Autism - what we know (and what we don't know yet) | Wendy Chung

In this calm and factual talk, geneticist Wendy Chung shares what we know about autism spectrum disorder - for example, that autism has multiple, perhaps interlocking, causes. Looking beyond the worry and concern that can surround a diagnosis, Chung and her team look at what we've learned through studies, treatments and careful listening.
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[@thysdreyer6886]

I'm 31 years old , born autistic and life growing up was very hard , not uderstanding why i see the world differently and struggle to make friends . I am an engineer today and am my own biggest support framework , parents please support your children and help them cope . It's not easy and never will be but you can try to make it work .

[@jayd3337]

I'm REALLY close to the spectrum. Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder is what I have.

[@soroushhindjamshidi3945]

Thys Dreyer Thank you, I really appreciate your insight.

[@c_farther5208]

EVeryone is on their own; when you are an adult, you're not coddled in this world, you have to handle your own feelings.

[@anjelicasanders1271]

I was 30 before being diagnosed.

[@cutestkittensanimalrescuep8531]

Congrats!

[@RRR-jd2oy]

I have a son who is 7 and diagnosed with autism spectrum. my biggest fears is leaving him alone in this cruel world.

[@tashasparks570]

get him to DAN doctor to be tested for heavy metals and microbes. He still has a chance to get better. At the very least more independent and self-aware. And diet change helps tremendously. It's all about the gut!

[@alinaalexandra8812]

Tasha u are absolutely right!It s all about gut! Raul Rey try the gaps diet.👍🏻

[@MonsieurKonthaar]

@@tashasparks570 Oh for the love of god please don't spew out the heavy metals argument. I know you want to help but that has absolutely nothing to do with autism.

[@ParkieLi]

My cousin was diagnosed to be autism in kindergarten. He was good at math and very poor to communicate with others. He was curious about girls and did a lot of strange action to girls. Other people always took advantage on or laugh at him but he didn't care. He is extremely kind to elderly and able to initiate conversion with them. He is interested in watch ads in TV rather than normal program. He used to work as a messager, office clerk. He got pretty serious injury in the swimming pool around 10 years ago. He is 38 now and still living pretty well. I believe there is still love in our society and I wish your son can enjoy his life.

[@notareallifetiger4817]

Tasha Sparks no, autism cannot be ‘cured’ not has it got anything to do with metal. I have autism and I can 100% say, OP, your son will find ways of dealing with his condition and he will be fine. Einstein and Newton had autism, yet they were fine. He’ll get help.

[@luginewton9908]

I’ve just been diagnosed with Autism and I ‘ m a tender 72 years old.

[@MsDonttrythisathome]

That gives me hope that it's not too late for me.

[@sirigirl16]

Dang! I would be death right now!

[@ThePickledOnions]

a unicorn!

[@maba6125]

I'm sorry you had to go so long! I had an inner something with autism growing up but was too scared to say anything about it. 21 years old and get told by a psychiatrist to look into an autism diagnosis and changed my life! It wasn't just me thinking it!

[@gilajacobsen2881]

My father in law is probably on the spectrum and it's 78.

[@youngster396]

The love of my life has autism and she is the most amazing women I ever met

[@georgegabriel4933]

Same! ♥️

[@AutisticBrain]

@@jellydamasing1059 what do you mean when you said,but he was a good guy?

[@rihdatulaisy7951]

hy guys, Me too, sometime i amazed to my self why iam fall in love with the special men

[@BlackSnakeHQ]

I have autism myself so that’s inspiring

[@saintstorm7]

Lol you're dating a disabled person

[@kaiceecrane3884]

As an autistic person who sees a lot of misinformation about about autism, I wanted to write a short description of not only what autism is but what it is like to have it. This is based off of my own experiences as well as other autistic people I have talked to. Autism is a different way the brain can be "wired". Some observations may lead an outside observer to think one way, but without the rest of the context it can be very misleading. People with autism take in more information from their surroundings. While doing some activity the neurotypical person (not autistic) may take some time to process said activity and some of their surroundings, an autistic person takes in everything around them that is going on while doing an activity. Take eating lunch in cafeteria for example; while sitting with their friends a neurotypical person will be eating food, talking with their friends, and listening to what they are saying while an autistic person will be doing the same while taking in every sound difference in their friends voice, eye movement, body language, and doing all of these things with anything they also see and hear. Because of that a delay in time to respond may occur as they are taking in and processing more information before they can respond. A lot of autistic people also have Sensory Processing Disorder, which is a disorder that manifest itself in such a way that the individual with it processes their senses either more dramatically or less. Let’s use the cafeteria example again: the autistic may be hearing every noise and conversation at once in that room, and while the lights may be fine for some people, they may be so bright for an autistic person it is physically painful. This can get overwhelming as all of this stimulus can be too much. Stimulus is any information gathered by any of your 7 primary senses: sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste, proprioceptive (sense of where you are in space and movement), and vestibular (sense of balance). While these are external stimuli, internal stimuli can affect an autistic person in the same way; internal stimulus being things such as stress or anxiety to name a few. It is important to let an autistic person know how they live and process information is normal and fine, there is nothing wrong with them. They are perfectly normal people, just with a nerotype that isn't typical. Too much stimulus can cause a meltdown sometimes, or a shutdown. A shutdown is straightforward as they just shutdown like a computer and need to rebute away from all that stimulus. A meltdown is when the autistic person goes into a fight or flight response, where they will act accordingly as does anyone when their subconscious feels threatened. Keep in mind, too much stimulus is painful, and can be drastically so. You could say that a shutdown is when the fight or flight response goes so extreme they freeze. To combat all of this stimulus an autistic person needs to do one of two things, and may sometimes need help doing them: 1.) Remove the negative stimulus, say like going somewhere darker or quieter 2.) Stim. Stimming can be with any of the 7 primary senses as it replaces bad information, or stimulus, with good. This may be repeating some sound, rocking back or forth, touching some textured object, or hand flapping. These are just a tiny few examples of stimming. Stimming is good stimulus, so an autistic person may stim sometimes just because it feels good to do so with no other reason or maybe to express themselves as is natural and feels good to them. Sometimes when an autistic person has too much negative stimulus they may become nonverbal, or in other words may not be able to talk or use their words. Sometimes they may still be able to make sounds, write, or communicate in some other alternative fashion. Some autistic people take in more stimulus than other autistic people, and can be prone to experiencing more meltdowns and being nonverbal. Nonverbal occurs when the mind and body has to divert resources to dealing with other tasks. An autistic person may normally not be nonverbal but become so during a meltdown or when overwhelmed. Sometimes instead of being nonverbal, there might be a stutter instead. An autistic person has a certain amount of “spoons” they have for every day. Spoons are the resources (mentally, emotionally, physically) you can use to do some task. Some days you may have more spoons, and other days you may feel like you have none. Getting up out of bed cost spoons, dressing oneself cost spoons, brushing your teeth, showering, eating breakfast, going to work, going to class, anything you do cost some amount of spoons; with little resources of spoons available, you may only be able to accomplish only a few tasks, and that is perfectly okay. Sometimes a task can cost a lot of spoons, and sometimes the same task may cost more spoons than other times. Sometimes looking at a person's face or communicating with someone can be difficult. Communication is like a dance, and can be very difficult to follow. There are 3 ways of communication: what is said, how it is said, and body language. A person's face goes through a lot of changes over a short period of time to reflect how they are feeling, and looking at a person while talking can take a lot of spoons at time. It can be very overwhelming to try to pick up on a lot of cues people have in any form of communication. A lot of times an autistic person may only focus on one form of communication, if any, to be able to communicate. Communication in of itself (talking, listening, changes in subject) yet alone looking at some, taking in all the noise, and light, among some many things happening at once can be too much. If things feel that way, that everything is overwhelming, it is okay to remove yourself from that situation or choose not to be there in the first place. There is nothing wrong in taking care of yourself.

