or for hours straight and I _forget_ to eat, sleep, or drink water--like going down rabbit holes, learning new skills, projects around the house, etc. I suspect you are right that the prior comes from the ASD, and the latter from the ADHD, as one brings a steady stream of comfort/self-soothing and the other brings sudden troves of stimulation and dopamine.

[@feth7747]

ADHD is A FRAUD to hidden the INDIGO CHILDS. ADHD is the unique mind against BS the world has told everyone to listen, follow, and obey.

[@lezbeehonest0294]

@@chrysalis4126 yeah I was more so trying to differentiate WHY I get hyper focused and how that probably signifies which disorder is driving it. ADHD is stimulation and ASD is comfort/routine.

[@SeldomBucket]

Oh holy shit. That makes so much sense.

[@jumperontheline]

​@@lezbeehonest0294I'm not diagnosed with anything, except OCD years ago, but I know that I definitely have dyspraxia. I was very confused listening to this video. You have explained it in a simple, clear way that my brain can understand. Comfort vs stimulation. Thank you! 💞

[@hossap3067]

I just need to say this video is amazing, it has a very neurodivergent friendly atmosphere in contrast to other videos on these topics, and you have a very likable and amazing amount of honesty. I just wanted to say thank you.

[@peachshoes3793]

bouncing the ball amused me.

[@XeL__]

+1 friendly , positive nihilsim! 'how to min max our autism even if everyone die inside 120 years of experiencing being alive"

[@gmamapetey44]

I love the authenticity of this human as well. I feel comfortable and safe watching.

[@990nish]

I almost cried during the motivation part. I've always been the kid who says "why why why?" I need to understand what I'm doing, why, what the benefits are, everything. That along with everything else really makes me think it's time to go to the doctor

[@valerieferro4886]

I was always a “why” kid too and got in so much trouble cuz adults thought I was being defiant ... and even at a young age I’d take each adult aside and explain “I need to know why, so I can understand the importance in order to do it” All the adults: 😳

[@SheliakDragon]

Most hated answer: "Because that's how it is!" or worse: "Because I said so!" Ugh....

[@annieb7919]

@@valerieferro4886 Me: "Why?" Other person: "Because I said so!"

[@annieb7919]

@@SheliakDragon Sorry, Sheliak. I replied before I read your comment. It seems as though we took the words right out of each other's mouth!

[@msaubrieify]

I'm that way as an adult and I infuriate some people. It's so hard. I got diagnosed as a 35 yo

[@kurbverobel2112]

ADHD: I found how to do boring things, when I do 2 things at the same time, I can do everything. Watching tv while drawing, singing/dancing while cleaning.

[@RachelAmmons]

yeah doing two things at once can help. Doodling in class always helped me absorb information... Sometimes I get to the point I can’t even focus on a show I like... so I end up watching something on iPhone at the same time as iPad 😂 two different shows at once

[@kurbverobel2112]

@@RachelAmmons Haha! Totally, also when real live show was still a thing I use to lost myself in the music gear the musicians were using. But hey! It's okay. Cuz we are made to be warrior in forest aware of every little movements!

[@maddyc8695]

surprisingly this is true for me too, I can write essays while singing a song and listening to music 😂

[@EmilyKnight413]

Yessss!!!!

[@EmilyKnight413]

I also found in college that handwriting my notes, not typing, and then re-writing those notes over and over while reading them put loud really helped. I also used to need loud music to fall asleep. Have had a solid stimulant medication for about 20 years now and still struggle with the guilt of being told I was unmotivated or had no ambition as a school child.

[@CyberHak]

I love the way you were a little overwhelmed at the start, and then completely smashed it by producing an amazing insight into the idiosyncrasies of two similar conditions, that also have many differences; you explained far better than any other "so called" expert who never lived with the challenges they're trying to describe. 43k likes is certainly a fair reward for your great work. Very useful indeed. Thanks.

[@aacotyaa]

I have ADHD, and what you described with how hyperfocusing works with you is actually exactly how it works with me. I have a very hard time with multitasking, but I can't get really focus in on a particular project almost to the point that it becomes obsessive, and then all my other responsibilities get put aside and neglected until I eventually completely burn out on the thing that had my attention.

[@KitmaNara]

I have both ADHD and severe depression. Depression causes that inertia he talked about; it takes a ton of energy to be able to start even simple things. Yet at the same time, my brain keeps having these great ideas of things to do, such as what plants to start, which ones need to be repotted, oooooo we should make a flower box with this wood, no I need to build a trellis, of but we also have to walk the dogs, and clean the kitchen. Then I get paralyzed because there is some much my mind wants to do, so many great things to do and learn, but I just get find the energy to start.

[@G8tr1522]

Kitma Nara damn, I can relate so hard

[@MLSMiss]

I relate 1000%! You are NOT alone. 👍

[@stephg9651]

YES! I've had such a similar flow of thoughts starting from plant ideas, too lol! It's so crazy how the mind can get so overly excited with all these awesome ideas that genuinely captivate us, yet, at the same time, those same amazing ideas become completely overwhelming all at once.

[@geminisduerme5266]

I know exactly how you feel....But my severe depression no longer exists after I started taking adderall 10mg per day which allows me to complete tasks. If you dont have goals and aren't completing them then depression will exist. The adderall removed much of my depression and allows me to complete everything I want on a daily basis but it still requires effort it just makes it easier for you to not get in ur head so much. This doesnt mean sadness or depression is completely removed as this is a normal human behavior. The adderall can just regulate u a little more so the depression isnt as severe. Its changed my life for the good but my journey isnt over because i still need to work on my diet exercise and sleeping habits which play a important part in improving ur mind and body...also i have been meditating and speaking with a psychiatrist and therapist for cognitive behavior. I hope this helps you guys. adderall was a good start for me and im still on it today after 6 months and im still working on myself but life is getting better and easier. Stay well and healthy we are not alone.

[@fjola8679]

YES! YES YES!

[@velvety_antlers]

I was diagnosed with ADHD at 12 years old. As an artist, my ability to hyper focus allows me to sit at an easel and paint for up to 10 hours at a time, often ignoring if I’m hungry or tired, because I’m determined to finish a painting. I get into a flow where time disappears and I have tunnel vision on my work.

[@valerieferro4886]

Same!!! Honestly, he mentioned so many behaviors and things an autistic and ADHD person says that should have given my parents and doctor SOO many warning signs!! It’s frustrating

[@code-dredd]

I did this with a model Harley Davidson motorcycle... started at 8:30am and finished it around 9:00-9:30pm the same day... straight w/o eating, etc.

[@Fllangees]

This is truly the beauty of it

[@Lu-kw8vw]

Me too.

[@Thisisnttravis]

Same but put me in front of the computer at work and I can't get any focus

[@rachelbeck6444]

I am SO grateful for this!!! I am 48 years young, a caregiver to my mother, a 3x college student, and full time employee. I have been diagnosed with ADHD but, the therapy in my area is awful. I have worked with autistic humans and have many many autistic friends and have always known that I am on the spectrum (I think my mother is as well.) I cried when you talked about masking and the crash because this has been my WHOLE life and people label me as anti social because I just can't regulate after masking all day, everyday, always. I'm tired. I'm tired of "failing" at things because the communication is rigid. Thank you for understanding. I wish you so much abundance.

