autism reality

critically acclaimed documentary film about autism by an autistic film director.
'autism reality' is a moving interview-based piece that shows a new and refreshing side of the issue.
thank you Dr. Temple Grandin!
don't press play unless you have 10 minutes to spare (you'll want to watch the whole thing)

[@nicolehanes3442]

You are amazing for doing this! My daughter is highly intelligent yet her behavior can be horrible at school. They were constantly trying to "Break her" of her autism. The phrase "but she is so smart" has been heard more times than I can count. Along with "autistic kids don't act that way", "have you tried medicating her"...Thank you so much for raising awareness...I wish people would understand the phrase, "if you have met one autistic person, you have met ONE autistic person."

[@thechristianaspie5824]

It's so frustrating wanting to be friendly but not appearing to be from things like lack of eye contact and not understanding small talk :/

[@nearmint3399]

The Christian Aspie very true!

[@inquisitorchristopher8527]

Or incorrectly interpreting what someone says. Caused so many fights with me and my ex.

[@xxlSplinter077lxx]

This is the best documentary I've ever seen and it shows perspective on how we have to function and live through on a daily basis. This documentary should be broadcast on television so that more of the public can see what it's like to have Autism.

[@Onekatmandu]

My daughter has Asperger's Syndrome as well and, just watching the intro, I was thinking, "Oh my gawd, she could NOT handle walking through that busy, crowded, noisy hallway!" Then you later revealed that you too had A.S. and I was so impressed with how calm you were in that situation. Most people don't understand how much we take for granted things like that... This is a great video. You are an inspiration! :)

[@thereiderfamily]

When his parents mentioned the director's "stiffness" really caught my eye. This was something we noticed about my son with autism, and others did too. I don't hear it mentioned much. I wonder how common that feature is.

[@QueenQueenly]

living with Aspergers is hell

[@PBL187]

Yes it is, especially if you can see your own symptoms and that, and aren't just going by the diagnosis

[@mar8014]

everyone hates me and i don't have the energy to be a good person

[@rnbsteenstar]

There are things about it that yes, I agree with that statement on.

[@Calorgie]

I'm stuck in my own world , wher i know i can change all bad things in to good . so in practice i bring it a life in the real world we all are living in.

[@sonjaluonga]

Thankyou. You have helped my understanding and empathy immeasurabley. I appreciate the courage, and the generosity that it took to make this film and post it. Celebrate the differences. Otherwise the world would be a sad and monotonous place!

[@pigeon309]

This is great, very informative. I have Asperger's Syndrome too and I could really relate to what that guy was saying. It's good to hear from someone on the spectrum, especially an adult. It seems like in most things about autism you just hear from parents/carers, and they're usually based more around children, which I think kind of reinforces the image of autistic people as low-functioning and helpless. We need more things like this to show the word we can speak for ourselves!

[@JaL30]

I know exactly what you mean about having to expend a great deal of mental energy just to get though what others see might see as having fun with friends. The worst part (for me anyway) is how hard it is to explain the concept of mental exhaustion, how it affects me, and how it is different than 'tiredness,' or 'having a bad day.' Especially when the explanation is needed exactly when I'm too mentally exhausted to be socially competent enough to explain it properly. Thanks for posting. :)

[@barnacmongars]

I find that social interaction take more energy than running a whole marathon or learning a new piece on the bass my two passions. I really enjoy this video and wrong planet site.

[@frank1985au]

3:05 6:05 - A lot of people think this I find - it's very difficult to be accepted when this viewpoint is so widespread. Thank you, Alex, for an inspiring doco. There's a long way to go, but leaps and bounds are made every day.

[@0bananaskin0]

Wow! My boy has autism and the profound insight in this documentary clip has me in tears. Thank you so much!!

[@thefearofdark]

Autism is a beautiful neurological disorder. I work at Autistic Services. Those who put people down who are MR, who have a LD, or have a ND...is very rude and inconsiderate. Everyone should be loved...everyone has a gift, everyone has their own way to express themselves. Learn from others, even if they communicate in a different type of language that you may not understand. Be patient. Love. Learn. Commute together to make peace in communities no matter who the person is.

[@veiledexpressions]

"To lapse in fullness is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood is worse in kings than beggars."~Imogen, Cymbeline I could not resist. The comment below made me think of this.

[@scharlesdecker]

I'm a father of two sons with autism. Thanks so much Alex for sharing your story!

[@SuperMusicfreak17]

im 18 years old and was diagnosed with it when i was 13. before i was diagnosed, doctors and therapists have said that i will never graduate high school or even live. i used to be so terrified of people that i hid under neath desks at schools or hid myself. even though i have gotten better with communicating with people i still find myself having "fits" from time to time. thank you for this video. it gives me bravery to not to hide the fact that i am autisic

[@surgechecker18]

Love the video Alex, great job. :) Thanks for the link and video. Happy holidays to you and your family, all the admins, their families. Sincerely, (Blondie).

