Autism: give me a chance and I will change everything | Noah Britton | TEDxNewEnglandCollege

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Noah Britton attempts to change the way people look at autism by explaining an oft-ignored core trait. Then he does something previously unseen in any talk.
Noah Britton is a psychology professor, performance artist, singer, guitarist, clothing designer, and autistic person. He is perhaps most famous for co-founding Asperger's Are Us, the first comedy troupe composed entirely of autistic people. He has worked directly with people on the autism spectrum since 2005, as therapeutic mentor, camp counselor, and researcher, and served on the US federal government's Interagency Autism Coordination Committee.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@psodq]

For autistic people sensitive to sound as myself: Warning, There's a sound-jump-scare at 07:44 as well as 08:53, at least if you're using headphones. Otherwise this was quite a good speech.

[@syrasto]

wish I saw this earlier

[@theductductgoose]

dang, wish i had looked at the comments first

[@MrAmirPrice]

I'm so pissed off. That sound sent me off my seat crying as I had my tv on loud. At night.

[@rayne333]

Yeah that was pretty frickin triggering, not sure why there was no warning whatsoever. I get that he was trying to make a point to people not experiencing hypersensitivity, but seems like there was no consideration for other people on the spectrum there.

[@02yeya]

omg why didn't i see this before. that was paaaaainful

[@ithildiess9048]

you wanna hug or something?` that lack of eye contact and that sentence at the end was too endearing.. you made my aspie heart melt. hahahh.

[@Yadeehoo]

I think he over exaggerated tho, to make the scene more picturesque. That cracked me up too anyway

[@AmbiCahira]

I felt the same way, that he did his very best with the social interaction. :) As kids we get taught to hug out our differences so I found it very sweet :)

[@firstluvyah7420]

Rainbow Sam no,that is how some on the spectrum are!

[@eilishbrennan6076]

to explain the ending, it was all set up and he was demonstrating that 1: the best way to protest things is through voicing your opinion 2: he was subjectively showing two sides to his argument and 3: they are in a relationship and he is fucking hilarious and wanted to shock everyone with his absurd humour not weird but the workings of a genius.

[@peeperpawsmcgee]

Yeah discovered this guy on the neflix documentry "Asperger's R Us" he is such a good person

[@TheRealValus]

And you know this how?

[@milfordhalligan3700]

oh okay because i was like why are you suddenly making out with this random woman.lol

[@aspergersareus]

It was a staged prank yes

[@andreaolivier1715]

I wouldn't say "genius" -- it actually made some of the interactions which seemed genuine before look staged and rehearsed. In that case, I would say "genius" because it's hard to fake sincerity (haha) but it also decreases from the authenticity of watching two people in a high conflict situation try to work something out. If I had known she was his girlfriend when she got up there, I would have thought more cynically about the interaction on first viewing.

[@kokigalaxy8139]

this guy was my professor... he is so sweet and kind... I was always stealing a glance to look at his face... i was too shy to make eye contact... he is amazing

[@TomWDW00]

I had him as a Psych professor, too. He was amazingly smart, funny, and kind.

[@lemonfighters7187]

And the girl by the end is his girlfriend???

[@leahsmith6473]

@@lemonfighters7187 Yes! :) She's in the HBO show.

[@sintaxxx69]

@@leahsmith6473 which show?

[@fakeNoahBritton]

@@sintaxxx69 On Tour with Asperger's Are Us

[@jkaye5441]

Nearly smashed my bloody computer when the phone rang. Thanks for the effective diagnosis, Noah.

[@Blackafternoon]

Im about to track him down.

[@lisbethkelly4480]

Seriously

[@Lilth]

This talk is genius. Immersive experiential demonstration of what it feels like to have a hypersensitive nervous system. I feel like crying for how validated I feel too, as a female with a sensitive nervous system, who has felt insane and ashamed and rejected and overwhelmed for years. Thank you for this. I hope to do work as a somatic therapist that will look like this, educating and supporting us all.