[@samiryan214]

Are we young in 48 years of age?

[@user-up4ql2ts4w]

The more I watch videos about adhd with autism, the more I'm convinced I have both.

[@Isabel-kl6gd]

The only way I can stay focused on videos is by reading the comments. I can’t just watch a video. My therapist recently diagnosed me with autistic as well as have ADHD, and tbh this video made me sure of it

[@benjaminrowberry2252]

i do that too c=

[@LewisHamiltonMSPR]

This is me for literally every video even if it's only a few minutes in length and something I really want to know about, with very, very few exceptions for ones that are at the extreme pique of my interest, but even then it's a struggle. I haven't been able to watch a TV programme, movie or lengthy online video in years, meanwhile I effortlessly spend hour after hour reading people talking about them.

[@ripley2009]

The only way I can watch videos or TV is to also be doing else at the same time. Mostly I knit. I knit until my hands hurt, but I have to be doing some kind of repetitive task or I can't focus. It has to be a repetitive task... I discovered another one I can use. Rolling beads, cutting strips of paper and rolling them into beads... that's actually a thing. There's tons of "bead rollers" on the web. But yes, like you, on youtube I also read the comments.

[@Baer1990]

I'm new to the channel and I self diagnosed myself with autism a while ago. I might have ADHD too and I'm still not sure about that. Or I'm just ignoring the evidence :P

[@anaveragetexan]

I have ADHD,And I just wanna share my Life so far with it I had it since birth,and until 2nd Grade I didn't take any Medication,I was that one Crazy Kid Who would Be hyperactive during day and Anxious and Wide awake during night. In 1st Grade I started feeling sad,But I didn't worry about it,In 2nd I started getting Tired which was a side affect of my Medicine and me Not wanting to sleep. In third grade Nothing really Happened Except the Medication Kept me More focused,And I did math Better!By 4th I don't think I had Depression but I Got really sad,And only sadder as the days passed,I started to cheer up when I met new friends,and I would play with my brothers Alot,But on the Inside I was still sad.I'm now in 5th Grade And I am living a Great life,Today I get hyperactive And Anxious all The time,And I can never Get peaceful sleep because of my two Little brothers,Also my older brother Is autistic.

[@skunkyraccoon7572]

As I'm watching this I keep thinking about how I often feel a mixture of both.

[@kaylavelez1424]

I am so glad i am not the only one that feels that way

[@anitafarren4590]

I'm very much both as well. And believe, there's more people who have 1 or both of these conditions that are aware of it themselves. The more I understand my own goofy issues, the more I recognize them in other people.

[@anitafarren4590]

Meeee toooo!!!

[@sabihachughtai6957]

Anita Farren p

[@StarriSprinkles]

Samee

[@HexIsme]

This is really interesting. I don't have autism or ADHD (Clinical depression and social anxiety in spades though), but I love learning about the different ways people operate and what to expect/how to handle differences. So many people take communication for granted, but it's anything but simple when you really look at it for more than a couple minutes at a time.

[@quirix6980]

im going to hell (i laughed when you said c. depression)

[@katejones2172]

That's me too its very complicated but fascinating at the same time jaded & empty that's me 😭

[@feth7747]

ADHD is A FRAUD to hidden the INDIGO CHILDS. ADHD is the unique mind against BS the world has told everyone to listen, follow, and obey.

[@JxSTICK]

We need more people like you. I really appreciate it if people are interested in a disorder or illness and want to learn about it, but don't even suffer from it

[@ashraftarabishi2319]

If you have social anxiety, you are very likely to be on the neurodevelopmental spectrum. It needs careful look.

[@fahado12]

I started watching this video to educate myself since I have ADHD. Not even 3 minutes in and I get called out 2:45 😂 I lost focus because I turned my TV on for background noise but then I started to mess with the network settings and lost focus on the video.

[@armorsmith43]

ADHDer here. I sometimes seem like I am on the autism spectrum because: 1) I’ve failed to pick up on social cues/norms because I just...didn’t know what to pay attention to. 2) I sometimes hyperfocus on learning something I find rewarding. Then I’m all excited and want to tell strangers fun facts about the history of the London sewer system. 3) To avoid being a late, I am meticulous about immediately entering events things into my calendar and then creating events for the travel time. I’m naturally freewheeling and go with the flow of what catches my fancy...but I don’t want people to be disappointed in me, so I systematize.

[@SlenderGamer56]

BROOOOOO! Me fucking too!! I seriously don't know what to label myself. I feel that labeling what I feel and how I act will just make me feel sane. Sometimes I feel like a crazy person because I act and do things that are super weird to some people.

[@godsdaysp2]

Omg same!!!!!

[@Monrealese]

Saaaame!

[@bjsteg79]

Same. Also considering seeing an autism specialist to see if I may, infact, fall into an aspie diagnosis.

[@HaseoXth]

It's quite common to have both. I believe I read somewhere that 50% of children who were diagnosed with ASD also have ADHD. At 33 I have been diagnosed with both Aspergers and Combined ADHD.

[@eev14]

I'm a woman with about as obvious of a case of ADHD as possible, yet no professional or teacher etc. ever even thought of it, instead here they seem inclined to believe that women just have borderline or bipolar disorder, neither of which can be applied to me but they've tried to, never got an official diagnosis. Then recently the puzzle pieces started coming together for me and i realized i'd been struggling with ADHD all my life and nobody knew. Went to a psychiatrist and he told me i was a very obvious case, i got prescribed medication and i haven't felt this clear and motivated in pretty much ever. It's a shame we tend to think of ADHD and Autism as men's psychological problems and Personality disorders (like Borderline) as women's issues.

[@lottenbavik6649]

Eva Verheij me two but I actually got the diagnosis bypolar type 2. I didn’t mind and those meds helped some but I noticed when me and my therapist evaluated every year that I had to look hard to find somethings that could fit some criteria. I thought I was very neurotypical, just had some issues that I believed was from other things. Then me and my bonus sister met some online friends with ADHD and to my sister later they where OMG don’t you two see it. Took years to even get to do the tests since my doctor put everything in bipolar. My next realized immediately and said you can have both, let’s get you tested, the one I have know is a specialist and he has ruled out bypolar completely. For me it wouldn’t have been a big thing if I had it but it’s good to now the facts so I can get to know myself without blaming myself, well trying to atleast. Many women get misdiagnosed or have bipolar and ADHD but some doctors don’t look for more then bipolar and then they’re done.

[@racheltest]

It's much more socially acceptable to be ADHD than it is to be labeled as borderline, though they have so much in common. I think women are generally seen as "weaker" so it's easier to think we're just neurotic, whereas men tend to have pressure to "do the right thing" so it is considered more of a behavioral issue than a psychological one, though those things are not innately separate. Look into DBT, it helps for both :)

[@pinksalt1057]

Can I ask what medication did you find effective with adhd?

[@elizabethbennet4791]

because no one in society gives a fuck about anyone any longer. that's why

[@Correctrix]

Eva, for a moment I thought this was a comment by me that I'd forgotten about, because every word of it seems to be talking about me.

