Autism Hiding in Plain Sight (Masking or Camouflaging)

High-functioning autism. Is it just an excuse for bad behavior? Is it over-diagnosed? We answer these and other questions in the video.
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#autism #autismawareness #autistic #autismfamilyvlogs #autismfamily

[@alexanderkorhonen9790]

I'm 12 and just got diagnosed with Asperger's. At first I didn't believe it, because I could go to a normal school and live my daily life normally. I can relate very well to Connor and his symptons.

[@lari.sso_11]

Yeah me too, my whole life I was going to the normal school like the other. I got diagnosed at 14, that was on the holiday and after that I went to the last year of primary school and we told them because there was some facilities for Asperger's like more time and something like that. Then I went to a normal high school because me and my parents didn't think that's necessary for me to went to the special school. Actually we never told anyone when I went to high school about my disorder cause I didn't want to. My mum told me that I should tell because it will be better and easier for me. People will understand why I'm acting so weird(sometimes I have not nice situation, because of my social problems but it's not a big deal for me and they happen rarely) I told her that I didn't want to tell them and even though I think that I'm doing pretty good.

[@st0tcherz]

f-fuck!~

[@nicoledickson6099]

thanks for this video. I'm high functioning like Connor and have all the same traits as him. I'm also usually mistaken for a normal kid due to my work and academic process being great, even though my motor skills have declined, and my social skills non existent. So, I can feel you guys.

[@HappyHoney41]

I was trained not to stim (rocking), how to not speak in a monotone manner; and periodically look at people's eyes (I look at their mouths, nose, and foreheads). All of the hiding traits is helpful for the people around us, but it causes anxiety. Masking is needed to move around in society, but it is at a cost of internal stress.

[@TheRdfrota]

Thank you for this video. As a parent of a toddler that is "borderline on the spectrum". Watching your family brings alot of positivity and awareness.

[@jenniferbatey3154]

My daughter is a lot like Connor. The toe walking has improved, but she often ignores kids at school, and prefers to play alone. Being an autistic girl looks a little different as well and often gets missed. Thanks for your videos.

[@checkmate9756]

My autism was missed until I was 20. I’m a female with high functioning autism. My parents just believed I had anger issues, and was socially awkward, etc.

[@dollydagger8492]

Eye contact is like kissing a stranger..please don't force it.

[@darthmader057mmm6]

I've got aspergers and I'm pretty good with eye contact. I feel like aspergers and autism are so different that they should be considered separate disorders.

[@annacrawford1006]

@@darthmader057mmm6 They are completely different disorders.

[@kittenanime9921]

@@annacrawford1006 Asperger's and Autism used to be on the same Spectrum as each other, but more research was done, and now they are separated.

[@bootyandthebeast8365]

@@kittenanime9921 I think you have it backwards-- Asperger's and autism were previously considered separate but are now categorized under one disorder, ASD, autism spectrum disorder. Asperger's was a term created by Hans Asperger, who previously referred to it as autistic psychopathy. Asperger's was a diagnosis given to people on the autism spectrum who could fall into "level one" autism, meaning lower support needs than others. Asperger's is widely no longer considered a diagnosis, in part for Hans Asperger's nazi involvement, where he sent disabled and autistic children to a "clinic" where they would often be killed, and the other part being that they simply aren't separate disorders. Autism and Asperger's are one in the same--that is why it is called a spectrum. Those on the spectrum have a variety of ways and intensities in which it affects them individually.

[@LMA0x]

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS- I always have such a shy, but strangely uncomfortable feeling when trying to make eye contact. I’m not forced to do so or anything, and am training MYSELF to make more eye contact when doing things like discussing with others since it’s more polite; though, I feel like some should at least understand this specific factor as well in our autism :) and how anxiety-inducing it can be…at least, for some reason. lol

[@beanj580]

Love this video Even my son's special education teacher labels my son as something other than autism because he is very high functioning. The ignorance even extends to medical health professionals, teachers, therapist, etc. Very insightful video. Thanks for sharing!

[@Steviemarie502]

My nephew is very high functioning. He's VERY similar to your son. Thankfully we noticed early and taught him that it's ok to be you. We've been blessed to find a great school (public school, in regular classes) that he now thrives in. Thank you for putting putting these videos out to educate people in such a thorough way.

[@katharinelamarche4380]

I am so thankful for you. A blessing to the world. It can be so lonely and highlights our insecurities… as parents etc.

[@brie3679]

I feel so sad that Connor feels he needs to mask. He doesn’t. There’s millions of people out there who would literally not even bat an eye if he was stimming. As someone with sensory issues and severe OCD that manifests physically into misophonia and repeated physical ritual behaviors, I know the torture of trying to mask stimming… it’s literal torture and I just with Connor knew he didn’t need to inflict that torture upon himself, especially not because of other people…

[@iloveshaakah]

Thank you for educating people about the spectrum.

[@JonnyOwenTunes]

You two are such wonderful loving parents.