[@shawncrawford3146]

KaiCee Crane - Thank you for allowing people a glimpse into what daily life is like for someone with autism. I work with people all across the spectrum on a daily basis. I really appreciate your emphasis on communication, because I think that's what neurotypical people get wrong most often. I wish your comment could be read by more people for its insight and truth. I realize it is just a small piece to understanding your world, but it's invaluable information and I hope you'll continue to share your story. You're very brave and I respect your willingness to be so introspective. I wish you well. Peace

[@kaiceecrane3884]

Shawn Crawford Thank you ^-^ I don't remember what made want to write this in the first place, I just felt like one day it was something I should do. Ever since I've been trying to share it in the appropriate place so everyone can see it. Thank you for taking the time to read it and take time to understand people on the spectrum

[@edm3784]

KaiCee Crane - Thank you for taking the time to explain so clearly your experience of everyday communication, it's lovely to read such a lucid explanation and very helpful to me. I'm glad I bothered to keep scrolling down!

[@andreachristine2419]

I've never been diagnosed with autism but everything you described hit home for , since I was 5 I have always been in special education classes for some subjects in school, I didn't grasp information like everyone else, I also have severe anxiety and adhd.

[@melanieshepherd8443]

Thank you so much! I am a kindergarten teacher in New Zealand and we are becoming more educated in our sector about autism. We are trying to help tamariki ( children ) in our care to be able to form friends, but I know that we need to understand them and celebrate their differences. What you have written is absorbed priceless, coming from someone who knows how it feels. Thank you so much for this. Now myself and the other teachers will know how to work with our beautiful kids. They are so precious and beautiful. 💕💕💕

[@Life_Quester]

For some with Autism, they are treated like specimens whose feelings and thoughts are not taken seriously because they are seen as lacking both. But you better believe they have meaningful things to say, even if they can't communicate them as you would expect.

[@meghname4005]

Tbh anything that's taken in the lab is treated as a specimen and that's just inhuman.

[@mariaf4702]

Oh my. You know! I could use your help with a fun fairy story about the superpowers of those on autism, but no labels used. I am learning so much. Only if you are interested, please connect on www.ladybugpublishinghouse.com. I could use your honest input. The last line of this book is from a nonverbal 25-year-old woman: "Nature is the most magical fairy of all."

[@dvchel]

That's what my dad says! Agreeing they're meaningful, because, he knows I'm genuine and not mean-spirited or with ill-intent.

[@bolinhong2598]

Doc Oyalo can reverse autism with herbs and it’s completely perfect. I used it for my son and so far his speech and behavior is normal and he can now also respond to everything positively on his own

[@ameliapeligro4947]

@@bolinhong2598 pls tell us where can we connect with your doctor.

[@User417_]

I also was diagnosed with this when I was a little little kid and now I’m proud to be who I am

[@bolinhong2598]

Doc Oyalo can reverse autism with herbs and it’s completely perfect. I used it for my son and so far his speech and behavior is normal and he can now also respond to everything positively on his own

[@cori8489]

We're wired differently, yes, but I don't so much agree with being re-wired or retrained or medicated. Maybe it's the terms I'm getting hung up on, but if I am, then the terms should be changed. Why do we have to conform like this? I have told my friends what I struggle with and I'm self aware and tell them, for example, I struggle with social cues and hints, so please be straight up/blunt with me. I don't pick up when someone is trying to end a conversation. So my friends they are gentle and kind and tell me that they need to go, etc. And it helps a lot. Maybe it's the rest of the world that needs to be trained on how to have empathy for people who lack in this stuff, because as someone who does, it's too complex to be trained. Human behaviours has too many variables, and no matter how you calculate you can be mistaken. I prefer just educating people about Autism and what my needs are and why I am the way I am. Also, of all the things to medicate, I don't agree this is one. And I have a ton of genetic conditions and a genetic mutation. And medical comorbidities. The world just needs to be taught to accommodate better.

[@azulizachan7595]

First of all, I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt like she was talking about autism as an illness or similar. She didn't say a single positive thing about us. I get that she wants to help, but that specific kind of wording does not help. Secondly, Christine, were you paying attention? It was already stated in the TED Talk that there is no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism. And autism is not equivalent to brain damage. On top of that, this person has never said they have brain damage, so why did you mention it?

[@killicalgirl]

Christine P that person doesn’t have a brain injury, they have different brains

[@gendaextraordinaire8931]

I AGREE. If you Neyrotypical people can poke around with our bodies and minds because YOU thing you have the right to alter other humans because you don't like the way we are, we have the same right, theen? We Aspies can involve NT childre nand adults, remaking them in our mage, because the rule is "Humans can remake humans if they want to???? What scurrilous rubbish! Leave us alone!

[@digiscream]

For what it's worth, I think that *if* they can isolate and medicate for the more severe deficits that can occur with autism, like being completely nonverbal, then that's potentially a good idea because it can massively reduce the quality of life for the individual (not just in terms of interacting with the world, but also the frustration at _not_ being able to interact with the world). That's as opposed to the temporarily nonverbal (ie those who begin nonverbal, and then spontaneously develop language skills). Like you, I'm autistic; I have a large database of social cues in my head that I mostly manage to use, I struggle to understand many social subtleties until long after the fact, and sensory overload means there are many things I fundamentally cannot do. I'm also rather gifted in a number of areas that society finds really useful, with the result that people often "forgive" my social ineptitude out of practicality to begin with, and out of a slight understanding as the relationship develops. I'm under no illusions, though; I'm one of the luckier ones, because I have very little in the way of severe deficits that I can't work around, and I have no comorbidities that I know of.

[@mlh3604]

And get to know the values this world receives through autistic perception. So original and potent insights from other but very real perspectives on reality.

[@hvymtlangel]

After 24 painful years, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and it almost feels like closure. Now, I have an explanation for so many of my complicated thoughts, feelings, pain and my inability to effectively communicate with others. It's been awfully difficult to connect with humans and maintain friendships, so I've always shared a deeper connection with animals. You don't have to think about what to tell them or worry if you're boring them. Instead, you share a bond on an entirely different level. I hope, someday, we will take care of our beautiful and innocent companions. ANYWAYS, if I went 24 years without any treatment/therapy, I can do ANYTHING in the world!! You just have to believe in yourself :~)

[@jonmars9559]

I appreciate what you are saying. I was in my early 50s when I finally received enough information to understand the root of my difficulties, anxieties and depressions. Of course along the way, I'd developed ways to compensate, strategies, scripts, rehearsals that allowed me limited successful interactions with others. I didn't know why I needed to do these things, only that I had to do it. It was torture that was necessary to get along, make something of a living but never with great success. Animals have always proven truer friends than most any person in my life. I don't know that I'll ever have closer friends than my furry ones. With better understanding of what afflicts me, things have improved. I don't seek treatment per se. It's just easier knowing I'm not alone and that others experience some of the same difficulties that I do. There are patterns I can now make sense of. I still often times require conscious, rehearsed strategies to get things right in the right circumstances. I still require a great deal of time in isolation, my safe zone. I have a sense of hope for the future and that the time I have left in life will be meaningful. Thank you for your comment.

[@hvymtlangel]

​@@jonmars9559 Yes, I know exactly what you mean! I created a "formula" for meeting new people or even small talk. Thanks for sharing!

[@claudiaghiotto2094]

Thank you for your comment, I was feeling a little down and you made me feel included. I also just discovered that I have Asperger's syndrome, and I'm 26. It is such a relief to know why life has been so difficult for me, why I always felt like I am lacking some special, mysterious skill that everyone else has. I find difficult to create bonds with the majority of people, but on the other hand I have to say that I have a few friends who like me as I am and who don't judge me. Looking at the bright side of my life, I think it's also because I know such wonderful people that I discovered just now that my brain functions differently than theirs: when I am around them, I don't feel so different. It really doesn't make any difference to them. I feel extremely lucky. I can relax and be myself around them: it is so good to put down all the masks, tricks and strategies I have to use with everyone else and just be appreciated for who I really am. (sorry if my English isn't perfect, I'm from Italy :))

[@hvymtlangel]

@@claudiaghiotto2094 thanks so much for sharing :-) When I was diagnosed with AS, it was as if everything suddenly made sense--all my pain and hardships. You're right about that. My true friends love me or appreciate me because of my quirks and awkwardness. I'm really happy you feel better too!!