[@seltra1328]

Hi! I'm a psychology student and I have to congratulate you on your explanation and examples. It was very clear and interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@Cleric314]

I think this is one of the best caring and thoughtful comment sections. My younger brother was officially diagnosed with both autism and ADHD. Him and i are extremely similar, like we have the same habits, likes and dislikes and overall think and act the same, but I don't have his adhd tendencies, so it was basically an autism diagnosis by proxy for me if that makes sense. The more i looked into autism and researched it the more i felt like i was reading about myself. I went my whole life not knowing why i felt so different and alien to everyone around me. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences ❤

[@brandonmcalpin9228]

“You’re probably not even watching anymore” I felt that. Idk why but I did

[@daniyalmalikmehboob7476]

Yes me too and I'm going to the comments

[@courtneyyoung9758]

Same

[@Alucardtube636]

Haha same here,

[@APieceofT-BoneSteak]

I went into the comments before I even got to that part.

[@mudskipper2842]

i didnt even here him say that o_o

[@tanyacarbajal3597]

When you talked about being a kid masking at school and crashing at home being too exhausted to mask anymore, it made so much sense to me why my son is perfect at school but has a meltdown when he gets home. I thought for so long that I was doing something wrong.

[@itsyaboichilde5397]

Glad you realized it :D sometimes parents don’t even want to understand

[@allyinthewonderlandz6675]

Is it mean all these kids are autism?I though all kids are like that,lots teacher told me their kids act like that too.

[@brendaleelydon]

Yup. I've had to explain this to my kid's other caregivers (& even remind myself sometimes!). In the same vein, it kinda explains why kids will lash out at their primary caregiver - they had to work *SO HARD* at keeping it together & "being good" all day at school/a sleepover/parental visitation day, & now they're in a safe space, with a person they trust loves them unconditionally, & not only can they finally take off the dang mask, there's a lot of pent up emotions (good & bad!) that sorta just spill out. My kid & I are working on finding ways to help her decompress in a more acceptable way, that doesn't hurt me or her and actually gets her needs met, vs just exploding her emotions. :-D

[@blaqgurl]

I felt the same way. Have me some 😮‍💨 relief.

[@kaylaschroeder1]

Just get home and plop on the couch... for hours... lol

[@chrisblack6039]

''i'm speaking quickly because if it don't i'll forget what i wanted to say'' - Dude. You've just made me realise what is the likely cause of why I speak so fast and always have done and am simply incapable of slowing down!

[@rebeccahartong5700]

This talk was SO well done! Very clear, good points, well presented. I learned a lot. Thank you for your personal excellence and teaching others about a subject you know well. Please keep it up!

[@ambergardener9114]

I feel like ADHD should be AIERD (attention, impulsiveness, emotional regulation disorder) then it would cover hyperactivity, stimming, being distracted AND being hyperfocused, meltdowns, problems with decision making, rsd, emotional outburst (positive or negative), and more

[@mandarinablue8438]

I honestly think so too

[@covellin_]

We need to make it to WEIRD because thats how I feel in life

[@robertraymond762]

Noo! ADHD should be relabeled as NTSHEF,INO?D.BA,FT.U (Nothing To See Here Folks, I'm Normal, Ok? Disorder. But Also, Fuck This. Ugh). They should call it NTSHEF,INO?D, instead of ADHD.

[@covellin_]

@@robertraymond762 shorten it to "Ugh" and I'm in

[@MonerLaine]

I call it Attention Filter Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder. Because that's what i lack, a filter for my enormous attention

[@Starmel.Caramel]

*Casually changing sitting positions every 30 seconds in chair*

[@BlueBeluga]

relatable as hell

[@EmilyKnight413]

Covid and zoom really allowed me to see how externally visible my ADHD is. Had no idea how much I move. I don’t fidget so much as this... perpetual motion. Zoom was really tough.

[@fejnikwpuiwdiwauid]

read this just as I kept changing my position for the 7th time in a minute

[@Starmel.Caramel]

@@fejnikwpuiwdiwauid nnnnice

[@dont_harsh_my_mellow]

@@EmilyKnight413 literally for my class I noticed how much I got distracted or how much I would focus on looking at myself and making sure I looked like I was focusing when I wasn’t. 😭

[@TD-nf1qo]

Absolutely still watching! This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much for all your thoughts.

[@tmalloy9]

I love your content and efforts. My whole family is ADHD and ASD in various combos. You help me breathe through it, laugh out loud, cry a little in relief, strategize.

[@heyitsfranklynn168]

As an ADHD, i feel so disrespectful when im so mind bendingly board by small talk.

[@ritasjourney]

I've always been kind of proud of myself for not liking small talk. Buuuut I suppose it's better if I can try to do it sometimes. When it suits me.

[@Drakeblood97]

If you're board, why don't you try planking?

[@dannialcardillo623]

@@Drakeblood97 lmao don't poke fun 🤣

[@jay.2512]

your grammar is ticking me off

[@AImighty_Loaf]

Same. But i have depression right now so badly that i can't even talk to people period

[@LG123ABC]

I was diagnosed with ADD (ADHD without the hyperactivity) as an adult. I'm glad you mentioned the ability to hyper-focus. A lot of people seem to think that someone with ADHD is unable to focus on anything but, with me, it tended to be an "all or nothing" kind of thing. I remember an incident many years ago when I started working on a project in my garage one Saturday morning that completely captured my attention. I remember my wife would occasionally check on me but I really didn't give her that much notice. When I finally decided that I was tired and needed a break -- after what I thought had a been a few hours -- I gradually realized that it was now Sunday morning. I had worked all day Saturday and all through Saturday night without noticing the passage of time.

[@anonymousaccount8941]

I can absolutely relate to that

[@LiaMenaker]

omg my life story - thanks for sharing

[@AggroPhene]

interesting that you noticed hyper-focus, as a symptom of your diagnoses, that is missing the hyperactive monicker.

[@deeperthings]

So, being completely disconnected from the real world experience of time passing while working on something that has captured your interest, is that a symptom of ADD, being on the spectrum, or both?

[@eds6569]

As a fellow ADHD member I completely understand. For one example me and my little brother once stayed up all night until the sun came up the next morning manually turning the dial on an old mechanical tally counter just to see what happened after the dial passed 9999 (he's probably somewhere on the ADD spectrum as well). Hyper-focus has caused a load of problems for me in my life (especially in my marriage) without realizing it because once I find things that stimulate my mind nothing else matters (especially time.) If only I could hyper-focus on things that are important but suck doing... I know the end result is awesome if I push through all the uncomfortable and/or boring crap but that's only one big brain meal vs lots of little bites of dopamine goodness to keep me going until I get the end result when I'm doing something I truly enjoy (even though most ppl around me think it's dumb/pointless/a waste of time/ect...)

[@forbiddensilhouette5824]

Thanks for articulating everything so perfectly. I have shown these videos to my loved ones because I never quite understood how to express everything without becoming petrified.