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

Using electric shocks on aspies should be banned! Covering your own ears over irritating noise such as sirens, car alarms and microphone feedbacks is nowhere near bad behaviour. I stand against the use of electric shocks to be used on people who are on the autism spectrum, that's torture.

[@wandalee5010]

Aspie With Attitude , I had no idea this was still a practice! I was horrified by videos we watched in psychology class of autistic children wearing helmets and being strapped in a chair with over stimulating surroundings and being squirted with water, and others being shocked into submission. I had no idea that this was still allowed to happen.

[@edgrimm5862]

I feel like we could leave out the qualifier. Using electric shocks on people should be banned. Full stop. But I think Noah is right that it's better to try to stop this with communication rather than hate.

[@NO-uc8xw]

Ed Grimm no, communicating isn’t going to work. The people doing this are in too damn deep to realise what they’re doing is wrong. What we need is legal action to make sure they cant do it, then arrest them if they continue. I agree talking is better than screaming, but in this case no amount of evidence or saying “this is wrong, here’s why” is going to make them stop abusing children.

[@fernandamartinelli6729]

@@NO-uc8xw Yes, it is so true

[@marissamaltais889]

my teacher showed me this video to show me how my autism worked. i was always ashamed of myself until this video. my teacher was one of his friends. i thought i was the only one that felt like this until i watched this video. thank you Mrs.LaFontain (sorry if i spelt your name wrong)

[@monsterftw4481]

Aw that’s awesome!

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

LaFontaine I think

[@julienmehiri6725]

You should never be ashamed of yourself

[@Beriabi]

You are very lucky to have such teachers . My daughter school is full of monsters who pushed her to suicide .

[@jerbear7952]

​@@julienmehiri6725that isn't a helpful comment. Telling people how they should and shouldn't feel isn't up to you

[@hannahmayr2394]

I'm autistic and I love him, he's such a sweet and smart guy. This was very relatable

[@1907abdul]

How old are? My 2 year old son is showing symptoms of autism

[@livingincapetownsouthafric4590]

Me too

[@jordanbabcock9349]

7:44 & 8:53, LOUD and ANNOYING. Be warned and ready to mute!!

[@clairebeane3455]

It was excruciating and just plain blissful awful!! I had to mute it!!! Otherwise brilliant and absolutely spot on.

[@edgrimm5862]

@@forgefathereli8354 For people who are autistic, we're not here for that lesson. We're looking for words to explain what we're like to people. And those loud noises and the bright noises were quite painful. It felt very inconsiderate, as it seemed like it should've been expected that people who were searching for information on autism might be more likely to be on spectrum than the general population, and maybe our issues should have been considered as he was talking about those very issues.

[@hynotherhino]

I had to take 5 min to calm down

[@bluewolf783]

@@edgrimm5862 the first one was horrible and the second made me want to cry

[@Raine_Furakare]

that's the point...

[@Haultauhmonop]

That ending! XD He jammed their brains! What a hilarious way to show neurotypical people what being autistic can sometimes feel like.

[@jaimebollmer6070]

This is seriously the most straightforward video I have seen about Autism and sensory issues.... Everything else is so jumbled with junk and opinions..... absolutely love Noah

[@ashleyelliott5502]

Love. I have newly diagnosed son with Autism. People keep asking me how I feel about that -- I find it touching, but also Autism isn't something to grieve. I tell them that I feel fine about it. He's still smart, sweet, funny, and all the things he was before the diagnosis. I also keep a journal for him -- I have vowed not to let people/therapists try to correct his stim. behaviors. He shouldn't have to conform to society's norms, because he's 100% who he needs to be, and sometimes people on the spectrum need to work things out.

[@williamoarlock8634]

Hate. I lived as an autistic subhuman for nearly forty years and need euthanasia.