[@jeanclaudewellness8274]

@@claudiaghiotto2094 Ciao.....di dove sei? Sto creando un gruppo speciale di noi....sono di Milano. Hai veramente capito quali vantaggi abbiamo rispetto a loro? Hai compreso a pieno il superpotere Asperger?

[@nefelibata4190]

what I hate bout having autism at the moment is that when I try to get to know someone, they instantly have super high standards that they want me to follow and Im not able to keep up for long so when they notice I don't they just drop me completely, they don't give af. they don't even bother trying to tell me what I misunderstand and not .. like why is this so fucking hard for people? its annoying.

[@jamesdeegan7365]

+tardcakez same

[@AdolphusOfBlood]

+tardcakez Why do you want to hang out with morons that are like that is what i'd ask you if i cared. :-/

[@PervyAutomaton]

i feel ya dude.. story of my life.. +AdolphusOfBlood there is only so many people in teh local area that are like minded who are NTs.

[@AdolphusOfBlood]

TauHunter Ahh, i'm sorry to hear that.

[@MidnightAhri]

well it happened with my first partner, she even had autism herself, and she didnt want to tell what i did wrong, its pretty annoying because i want to know where i went wrong. like i explained my side to her but she just didnt do it in return, :c as for the its human nature to avoid someone. some of the best friends i have are the people with autism, they sometimes hurt your feelings unintentionally and i know that and its fine, i sometimes do the same, but since i think the social queues are totally not needed and they dont think it, we have an easier way of talking with eachother. and its not we that have the problem, its all the rest that has a problem with us.. i mean if you would accept people that have worse social skills instead of bullying them in school, you could have a lot of great extra friends. like you might meet a person 20 years later that you knew in school and they were awkward and you now talk again and you see how they got way better at it, still a bit awk but definitely were able to make things work. just takes time and acceptance and a little bit of help.

[@shadi9951]

I don't want my personality to be changed, just because my Asperger Syndrome affects it. Please don't say that we need to be "rewired" or "fixed", because it makes me feel like I can't be my real self, and I need to change it just because i'm diffrent from other people.

[@anjelicasanders1271]

People do it out of jealousy often we are very intelligent and we don't apologize for it. So they like to remind us In suddle ways of our differences. Pretend It's a complement. I used to play dumb when I was a teenager. I'm to old for that mess.

[@sahelsabet8263]

Shadi kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJW0damCjbGkn68

[@ingridfarming]

Many women on the spectrum believe that there is a problem of underdiagnosis for women... I did not figure it out till I was 30, and it helped me tremendously! Specifically with becoming aware of other people's feelings. Women have different expectations, social roles, and are allowed to express emotions with more social freedom then men, so women and girls on the spectrum blend in more! I was masking for years.

[@1GTX1]

Woman are also more social than man on average

[@emilyouimette2668]

agreed

[@a.b.n.5447]

I was diagnosed in 2020 going on 62 ... I can tell a story, too.

[@supergalaxyfist7730]

I agree with you here, My partner and my mother I believe are both on the spectrum however neither have been assessed. I was assessed at 35 and received a positive diagnosis of ASD. I believe women and girls mask more easily than men and boys and also believe boys mature slower than girls that also factors in in my mind.

[@josephinewinter]

autism for me has meant no friends, no work, no relationships, inability to hold conversations and constant suicidal feelings, so i hate it. I'm glad other people enjoy it. I kind of hate it when people go on about how great it is though, what it's like varies so much the diagnosis is worse than pointless as it tells you nothing. But it's helpful for children as they get help at school

[@StephanAltena]

+Josephine Winter ''autism for me has meant no friends, no work, no relationships, inability to hold conversations and constant suicidal feelings'' Same over here too. Don't have the suicidal thoughts anymore though. I don't really agree when people talk about autism in the comments in a positive way. I don't see alot of positives. One of the only positive things I can think about is that people with autism are more likely to be able to think objectively and critically. And less likely to go along with the way everyone else thinks. But when it comes to functioning in the real world, especially when it comes the the social aspect. It's just a curse.

[@turicaederynmab5343]

*Anime profile picture*

[@seatbelttruck]

***** I don't have all the answers, of course. There are some things you cannot change. I'd suggest seeing a psychologist for anyone with autism, whether they like their disorder or not. For those that don't, it may help them come to terms with their autism or even discover some of the positives. And cognitive/behavioral therapy can help people learn to deal with their symptoms, as well as any depression, anxiety or co-morbid conditions. I've heard that occupational therapy can help, too, in some cases, though more with lower-functioning autism. I apologize if I came across as brushing off anybody's feelings. I hate it when people do that to me, and it was not my intention. I was trying more to explain the reasoning behind "Autism Pride" type things, and to assure that liking who you are doesn't mean you can't get help for the things about you that make your life difficult.

[@seatbelttruck]

***** Um... I don't quite understand your last phrase, but therapy, or at least some kind of support is the only way I know of to work through that sort of thing. Refusing to see a professional is just shooting yourself in the foot. I would continue to encourage you, or anyone, to see a professional. If you really refuse to do that, you can try talking to other autistic people online about your specific problems and see if they have advice for dealing with them. You can learn to deal with some aspects of it on your own if you work at it and have a little luck. Since I've been getting help from a psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner (for my anxiety and depression) and family members who are in the medical field, I haven't looked into online communities much, but I have heard that the "Autistic Self-Advocacy Network" is a good place to check out. As for sensory issues, I have dealt with those. Mine sound different than yours (I experienced extreme discomfort, distress and dread rather than physical pain with mine), but I have experienced or heard of several ways to deal with them. I used desensitization (well, my parents did), which is where you expose yourself to sensory input that distresses you in small, but increasing amounts for small but increasing amounts of time so that you can learn to endure it for a short while, or, in some cases, stop being bothered by it all-together (I can wear my socks right-side-out now, for one). You can also protect yourself from unwanted sensory input: bringing earplugs or earphones with you to block loud noises, sunglasses in case of bright lights, wearing long sleeves and long pants to avoid contact with unpleasant sensations, etc. Both are really better supervised by somebody with experience.

[@seatbelttruck]

***** Earplugs or earphones do help some people. Not me, but then I have more tactile issues than auditory ones. It might not help you, but it will help some people. If you don't want to take steps to help yourself, that's your problem. Enjoy your misery. You can't help somebody who doesn't want to be helped.

[@thegreyman1575]

I have autism and it ruined my childhood due to my family actively telling everyone; "My son has Autsim", even though it's very subtle and slight. I was bullied to the point where I was in a fight almost weekly, and I almost got expelled from my elementary school. I have easy frustrations, but at the very least I can explain, see, and hear what I want to say, but I simply can't due to not upsetting others. I can feel, sense, and express myself in so many different ways and yet I've been told it's simply due to my Autism instead of it being ME and not what a doctor says. I've made it to where I DONOT WANT anyone to find out, cus I want people to see Me, not my diagnosis and im going to make it to where my family won't spread it any further BECAUSE of my history with humanity

[@unicornfarts8811]

Same here

[@Cacophony314]

Try not posting this globally if you would like to keep it private. I'm sorry you feel this way, you shouldn't have to suffer for other people's ignorance.

[@jravak487]

@@Cacophony314 it's not like he's using his full name here. Sure, someone *could* dox him, but who's really going to dox someone just to say "hey! he's autistic!"?

[@Cacophony314]

@@jravak487, the point is this person is pouring their heart out and KZbin is not the best place for it. People can still post nasty things about this post piling on more stress than what already exists. Getting professional help is a good option, years of research goes into helping us deal with our mental health. Don't feel bad about it either, we are a social species we rely on each other to deal with issues. You're not alone. In my opinion we all need some from time to time.