[@cb1678]

Love your videos, Paul! Incredibly detailed, engaging, and full of cogent answers to questions I hadn't even thought to ask yet. Please keep doing the amazing work you're doing--it has positive ripple effects across the world, farther than you can know. :-)

[@siemlybi]

All the comments about ADHD peeps are like "I stopped paying attention to the video because I was reading the comments" and I'm like wow maybe I'm not actually ADHD and then I was like wait I'm literally doing the dishes while baking muffins while also watching

[@paulmadreddog282]

Or is that abandoning part-washed dishes whilst burning the muffins and partly watching whilst realising you must've left the keys in the lock again and deciding to redecorate and skipping back on the same part four times bc attention...?

[@Maria-ug3pw]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's and ADD 10 years ago when I was a 12-years-old girl and I remember the relief I felt when my mom gave me a pamphlet about autism to read and it pretty much described my daily life. I cried because I realized that there was nothing wrong with me and that I was simply a little different and that that is okay :)

[@popinmo]

How do you know you have both?

[@thegreatcanadianlumberjack5307]

I never knew i had it until i was told when i was 6 that i have Autism (And aspergers as well since at the time they were both under the same thing), Epilepsy and OCD i was 3 when i was diagnosed, i remember going to the Hospital and the Doctor was making me follow her finger using my eyes and i was put in an MRI that day. It feels good because i have been told by Medical professionals that i would never see the day i would be able to do things on my own or have a job. I am 25 years old rent my own place, Have a wife, Work as an electrician and do things like anyone else. But the thing is i stay very quite about it Because of the stigma attached to it although not as bad compared to 20 years ago. But it has cost me Jobs and made people view me diffrently.

[@popinmo]

@@thegreatcanadianlumberjack5307 idk I suck at everything I don't know if I can work

[@thegreatcanadianlumberjack5307]

​@@popinmo of course you can. My reccomendation is and this really helped me is to find a Work placement program. They are super helpful and some actually pay you throughout the program as well. No one sucks at everything. Trust me i used to feel that way and it was not a good feeling getting let go every 3 months. until i was told about that and i was able to find not only my Career but a job that i could hold down and learned what i was doing wrong. One of them was disclosing my Disabilty

[@nicoleowens2318]

You're very lucky. My mom told me to shut up and deal with it, just act like everyone else, that I was bad, I was always in trouble in school and at home because I couldn't focus, calm down, sit still, or deal with overstimulation, then developed behavioral issues and struggled in every possible way with life until now, my 30's, when I was finally able to be diagnosed with both conditions and everything made sense. It was only when I got my daughter help and learned about the symptoms of her conditions that I started to understand myself, and I also cried like a baby. I don't mean to overstep but I hope you have told/tell your parents that their support made all the difference, because it definitely does, and maybe thank them if you feel so inclined, because it is nice to hear as a parent where we went right, we tend to focus a lot on our shortcomings. Imagine going another 20 years like that before you figured it out! It's not an easy life. I'm glad you were able to get clarity on it young, and I wish you all the best in managing your superpowers lol, when you understand your strengths and weaknesses the sky is the limit.

[@arlettineharpy86]

Thanks for these brilliant videos, I am a teaching assistant working with special needs and a trainee music therapist and I'm finding the way you explain these topics really helpful!

[@Neko-Duck]

Love that even this was posted 3 years ago, people are still having conversations here! Gives me hope.

[@YoSamdySam]

This video (especially the part about small talk) give me further confirmation that I have parts of me that cannot be explained by autism alone. I watch most KZbin videos on 1.5x speed, which apparently is common to adhders. The constant feeling of boredom sometimes can be agonising. Thanks for making this.

[@spiralcat6376]

You can do that? :o Sweet

[@deguown]

1.5x speed makes anyone sound like Ben Shapiro

[@Call-me-Al]

I watch most on 2x unless it is someone who already speaks fast, or it needs to be in 1x speed for max effect, like acting or music.

[@daynataylor8609]

I didn't know this was possible!! THANK YOU

[@pepsyboo]

woah, I literally watched one of YOUR VIDEOS on 2x speed yesterday!! I watch all non-music videos on high-speed.

[@SageH-xl8iu]

One of my therapists recommended me the book "Smart but Stuck". It's about teens and adults with ADHD and it's really helpful because it actually mentions the emotional consequences of ADHD. Like for me, having my shame for not being able to do things I don't want to validated almost made me cry.

[@derickzon3347]

Terapy and psycologi and all does tings feel very exploititive at times but maybe you should ask yourself is it working or is it traing to Hurt you in some way or on purpuse be carful with watever dei tell you dads all

[@braylenlandkey]

You no longer need other people's validation, we are now able to self-validate with DBT skills, Cheers & God bless kzbin.info/www/bejne/ravYh2alo7N3rMU&ab_channel=InnerRenovations psychcentral.com/blog/imperfect/2019/11/why-its-so-important-to-validate-yourself-and-how-to-start

[@feth7747]

Its NOT smart and stuck, its smart but LIED, but some INGIGOS, are enought smart to not fall in the trap. ADHD is A FRAUD to hidden the INDIGO CHILDS. ADHD is the unique mind against BS the world has told everyone to listen, follow, and obey.

[@k0r034]

almost? I cry all the time thinking a bit more deeply about all the things that I want to do but find hard to find the drive and motivation to do it

[@anthommflu4946]

@@k0r034 hello, don’t know if you’ve already watched them but I highly recommend contents on the channel How to ADHD, for me those knowledge and techniques are really really helpful. Sometimes just listen to her speaking can help me recognize where exactly lies the problem and get rid of the constant feeling of shame and chaos.

[@vanessadrechsler1170]

Thanks Brian. It is really helpful to hear the mixture of factual information with lived experiences. Well done you!

[@joshuaisaiahwilson]

Enjoyed this video. The part explaining what motivates the reactions to small talk was especially interesting to me! Autism vs adhd is a topic you should definitely keep talking about.

[@Margatatials]

"No one can see how hard you are trying" that hit like a tonne of bricks, I can remember crying as a little kid because other children received merit awards for trying hard in xyz subject and I never did even though I always tried hard in everything.

[@ChrisDragon531]

Same! I also have three younger siblings (Neurotypical) and when they were always getting those good grades and awards I would also cry (and feel a bit jealous, because I didn't understand why my hard work wasn't paying off like my siblings' were)

[@leftlane5085]

i didn’t take my second dose of adhd medicine today (first time i’ve missed a dose on a while) and i’m back to pushing off getting in the shower by laying down on the end of my bed (over the comforter) watching youtube videos rewinding every 20 seconds and then leaving the video halfway through to do the same thing with another video. now i rly have to go shower

[@leafface5890]

Oh god that’s a mood

[@LitsaPizza]

You perfectly described how my day went today

[@SheepWaveMeByeBye]

Internet addiction?

[@leftlane5085]

@@LitsaPizza it's nice to be reminded that others share my struggles

[@leftlane5085]

@@SheepWaveMeByeBye i mean that's a pretty vague term. i am definitely on the internet a lot because it is easy to find stimulation there compared to "the real world" where i rarely have people around me that have the same interests as me edit: and i also get rly anxious irl and im a bit awkward

[@SoraRoxas87]

Thank you for these videos; they have offered the most information and insight into having Autism I've seen. I just find so many relatable statements and it's somewhat comforting to know that certain challenges ARE normal for someone with Autism.