[@gratefulkm]

i truly believe autistic's are just the nocturnal version of humans, and everything you have said just adds to that belief

[@Pockykaktus]

could you elaborate on that? I'm genuinely curious :D

[@calvinshawfunny]

i can definitely relate to the headphones on doorknob example!

[@mathewcherry3830]

+calvins films omg I know right? one time a bag in Spain had my arm tied as I was trying to put it on a convener. I freaked out, and my arm whipped around, almost breaking the nose of one of the girls in the group I was with. I felt terrible for weeks.

[@theeguy9022]

i finnaly started using wireless stuff and im so glad i did

[@endorolfgreenwolf5265]

That is my pocket usually

[@Beriabi]

The story of my 15 daughters daughter in Highschool who constantly lashes out in the gym class gets in trouble because she is not allowed to wear her noise canceling head set. 😢 my heart breaks for her each and every day when she asked me “ why can’t I be like my friends?” . Imagine having PMDD , OCD and ADHD on top that. Life isn’t fair for specially neurodivergent women. 😢😢😢

[@weiliao2762]

check the Education discrimination law. The school did not comply with the inclusive practice for students. They should do reasonable adjustments for childing with special needs.

[@DEFKAST90s]

Man, I’m not going to repeat what I said when you played those loud noises, but you got the point across even with no volume 😂 I’ve just been diagnosed with Autism at 29 and you seem like the only person that can vocalise how certain noises make me feel, you’re a legend! 🙌🏻

[@rf236]

I’m curious, being autistic, do you struggle with relationships?

[@franktoland5405]

Thank you sooooooo much, I am a teacher that is involved a lot with pupils with autism and have learned a lot from the real experts of autism, the autistic people! On a personal note by a person who has studied genetics at University I now believe that autistic people are a gift to humanity. Yeah sure, nature and genetics sometimes go to the extreme end of producing human beings and therefore some people perceive those people at the extreme end of the scale as what autism is. This couldn't be further from the truth. Nature ( and genetics therefore) also produce amazing human beings that are indeed a gift to humanity. I for one will spend the rest of my life dedicated to changing the perceptions of how people see autism, I for one will spend my time educating myself on this topic so in some small way we can all learn to appreciate neurodiversity and indeed nature for all its experimentations.

[@Lisel]

👏👏👏

[@AutisticBoardGamer]

Halfway through this video now. That ringing omg, cringe cringe cringe. Then the crackling audio noise. It was so intense omg. I nearly barfed. What did he say? I am now so extremely tense. omg.

[@alecrosewell6959]

Autistic Geek I also didnt hear it....I hated both those sounds...

[@virginiaconde4629]

Same. It was definitely uncomfortable (I was eating and had to stop because couldn't focus on anything for as long as the noise was there), but for people who are not in the spectrum, he did make a point.

[@aspergersareus]

It was a way to make NTs understand how irritating it is for us to hear ringing cell phones etc..

[@02yeya]

I know, that was painful. I also HATE the sound of dishes being put away. Can't bear it.

[@foxcheetah6035]

I'm not autistic but... whistling. I've hated it since 8th grade. It doesn't hurt, per say, but it... I don't know. It's just terrible. But it doesn't hurt at all. But at the same time, it throws me off. But not like nails on a chalkboard do. It throws me off in a completely different way. Usually I have to say it hurts because it's the only way other people will understand. Humming is similar to this, and so is the sound of people talking to each other right behind me (sitting at desks in rows has been difficult because of this), but neither are as bad. I know its not anywhere near as bad as you guys must get it, but I can at least partially relate.

