Autism, Sensory Overload, Obsessions, and Creativity

I've learned a lot from my friend Jen. I got the opportunity to sit down and ask her some questions about autism, the challenges she faces, and how she has overcome them.
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[@bswithcas5787]

“You deserve to be in this world as much as everyone else”. Holy Batman did that just blow my mind!! Thank You Jen for teaching me!

[@wheelie26]

Jen’s interview with you was fab, she is such a character and gives you a great perspective on autism.

[@rachellehensley8761]

The other night I was leaving Applebee’s and I held the door for an older couple that was having a hard time with their boy who I watched run into them head first as hard as he could. So as he walked by the man said sorry he’s a little rowdy today, I smiled and said to the boy it’s okay bud we all get a little rowdy sometimes. The grandpa told me the boy has autism and thanked me for being nice. I remembered in one of your videos to tell a parent that they are doing great so I told him that, he gave me a big hug and said thank you. It made me feel great, thank you for the awareness you spread and YOU guys keep up the good work, as always 🥰🤍

[@crystalortega2156]

Rachelle Hensley your post made me cry because I am a mother of a special needs daughter and when I hear those words from people it’s means so much u have no idea.

[@RBNobody]

Rachelle Hensley stop spreading onions !! 😭💖

[@tigrashadow74]

awww that is awesome Rachelle xoxox but it is so true...that even for people who have no direct contact with autism, the empathy for others and the information others can take away from those who do share their autism experiences, are so priceless xox well done

[@lolaplops]

When Jen was mentioning being locked away it broke my heart, what a credit she is to the strength of a human ❤️

[@fatheringautism]

There’s another video going up at 7pm eastern so stay tuned! Jen is a much better interviewer than I am. If you haven’t seen this yet you should: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGfUeKiii5qYp9k

[@rebeccahowat-akacrazyautis7439]

Easter! I cant wait till then 🤣. Eastern ... I know 😁😝

[@chloe_3787]

Jen is so much better spoken than a lot of people I know. Her wisdom is truly amazing and inspiring for everyone.

[@lrowerowe7207]

So true.

[@kyrataylor-gagne2621]

I wish more people were as self-aware as Jen, and could put into words the things that they have been able to learn and grow from ❤️

[@kspang656]

I like Jen. I just started following her.

[@fatheringautism]

She’s awesome!

[@rachelv2382]

Me too!

[@dayab1707]

You can tell Asa is her hero :) love this! love them all :)

[@BE-kuh]

Asa you should do more interviews like this!!

[@jennyjay7816]

I’m sooo proud that Jen shut the girls at McDonald’s up. Bullying in general is obviously awful, but for someone to bully or make fun of a person with special needs, is just about as low as it gets, In my opinion ☮️💜

[@christine-666]

what an amazing young lady..she is so intelligent and well spoken..and her mom was 100% right...we all belong her.

[@Sdd867]

I am just crying watching this Asa! She is such a beautiful person inside and out. Simply wonderful. I wish everyone in the world was more like Jen.. what she said about how her mom told her she belongs here just as much as anyone else, That also changed me forever. Thank you so much Jen. You are an incredible person. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nallelycastillo2755]

"You deserve to be in this world as much as everybody else" That just made me tear up a little... or may be a lot. I loved this interview, you're both amazing ❤

[@sarahwalker3930]

I just love her. She’s so honest about her experience. I’m going to be subscribing right now!

[@LavenderRae19]

Asa, thanks so much for bringing Jen onto your platform. I know you don’t “need” a thank you because you are friends, but, like your channel, her channel gives me life. Jen is remarkable and such a kind soul. So, thank you! 💜

[@ChristenNAustin]

When she said the phrase that her mom told her, I just immediately started crying. That is me to a T. I apologize over literally everything. 🥺😩😭

[@Cherry-hu4xm]

I love seeing all of my aspies, it makes me feel like I’m part of something and helps me understand myself. Autism doesn’t defeat us, it makes us stronger.