[@EllieGirl93]

Great video! 😊 I’m a 30 year old woman and was only just diagnosed with ADHD this week. I always knew I was a little bit different and quirky growing up 😂 and now that I know I have this neurological condition, it all makes sense. Thank you for spreading awareness about both ASD and ADHD to the wider community 💕

[@askingaliicja]

Girls/women (I noticed with myself and from conversations with other women with AD(H)D) with ADHD also have the same problem when it comes to masking: behave and do everything as 'normal as possible' and then have a bigbigbig CRASH at the end of the day, or during the day when no one is watching. You get a lot and I mean A LOT of stimulation from surroundings (and just everything that is going on in your head) which you can't really filter. BUT you use all of your energy to try and filter it and not let people know you're actually distracted and not listening to them anymore. And then you get moments where you think, because of that, omg I am so bad at communicating and it takes so much energy, that I just don't want to communicate at all because what if people notice I get distracted, then think I am not interested in them and then they won't like me. Or worse, if you're a professional and have professional conversations and get distracted. WOW. And then you spend days overthinking that, consuming a lot of energy there. And even years later you might think back of that moment because you experience something similair. Being afraid they might think you're not professional. Problem with girls/women is that, as with autism, girls can really do the 'mimicking' part well. It's not a natural way to behave like others. You already notice that from a really young age. But we mimic, therefore not being diagnosed (or really late) and learning all the kinds of strategies to mask what's going on. But later in life ending up more f*cked than men, because they got diagnosed earlier therefore learning good strategies from professionals that women learn when they're adults after being diagnosed.

[@gnedsu]

Yes INDEED Girl!👏🏾

[@chrisrohr7066]

This is deeply relatable. 💜

[@minnomaters]

This was EXACTLY my experience pre-diagnoses. I would literally fall on the couch and pass out when getting home in high school, but that whole day I acted the model student. It was to the point where teachers genuinely didn't understand why I was doing badly grade wise in their classes when I was constantly engaged in class (because it was the only way I could funnel my lack of impulse control) and they told me "if only you tried a little harder", which was very hurtful at the time.

[@johanna9612]

@@minnomaters i feel so understood right now... it's the same for me evey day in school. Apparently I'm pretty intelligent so i should be able to get good grades but it's the complete opposite. Most of my teachers think i'm just lazy and don't care about school while I'm trying so hard to do my best! I'm exhausteed after school, I hate going outside it just takes too much energy and sometimes even a normal day is too much to handle. The worst thing is, nobody understands or even tries to understand. "Do better, try harder" is the dumbest thing i heard in my life and i know the pain of being told that so well... I hope you find something you genuinly enjoy doing so it gets better at work. Know that at least your adhd peers understand what you're going through and are proud of everything you've done so far! And if you don't know Jess from How to ADHD, check her out she's more helpful than therapie and medication for me and is just an angel! (Sorry for any mistakes, english is my 2nd language :)

[@BananaPizza101]

Does anyone else just disappear to recharge? Or even have periods of heavy socialisation followed by periods of minimal social contact? Or get SO damn bored and/uncomfortable that you will use ANYTHING as a distraction (ie. impulsivity), even if it goes against your logic/instincts?

[@gnedsu]

I know what I want to do. I know what I need to do. I just CAN'T MAKE MYSELF DO IT!!!🙌🏾🤦🏾‍♀️😫

[@mintybirdy3850]

I RELATE SO HAAAAAAARD! 😤😖😥🥺

[@larswillems9886]

I was busy with homework until KZbin bacame more interesting.

[@kille7543]

Me too 🤗

[@amypena46]

Thank you so much for making your video’s. I just happened to stumble upon your channel and now I’m just in awe of how you can explain things so differently than any other videos I’ve searched for help about myself, my son. I see it now at 58 years old that myself, my Dad, older brothers are in this mix of the spectrum . I was fortunate enough to find out my son has Aspergers at age 6. Long story throughout his life from that on up to 19 years of age. You are exceptional in how you explain in your videos and I’m truly thankful that I found you. Please keep up your work and talent on helping others understand this hard but awesome spectrum we are on. My story with my boy is way too long to put on your comment section. I just want to thank you.

[@4amomille]

This was incredibly helpful. Your explanation at the beginning of the video of how you have modified your day to actually make the video is such a good way of modelling how to accommodate your own needs as someone with autism. I'm really glad I tuned into this particular video, and have some rethinking to do. Thank you.

[@nomic800x3]

The part where he said w aspergers u lack the motivation to start task but when u do it’s hard to stop is the most relatable thing I’ve ever heard in my love

[@nomic800x3]

Life

[@wastelanderone]

it's also super ADHD, can I start no not really but also I have started to unpack the boxes I moved in with 10 months ago AND YOU CANNOT STOP ME

[@enoch4499]

24 years of being undiagnosed, the ONLY person in my life to accept the REAL me is my husband. Bless his heart. I don't think I would have diagnosed Asperger's if I didn't have him. Starting to think I have both but for now I'm educating myself on Asperger's first. Thanks for your work.

[@yetanotherretroreview4476]

Don't think they call it aspergers anymore...you fronting?

[@nesy5041]

Don't use the word Asperger's please. It's ASD / Autism.

[@rantersparadise]

@@nesy5041 No people do.

[@rantersparadise]

@@yetanotherretroreview4476 I do. Stop policing ppl.

[@thelastmotel]

@@yetanotherretroreview4476 Asperger's hasn't been a diagnosis in the US since 2013, and the rest of the world dropped it as a diagnosis between 2020 and January of this year (varying by region). It is important for people to understand and accept that Asperger's is no longer a diagnosis anywhere in the world anymore.

[@saintessa]

You have very good lecturing/teaching skills about a topic. This video basically covers it all, well explained and gets to the point, well researched too! Thank you for helping us understand

[@j4k9]

I'm a diagnosed ADHD and at the end of this video (and others from you) I've gotten pretty sure that I am in the autism spectrum as well. Put on top of that that I am a pattern thinker, and my mode of information flow is text. People telling me stuff on the fly? I'm socially confused, look for the context, get understimulated, am wrongfooted and thinking "leave it in chat!" and likely to forget what they just told me the moment I realize how important it was, all at the same time. Thank you a ton for these videos, they help me adress the half of my issues I so far was on my own with.

[@marcoaziel]

The way you look around at your thoughts as you explain them, like they exist in physical space around you, is incredibly relatable

[@ErikaEmody]

Same

[@itmustbecomeasun]

"like they exist in physical space around you", are you implying my thoughts aren't there? 😱

[@doctordark3527]

Get off KZbin

[@rvc731]

Is this autism or adhd?

[@TheLegitSounds]

@@itmustbecomeasun They're projected onto a visual overlay on top of what we see. Especially if you have ADHD w/ Autism and Dyslexia.

[@bevrolee8887]

“You’re probably not watching anymore.” After watching another video of yours and realizing that I’ve never heard anyone else voice what I’ve felt my whole life... I recognize your anxiety, and appreciate that you’re still making this video. Thank you.