[@AmbiCahira]

To input as another with sensory sensitivity, I had a hugely massive emotional and physical response to that alarm clock. I held my ears, shut my eyes hard, chills like if you get touched by a creep, and the emotional response gave a physical response in tears. And this is something most people struggle with when they see me do this. They ask why I cry, I say I am not crying, it's an involuntary response to a stimulus - and then they don't immediately understand the difference. When you cry you are "boiling over" in an overwhelm like fear, sadness, anger, or empathy that needs to come out of you and it can be quite violent to get it out of you. You can feel that your eyes sting, you feel a feeling in your chest that can be sorrowful or overall heavy. Crying you can hold back the tears until you permit it to happen in many cases. This response I had is not the same. It is an instant reaction, no emotion to get out, just a physical reaction I can't feel coming, can't control, and the eyes don't sting. So what I wanted out of this rant is to put out there that stimulus sensitivity causes physical reactions that doesn't always make sense to those that has never experienced it. So what may look like it makes no sense makes perfect sense, it is only someone else's shoes. He explained so much perfectly, like the bright light or static noise. I have been told so many times that I have X ray hearing, X ray eyesight, X ray nose and tastebuds, and jokingly called superhuman. It is exhausting when you live in a world of noise, brightness, colors, smells, and textures. For instance, not too long ago I had to leave a store because the smell of humans made me nauseated. I don't have autism but I do have ADD so if you know a kid with autism, Asperger, ADD, ADHD or OCD and other processing disorders that "acts weird" then remember that they are doing their very best.

[@araharris2972]

This is the best description of my experiences that I’ve ever heard. The headphones getting caught was spot on. When I was younger if this happened, I would explode. I still struggle because stuff like that instantly makes me yell profanities. It’s like an auto response.

[@MarioLopez-kx8gs]

His voice is so beautiful

[@41yearoldnewdriver]

I am forgiven and I forgive people who hurt my feelings or for whatever reason are trying to harm me. I really like myself.

[@livingincapetownsouthafric4590]

I’m trying too

[@rmsf1072]

"Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals." - Thomas S. Monson

[@cookiemonster3147]

He understands something very essential and explains it well. More people need to hear this.

[@SickTwistedQueen]

I was having a conversation with my sister about my own aspie traits just before watching this and it amazed me how many of the things I described to my sister were also described in this video. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with these experiences and traits.

[@johnh2349]

Zhenya Baoighill, you are not alone.

[@martas9283]

No worries, we are everywhere.. although according to the AANE, many of us "fly under the radar", as we "function sufficiently well to be considered merely eccentric or quirky".. Still, it shouldn't take 'eccentric' to notice that our current environment is crazy loud and annoying, fairly alive will do it

[@helenaquin1797]

And tendemcies toward self berating for mistakes..WHO KNEW!💜

[@NaviYT]

8:48 this part made me cry. This is my everyday existence 😭. Hearing the awful noise is just what life feels like outside my “bubble” so to speak.

[@shadeedahmad6542]

I loved this presentation throughout. And it was exceedingly informative about the experience of autism. There's often no one better to speak on autism than someone who is autistic.

[@terriem3922]

I had a professor who was autistic. After flunking numerical analysis 3 times with very interesting, animated teachers, I passed it the fourth. His delivery was very pedestrian, monotone, and didn't stray from the subject at all, and I finally passed it. ( I think I had psyched myself out because the typeface had unfamiliar Greek letters in an ornate form.) It was my last class before I graduated and was required.

[@eilishbrennan6076]

i love this dude what a great human

[@reninngun]

That ending is making me tear up. All the big and small meanings one can derive from it is beautiful.🥰 My heart feels all fuzzy and warm while sitting here like a robot, stone faces waiting for my food at a restaurant. The watering eyes are a welcome crack in my mask.

[@cometdog4jesus]

This guy is a class act. I really loved this.

[@ZackGomez198035]

I did some research into that facility and I'm suing them.

[@ellashealthnhappiness5040]

No creature should EVER be electrictly shocked as a form of punishment or ”training”. No animal, no any creature. That is torture and it is traumatizing.

[@Declla]

I love how this entire talk is going through the steps to change your perspective on things and when your put into an uncomfortable place it's too off putting to not be warned. Man I wish I had a warning for everything that's uncomfortable in my life.