[@jmyzpr]

Just what you say in the end of the video.right before the credits brings everything together. Very interesting, good and realisticly touching video. When society understands its a difference and starts seeing it that way we will be better!!!

[@riftworldking]

I'm autistic, and I do EXTREMELY well in reading and writing. Its part of who we are, with our brains wired differently, we see the world in different ways -- I find that I grasp intellectual things pretty easy. So in less words, its not weird, and don't ever let yourself lose your skill. In the words of a friend of mine "The mind is a blade, knowledge the stone that sharpens it, the better the knowledge, the sharper the mind. It is a terrible thing for any blade to be dull."

[@jpaschal12]

I thank you Alex for sharing your story , it was awesome to see Temple my hero in the video too!

[@Shanti565]

Hi Alex il love this video you've made here it's really nice to see your parents and hear what they had to say. I am a member of you message board "wrong planet" and really enjoy having somewhere to go where I am accepted. Thank you

[@coregazer]

Great video Alex, loved seeing it! Keep up the good work.

[@karayna]

I started to educate myself, and I could finally merge all the pieces of the puzzle into a clear picture - I'm autistic! I'm still "in the closet", though, because most people have preconceived notions about what Aspergers really is. However, many persons with autism/aspergers aren't as lucky as I am; I'm pretty skilled at pretending to be normal (NT).

[@Tabitha_K]

Great video :) I only recently found out that I have an ASD after years of struggling with social situations, repetitive behaviours (some special interests, others anxiety driven) and a severe eating disorder. This video explains my experiences of life so well. It's a really well made film! Thanks for posting :)

[@akwaco]

Alex, Thank you for posting this, it really helps bridge that gap of understanding between the 'neurotypical' and those on the spectrum ...

[@veiledexpressions]

Excellent documentary.I love your site as well.

[@AlexSeesing]

Great little docu! Your final statement about society accepting differences within people is fair and true. It also spreads outside the spectrum of autism which is a real good thing. I am, like you, an asperger. Your story mimics mine. Therefor I sent the link of this to friends and other people who simply don't grasp the context at all. Great job and thanks for sharing.

[@oldskoolliam]

I havce ADHD AND aSPERGERS AND IT IS GREAT TO KNOW THAT IM NOT ALONE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE ME

[@jenniferpruitt6534]

at times when life get a little stale, God sends someone like me to change things up a little. at 2 doctors diagnosed me as autistic. it wasn't until i was 23 in 1999 when dr. daniolos (God bless him!) pinpointed me as aspergers. now my mom's not well and i'm applying for transitional living in my home of durham, nc for the first time in my life. i have friends and family supporting me in this.

[@elenacerasela]

Alex, thank you for sending the link. I love the video. Your website was the first place where I "mourned" over the diagnosis of Asperger's "Disorder" for me and my daughter (it was hard in the beginning, but it makes a lot of sense now). I have no idea why it's called a disorder. Just because we are in minority it doesn't mean that we are disturbed. Thanks, Alex! See you on wrongplanet. I will visit again, more often.

[@KellyClement]

This is a good teaching film about Autism. It should make the rounds of the schools.

[@abfoster1s]

This is wonderful and amazing. I have a friend who is a nurse. SHe is also an Epileptic. SHe is hard to get to know face to face, she avoids eye contact, and does not express herself very well. But online and in text she is clever, funny and so much fun. I know people that avoid her because they are not comfortable with her face to face persona. They are missing so much!!!

[@nintendo91]

I finally find the problem that I have, for 20 years I have been searching for why that I'm not like any other people in the society I live in. Thank You

[@ThePhilosorpheus]

When I was diagnosed it felt like a blessing actually.. at least there´s one planet I belong

[@Maebbie]

so thats what those people who disagree with me online look like

[@TheFirearmEnthusiast]

Cool vid, this deserves to go into favs! Good stuff.

[@FormerlyMrBean667]

I have a good mate who has Asperger's, very mild, but it's Asperger's. He is a source of fun and laughter for everyone around and I thank God for him.

[@thewrongplanet]

I wish i had this documentary up 6 years ago lol

[@soggydiamond]

Great job with this doc. You explained important things.

[@crazedchef5169]

Great Job...Never really thought about it...but there it is...it takes SO MUCH mental energy to be around people...so draining...NT's just cannot understand...no one can...unless they have lived with it all their lives. Keep up the fight to tell people Alex.

[@mserebreny]

This is awesome Alex - nice work :)

[@elenacerasela]

Very classy and intelligent! Very high quality video! Good job, Alex! And good job your parents did!