[@slayerpoint-dr1pn]

@@Cacophony314 , he found one platform where he felt comfortable in sharing what he had in him for years.. letting things out is not that easy, I know it cuz I travel on the same road. Can't keep things inside for a long time too without saying it. Better to tell it to strangers than sharing it with people we know who already judges you with your condition. It's hard to understand

[@austinsomogyi1437]

Im high functioning autism and im studying autism so i can help kids have an easier time then i did

[@tomholmes473]

So am I. Great work

[@MV-kk3nh]

That's awesome!!! God's speed!!! 🙏🏻👍🏻⚡💪🏻

[@JustNow42]

One of my worries is that the so called normal do not understand what talents these children have. Remember a very large percentage of scientists and engineers are somewhat autistic and we do not like to loose that.

[@AsktheSpirits]

My 3 year old son is Autistic and He is the sweetest lovable boy. 💚

[@saurabhgarg5g]

My 3 year old is autistic too. Can we connect to see how can we exchange best practise?

[@rishadar]

@@saurabhgarg5g how is he now

[@ahmetcemiloglu7213]

GMaria -Ask the Spirts Buy the book and fiercely stick to GAPS diet. You can heal him. It’s the guts leaking toxins. I have a 27 month old son who’s been on the diet for 3 months. It’s night and day!

[@MomOfBoys-uw1hj]

My 6 year old is.on the spectrum as well.. hes a sweetheart nonviolent!

[@Lifelines090]

hey there .. i'm doing research on language development of Autistic children ... can you help me in filling this questionnaire please .. it will help alot of children....thank you so much... forms.gle/xm3g7i4CZ4GiwVncA

[@laurencasey7203]

I hate it when people talk about autism in a negative way, my brother is autistic and he is the best-behaved child I know

[@sikandaranddominicbff4381]

Lauren Casey thank you

[@christinateresabrown]

Well that’s not the case for everyone.

[@C.C.4sho]

Hello, Listen to on youtube..(The Dr Goldberg Approach). But Onl if u Really want Ur kid Better

[@amybe3]

❤

[@ParodyVille]

but that is NOT the experience of EVERY person (and their loved ones) on the spectrum. Just do a simple KZbin search for "this is autism" and tell me that, for at least SOME people, they NEED a cure .. please, go ahead, do that right now, and come back here and tell me that THEY (those in the video) are perfectly fine how they are!?!?!

[@chaosjacky]

My older brother has autism. One of the worst kinds and he will never be able to be educated, there's basically nothing he can do. There's no "ressource" that could help him. Not all autistics can be helped. A lot of people look down on parents who "give up" and let special state homes look after them instead. People think that with "love", and better understanding autistics can always evolve and improve. For some autistics like my brother, that totally isn't true. It's a shame Wendy Chung didn't address this matter in this speech.

[@wangyushina]

My nephew in China is the worst kind. Nothing his parents can do but draining all resources, trying all kinds of remedies, some of which sound like witchcraft. The poor boy of 21 years old age, often wipes his penis out and pees in public. He loves music! what to do?

[@sorrycantspeakfrench]

***** The thing is that they first told the parents that Jacob didn't have any potential, nor that there was any hope for his case. But look what happened. Autism is a really complex neurodivergence.

[@chaosjacky]

At a young age there's no telling how it will develop, but I think it's safe to say that my 35 year old brother who tries to bite himself to the bone non stop, bangs his head until he bleeds, can't say a word, lashes out at other people for no apparent reason, there's not really any potential... He's been living in a special state home since he was 7, with specialists who have tried all kinds of things..

[@falconheight1526]

I'm glad Im not alone :)

[@dylaniusaurelius8880]

well, not really impossible.... see I've got high functioning autism or Aspergers, and I've researched it a lot. I found that with low functioning autism, even the lowest functioning autistics can learn to be social to a degree with EXCESSIVE amounts of therapy, doc visits, and practice. it's possible, but really really hard.

[@planetjassi3131]

I was diagnosed with intellectual disability by aged 3 years and later autism.My parents were told I would never learn much I am now 23 years old and I have proven them wrong. For me autism is a way of being and I want parents and teachers to see the potential in kids with autism we are so much more than a label . A diagnosis is a way to get help what you do with the diagnosis is up to you. I encourage parents not to give up. My parents set on a pathway to prove them wrong it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as we keep trying. Thank you Wendy Chung your work is much appreciated.

[@loganskiwyse7823]

Year 2019. It's scary how much of this is wrong and has been updated in the last 5 years. Her source numbers are accurate, her anti-vaccination information is accurate. But in the last year alone we have learned that Estrogen plays a significant part in Autism. And there is so much more to learn. The eye test for babies is at best only a indicator. Either infant could become autistic or not. Not everyone with autism has difficulty meeting someone in the eye. And the idea of drugging kids or adults scares the frack out of me. 53, diagnosed this year. And the lack of services or help has left me nearly incapable of taking care of myself. Society has a lot to learn.

[@loganskiwyse7823]

@Richard Carte sighs. Heavy metals. lol. A couple OLDER vaccinations had tiny amounts of heavy metals. None on the current market do. Also if you eat a normal diet including root vegetables, you consume more trace amounts in 1 month then all the vaccinations in your entire life. Finally it can be detected in babies prior to exposure to vaccinations. You are badly misinformed on this. NOT ONE aspie has Autism from vaccinations. The correlations is due to the average age autism is diagnosed and has no direct connection to vaccinations. My disabled adoptive father was the executive director of the Men's Garden Club of America for nearly a decade as well as an adviser to Crockett's Victory Garden. I was born in 1966 and was already in high school and still not diagnosed in early 1980s. Same time this vaccination stuff started. The vaccinations you are referring to were gone from the market already and had been used prior to the 1960s. So no, there is no connection. Only a correlation that has been pushed by fear tactics just due to people no longer trusting science. There is no profit margin in vaccinations. They are all generics. This means there is no financial motivation for drug companies to lie on these drugs. The research that proves this is multicultural and mixed funding sources. Again showing that the " big lie from big pharma " on this subject doesn't even exist. This is different from a new drug they can make billions off of. Overpriced and rushed to market with tons of advertisements. Any new drug like that I won't even consider taking because I don't trust greed either. Vaccinations just do not fit that model. Finally the current research shows a connection between Autism and Estrogen passing the placenta into the baby. So, if you have Autism, you got it long before you ever received a vaccination. And by the way, ADHD is connected to nicotine. Your great grandmother smoked, That affects every one of her daughters chance to have a baby with ADHD, and their daughters. Up to at least 4 generations out.

[@loganskiwyse7823]

@Richard Carte You are the one that is misinformed. Your information is not based on any peer reviewed documentation. It is based on fear tactics. Anytime you give into fear instead of actually investing the time to understand the research you drag down the intelligence of the entire species. Worse your lack of accurate information is going to get people killed. Everything I said above can be backed up by research. Everything you said has been proven false by that same research. You have no understanding of the scientific process or you would not be repeating this garbage. I am in the top 10% of IQs in the country. ( sorry I don't come close to the top 5% ). So thoroughly educated that I pass college on subjects I have never taken. PLEASE stop this misinformation and get a real education and degree in science. Because you really are going to get people killed with your ignorance on this subject. NOW. If you want to talk big pharma and drug abuse on anything else I will gladly find you studies that back that up. Yes they do lie to the public on many " new " drugs and have a vested interest in pushing drugs onto doctors and the unsuspecting public. But as I pointed out, vaccinations are generic. No profit margins. Studies are multi-cultural, multiple funding sources including some that were backed by the very anti-vaccination crowd. EVERY single one has shown no connection. Even those funded by the anti-vaccination crowd. But they don't even admit those studies exist. Instead they use the correlation of detection compared to when vaccinations are given. A correlations is NOT a proven connection but 2 different things happening in proximity. And the thing I said about root veggies is a fact. It is also a fact that if you ate even a tiny bit of mud as a child ( mud cakes anyone? ) you got more heavy metals that way as well. Are you going to blame mud for autism now? And the Estrogen connection is also now a established fact.