[@Lit123ful]

I wish my son had this guy as a teacher. School didn’t go well at all.

[@OwnYourDance]

I thought I was the autistic one but my cat was even more annoyed than me at the sound of the alarm.

[@endorolfgreenwolf5265]

Cats are a similar entity to autistic people, which is why some Autists use the meow randomly.

[@BillieGote]

"[We] don't deserve to be judged that harshly." Exactly what I would like others around me to understand, when they think it is acceptable to yell and berate me for their perception of why I do something or how I choose to live my life. More importantly, I wish those same people would stop to recognize where exactly their judgments come from and if it's more about believing someone else's biased opinion rather than their direct experience with me.

[@kaydenbreak4283]

My therapist recommended me this video and I have no regrets watching it

[@canadiancinderelly3518]

I'm a mother of five :) my youngest son who is now 14, has had a rough go with his autism spectrum disorder. His 'episodes' have been …. something :) haha. However, one of our 'tools' with dealing with these moments... is... I look at him when he's calmed down a bit, and say "would you like to start over, from the beginning, and try that all again?" :) and then I can literally see him deflate, he says yes with kindness, he apologizes, and we start whatever we were doing or talking about, from the beginning.. and I let it go.... because I know in 10 minutes, the moment won't have mattered anyways. So my job is to try to help with emotional recovery, and get us back on track.

[@canadiancinderelly3518]

I do want to say I do not believe this is genetic. I believe, after extensive research, that autism is caused by vaccination injuries.

[@Yeahua]

We do the same with my 15 y old.... Is harder now with hormones all over and struggles ...I worry 24/7 about the future

[@e.drenalin6138]

I first watched this probably a little less than 2 years ago, it changed my life... I have Asperger's and I know that now. Thank you ❤

[@fluffyspunsugar]

This gives me hope for my son. I wish he could talk to this man, to give him hope for himself. Thank you for this talk.

[@kaylynwebb8415]

This guy was clever with this & explaining what us autistic ppl go through even with the simplest of things

[@5RustyBin]

Loved every minute of this - very inspiring - to all not just aspergers

[@betshilton]

Love 98% of this video.. The other two is the random noises he suddenly put in

[@SarahAbramova]

95% Didn't like the sounds or the punishments.

[@hans_____]

Thank you for helping me forgive myself. I feel tremendously better now.

[@fakeNoahBritton]

Hadn't watched my talk in 9 years. It's damn good!

[@julieclifford7698]

Nice. I’m 56 and just discovered this is my difference… so great to understand ♥️

[@starfoxz55]

It's very good thank you for doing it

[@elizturner3568]

That's funny, about intonation. I'm on the spectrum as is my son and probably daughter. we are all hypersensitive to this as well and I notice it is not typically included in literature about autism.

[@Jakob.s_ladder]

moshing is one of my favourite autistic modes of expression.

[@michellewilkes5801]

Really? Is moshing a stem?.... That's a serious question IDKhaving trouble identifying if I have any stimming behaviors? I seem to be like hitting every single aspie trait, but I can't really relate to the stimming and sensitivities... but when I dig down deep I'm thinking I'm not relating it because I'm thinking about it differently then may be defined because I'm looking for exactexamples that I can see myself like hand-flapping which I don't....

[@heatherhj2011]

Thank you for this video! My ex-husband was borderline Asperger's. Our daughter I believe is as well. Listening to all things you talked about, I put a check mark in EVERY SINGLE example. She is 21 and the stress of life to her is real. She is very intelligent, but any kind of stress, causes her to shut down.