[@AmandaJames-wp4uc]

Wow this is fascinating … I used to do so many of these things growing up & it’s only now I tested myself to see if I could be Autistic. I used to constantly fidget with my hands I remember training myself to stop & once flapping my arms around in a panic attack, always sensitive to noises & things. I really did teach myself to mask - everything. It’s strange how I remember walking around tip toes. I always had poor circulation & bad gut troubles which developed into autoimmunity, I struggled to read without feeling nauseous! Things started improving when I changed my diet… and then when I looked to reverse autoimmunity & heal my gut. I did 4 years of research & wrote some books - all symbolic so I could remember & see clearer how things work. I was astonished I was able to read books , and became less anxious. Trauma set of more stress in my body so learning to destress & feel safe was valuable & I came across this book which just confirmed more things I already learnt in other books. Gut & Phycology syndrome by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride It’s a great book as the woman who wrote her son had Asperger’s. I thought it was a great view point.

[@chessqld5877]

Appreciate your honesty … your a great dad!

[@carlatroncoso1821]

Thank you so much for sharing ❤ your kids are amazing!!!

[@ravenID429]

The off and on again thing makes sense, I really only avoid eye contact if I'm already upset or stressed and it's probably common

[@tgrant9383]

I am so grateful for your videos. Thank you Connor, I appreciate your sharing your life and thoughts about Asperger's. My son is 33 years old and has dealt with bullying and cyberbullying throughout his life. Our greatest challenge has been in helping him with discernment. He takes everyone at face value and assumes they all have his best interest at heart. Unfortunately, being "gullible" seems to attract into his/our lives people with malicious and even criminal intent. We have worked through the stemming, twitching, looking away to avoid eye contact, and shirts inside out - these actions are not "bad" but different. Society pushes for sameness by ostracizing those who are different. And yet, it is our differences that make who we are so special.

[@Leymrm1336]

Hi Autism Family! My name is Hadley Elizabeth, and I'm a 12 year old female on the spectrum. Throughout most of my life I had meltdowns every day after school, had no friends and avoided being around other people. I used to have big stims when I was alone but did my best to hide them at school and in public. Because I was a girl I was just written off as "shy." Now, I've been diagnosed with low support need autism and I am so grateful to have found this channel. Thank you so much for all of your videos. I love you guys, and I hope everything is still going well.

[@BipolarCourage]

Eye contact is overrated. I am 50 & still avoid eye contact. When it is forced, it was distressing. Looking in the general direction is enough if want to give the impression that listening. I actually listen better if don't make eye contact & doodle.

[@andrijanaognj]

ooo my Gosh am doing the same thing it's just mor clear bc i don't think about color of eyes and face deferenceas and then i cant concentrate on what that person is saying 😅

[@mariaf7706]

Thank you for sharing.

[@Amber_Vegan_Brighton_England]

0:23 if anyone said that to me, I wouldn’t even know how I’d react. Keep up the amazing parenting of your amazing children ❤

[@carol-annequigley7815]

This is exactly like my son. Still havent got a diagnosis yet but he does alot of these things daily. Mostly hand flapping and not interacting with his classmates. Most people dismiss me when i tell them i think he has asd. They don't see what we see at home. He is struggling a bit in school though and the teacher has noticed walking on tip toes. He is very talkative at times and his construction skills are awesome.

[@raykelly4593]

Very helpful

[@kimberlybanks-brown7525]

“Rolling”….I love that answer! Lol

[@EnriqueMartinezTrashTrucks]

I liked how the way Ian was singing

[@mjinfl967]

Thank you❤

[@LisaLGruman]

What a sweet family.

[@DeborahAnnsuperversatile]

My girl hides it and people really misunderstand her. I, as her mom, really worry about her.

[@cronicales]

Definitely get that. I’m 17 and I’m autistic (ASD). I mask or hide it all the time because I have a lot of trauma form being bullied because I “was” different from everyone else. And my mom who doesn’t agree with me and my therapist that I have autism, because “I don’t show a lot signs of it” it’s because I’m literally hiding it and hiding my actual self from everyone else. I have started to slowly brake out of this cycle, but it’s not an easy thing. The thing I will say is, be there for her. and tell her that even tho people misunderstand you, there are people who are willing to understand and people who are accepting :))

[@nrodry76]

I just want to give both of you a hug. 🤗🤗

[@DeborahAnnsuperversatile]

@@cronicales I feel for you too. And thank you 👍🙂

[@DeborahAnnsuperversatile]

@@nrodry76 thank you so much. Means a lot 🙂

[@gameslash6208]

I hide my autism. But someone from school found out

[@antonvilla1612]

Hes finding a way to overcome certain problems he recognizes.

[@diptivernekar7812]

Thanks for the video. How did you work on the language? My 4 year old son is also diagnosed with Asperger's and he is way behind in language compared to his peers.

[@antonvilla1612]

Im not the parent, but i find the term Masking, to implie hiding.

[@Knight-cm3bx]

People with Autism hid it to fell safe for many reson and for me i think it to stay clam then break down.