[@MrOldestPerson]

nobody ask for the conditions that happens to themselves, all we got to do is provide them with much understanding and help

[@acuroso]

The truth is many are too ignorant and unintelligent to not understand the genius behind it.

[@spirituality1000]

Film can give individuals hope

[@ElNadine99]

thank you so much for this video

[@33hegemon]

Nice mini-documentary, professionally made.

[@witchymama2]

Hey Alex, I loved it! (I'm on WP too) Thanks for posting this. :)

[@Namaste1001]

I hear you, but you're not alone. There are lots of us out there.

[@orbyss]

Finally got around to watching this. Very impressive, but it feels disappointingly short after whetting my appetite. It's very cool Temple Grandin contributed.

[@bombergal1]

I was diagnosed with autism when I was 4 and was downgraded to Asperger's when I was 11 and it wasn't on the DSM IV until 1994. The teachers didn't really understand the condition well and didn't always develop the best strategies for me.

[@boltwevl]

Thanks for the video. This gives a quite a bit of information that is not doom and gloom. It includes quite a bit about even those of us who are or were considered "severe." If my mom listened to the "experts," I would have been condemned to a life in an institution. I also love Wrong Planet where I post as cyberscan. Maybe one day, we will get the recognition and appreciation of just being people. Keep up the good work!

[@Andyface79]

Thank you for this.

[@MonTex2841]

Megabozz. It is not over for you. You continue to seek after your dreams. Don't let anything stop you.

[@weeeezzll]

Love that clip at the end! :D

[@Revorob]

This is a great vid, Alex. Your reflections on life are very similar to mine. I had an online friend this morning ask me about AS. I will forward your vid to her as required viewing.

[@gabitangerine]

I think people should not regret having autism/aspergers. Being different is a gift. People should like someone for what he/she is. Society is so mean, superficial, cruel.I'm not saying everone is like that, but most of them. Poeple with autism see the world in a different beautiful way and they should be proud for their individuallity.I'm sure most of them are.

[@jenbayler]

This was great!!! I want everyone to see it!!

[@sloopy3]

Alex, you a very respectable aspie. I think autism is one of God's many ways of telling the world that we MUST accept each others differences.

[@moontitanzan]

cool! I'm just starting to look into the internet communities related to autism since and am glad to find such great support!

[@GetAFuckinClue]

Ive seen a movie about temple grandin i think the actor portrayed her perfectly.

[@trevormartin8154]

thank you for opening me up to the life of autism, i appreciate that, way to fight for a good cause!!

[@Calorgie]

I thank you for this video

[@ahesterman79]

Thank you for this, Alex. I am the mother of a son with Asperger's. :)

[@kxmode]

I could never go to that convention. I get really scared of crowds. You have a lot of courage Alex. The weird thing is I am reading the Bible in front of 90 people later today. I am relying on Jehovah to help me through it. I just hope I don't pass-out or become too nervous.

[@tomamil]

great work, Alex, thanks...

[@dmulvany]

@tasneefm The "transcribe audio" feature uses computer-generated speech recognition technology, which is different from and not as accurate as the human-operated technology that provides pre-recorded captions for television programs. (I asked some time ago for the captions for this video to be improved by importing an accurate transcript of the video which another person already created. KZbin provides the ability to synchronize the written words with the spoken words in the video.)

[@223dell223]

Keep up the great work, Alex. --A fan

[@thewrongplanet]

@dmulvany You can activate KZbin's audio translation service on this video. I made sure it worked and I just tested it again.

[@ShadowMetaKnight7]

I asked why I haven't know I have autism until that day and she said that it wouldn't be that important to know. But, of course, it is that important to know. I have to know more about myself. I thought that there must be a reason why I barely talk to anybody. And from what my mom told me, I've handled autism pretty well; I was a well behaved girl (and I'm still well behaved today). I didn't scream or hit myself so much like any other autistic child would.

[@gambart2002]

Thank you!!! We need to educate people that Autism is an evolutionary trait and does not need to be cured. I would argue that Einstein, Newton, and Mozart were autistic. So, let's embrace neurodiversity.

[@dmulvany]

@codeman38 If there's any noise in the audio or if the person's speech isn't perfect, KZbin's automated speech recognition software can't work well. Sometimes the incorrect captions combined with lipreading can help me figure out what was said, but I gave up on watching this video because the audio and captions were too poor and I couldn't understand enough of it. Thanks for creating the subtitle file, codeman38; I hope that theWrongPlanet will take you up on your offer soon.

[@flyingcel77]

Hi Alex, I can relate to the bit about primary school, I remember my principal shouting at me and getting the other kids to say bad things to me.