[@BillieGote]

I can identify with your daughter. I hope she has been able to access the supports that help her manage stressful aspects as it can be overwhelming. Could you please reframe what you mean by "borderline" Asperger's? I'm afraid people might read that and think that it's possible to be "a little bit" Asperger's. Also, but not to confuse the issue, the DSM-5 has been revised to incorporate the older Asperger's diagnosis to be part of the autism spectrum, as they all refer to a neurotype. Just wanted to point out here that it's not neurologically possible to be a little autistic. When people word it like that, often what they're describing is how closely an autistic person is managing to appear neurotypical. That has more to do with masking and compensating behaviors, though. Just wanted to ask, and not presume to know for certain what you meant. Also, I understand that my question here is beside your point. Looks like your comment was four years ago; was your daughter or her father ever able to receive an official assessment and diagnosis?

[@heatherhj2011]

@@BillieGote I guess you would call it high functioning aspbergergers. He ran the nuclear reactors on the USS NIMITZ and the USS CALIFORNIA. Think Homer Simpson and Sheldon Cooper as one person. Highly intelligent, but no social or emotional intelligence. Also no common sense what so ever. I am not sure if he was diagnosed when he was younger or not.

[@seatbelttruck]

Heh. It might have been a good idea to warn us that there would be irritating noises in this. I can relate to that stuck headphones thing (though with a different trigger). I have a fight-or-flight response when somebody taps me on the shoulder. It makes it really awkward when somebody is just trying to get my attention, but I can't prevent myself from stiffening, whirling and snapping at them to not touch me. I apologize and explain afterward, and so far nobody has been to upset about it, but still. I also startle really easily, but so does my non-autistic mother. His last melt-down was in middle school? Lucky... The heck? I thought shock-punishment was only in media anymore. Yech. Those guys really need to do a little research on autism... And be shut down. I do like him wrapping it in forgiveness. It's easy to let anger get the better of you, and I admit I'd probably be raving if he hadn't said that. This sort of thing needs to be stopped. But hating won't do that. This is a very heart-warming speech. I think I'll favorite it :)

[@brandillysmom]

Noah Britton, I’m 56 years old and I have a 30 year old autistic son that sometimes uses echolalia at times to communicate. He tries to curtail the echolalia because he knows that speaking this way frustrates and annoys me. I guess that I learned to react this way because I used echolalia when I was a small child, which annoyed and frustrated my dad a great deal. I guess I got yelled at for doing so and stopped after a while. I don’t know when I stopped. ..... Anyway, I always wondered what echolalia’s purpose was. This was the first time anyone ever explained why in the way that I could understand. Apparently, there are a great many things about my son that I still need to learn. Thank you for this TED Talk.

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

On another note, I really enjoyed Noah's talk on autism, he shows and proves that people who are on the autistic spectrum are the real experts in autism. I am also a big fan of "Asperger's Are Us" comedy troupe.

[@carmeldemirandaneeconlon9100]

I loved the ending, I was hoping they would hug and it was so amazing. Love the humor there. Quite charming and infectious!

[@rimulo2800]

I love his voice. My ears like this.

[@milknhoney2326]

You are so amazing I ❤️ hearing your voice and listening to what you have to say my 2.5yr old son has autism and it's been difficult so I'm trying to learn as much as possible. So thank you for sharing

[@paddygreen3266]

Positive partnership is a good websites with lots of resources that u might like :)

[@kristenjohnson787]

My son also named noah has autism he's the happiest mose loving person I've ever known. When he was 9 months old a doctor told me to just put him in an institution and get it over with. We never went back. I have learned more about life and love about joy and happiness because of noah and from him. My life would have been so sad and painful without him. If they gave me a pill and said give him this and he would be [so called] normal tomorrow. I'd flush it down the drain.

[@onlineeducationnepal7842]

❤️❤️

[@Brando56894]

Absolutely amazing talking. You literally had me crying towards the end. The end was definitely unexpected.

[@candacejb4370]

Thank you for this video... As a mom to an autistic child (4 years old and some spoken language) this video helps me understand my son more. He's very hypersensitive and stims alot and I had no idea what his triggers were. I come back to this video alot.