[@dsrobin04]

I just subscribed to Jen's channel the other day.. she is so well spoken, creative and talented. I've really been enjoying watching her videos.. plus her interview with Asa was terrific! Wtg Jen! 🙂💙👍

[@katiequasebarth3815]

This really shed some light on autism for me. My husband is high functioning on the autism spectrum and I don't always understand why he reacts the way he reacts but this helped. I'm glad I found your channel. Thank you! And now I'm going to check out Jen's channel. 😊❤

[@loriannie]

Awe I love this girl. Such a pure heart.

[@carolinepage1095]

Jen is an angel. When I found her channel through you guys I watched ALL of her videos. She has a wonderful light about her that shines so bright anyone can see it who watches her channel or sees her in person. She’s a blessing for all of us!!

[@courtneyw.6456]

Jen is a beautiful being inside and out

[@timmyangeltlc4888]

Such a fantastic interview. It really helps to have things explained from Jens point of view. First person narrative is fantastic and gives those not on the spectrum or with special needs great insight and understanding to help them to understand those who are different.

[@StephanieBethany]

Love Jen so much 💛 if you have any doubts, Jen is an amazing creator (and person!) with a great sense of humor and you wont be disappointed by checking her channel out! (Thank you, Asa, for interviewing her and more fully introducing her to your audience!)

[@orgeriegodwin1022]

My great nephew was just diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. They put him on a medication that made him start hurting himself, took him back to the doctor and the doctor says oops I might have put him on the wrong medication. Really!! Thank you and your family for being a voice for those with Autism. Jen you Rock❤️

[@jessicavandusen586]

Jen is my new idol. She isn’t afraid to be who she is and I love it. I have a a sister who is on the severe end of the spectrum and is mostly nonverbal and through watching some of her videos has taught me a lot. Thank you Jen ❤️

[@mariebarrett8774]

Rebranding Autism is an awesome channel...thank you Jen....

[@cylversprings]

Jen just won a place in my circle of heros!!! I have seen bits and pieces of her on this channel but never really got to know her. Definitely someone I could hang with.

[@Kristakat23]

I love Jen! So quirky! I subscribed immediately! Thank you for introducing us to her!

[@katiekawaii]

She's so great at explaining her own experience. That's not easy. You have to be really self-aware and really other-aware in order to put words to your experience and make others understand.

[@shavaughn1980]

Jen is amazing! This interview made me like her even more. I don't have autism but I have borderline personality disorder. I am extremely sensitive and I self harm by banging my head too. I'm almost 40 years old and she handled those girl's laughing at her so much better then I would have.

[@shybabyily]

I am a special education teacher and have learned more in this interview than I did in my college classes for autism. Thank you for sharing all the intimate aspects of your life. I look forward to using what I have learned with my students.

[@stephaniep2450]

So insightful! Gave me additional understanding of my daughter with HF autism. The part about not assuming why she’s upset is huge... Jen brought tears to my eyes because she reminds me of what my kid may be in the future. So inspiring!

[@animerlon]

You're absolutely right Asa, Jen's greatness is not 'in spite of' her autism, it just is. Love both interviews you guys did.

[@spott2714]

Jen, you are an angel. Your mothers words of advice stuck with me already. Everybody go follow her!

[@marinapepper9899]

Absolutely love Jen, she is so talented in what she does, singing and playing her instruments

[@MiSSJUiCEBOXXLiVE]

Jen has a beautiful smile, her dimples are the cutest thing. She’s a great person to have around if you’re dealing with people that are non verbal autistic because she’s able to actually explain what the prob might be.

[@jacquelinerietveld1134]

Thank you Jen, I have recently been diagnosed with autism as an adult and you help me to understand myself. I am proud of you and I adore you for that💋❤️❤️

[@JustJAINE]

Jen has such a unique perspective. I really enjoyed learning from her.