[@loganskiwyse7823]

@Richard Carte The root of this is your background + misinformation on peer reviewed science compared to drug trials. -- Drug Trials. Funded by a single company. Required by the FDA ( in the US ) before a drug can be brought to market. Independently reviewed but not peer reviewed. Meaning only the data not the trail is reviewed. Huge profit margins for new drugs create a incentive to falsify the data. -- Peer reviewed. Independently funded. Multi-cultural ( as in the tests have been done in by multiple research teams in multiple countries with independent resources). Alternative explanations explored. All such tests are in agreement regardless of who did them or who funded them. ------ Your childhood experience with drug pushing doctors is directly connected to the first, drug trials. I too went through this. And is part of the reason I do not agree with many doctors on pushing drugs on children. But vaccinations fall into the second category if they have been on the market for over 10 years. ( on average ). As such there is no connection.

[@PeterParker-1984]

I totaly agree. I dont trust doctors at all..

[@PhilMante]

I'm an aspie and I drug myself with weed. Thank god for Canada's marijuana laws. That stuff helps immensely.

[@autumn.breann]

How Wendy described Gabriel was me. I used to have problems speaking and starting conversations but I'm getting to a point where I talk to people and feel comfortable talking to anyone. But I'm still have problems starting it and feel uncomfortable and awkward at the same time

[@FlorenciaVM1]

@@alegriart that's a fallacy. She explained clearly that sometimes it helps, for certain people, and others can be helped with education. Don't come here looking for fight.

[@FlorenciaVM1]

@@alegriart good for you and I agree a little bit, but that's not what she's saying. That's the thing I'm discussing. It's better just to say what you think and prefer insted of putting words in other's people mouth just to start a debate and get attention.

[@FlorenciaVM1]

@@alegriart but this girl never talked about meds and you came up with that and saying that the doctor is promoting pills. I think we're not discussing the same thing. I'm talking about form and you're talking about content. It doesn't make any sense for us to keep on talking.

[@FlorenciaVM1]

@@alegriart there's a difference between informing and promoting. And now you're discussing about calling Autumn Lee a girl or a woman? Sorry but I can describe myself as a girl and a woman, they're no exclusive. I'm getting tired of you.

[@mohaklondhe3020]

my niece is diagnosed with Autism yesterday. She is 2.5. What can we do the best to get her out of it?

[@mariazipp7652]

I think it's great that you have people with autism on here saying they are happy to have autism. But.... what about those that have autism that can't speak, hold a job, have never had a sleep over, have never had a friend call them on the phone, have never been invited to the movies, party, dance, or barbeque, can't drive, pay bills, but is very very academically gifted. The autism you may be happy to have is not the same as everyone else's. What you have experienced and your outcome is absolutely great. But like some others have mentioned, it is a life sentence for others, countless doctor visits, tests, numerous therapies, etc., etc... So please don't tell me my situation is not that bad or that my son's autism is not that bad until you have walked in his shoes and my shoes. I would gladly trade lives and be homeless and jobless and give everything we own if it would take away his issues because I know I can control getting a home and job, but I cannot control his issues or take care of him when I am no longer around.

[@sarahebert2510]

Totally agree - which is why I stress to people that autism is a spectrum, and should be treated as such.

[@lindamariamargareta6262]

Without autism there would be no phone

[@GameLad1]

Im 17 years of age and have been in some of the same situations as your son and i can say that it will get better for him and yourself honestly it will. I have hadno friends mst of my life and been the outcast in every school which is a horrible burden to have but you deal with it in ways you didnt think you could. With me as i got older i became more self conscious about my feelings and what i should be doing with myself . it became therapeutic in my ways i cannot say the same for every other child on the spectrum but i can say that you get used to it and deal with your situations in your own way. I can say for you ut will get better trust me.

[@adriannasmith8033]

I have just discovered I have autism level 1.

[@tiannahly]

I'm in the same boat. No, it does not get "better" for everyone. People just don't understand.

[@selahmami]

all I do is cry. I just want my 2yo daughter to live fully, independently and be able to talk. I cant imagine every leaving her side and knowing if she will be ok. this I wouldnt wish on anybody.

[@abbyflows1332]

My daughter is 3 she’s non verbal I have the same fear as you it’s very scary

[@claudiabarron7912]

I still cry and live in fear for my 5 yo daughter with autism. She’s doing so much better she is talking and she calls me mommy. 💙 I’ve waited years to hear her voice.

[@abbyflows1332]

Claudia Barron I cant wait until the day I hear my daughter talking to me it’s my biggest hope and dream that she is able to speak someday

[@henriettaoka]

Claudia Barron. May I know, at what age did your could start talking ? My son is 3years old already and still doesn't call mommy

[@claudiabarron7912]

okojie henrietta she started talking at 4 years old but it came with a lot of therapy and very slowly. Hope this helps :)

[@joycem9053]

I have never understood why people want to "cure" autism. While it is hard to know that they are different, it's also amazing to know that they are. As a child of someone who has autism, I've always seen my parent and those who have autism as amazing people who are crazy,wicked smart and cool, but that may just be from growing up and being surrounded by those who are on the spectrum.

[@bellamy4325]

I am an autistic adult. Lots of autistics, including myself, prefer not to be referred to as disordered, disabled, or that we "have" autism. Being autistic is quite literally having different neurological makeup (having a different operating system), so we are neurodiverse. Research points toward autism being evolutionary, because of heightened senses, high intelligence, and/or abnormally strong amounts of empathy.

[@mohaklondhe3020]

my niece is diagnosed with Autism yesterday. She is 2.5. What can we do the best to get her out of it?

[@thilinibandara8767]

Thanks alot for commenting. Did you use digital screens alot when you were a kid ? Thanks

[@vanessaroper3028]

@@mohaklondhe3020 I understand it's for life and depends on the severity if it's intellectual or just speech patterns difference

[@TheDoobidoob]

12:19 My mum says that I didn’t give eye contact as an infant and was slow to reach developmental milestones. She blamed herself for it, thinking that she just didn’t try hard enough with me. Then I was diagnosed a few years later. Now my mum is pretty much an expert on spotting autism in infants and even correctly predicted that my younger cousin was on the spectrum pretty much days after he was born (as he also didn’t give eye contact).

[@zenatube7829]

@PRISTINE JOEL Can you stop this nonsense please. you must be a trouble person trying to sell your product on this site

[@butteheadbuttrack4728]

I would never argue with a parent about what caused their child's autism, I would just give them support and empathy.

[@selenetran9636]

My son is 10 yrs old and has autism. I have had a hard time going to places and having someone tell me that my son is too old to be in the women's restroom. People that don't know about autism don't know the challenges we parents go through. It would be amazing if people were AWARE of it. For example, businesses should be able to allow kids with autism be themselves and have signs that they support autism

[@rudypurwono2776]

You are not alone. We have same problem here. Keep train him for toilet practice. He will get better

[@tundepizzle7255]

I am autistic and I just found out from my family because my son who was born in Europe was diagnosed with the spectrum. I remember everything I did as a child just by looking at my son repetitive behaviors. The only thing I didn't remember was CAS disorder my son has. I said all of this to say, I see myself as a normal and successful human even now knowing some of my intelligence in Mathematics may have been associated to autism. However, I hate when she said we are an epidemic. That was mean.

[@QWithoutTheU]

Thanks for getting this information to the masses :) I have Autism and have supressed it almost completely so people can't tell, most people have no idea about it and i didn't want them to get involved in my struggle. Your information and the way you put it, can help these people know how to understand. Thank-you x

[@dvchel]

Be free and proud of who you are.