[@FeatherJo]

This was brilliant on a 'show you what it's like' level and the introspective points on' judging' with 'the cycle of hatred' was presented on point The insight from autistic minds is... pure genius! Well done!

[@whynotg9568]

Your voice, the way you talk is soo soothing.I liked the self soothing part.I guessI had different soothing mechanism to calm down when overwhelmed.

[@blackult1]

thanks nicolas cage/keanu reeves

[@3OHT.]

Omg that's so accurate

[@blackult1]

i just meant he looks like them

[@Aliyah221b]

OMG yes i thought Nicolas Cage lol

[@MickeyD2012]

Steve from Blue's Clues.

[@TheZenMicro]

Tom Green? That's what i got

[@juliaejulian]

Best teacher I have ever had!

[@lucasponteslucas1803]

Watch his documentary.. Asperger Are Us. I'am Asperger and Noah is a great inspiration to me.

[@ruth6833]

What a decent guy...he is incredible and Rachel's great too!

[@NocturnalRS]

Who watched till the very end? wow that was unexpected and crazy!

[@coolpeips]

Thank you for this! My 5 yo is on the spectrum and this gives me so much hope. You are a standup person and so much to share with the world. Thank you for being you and letting the world in on you.

[@shanedykes1719]

thank you for sharing . My son is autistic and this will help me to better understand him.

[@FulanitoDTal-Lugar]

This was an awesome talk. I imagine people that have this guy in their lives must feel lucky. Bonus: Now, I'm repeating "I'm cool. I'm cool. I'm cool..." I don't have autism. I AM AUTISM.

[@FulanitoDTal-Lugar]

Also, I'm so confused. Was that his partner he made out with at the end, or did we see some sort of magic??

[@lukemallon4499]

The kid with the chair thing- I reckon you did the right thing. You did society a favour.

[@rmsf1072]

Forgiveness can free me from the stress without condoning what needs to be remedied. Thank you!

[@leeannwinslow5368]

Yes people, it was a joke! Made me smile!

[@tellaphon6718]

This definitely needs a warning label on it for those of us who were actually already on the spectrum of autism and or has trouble with sensory inputs. It needs a warning. In the label so that it's not surprising to those of us who deal with the problem his talk demonstrates. Thanks. ❤️ I was driving!

[@foljs5858]

You can always close the video.

[@0LOTR]

'You dont deserve to be judged that harshly.'

[@nextwwww]

I just felt overwhelmed by thinking about the examples he gave.

[@sbsman4998]

It is really not a matter of forgiving, or stop hating or forgetting such wrongs. My government sent me into a war to witness and perform atrocities in the name of lies and political greed. I don't forgive, I convert the anger to action~~> peaceful, calm, directed, focused outspoken anger and seek to correct wrongs cordially-assuming I'm treated likewise!! The anger never leaves, no sir, but you said the key word Noah, control, we have the ability to control our very personal worlds. Lovely video Mr. Britton, I have seen a lot of people speak of their Autism, and your presentation was truly from the heart and spoke for me also, thank you.

[@rmarin1498]

Awesome talk! Wish I had a psych professor as introspective and articulate as Noah when I was going for my degree.

[@annettegenis2781]

Thank you so much - for the first time I really learn to understand my grandchild!! Thanks again!!

[@user-in2rh2zm1j]

His Paceing back and forth was stimming. It was his Superpower in action. It made me nervous at first untill I realized he is using it to ntake command of the room. I heard every word.

[@MysticHairBeautyNnails]

This is my 3rd comment today, I am an autistic without a diagnose. I am overwhelmed I am an autistic. I threw my younger brother so hard one time and I regret that till now 😭

[@nataliedunnege5487]

I sent this to everyone who works with my son and all of my friends. This is the 4th talk about autism that I've watched and it was the most helpful out of all of them in terms of explaining what and why. I think most talks I've seen focus on being socially awkward and explain nothing about why my son might have a meltdown in a social setting. This was actually informative. THANKS!