[@sandrakarnon4125]

What a wonderful person Jen is! I enjoy listening to her so much as she gives so much insight into Autism. Go Jen💖💖

[@CZPanthyr]

Jen, I think you are a fantastic human! You are right. You deserve to be in this world as much as anybody. I am always telling people, even strangers in stores who apologize for simply being there, "Never apologize for taking up space on this planet. It's your home as much as it is anyone's home." As for bullying you, let's just hope they don't do it around me. I am short, fat, red headed, and old enough not to care and I will get in anyone's face. We should all treat others like we wish to be treated. Kindness is free. Spread it everywhere! And you certainly do. Asa, thanks for posting this as it helps me understand my 13 year old grandson who is on the spectrum. You, too, are a fantastic person, as is your entire family. I am deeply grateful that I found your channel, and through that, found Jen's channel. Keep on doing the good work. It helps people you don't know and may never meet.

[@angelasanders3752]

Wow! Jen is so insightful. Especially when Abbie is upset. Jen and Abbie are so awesome.

[@wt0416]

Two video in one day? I love u guys. Im so happy for u jen at the mcdonald case for standing u for touself. U had the guts to be brave and say what r u laughing at. Ur amazing. I wouldnt be able to do that.

[@raeperonneau4941]

Jenn is so wonderfully self aware. I could learn a great deal from her.

[@Jaime2830]

It hit home when she said when she was upset and everyone thought it was about something that just happened but it was really something that happened five hours ago. My son has never had melt downs, but he will sometimes just start crying and it will seem out of nowhere. I remember saying one time when it came out of nowhere and my mom was trying to figure out why he was crying and I said, he could be crying over something that happened a few days ago. It's hard to see him like that, because he can't communicate what is wrong and I don't know how to make him feel better. It's heartbreaking.

[@dikoehler4255]

I just love Jen with all my heart. Asa this was a great interview with Jen. Subscribe to her channel you wont be disappointed !

[@andreabennerakaandi9256]

Jen, you’re truly amazing. I’m so thankful for you and your strength!!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@andibeasley1289]

Jen is such a cool individual! I feel like autism spectrum/diagnosis is still young enough that we’re just now seeing people on the spectrum come in to adulthood. What a cool thing to have tools like KZbin to understand how we can help others and spread awareness!! ❤️❤️

[@susantennantt7625]

I love her. She’s so smart and amazing.

[@kathyjp17]

Yes, my daily dose of my favourite people.

[@neverlandse9914]

Her interview actually brought clarity to my own misinterpretations and fixations on things. I am recently diagnosed since the summer so I am just now coming to understand how my autism affects me.

[@lrowerowe7207]

I just got diagnosed since I was about 3 or 4 years I was as being slow witted, aka Intellectual disabled I grew up in the 80s so the dread R word was used.

[@paigekennett-baker4299]

I absolutely am obsessed with her hair, always on fleek if people even say that anymore. So gorgeous, always love these sit downs it really teaches me alot about people with autism and it also settles understanding of when I am out and see and child or person reacting in a certain way to be open minded as to what they are going through, thanks guys ! 🥰

[@monkeyanger00]

What an amazing example Jen is, not just to people effected by autism but to everybody x

[@krystinaheaney6574]

Amazing video with Jen. I love hearing her explain things that we go through with having autism. There’s so much to still learn about what goes on in our brains and how we interpret the world. ❤️ Love you Jen.

[@carmensaid3909]

Help please, how do I find Jen's channel/Vlogs.

[@chillingwithkitty3232]

I loved the interview it was fun to watch and Jen is a really nice person as well and helpful with her information as well. I'm glad i got to watch your vlog as soon as I got the notification :)

[@megan6574]

I have goosebumps after she said what her mom told her 😭. You do belong here and yall are so awesome! I am so glad to know yall and be able to become more aware of autism!

[@zairaortiz3572]

Thank you so much Jen you brought so much joy to my day. I have an autistic 3 year old and you brought me so much hope. You are power strong young woman. ❤️❤️❤️

[@jamiegoldsby1163]

I watched this when it first came out, and decided to watch it again today. I absolutely love Jen! It’s so awesome to hear her work thru things on her vlog and share her perspective of things. You can tell she really absorbs information and uses everything she’s done in the past, as a learning experience! She’s very smart and articulate about her life and what she can and can’t handle. She’s such a great example of why you can’t ever judge someone by a label! I love that you guys interviewed each other! They’re both awesome videos!