[@bolinhong2598]

Doc Oyalo can reverse autism with herbs and it’s completely perfect. I used it for my son and so far his speech and behavior is normal and he can now also respond to everything positively on his own

[@zenatube7829]

@NEW HOPE INSURANCE LTD Can you stop this nonesense. This is not a place to advertise your Dr. herbs. i check the channel. it doesn't have any thing that can help Autism

[@JohnDoe-lz3oo]

From my experience with the subject people with autism on the higher part of the spectrum have brain superhighways and slow zones. Each one is different, and each one has something they are really good at and interested in. The key to integrating them into society is to find what they're really good at, put them in that kind of job, and let them figure it out. May be rough at first but if you let that person figure things out it increases the efficiency in a lot of ways.

[@bolinhong2598]

Doc Oyalo can reverse autism with herbs and it’s completely perfect. I used it for my son and so far his speech and behavior is normal and he can now also respond to everything positively on his own

[@AbsoluteLad9785]

I feel like I have been somewhat relieved of it, I used to be very socially awkward but now I talk to a LOT of people with ease. I used to avoid everyone and have some pretty bad OCD but I'm fine now. Anyway have a great day if you read this

[@tubester4567]

Good for you.

[@mohaklondhe3020]

my niece is diagnosed with Autism yesterday. She is 2.5. What can we do the best to get her out of it?

[@thatmusicfan6907]

its 2018 and i have autism and im crying if wendy chung reads this i just whant to say thank you

[@ironyofthedead9581]

I have PTSD it sucks man I'm mentally abused and I have this flashback of my dad shoving me over and over

[@jacksonlampin3505]

Julia The suga bear it feels like a curse saying your not good enough to do something I need mine cured Now

[@kittyhatchsep1842]

Please don't cry! Surely You are a wonderful person. Have faith in yourself.

[@Zentalem]

My son started reading surprisingly the whole sentence and any phrase by the age of 3. Surprising to us, he is still struggling to have conversations till now at the age of 6. He has a best support environment and love. He is a joy to my life and will be my treasure to all my life. There was a time that I get worried but I developed to believe he is a special gift from the almighty God and he is in no way broken or less from anyone. I love and treasure him forever.

[@lovelyswimmer1]

As a biologist I appreciate the science being emphasised, as opposed to the preachiness of other talks I have seen.

[@annaeverette8960]

Was just thinking the same thing, finally a decent ted talk without any moralistic BS.

[@zjean3417]

Thank you for your service. I was Very Lucky To be diagonsed with autism at 5 years old I am now 14 luckly I have a Kind of Autism Less Severe. God bless.

[@nickmagrick7702]

yeah hate the preachy bullshit. Even when people mean well and are technically correct about w/e they are speaking about too, generally. Its nice to have something concrete to hold onto when you conceptualize something to talk about.

[@sallyho3000]

Nick MaGrick fair. Recent studies in neurology have shed more light on the subject, fortunately... the ideas in this talk have not aged well... Interesting stuff. In utero the brains of developing babies go through a process of synaptic ‘pruning’. This pruning is (hypothetically) what enables the brain to filter out “nonessential” input. If you have any of the common sensory issues associated with autism (SPD, synesthesia, etc.) you can probably crunch these numbers pretty well... anyway, a high percentage of allistic children experience synesthesia (basically multiple sensory regions of the brain responding to a single input) but the tendency is to grow out of it because this process of pruning continues after birth and through early childhood. I’m intuitively certain that this is influenced by socialization as well and that the better tools we develop for measuring and observing the brain, the more this will become clear. The neurological perspective sheds a lot of light on how these genes (at least 15,000 years old) may have been, and are highly adaptive. We are the night watch.

[@gerardjones7881]

Biologists can't spell.

[@notverysur3rightnow145]

If my family wasn’t as supportive, I’d be a mess. Luckily my family are incredibly loving and understanding

[@shinzantetsu]

I'm on the spectrum, i like having to see everything different and not follow the crowd. Neurotypicals and people on the spectrum grow up differently. NT's imitate alot and don't question the things they learn, we on the spectrum have to run it through a filter and question it.

[@sallyho3000]

It’s very much like the difference between automatic and manual transmission cars...

[@taniesro]

can you please explain that point of view, on how NT don't question what is taught?

[@tHa1Rune]

I have high functioning autism. and it allows me yo do amazing things and communicate even more incredible things. its a higher state of consciousness and existence for some, but a truly brilliantly defined form of a mind, that can brilliantly do a few things. some can have worse diagnoses of autism, and that's the spectrum.

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

What I like about these kinds of talks is that you stamp out off the stigmatization

[@robertg9153]

I'm Autistic. Please never call me "higher functioning". Judging by my general skill set some would be tempted to, but I find it degrading to us. That term is a false dichotomy. Just because one of us may be nonverbal or unable to care for themselves in certain ways doesn't mean they aren't quite possibly brilliant in other ways. There are no better or worse cases of Autism. We're all Autistic just the same except all a little different just like anyone in any other neurotype. Thanks for reading. Autism is Ausome :)

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

Rachel Stillman you know what offends me? That you are work with these individuals and see nothing but a broken human that needs to be fixed. I am sorry but you are seeming to look at the person through a key hold lady. Did you know that you know you can teach them to use a foam board? Actually, there is a non verbal young woman named Carly Fleishman who learned to type using a key board? Also, some of them may not understand us because they can't hear the hard vowels or contestants. You have to speak slowly. So everything you say is wrong.

[@stillmaninmotion6081]

Hello World: with Miyah I work with these kids because I love them. You have no idea what I do, or how I feel from one comment. and a comment i stand by. I'm not feeling like they're worthless, but what I said is true. We use leap pads and equipment to try and teach them to show us their needs by pressing buttons or pictures. but some of them just can't. there's a huge range of autism. We seem to think that autism is cute and funny and we can work around it easily... but it's not THAT easy with some of them. I'm not in denial about the difficulty we face. There's blessings in disguise, yes, but my point is that saying "high functioning" is not a bad thing. If you have someone whose autistic be able to talk, dress themselves, feed themselves, or even use a leap pads or iPad to tell you their needs, that's fantastic! but it's not always the case. Don't take my comment like I hate these children. but i do want to help them and I do want them to learn. but the TRUTH is not all of them will be able to press a button to tell us they have to go to the bathroom. not all of them are able to do anything at all. idk your experience, but that's a fact. maybe I'm just more realistic than some people like. maybe that is offensive, but it's still true.

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

Rachel Stillman Very nice but you don't know everything honey.

[@jenm.8673]

We need more access for testing for the spectrum because I have found very few options in this are. Schools fight you and don't want to offer services. My oldest wasn't diagnosed until high school and suffered through it with school..bullies etc. There has to be easier access..

[@toniavila837]

My older brother has been diagnosed with autism (he is a non-verbal type). I hated him because I was annoyed by his sudden yells and tantrums, and he also took my personal items, but I am beginning to regret my hatred for him because he is always reaching out to and hugging me as if he was still loving me despite the fact that I had done so many cruel things to him... I was touched by a piece of art he created for me in which he wrote my name with his name inside a heart and beside it canceled the word "hate." I just want everyone reading this to know that these people are having difficulty expressing themselves, but they are doing their best; we need to give them our understanding and patience because they deserve it.

[@veggiechip]

aw this was a really touching story, thank you for sharing your experiences. that must be very tough to deal with, but i’m glad you are very nice and understanding. thanks again for sharing your perspective : )

[@haarvey919]

While the science in this talk is mostly good (sans the metaphor about DNA "missing"), it's still loaded with the false pretext that autism is a pathology that somehow makes people less than equal. Chung's language throughout sounds like a clinician that's talking about reduced function in a group of people, without recognizing that there is a *different* function observable in this group (which can, in some ways and in some contexts, be superior). We'll never make headway until the value of these differences and the fundamental human equality is established and presumed at the outset.

[@luvdayssafe]

I think that can be applied to all disabilities in general. Excellent point.

[@AmbulantBoxer]

+haarvey919 Also, she perpetuates the misunderstanding that it affects hugely more males than females, whereas we now understand that the presentation in girls and women is different and often harder to spot.