[@tyhayes2098]

I'm currently undiagnosed but researched this topic due to recent realizations that I clearly have something. I absolutely agree with your comment though. When I heard him say "you're probably not watching anymore", I absolutely felt that. Also, is it just me, or does anyone who has one, the other or both seem to absolutely obsess about how others feel about interaction with them. I avoid interactions because I overtalk, over-explain, and overtime EVERYTHING. My wife clued me in on this.

[@maryellenholtzman6943]

Me to

[@elainefernandez9324]

I laughed so hard when he said "You're probably not watching anymore" because I had, indeed, drifted off to other things and was scrolling through other tabs at the time. Great video.

[@TrinaSafiya]

This was very helpful! Thank you for taking time to share and explain so much!

[@blue.orangeade]

SPECTACULAR VIDEO! Super engaging and cool! Love the notes lol, the speed of talking and the way you keep playing with the pen and ball, I really see some parts of myself in you. As a person with ADHD, I rarely watch an entire video through without losing focus or getting bored. Great job. 👍 Edit: P.S:- You have a great understanding of ADHD, and I learned a lot about Autism in this video as it was a condition I didn't properly understand before, so thank you

[@LadyKris3345]

I was diagnosed with Social Anxiey and ADD as an adult. I thought this explained everything. The doctor kept asking me what are you afraid of? People's opinions? No I told the doctor. I fell unsafe in a hostile world. And this video just made me cry because my doctor didn't get it and I didn't get it. And now I think I'm starting to and I'm scared.

[@rawrxd7870]

hru today?

[@thesalazar7328]

ADD and social anxiety gang 🙂. I am anxious around people, bc I got no idea of what the fuck I should do

[@M13C7]

I really do relate to this. I was in for social anxiety and general anxiety ( behavioural therapy ) and my therapist would keep asking me the same question, like what thoughts are you having, what worries are you having. And i kept explaining that i just feel anxious and unsafe, and exhausted. I dont actively think about anything, it is just a feeling of "better get out of here, better hide under a table, or in a dark corner" like my brain is wired like a rat that seeks corners.

[@MetaDecker]

I was Dx'd with ADHD when I was a kid and struggled too with social situations and basic functioning that others found easy. I'm 35 now, and as I've gotten a little older, life has gotten a bit easier. Also, my doctor prescribed me beta blockers and about 90% of my problems went away, lol... As far as doctors go, I'm VERY picky. I have some trust issues with doctors, but I found a good one who understands and has helped me tremendously. You owe it to yourself to find a good doctor who can really help you. I hope all is well and wish you the best

[@constanceweinberger3078]

PTSD can be a cause of these symptoms also; worth taking a look at .

[@whattup2704]

Diagnosed with ADHD at 29 and think I might also have autism. Pretty sure both run in the family. Everyone always thought I was "normal" because I have done well in school and at work. They don't know how much energy it costs me to be like them and how misunderstood I feel. It makes me sad :(

[@enearu599]

Same. I was good in school too and now I am struggling a bit but my family thinks I am just making up these things because of internet

[@JD-zh5nv]

But it's a dry sadness

[@katarinatill4713]

❤

[@amyk7039]

Thank you for sharing this! You have articulated exactly what my son is going through with ADHD. He is often labeled autistic by those who don't know there are similarities, but it isn't the same. You've also given me insight into what some of his struggles might be.

[@heather5207]

I love how you mentioned that you grabbed ahold of this energy to do this!!! I feel that!!! I wanna make videos too but I have to wait for a certain energy to overtake me or I can't do it.

[@atomicsnowflake]

I have both. I feel that my adhd causes me problems, whereas the autism doesn't cause me many functional difficulties, but only social ones. My adhd traits irritate me a lot and totally hold me back. I can't study or even read a newspaper article through. I can't sit still and am easily distracted. My mind is a jumble of thoughts and ideas which fly around, but never settle. If I don't feel interested in doing something I just cannot do it and I procrastinate all the time. My brain is so annoying 😖

[@BasedBassist]

You describe my issues well. I am 42 and have just been referred for ADHD and autism. My autism i can live with, even enjoy at times. My ADHD has held me back from my full potential and caused big problems in my career, relationships, my mental health, and my physical health.

[@tcKennedyRemedy]

Yep. I’m ADHD, a female, with severe hyperactivity all my life too. My mom taught me to love school, writing/reading etc. Or I would have fallen so far behind....it’s very difficult to start but I can change all over the place-in fact I guess I’ve made peace with it bc now I feel expert at social norms-I can always “pass” as normal bc I’m assessing ppl & their lies (to me/about themselves in gen) the whole time...I guess this is how socialization has become so stimulating; it’s never been an issue for me,, I’m always one of the loudest most popular in class even though “weird” or a little “off”. I also have BiPolar so that extremism is terrible-I’m always like ALL or Not

[@HaseoXth]

I'm guessing y'all also have really bad problems with sleep?

[@SS24ist]

@@BasedBassist same thing here. I was literally paralyzed with ADD inaction/procrastination and depression today. I was absolutely exhausted when my son went to bed because it took all of my energy to appear close to normal for him. But now I'm spending time on KZbin when I should be sleeping (of course! 🤦‍♀️)

[@elizabethbennet4791]

YES

[@elizabeth9841]

I always thought the experience of getting tunnel vision on a single task was just me. I often can't sleep because I can't stop thinking about how I'd approach a project and I just have to get up and do it, I have heaps of abandoned projects because they stopped being interesting to me in the moment. I guess the plus side is when I do end up fixated on something I need to do, like tidying, I can do it for hours and will end up going completely overboard and reorganizing everything

[@joeminella5315]

lol "Heaps of abandoned projects". Yup Yup!

[@retroman7331]

Can I ask a question? My twin brother has been diagnosed as a kid as having ADD. So I'm wondering does he has autism. I live in another country than him. He will ignore all my messages to him (as well as others). Then, every year or every six months...for about a week or two weeks he will contact me daily and spend hours on the phone with me. We don't talk about our lives much. We have to keep the conversation on topics he's interested in, baseball, politics, combat sports, tv shows/movies. Then, after about a week, he will no longer talk to me. Just completely stop answer my calls, no longer replying to my messages. I can try again in a month, and no replies. I just have to wait till he is in the mood to talk to me, which is about every 6 months or a year. Is this a symptom of autism? Where you care about someone for a few weeks out of the year then completely stop talking to them?

[@Beetletreuse]

I get random ideas sometimes that I just have to get up and write down or do because if I don't I will forget them in a matter of minutes... or sometimes I forget them before I've even got up and found a pen to write it down

[@Beetletreuse]

@@retroman7331 There's this thing called out of sight/out of mind.... where people with ADHD can sometimes forget people exist.... also I have a friend with Autism and we went over a year without speaking and I called her once a few months ago... talked for a couple hours... she said I could call her more often... yet she has not once called me since or before that even though she likes my posts on social media and such. I think it has to do with getting caught up in stuff and just forgetting to get back to people that you've been in contact with. Even with my own sister I will go days and days and days without talking to her, even forgetting to check my messages, or I'll look at something she sent me and forget to reply until days later. I haven't been diagnosed with either ADHD or autism.... but definitely have gone long periods of time avoiding talking to people.... while at the same time forgetting certain people exist unless randomly triggered by a memory

[@themelonsoup]

Absolutely relate to this

[@SheaDragonfae]

I rewound and listened to you speak out loud, my own brain thoughts.... It messed with me that it didn't have my brain voice but it was surreal experiencing that. I so love and appreciate this video and you for your time in making it. Thank you

[@sybilleschmitz186]

Thank you so much for all of your videos!!!! Your work here on this channel is so helpful and clears things in an appropriate way. Thank you very very much

[@foreverkenzie2397]

ADHD and hyper focus. Think its been 20minutes but its been 4 hrs

[@coreycox2345]

One way to get a lot done, Forever Kenzie. Or to not do what you intended.