[@yepsowhat]

I’ve binge watched Jen for days💜 Thank you, Jen for the education, smiles and tears you have already brought to my world! I have a great niece who is now 15 and you’ve changed her Mom as well

[@negx1671]

I just LOVE Jen! I’m so glad she found your family last year and that you’re all her friends. ❤️

[@Keltickay9022]

Jen's channel is my favorite! You don't have to be on the spectrum to relate to her content. She's smart, creative, funny and intuitive in regards to the struggles we all face.

[@janaleonard4702]

Great chat with Jen!! Thank you Jen, I am always learning from you! You are such a dynamic person!!!

[@melissa51511]

Thank you for sharing. My son who has autism is verbal, but not enough to express his emotions verbally yet. So listening to Jen’s interview helps shed some light on what he might be feeling. Love your channel!

[@karenhall4924]

I started following Jen from this channel and I love her ❤️. She has the best personality

[@ZumieZumes]

Karen Hall love her too! I did a binge of a bunch her videos one day. ❤️

[@DSweetness5]

So great to learn these things Jen. It is great when you do these interviews Asa as it helps everyone understand. It gives me more confidence in parenting my Nonverbal Austistic kid. Awesome, thank you both!!

[@kelligabaldon435]

Seeing Jen and Asa just sit and talk is amazing! 2 2 incredible minds in 1 spot love this!

[@DagoBoilermaker]

Wow what a great friendship you two have. It’s so great seeing such fantastic creators get together and talk. You killed the interview assa! Jen you killed it with the answers wow I’m amazed at this!

[@jeanette2492]

She is such a sweet soul. I adore her.

[@daniellewarren2342]

"I deal with things from experience". What an amazing answer. Totally sums up life and how you move on and learn. Jens so articulate in her answers. Enjoyed this one immensely X

[@groovychick206]

Absolutely perfect! I m so happy that Jen has friends like y’all. I started watching her after seeing her in your vlogs. She sure is a blessing to Autism, and such a warrior!

[@lawrentw]

Love this! The interview she did with you was great. I learned a lot from this video. ♥️

[@serenabromley5618]

This video not only warmed my heart but also brought more insight of those with Autism what they feel etc..... Love you all! Thank you!

[@beacuevas8318]

This interview was amazing. I just love you both that quote from Jen's mom made me tear up. Beautiful human beings!

[@meghanortega959]

Love Love Love “You belong in this world just as much as anyone else” ♥️♥️♥️♥️ what a beautiful message 🥰

[@whitneylong1057]

I am the same way, I always am apologizing and her mom's advice really hit home, thank you jen for the great advice

[@sarahsmart3414]

Jen you are amazing, beautiful, kind and strong, and you do belong in this world just like anyone else. I love how self aware you are. It is hard to change your mindset and to recondition yourself to not think a certain way. Kudos to you for recognizing and then correcting your misconceptions. That's huge, even for someone that isn't autistic.

[@kileed3048]

Seriously Jen is the best!! She has such an infectious smile, every time I watch her, she puts a smile on my face. Such a great interview with two awesome people!

[@emilyolin7816]

Jen is such an amazing human. I loved the advice she gave especially saying to be open minded during those meltdown moments. I honestly never thought about it possibly being from something else that may have happened 5 hours before and they can’t get it out of their head. That really opened my eyes and mind so thank you Jen! I subscribed to her channel after your vlog squad Disney trip and I am so happy I did!

[@sharonlawler3330]

Jen is amazing..it’s so helpful to watch these vlogs. My son is 18 years old and on to spectrum...the anxiety it’s one of the hardest things we experience ever day. It’s so true what Jen said about holding on the things from the past that effect your current situation. My son does that a lot. Moving past things is hard. Love you guys. 💕💕 I wish I had found your channel years ago...