[@LukeCrockerExellence]

As an aspie, I know that hallway would certainly be stressful, but over the years I've learned a few tricks to cope with it. However, no matter what I do, there's always an element of closing off; I might not see or recognize faces or people that I should know, etc.

[@karayna]

A couple of years ago, I was extremely ignorant. I thought that all autistic people were the same; I had a picture in my head of a mentally disabled child rocking back and forth, living in "another world", not being able to communicate at all. Then I found out that I myself had Aspergers...

[@michaelkuhn397]

Nice work on all counts. Well done.

[@burseyb]

I, too, have autism. You're not alone, my friend.

[@darrylprojectile]

allways helps to hear peoples angles

[@Klikoderat]

Thank you.

[@thewrongplanet]

I'm glad you enjoyed that segment. it was kind of a last minute idea. . .

[@TheDoobidoob]

Well I'm glad that you don't hold such a prejudice towards all of us. Still, there's a thing you said about how you admire us for wanting to change our thought patterns. Not all of our thought patterns are necessarily bad or damaging to interpersonal relationships. Still, thank you and you too.

[@BumsenDK]

Good posting. I agree with your point. I wish to try just a few days that arent hard. People understand that tough days are hard for me. But average days are super hard too. God knows i fight every day. Just to go to work on time, be good at work, get home and be a good person. There is never an easy day. The most offending thing in the world to me, Is when someone implies or say that I havent tried my hardest. I can accept that I havent succeeded or performed as desired by others,

[@TheDoobidoob]

Isn't that what everybody talks about, though> How families are affected? It just seems that is the main theme of most documentaries regarding autism....

[@Maverick6429]

It is a misconception that autistic people do not like to be touched. I work with autistic teenagers, and I know that touch is an important part of communication with severely autistic people. It represents a special relationship with that person, one that they value as much if not more than you do.

[@richiefranklin76]

I was never diagnosed with it,but I have a suspicion that I am either Autustic or have Aspergers. I've always had very weird social convictions.On one hand I WANT to be friends with people and be recognized.People say I'm a very friendly person,and a good listener. But then when people start to try and get too close I have an overwhelming desire to suddenly cut human contact and be by myself.unlike most people too much Socializing drains,not energizes me.

[@309401164]

THAT THING WITH THE PRINCIPAL HAPPEND TO ME! not only did they do that but the principal told my parents that maybe people bullied me because i was the problem.

[@ImpulseGenerator]

Thanks. I can relate. And that's awesome.

[@thewrongplanet]

glad you enjoyed it.

[@codeman38]

@dmulvany I'm just continually astounded that anyone could ever think something like "partisan issue to continue nichols always from release of the year where charles the remain on for awhile" (actual quote from the auto-captions, folks!) is anywhere in the neighborhood of comprehensibility.

[@richiefranklin76]

I also pretty much had to manually learn how to use the right Body language from books I found on Amazon and other places on the net. I practice consciously using these movements and postures to express myself,while to most people these movements are merely subconscious.But it's payed off big time,when it comes to my overall social interactions. My biggest problem with body language has always been the face expressions.A lot of times it seems I'm stuck with a permanent 'poker face'

[@SuperMarioYoshiFan]

oh my god temple grandin!! she''s like my hero!

[@BenedictC]

Great documentary Alex

[@Dave4000]

The reality is different where I live. I get the impression that autistics - especially autistic adults, are hated and ignored by everyone. Everyone's "too busy", nobody contacts you and nobody wants to be your friend. You chat to someone online, they start talking to you - then for NO reason at all, they stop talking to you - nothing bad was said and you've done nothing wrong. It's time that society treated autistics much better and not judge them on social mistakes they unknowingly make.

[@ShadowMetaKnight7]

@iselected Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm still learning about this "disability" that I have.

[@bajacabo]

Alex this was very well done period.

[@kgaccount]

Maverick6429. I agree, because my severely autistic son often, but not always, likes to be tickled or touched. There are still a lot of things about autism we don't understand. For me, I'm so absorbed in the world of profound to severe autism, it takes me awhile to decide whether someone who is higher functioning is acutally autistic, though, ironically, my brother is very high functioning aspergers, so maybe this is what puts me in two different worlds.

[@Saighton]

Damn right - the brain is the organ that uses the most energy in the body.

[@Otencia1]

Excellent!! Love it... Need something like this shown in the UK!

[@ImpulseGenerator]

'Aspies have to start their self-assessment at the "my experience of reality is wrong" step, rather than from the "everybody just doesn't get me" one.' Both steps don't really get you there, I think. Everybodys experience of reality is 'wrong' or 'right' or whatever, we are just humans. To me it's about making it together on this planet, not about showing people what is wrong or right. Everyone has another perspective on that matter.