[@amjPeace]

Noah, you remind me so much of my son with your passion, mannerisms, and way of talking. How did he grow to be 31 without my recognizing that he is blessed with ASD?

[@andrearider8758]

My name is Noah

[@sdmerza]

You are brilliant, sincere, genuine, and caring. God bless you!

[@studiokafi]

Wasn't prepared for the sound demo. Burst into tears. So correct.

[@DG-Edits-C8H11NO2]

The ending lol, i thought damn he scored! 👍👍✊

[@hansvillenews]

I stumbled upon this video when looks for Noah’s music. This is the first time I have ever been able to truly put past actions and feeling I have done/had into perspective. I don’t know if I can’t forgive myself but I try to channel my lack of self forgiveness into forgiveness for others. Thanks Noah.

[@drfluffy3983]

That talk is amazing, he is funny , intelligent and kind. And i think he is right: Hate against people that don't know how dangerous or selfish their behavior is, doesn't make this woirld and our life together easier or better. Hate only gets more hate as responds. I am also autistic and was not mistreat in the past. But i was a problematic child and even i didn't know why. After i became my diagnose with 36, my whole life started to make sense. Thx for this talk ;)

[@theoneanton]

"I'M COOL! YOU'RE NOT!" Is quite likely the best stim or verbal tic anyone could possibly have, in my opinion.

[@alexwilder8315]

Oh god oh god I can't stop laughing at the ending that was so worth it!!!!! What an excellently funny way to reveal that "yes, she is a plant" oh man 1000 points!

[@RedCloudBeechWaveAhh]

Thank you for this Noah. I learned some things about sensitivity and realized some things about how I listen to speech for intonation and rhythm and not for words and word-meaning... and that is interesting and helpful. Thanks also for bringing out the points about breaking the hate / anger / punishment cycle

[@samanthaulrich3908]

The end was adorable!

[@jasonsacks4918]

From my own experience with ASD, I appreciate this very much and I agree. I have felt much anger in coming to grips, especially since I did not know I was on the spectrum until very recently at the age of 46. There is a lot of hate that I could not let go of your points are what I needed at the right time. Thank you and bless you.

[@joemar9234]

How to come to terms once you find out you may be on said spectrum? my twin daughters were diagnosed with ASD 3 years ago, they are 6 - This is something I'm still dealing with, the pain, the uncertainty about their future..... Come to find out, based on several videos/including this one, and I will see an specialist right away - I may be on the same boat. Thank you for commenting and be blessed

[@johedges5946]

LOVED the ending! i will smile all day when I think of this

[@CaPoDiTuTtiCaPi311]

Big hugs to you Noah. I really enjoyed this video.

[@user-HKMALI]

Hope but you can call me CaPoDiTuTtiCaPi311 FYI guiooo

[@yajwells6153]

Omg the headphones getting caught at the wrong time can trigger a melt down.

[@PetCentral17]

people who cause harm aren't going to actually think about changing their ways unless there is a radical response. they don't have to be monsters, but when they continue choosing to assault and abuse autistic and mentally ill people they are monsters.

[@lucia_kidtech]

I get this suddenly I can get so pissed at everything and often it's because I'm overestimated and just don't realise it.

[@BNL07604]

Love him and Aspergers Are Us!

[@jessicapasquerillo7985]

Love this, grateful for the opportunity to understand more and be a better friend. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

[@keshav_p]

one of the best ones I have watched on this topic.. gives a lottt of hope

[@matilda4406]

she was right! She said "judge" them for who they are, and Naoh responded with "forgive". They were not talking about the same thing. You tube commenters ARE speaking their mind, so they too are courageous. Notice Noah said... if you stop what you are doing, I will forgive you. So the condition is to stop. No forgiveness until then. No more confusion right?