[@sunflower7045]

She’s so incredibly well spoken. She would be a fantastic teacher. I adore her personality. Will be following her after this vid!

[@niquester4349]

Super interesting! It's hard for us who are not on the autism spectrum to understand how it feels from within. It will help me to deal with my own autistic friends. So nice of you to share your experience, Jen! 😍💜💚💜💚💜

[@jodibridges105]

I have been such a huge fan for over a year now and absolutely adore you guys! I have cried, laughed, rejoiced but more importantly I have learned. I am more patient and understanding because of you. This video though.. so incredibly insightful! She beautifully broke it down to such a deeper level of understanding for me and for that, Thank You ❤️

[@faelyn_x]

She’s so awesome. And I love those words of wisdom from her mom 💗 opened my eyes too! I’m a teacher and I’m always looking for a new perspective to help my kids. Thanks!

[@jennifern2805]

I have been binging on Jen's Rebranding Autism channel (and her other channels) since I saw her in the Disney vlog and her charisma made me search out her channel. She's so uplifting and truly gifted in many ways, not just musically. ❤️

[@barbgedling6279]

Jens amazing!! You all are amazing!! I have a nonverbal child. She’s my hero she doesn’t let her disability s too her from doing anything. She loves everyone and doesn’t see hate.

[@tealady4]

I love Jen!! Thanks for doing this interview. She is a great creator! And a great musician!

[@Spectre2209]

I loved this interview so much!! Thank you for introducing us to Jen, she's just awesome :-)

[@amandacrisp0716]

I loved this! I think Jen has given so much insight on how we can support people with Autism and what it is like for people with Autism. She truly is an amazing human! I subscribed to her channel because I found her through FatheringAutism, so thanks for helping me find a cool new channel to support!

[@cyndireed9254]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER!!! She's so inspiring!!!

[@lissapadilla3486]

Im so glad Jen stood up for herself to those girls. You go girl!

[@krissysaunders4417]

I've been watching your videos for a little over two years and they have helped so much. I have a feeling that at least one of my oldest daughter has a sensory processing disorder or ADHD/ADD and sometimes it seems as if she has autism because of her tendencies. Your videos have given me a lot of insight and have made me want to have her go through the testing for it. My mother says she doesn't have anything wrong with her but I see it differently then her my mother grew up in a time where autism and other things weren't talked about. Thank you for giving me the confidence to finally start having something done. Your family inspires me to fight for my children. I found Jen back when you guys went to playlist last year and she is my other favorite KZbinr!! Jen you make me want to be a better person

[@moreale2]

I been following you almost a year now and I’ve Learned a lot. My son also has autism, he is high functioning . We finished in December all his therapy’s and for right now is just reajusting on day to day. And today I saw this video and I love how Jen explains how she feels sometimes and I had to share it on Facebook with my friends and family so the can understand better and be more patient with my son. 🧩

[@emilycagigas9601]

You are both amazing!! Jen you are an inspiration to all! Thank you for being brave enough to share your wisdom with the world!

[@mamamackenziesnurturingnat4969]

I related so much to everything in this. Thank you both for what you do by spreading your stories!

[@moodymermaid1315]

Really have enjoyed these interviews. And I love that you pointed out that Jen is an AMAZING creator as a human. So true!!!!

[@fizzy965]

Just subscribed to Jen too. She has such an awareness about her. I think I can learn a lot from her positivity. :)

[@heatherforrest1818]

Love, love, love!!!!! I started following Jen last year after you shared the little clip of you meeting her. Her channel is one of my favorites!! She’s an amazing human! So creative, so kind, so brave. ❤️

[@libstarful]

What an amazing perspective! Thankyou Asa and Jen for sharing with us!

[@destineehorsland4254]

Jen is so intelligent, loved listening to her perspective. Thank you for the knowledge! ❤️

[@DanniJules]

she's awesome! her and i have a lot in common with our autism. my partner has become my caregiver since my parents had to move away to another state. and hes amazing. some of us are so lucky to be surrounded by support from amazing people. id love to meet you guys some day!!