[@_NekOz]

Bad combination when locked in you room with study project for two months, very difficult to keep leisure and work seperate. Ended up being more and more and more work, less taking care of myself. Worked like... 9 - 10 hours a day, was burned out for 3 months afterwards. One thing is for sure, for the next study project, I am going to keep it those two seperate and designate work time and leisure time.

[@miratarnish6316]

Music does that for me, particularly dance or in procrastination, or the dangerous combo in dance video games. Just 1 more song ends up being like 20.

[@coreycox2345]

@@miratarnish6316 Dancing is good for you, at least.

[@miratarnish6316]

@@coreycox2345 one of the only things that will have me working out for like 2 hour sessions, and learning to dance is a socially useful fixation to have, so it's been pretty handy.

[@skyllarrk]

With my ADHD, I struggle with both the “forcing myself to do the thing I know I need to do” AND putting on that “mask” , not just one. I both suppress my impulsive behavior while also struggling to get my tasks done due to my inattentive symptoms.

[@AlexSmith-np3sm]

Very well put from someone with adhd. that’s literally it I’m the same way.

[@achathorn]

Thanks for taking the time to explain this. Good information & well done.

[@Childoftheking89]

Thank you so much. I'm actually tearing up because you have put words to my adhd struggles and I feel so understood.

[@CoolBeans962]

Sensory processing issues, masking, crashing at the end of the day, hyperfocus, and difficulty with transitions are all things people with ADHD can experience too. The experience you described of waking up the next day still thinking about something from the night before can happen with ADHD too. I like the example where a person with autism would not understand the purpose of small talk, whereas a person with ADHD would have trouble focusing on it.

[@TheMarcusQuin]

Thank-you for stating this! ADHD is potentially more misunderstood because the symptoms are so commonly bandied-around by those that only take a casual interest or possess a ‘weekend workshop’ skill set and understanding. It is because of the easily digestible ‘key take-away’ points about ADHD that people mostly associate ADHD with observable behaviours, such a deviations from neuro-typical peoples’ abilities to easily transition between tasks and popular assumptions of why someone with ADHD act the way they do. Understanding the underlying motivators of these observable behaviours for all types of ADHD (attentive type, inattentive type, combination attentive/inattentive type) not to mention common male vs common female attributes of ADHD is very difficult, even with those with ADHD trying to ‘get’ why they act in certain ways or can’t complete seemingly ‘simple tasks’. An interest-based nervous system drives those with ADHD to seek out what they want to do or need (this is why some kids exhibit the commonly associated behaviour of ‘bouncing off the walls’ while others appear to day-dream and don’t readily respond when called upon). As you stated, people with ADHD do hyper-fixate on their need or interest (physical, sensorial or intellectual), but struggle greatly with the expectations to switch tasks quickly and on a regular basis (such as school schedules). Hence the masking, end of day crash and emotional and inter-personal dysregulqtion that are commonly experienced by people with ADHD, but is not commonly understood or even referenced in medical materials such as the DSM. Throw common executive function deficits into the mix, and things go quickly south almost on a daily basis for people with ADHD that are unmedicated or not diagnosed. Accepting the common overlaps both condition share will do more towards a better understanding of both ASD and ADHD than drawing lines in the sand determining which condition has explicit ownership of which characteristics.

[@Hellraiser988]

Yeah I always find small talk boring I love getting to the root of thing so anything I say just isn't explained great and some may say in a dick way but also straight to the point because I just feel small talk is going in circles

[@robosing225]

@@TheMarcusQuin Astute analysis. I have to say, if everyone here is identifying with ADHD/ADD and ASD neruotypes, how does a person act who is neurotypical? Basically, how "normal" is normal? It seems ADHD and ASD's spectrum is so broad, that common things like anxiety, stress, anti-social behavior, inattentiveness, hyper-attentiveness, etc., all bleed into each other while also being apart of a neurotypical person's mindset. For example, neurotypical people experience stress and anxiety too. Perhaps their work space isn't completely organized, or perhaps they exhibit introverted personally types too, yet they don't have adhd or asd. What's your thoughts on this?

[@xXxDinEnesteEnexXx]

I was misdiagnosed with aspergers at the age of 12. When I was 21, i got my proper diagnosis: ADHD. It has really messed me up for reasons I was going to explain, but I got distracted by the comments and now I forgot what I was going to write.

[@austinfernando8406]

OMG knew i couldn't be the only one! (except i got *wrongly* diagonsed with aspergers at 13) it's really messed me up too, and after i figured it out that aspergers doesn't fit me i got people saying "you can have both" yes i know but i don't. (also I had like pretty severe depression)

[@julieomalley9442]

Thank you so much for sharing! My daughter's 13 and I don't want to put labels on her unless they are going to be helpful!

[@xXxDinEnesteEnexXx]

@@julieomalley9442 The wrong labels can do way more harm than good!

[@j.kaimori3848]

@@julieomalley9442 the thing is, as most adults who find out feel, there's always labels. If it isn't "autistic", then it's "weird." The best thing about a diagnosis is knowing what to try to work on. Being told people didn't like me made me think of the autistic kid and it destroyed my self esteem because I was trying so hard and he was the only autistic person I knew at the time and he didn't care about assimilating. I crashed really badly until I realised autism was probably the thing and we don't have to use it as an excuse to not try to get along with others.

[@crist9573]

You are just nailed on with the ADHD part about the inablility to do what is needed to be done. There are all the plans and steps in the head but they are not just carried out.

[@MyDancer1996]

Wow! I've seen tons of these comparisons done by experts and this one was definitely the best!

[@teclinsoro4523]

i’m so glad this video has subtitles. i’m not hearing impaired (that i know of) but i find subtitles help me focus on videos and better process everything

[@Gonglette]

Same! I've always got them on at home as well!

[@pollystyrene99]

me too. I put them on the TV too

[@nicoleowens2318]

Wow I thought it was just me! It drives my daughter nuts but it's often the only way I can process what's happening and/or being said. I have to rewind things a lot too, sometimes many times, or even lower the speed on videos to understand them

[@kristinludlowUX]

This is actually a pretty common reaction to subtitles. Many design considerations originally made for people with disabilities become commonplace for "abled" people once they realize it makes their lives better. Many people with full hearing capabilities enjoy subtitles. Other examples of design for the "disabled" that become daily occurrences are sidewalk cuts for wheelchairs that end up being used by anyone with buggies, bikes or feet - while something as obscure as keyboard tabbing index for the low-vision people become boons for power users (like coders). Inclusive design and engineering practices become adopted by everyone at some point.