[@Davidpianist-ge5et]

I tend to agree with you. Whilst she speaks very well and knowledgeably there is this implication that autistic people function in a reduced way and, consequently need (some) help. I am on the autistic spectrum myself. I think there are still more autistic males than females, but the presentation in girls and women is harder to spot (as Andrew Philip has said).

[@sekainiheiwa3650]

Yes, we don't have any more stupid-mental-weirdos we have autistic children. Somehow nobody talks about autistic adults only I can hear the children-children sound much better. My child is not a weirdo -he is autistic What a release :D LMAO

[@no_peace]

I'm autistic, independent, extremely high IQ, etc., and I do need help. Not because of neurotypical people or fitting in or whatever. I just can't reliably take good care of myself and some of my responsibilities. Like if I had to tend a garden to survive I world die. I lack important skills, and accommodations for that shortfall are not available. The best assistant so far has been my phone. But because I'm autistic and avoidant, I often end up arguing on KZbin instead of doing something worthwhile. There is a lot of nuance to all of this.

[@HeatherCrouch]

I remember when IDEA was implemented and spoken about positively in the news about who and how it helps. She knew a few people who were Autists and Aspie, she and I both are adult diagnosed Aspie, she cried, she was so happy for her old friends.

[@jungkookie9755]

I’m not diagnosed with Autism and I can’t make eye contact with anybody and always feel awkward making a conversation with someone

[@jungkookie9755]

DMI maybe

[@jacquelineohayon507]

Most useful TED I've watched. Thank you for everything you and your research team do Dr. Chung.

[@casualintrovert207]

Autism is good and bad in many ways, it just depends what part of the spectrum you're on. I have Aspergers, so it is slightly more mild than normal autism, but that brings about many of its own challenges as well. For me it feels like living in the grey area between being normal and being quintessentially "weird". I often find that it is hard to fit in with anyone, even the people one would expect someone with autism/ASD to fit into, because I just don't relate to them, or anyone for that matter. For this reason I spend most of my days, if not all, by myself in my room as my room and my PC in that room are the two places where I can find solace and comfort in. Its easier when you have full on autism, in a sense, because at least most people will know it. Having Aspergers is like being unintentionally awkward almost all the time, weirding and in cases creeping people out because of how you act. They don't know you have it, they just see you as "weird", a term I hate so much.

[@verzeda]

yeah I feel you man

[@bolinhong2598]

Doc Oyalo can reverse autism with herbs and it’s completely perfect. I used it for my son and so far his speech and behavior is normal and he can now also respond to everything positively on his own

[@LK-vo7je]

@PRISTINE JOEL please can you share how you helped your child Coz my son has outism

[@no22sill]

don't worry we're all mad here

[@emilyouimette2668]

Aspergers is not the DSM5 you have autism

[@BugSplat]

We Love More and we Feel Stronger Feelings than most people... We just don't know how to SHOW it. Just sayin....

[@sallyho3000]

BugSplat again and again I encounter this. We are the easiest empathy to abuse also, probably because we see the good in people as a default as well...

[@nickmagrick7702]

well, I think that might be true but theres no way of actually measuring who feels more.

[@Jbonha100]

As far as that little video thing goes my son used to make eye contact and then All of a sudden at about 16/18 months he started to regress. My sister and mom even have mentioned it. Thanks for this video it was good

[@susielee8101]

Miss Chung has given such a long lecture performed without script. She spoke with great clarity and provided valuable educational informations on autism. Thank you very much, Miss Chung 🙏

[@FlorenciaVM1]

And at the end you can see how she almost cracks. She really wants to help.

[@Soetman]

@@FlorenciaVM1 you actually think people hold a presentation on this level without a script…

[@AlRubyx]

Can there be a ted talk like this about schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder?

[@velvetindigonight]

There are several TED talks about this.

[@dOtgirL5D]

can someone share us the link pls ..if they did .ty.

[@Cam-gk4dk]

Maybe look it up?

[@wadell19]

Please investigate the Nemechek Protocol for Autism. It helps with your concern too. The problem with autism is that it's in the gut. Same with your concern. Please research it. It's all natural, unless you need an antibiotic. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.

[@nickmagrick7702]

why? What do people not already understand about the condition? Schitz is something thats pretty well understood compared to something like autism, not that they both don't have stigmas.

[@corilittell8650]

How dare anybody try to change or eradicate what makes me and so many others incredible, kind, caring, loving, and compassionate people, I think the world should try to be the same. We work so hard and go above and beyond to be apart of this world, we deserve that same mutual respect and understanding, we deserve the basic human right of love and inclusivity just as much as every other human being on this planet. Stop trying to throw us away and instead please just put in a fraction of the effort the that we do and meet us half way.

[@specialneedsmusic4610]

I would recommend that she refer to a person as currently non verbal as opposed to non verbal. Over the years, I have worked with students who have learned to speak. Also, it's been my experience that if one sees a person as currently non verbal, they will approach them in a much more open way.

[@fmsltd9502]

Preverbal. Not yet verbal.

[@catcat8022]

My son is on the spectrum he is 2 going to be 3. Through early invention and ABA therapy he is doing really well and more verbal then before. I love him and I'm glad I was blessed with such a special, sweet, and loving boy..

[@Olivia-W]

ABA therapy? That's something he's going to remember with hate. ABA is abuse. Some therapies called ABA aren't, because of insurance only covering ABA, but therapies that work in similar ways are still abuse.

[@Missy720]

How is your son doing now ? My daughter is 3 and non verbal and has been in therapy forever

[@janacerna4860]

If Thimerosal was discontinued years ago how come I saw it as an ingredient in one of the vaccine slips I requested from my pediatrician??

[@wilburdbrewer2409]

Jana Cerna it was taken out of mmr in 1993 and taken out of a few others later. You can ask for vaccines without it as well. I am autistic, my son is autistic , my half brother is autistic. We all showed signs very early, like before a year old. This woman is full of 💩

[@generalhorse493]

Because it doesn't do anything to increase autism, anti-vaxxers are just being paranoid enough for it's removal to be considered a thing.

[@niconico7213]

in which one? the big question is: why they hve it removed if it was in a so good tested vaccine?

[@generalhorse493]

@@niconico7213 Massive peer pressure from a bunch of idiots

[@vaccinefraud5570]

Sunglasses! You must remove the sunglasses and then you won't see those disturbing images of the Truth! (the movie: They Live! in case you've never seen it). Even if thimerosal wasn't on the list of ingredients it is in the manufacturing process so the FDA doesn't even require that to be labeled since it was not ADDED to the final product. Dog and Pony show.

[@meltingEyeballs]

The only thing that you know is that you don't know.

[@bullstag47]

Exactly. And this is 4 years ago. They still don’t know. The internet is full of opinions from professionals but apparently what they do know is quite a bit of this information is already outdated

[@seedplanter7173]

They do a piss poor job ruling out vaccines.

[@gervasebarnes]

Appalling bias. Aluminum is a fact it causes alzheimers and now being linked to autism..this has NEVER BEEN STUDIED

[@gervasebarnes]

Thiomersal..HAS NOT BEEN REMOVED from vaccines it's still used in multi dose vaccines like the MMR vaccine. She is plain lying

[@gervasebarnes]

@@bullstag47 only 1 INGREDIENT in 1 vaccine the MMR vaccine has EVER been tested..ALUMINUM HAS NOT. Aluminum is linked to causing alzheimers, & recent research is making more connection that aluminum is responsible to causing Autism they have NEVER EVER TESTED aluminum

[@Lucy-cy4kw]

I have autism. I love this woman, she's great. I'm only 13, but that's fine.

[@henburg1709]

wendy chung you are great and intelligent woman with a very clear english diction like a genuine Philippine lady i appreciate it, indeed you made a very good research about autism spectrum . i do hope that TED will help more kids worldwide having this handicap God bless your organization

[@fagiography]

I don't like the focus on changing the individuals to fit around neurotypicals

[@jcuk000]

+sollochs I agree, particularly the notion of medicating autistics to appear more neurotypical. I feel that the focus should be more on educating the neurotypicals to prevent them excluding and bullying the autistics. Lack of understanding and inclusion is a large part of the problem. Of course, much depends on position on the scale. The other problem of the autism debate is that it covers too wide a spectrum, from the slightly anxious to the completely debilitated. I still think that, broadly, we should be looking to accommodate autistic behaviour rather than the other way around.