[@brettjames1992]

I've had people think I'm retarded, but I have high functioning autism, and I can do a lot of things.

[@MN-it3tv]

Ignorance

[@vanessalang2018]

I have autism and I tend to be klutzy too. Its like i trip over everything

[@AutismFamilyChannel]

Same with Connor

[@pinkaxol8015]

I stub my toes semi-regularly and I still can't tie shoe lances at the age of 18. I really like this channel and I commented on lots of your videos.

[@bragglist]

But you can write a paragraph

[@WillShackAttack]

When I was bored as a kid I would walk my hand across a table with two fingers. When something was loud enough to cause anyone hearing damage over long periods of time, I would cover my ears. This is all it took to get me diagnosed with Autism. I don't want it. I want the diagnosis revoked. I have ZERO ANYONE to relate to about this.

[@MN-it3tv]

How old is Connor now? Did he have speech delay? I think my son is HF he’s 8 now in mainstream school and had dramatic improvement too initially diagnosed moderate but he also has global developmental delay dx plus in the pandemics he didn’t have speech therapy 😢hope he can get as good as Connor.

[@ShaggyCZ]

I think he's 12 (calculated from an old video where they said his birth date) 😉

[@YoureMyCherryOnTop143]

I used to masked in middle school until when I started a new school I felt comfortable of who I was

[@neilrocks84roblox19]

Stimming is NOT doing something wrong.

[@TheQuietpanda]

I have been shouted at for not responding to teachers in school and i never talk unless i am on a discord call with a person and i HATE eye contact and evern tho people have been trying to make it better including me is staying the same. Ive had to leave my classes quite offen because the volume gets to over welmbing and i am 14 right now and my spelling age is 6 and my readying age is 7 so quite bad apparently but i lesrn stuf quicker than most people apparently for egsampl my mums friend introdused me to a game with over 200 rules and stuf you need to do and i rememberd all of it after 1 game a we didnt p.ay it agwin until a month later and i ended up getting double his score and hes Played alot more thwn me 😅 keep the good videos up and idm if you only upload 1 video a month as long as the chwnnle dosnt die i am ok

[@jenniferb5795]

❤️💙

[@GlitterLucky3]

I would recommend getting feet braces, it will definitely help the toe walking. Just maybe go to your local paediatrician or the doctor and see if you can get any or talk to any therapist and just see if it's the right fit!!💞

[@shahjmir]

connor is the cutest kid

[@kaib1712]

I have the same kind of autism as Conner

[@Misszebyrobloxvideos756]

i pretend my fingers are spiders and when it was i think 2020 i used to do it when i was 8 or 9 and also i used to hand flap but now its just when im exited i jump up and down and hand flap and also i used to stand on my toes and used to say im taller and when im choosing what breakfast i want i stand on my toes to this day Edit: in school i hit my leg if im upset or really exited or at random times and i dont make eye contact 2nd Edit: and also i think i mask cause most people dont know or see 3rd Edit: i have meltdowns sometimes 4th Edit: i hate really bright lights and also i have black ear defenders cause i hate loud noises

[@jessicabundangkat3152]

Nice video how old is Connor how are his academics in class some autistic can be above average does he do good at math or science

[@AutismFamilyChannel]

Yes but he struggles a little with math sometimes.

[@benl4707]

I have 2 questions to ask you from your enlightenment about this disorder ..So can someone get off the spectrum? Also this is a social disorder when does individuality, confidence factor in?

[@JohnGodwin777]

I was very high functioning, most people had no idea I was on the spectrum. In middle age, for various reasons, I have become even more high functioning, somewhat more neurotypical. That being said, I’m still on the spectrum and I don’t think there’s anything that will change that, so the answer to your question I think is no.

[@kysscum111]

This is ableist asf

[@kysscum111]

Autism isnt a disorder, and its not one about being social either. Autism is a neurotype, its normal. Confidence helps the person unmask, thats all

[@kysscum111]

/gen

[@kysscum111]

@@JohnGodwin777I know you're also autistic, but can you not use functioning labels? They're harmful and were created to know which autistic people to keep, and kill. You cant be "almost neurotypical" either. Autism is autism, it's a spectrum, not a scale. We all have different support needs, struggles, and strengths. And yeah, you can't randomly not be autistic, I agree with that. On the other hand, You're either autistic or you're not, there's no scale from "very neurotypical" to "very autistic." It's just not how it works. This is genuine, and I hope you understand where I'm coming from

[@hildadun6116]

Hey my name is Bethany I have a autism to

[@gamer546lg5]

0:27 they do

[@emilykiaellis1780]

I have autism I need blue tack to help me with my hand

[@gaylecheung3087]

Notice a lot of fast food.

[@Christian_Martinez_yt]

Sweep under what rug

[@TMM6900]

Dam... Im afraid that i may got autism

[@matchmakermaria5807]

Bro really out here grilling his kids like a talk show host

[@NEPatsfanclub]

I can’t stand that scream 😞

[@PrincePrince-hz6gn]

Pleaaaas we neeed tradition with arabic