[@rahbeeuh]

Same. I tend to block it out if I don't have subtitles.

[@webba0342]

" If i stop speaking i'll forget what i'm saying. " * stops speaking * " Back on track, what was i saying? "

[@alexriley5580]

This is why it drives me up the wall when people interrupt me or try to finish my sentences for me.

[@skycastrum5803]

Yeah... losing track of things makes me very self conscious when having conversations. I don’t want to be taking up all the space in a conversation, but somewhat need to push for things to keep ideas locked in my head. It sort of helps to not talk as much. Plus there’s also the bonus of more observant people paying extra attention when you do talk. Unfortunately, most people aren’t like that, and being quiet can enhance the conversation problems by putting you out of practice.

[@Chirpy-eo8jq]

Meeeeeeeeeeeee

[@LizardLeliel]

There are times when I entirely lose my train of thought in the middle of speaking and need like ten seconds just standing there to regain it. And I'll regain it and continue on perfectly normally.

[@rylsahawneh3662]

@@LizardLeliel I have this and, what’s even more frustrating at times, I will lose my words as I’m about to say them.

[@semperfiarcher]

As I watched you, I saw myself and more so my son. I gained a lot of clarity from the video. Thank you!

[@StuffYouShouldBuy]

Your channel is awesome. Thank you. I want to understand my 3 kids, who have symptoms of varying degrees, even mum and myself. I am trying to understand and connect with them and help them find their way, with love and full support. Your channel is helping me see things in clearer and is removing the mental fears I have about Autism and ADD. All the best, be blessed.

[@MasiukA]

Both for me. Autism seems to govern me at the macro level, and ADHD at the micro level. So let's say, I can sit at the piano (special interest) and mess around for 3 hours and not get bored (macro), yet, as I do that, I can't seem to stay playing the same thing for very long (ADHD). Sometimes mid-song I will just switch to something else, or get lost messing around with the sound patches, or fixate on random details and forget the purpose of why I sat down at the piano in the first place. Stand-alone autism would be more start-to-finish task completion in a more anticipated set of steps, whereas I tend to have no particular order. With that said, I also thrive on order, at the macro level, and indeed plan my life rather meticulously. So again, it is macro and micro levels. Few people have talked about this as I have but I find more and more people agreeing this is their experience as well when they are diagnosed autistic and ADHD. My psychologist agreed as well.

[@Devil4D]

Interesting viewpoint on micro vs macro, ADHD vs Autism. I can feel similar when I use my computer, hyper focus on the general task (using the computer), and the ADHD part that result in many many tabs and diffrent projects active at the same time. Just a thought... When you play a song on the piano and you feel the urge to "move on"... Maby just "go with the flow" and play the next song that comes to mind, like a medley! Could result in some cool music and maby help to keep your focus. As I said, just a thought that popped in to my head, maby you have already tried it or you find the idea silly. Anyway, peace out! :]

[@chairninja]

How did you get assessed and diagnosed with both? I just got diagnosed with ADHD but suspect I also have ASD as well. My Therapist and the Psych I see for my ADHD don't seem interested in looking at it. Therapist just says "oh that's also ADHD" whenever I bring up something that might be ASD (but almost all of ASD and ADHD symptoms overlap???). And I discussed it with my Psych but they haven't explored it at all. I feel like I am now firmly in the ADHD box and getting anyone to look at the possibility of ASD as well is going to be equivalent to a sprint up Everest :( :(. I have tried looking for specialists who assess both ASD and ADHD but I can't find any. Any suggestions would be incredibly appreciated, I'm out of ideas.

[@MasiukA]

@@chairninja There are many similarities, yes, but also very substantial differences. I would look for characteristics of autism (out of the book, DSM-5), that are not part of the ADHD spectrum, for example difficulty in understanding neurotypical forms of non-verbal communication, relationships, etc, or some of the Criterion B components, such as adherence to routine, special interests, sensory sensitivity, stimming behaviours, etc, but more importantly, how/why those characteristics apply. For ADHD and autism, when the traits are similar, they are often similar but occur for different reasons. For example, stimming behaviours for ADHD might be just excess energy or restlessness, whereas for autism it is a soothing or sensory coping mechanism that aids in thought processing. As for myself, I got the Autism diagnosis first, and my psychologist suggested going for an ADHD assessment as well since there were clearly signs of both. A went to an ADHD specialist for that, who was a different psychologist than the one for my autism diagnosis.

[@MasiukA]

@@Devil4D Yeah the computer example applies to me ALL the time. It's hard to stick to one task on the computer but I can sit at my computer all day if I wanted to. With the piano, I do tend to switch songs frequently, or go off on tangents as I'm playing. Sometimes I arrive back where I was before, or sometimes new stuff comes out, and that's how I end up composing new material. But it can also be a hinderance when I need to complete a task in practicing or composing.

[@Duncanmn]

I was diagnosed with Aspergers (ASD) as a young teen and struggle a lot with executive function issues. I struggle with impulsiveness and attention issues to the point where I think I probably also have ADHD. As a musician (clarinetist), I 100% relate to the way you describe your practice sessions. Mine are the same. Hoping to stat therapy soon!

[@scrogfpv7443]

When I’m “zoned in” I have no interest in anything else. No interest in breaks for meals. Tired but can’t sleep because I’m going over the next steps of my project repeatedly. Looking for every possible failure point 😅

[@wetsox278]

That drives me nuts when I have those night, most nights I fall to sleep with no problems, others I can still be awake when the sun comes up.

[@scrogfpv7443]

@@wetsox278 ya exactly. A lot of times as soon as I realize that it’s gonna be that kind of night, I just get up and go back to work. It’s almost torture laying in bed all night.

[@scrogfpv7443]

And “projects” that keep me up could be something bigger and technical, or it could be that my store doesn’t have my exact brand of noodles. Now I have to play with a new brand. There are millions of ways they could be cooked. I don’t know how to prepare these mystery noodles. So I go over what I did last time that could be changed on my next attempt. So many variations. Too many sometimes.

[@mathilda6763]

I forgot to go use the toilet a few times, as well as drinking/eating or sleep and at this point as soon as I sit down for painting I set an alarm to take a break. I also set alarms for bed times in general and other tasks because I know if I don't and am focusing on painting, I just don't do it. I don't sleep, I don't take good care of myself and in the long run I will feel overwhelmed. Itmight seem rigid and robotic from the outside, but I know that as soon as the routine is gone, I am a mess.😥

[@scrogfpv7443]

@@mathilda6763 yes exactly. Everything is about the routine. My foods are even unchanging. I have worn the same deodorant since childhood.

[@alises.5986]

Paul, I appreciate your videos. I find them very well organized and presented, and I think your speech speed is perfect for a video. Thank you for your efforts.

[@achessjourney402]

This video is brilliant! I, having ADHD, noticed that it has several similarities with autism, although for some reason, I didn't end up identifying myself. I watched several videos of psychiatrists trying to explain the difference and even took the AQ test in which I came up with little or no autism traits but didn't fully understand the difference until I saw your video. It amazes me how well you understand people with ADHD! I am going to subscribe even if it seems that I am not autistic.