[@fagiography]

+Justin O'Gorman exactly.

[@nefelibata4190]

+sollochs ikr

[@TechWiz]

+sollochs "Neurotypicals" is not a good label to use...

[@seatbelttruck]

+FakeAF Yes, but the help should only be given in areas where they actually need help. For example: if an autistic person can't shower or make friends, obviously they need assistance with that. But if they're flapping their hands because it makes them feel good, there's no reason to make them stop as long as it's not in, say, a test taking environment where it keeps others from being able to take the test. Sure, hand-flapping can be annoying. But so can some peoples' voices, and we don't make them shut up just so we can have a slightly more pleasant existence.

[@agerven]

Oh dear Wendy, thank you very much for your explanation and talk. Thank you! So good to see the work that's being done and knowledge that's being obtained. Only one thing scares me a little bit, when you philosophize (is that correct?) about a possible future, where a Gabriel has an electronic coach in his eyes and ears allowing him to date a girl. However fascinating and wonderful that may be, lets not go only for solutions that will rid an autist from his / her symptomps and turn them into robots fully adapted to what is socially "normal" or accepted. As an elderly autist, and really appreciating what you do and tell, I would humbly like to add a few lines: Let's all be respectful of other living beings that are different, sometimes very different from the average; Embrace, bewonder, understand and love those who are different. When we were all equal, all average, the human race and nature as a whole would have a very dull existence and no future. Lets be true, sincere and scientific in our research and publications. In general, and especially regarding autism. Wendy, I think you certainly do that and explain it as something natural. Thank you for that. In the autistic community (as of course in other communities as well), there is much suffering. Especially for those with severe autism but also for "high level functioning" ones in the current environment: fast, economic, ambitious, rough. It is wonderful to see that in some, likely not to near future, it may be possible to decrease this suffering. Not by curing autism, but by decreasing the effects of the autistic development disorder in the period over which the brain actually develops. Wonderful.

[@drewharris7785]

She had me until she started talking about eye contact. I'm terrible at eye contact, but I don't have autism. Then again I suppose she's not saying that eye contact is the only determining factor.

[@Thelittleclipstore]

I suppose many many people misdiagnose themselves and really their just introvert intuitives types .. or some other not popular personality type

[@m88_overwatch]

I was thinking the same thing. I mean an infant is definitely going to be curious and distracted from focusing on the eye balls of a person on a screen... just because that one baby developed autism later on does not mean this is proof

[@xnadave]

It's not about maintaining eye contact so much as it is about *avoiding* it. And, this is a technique used to identify candidates for early intervention, not a one-stop diagnostic tool. Lots of people have issues with eye contact that aren't on the spectrum. That said, a baby that actively avoids it deserves some extra attention and consideration. That behavior isn't typical. That doesn't make it *wrong*, just not the *norm*. Treatment has made a world of difference to my five year old. I wish we had her diagnosed sooner, as much as I wish we'd known what options were available when my now-10-year-old was younger. As you say, it's not the only determining factor - but it is a big red flag in one so young. (When we grow up, we get all kinds of new reasons to avoid eye contact. But, that's a whole other bag of bananas.)

[@titaniumquarrion9838]

Drew Harris - Made a stupid point and then applied logic correcting yourself. Why not just delete the stupid comment?

[@JoeNoshow27]

I think there'd be a lot of value in diagnostically differentiating between those who are healthy with autism, (high functioning to the point of independence and relative contentment), versus those who are debilitated by it, so that those requiring aid can be governmentally assisted for having a medical disability. For those who are suffering due to their autism, we need to be there for them beyond calling them 'just different' and walking away. Edit: I fully agree with the critical comments and I acknowledge that autism is a very complicated condition. I believe anyone with autism, regardless of their supposed tier of functioning, should get all the assistance they need. My point is more saliently related to the notion that autistic individuals, across the board, aren't ill, but instead special in a kind of romantic way. I had a family member who worked with severely ill (and entirely dependent) autistic individuals who required full aid, by two hired care givers, around the clock. The condition gets very, very, very ugly for some people on the spectrum and I'm abhorred when people try to glamorize the condition for everyone with it. It's for many a sickness, and there's nothing wrong with admitting that. Being ill shouldn't be a point of shame.

[@sallyho3000]

JoeNoshow27 yea and no... unfortunately the term “high functioning” means only that one has verbal capacity... it has been incredibly damaging to those of us who are verbal and mostly “seem normal” but in fact, have severe sensory issues...

[@sallyho3000]

JoeNoshow27 perhaps ‘with’ or ‘without’ intellectual disability... but then you discount non verbal people who do not, in fact, have intellectual disabilities... it is a complicated issue.

[@paulagap2222]

That's why he rightly said we need more research & better diagnostic !

[@asdme3950]

As a person with ASD, it does limit my spoken communication, but I am able to think my way through things a lot of people cant. Still comes with the meltdowns though, its like a trade off.

[@nickmagrick7702]

totally, its a trade off. Not better or worse but a trade off. Better at some, worse at others.

[@Dmw9903]

If Autism has been around forever why are there still important things they don't know? I had never heard of it until the past 15 years or so. Where did it come from?

[@nickmagrick7702]

I know someone with autism who committed suicide last week. I barely met the person one time, and ended up in a bit of an argument with a friend because I had nothing nice to say about the person. Hardly anyone knew them. And im autistic too. Its not other peoples problem, but we are in a state where our problems are invisible. Or simply deemed unimportant or something we should have be able to fix ourselves if we were just more responsible people... the attention and attitude towards people with autism shifts as they become adults. Well the same could be said for much of the problems we face, while being overly protective and overly focused on kids

[@jmzsil]

Nick MaGrick the worst part of autism (I was diagnosed with a few more) to this one I agree and then some supervisors think we are making excuses. 🙄

[@jefferyford5309]

So much is not yet known or perhaps not even knowable (at least for now) about autism. I just try to embrace my differences and that's why my TED Talk is titled, "An Autistic Genius Discusses How Differences Make Us Special." I'll leave the genetics of it to you and embrace my differences with a spirit of gratitude! All my best to you and your work.

[@MartenFerret]

Aspie here!

[@fabiovrocha1]

Damn right

[@Jake5537t]

Same 😜

[@person6962]

NIR VANA really hard to answer such a vague question in under 100 000 letters. I can help you understand, but you have to ask a bit more specific questions.

[@Dancestar1981]

MartenFerret and here a female aspie age 37 diagnosed at 24

[@onetoughchick78]

Hi, aspie-sib! Aspies rock. :)

[@AveryMilieu]

As a high function autistic adult I can assure you that "joining" any group is about like pulling teeth. You focus on what can be done for children - but there are many adults who have developed coping techniques (without assistance or support) and languish on the fringes of society because there is no program, no support or even acknowledgment that we exist. What do you have to offer US??

[@boliussa]

+Avery what do you want? i think often there are individuals that can help people, and people with autism often have trouble finding work, in which case some money to help pay for such people could help eg pay a person that can help in some day to day problem or help you help yourself. But what do you suggest ?

[@jaclynscalaro2222]

I wish I didnt vaccinate! Never again!!!!!!!

[@boliussa]

+JG looks like none of the replies to avery are showing up except yours,. I would say that if you go to a "group", sometimes it's not for the group, it's to speak to the one individual that runs it, to ask them whatever. So you could go 5min before the thing finishes.

[@hannahscott6604]

Avery Milieu they need to put Aspergers back in the DSM. There’s a difference between us and the adults wearing diapers, rocking in chairs, who can’t have seams from clothes touch them or they Bang their head on a wall, who watch Elmo, who have no friends and need a babysitter

[@hannahscott6604]

jasmine scalaro same My parents wish they didn’t vaccinate me

[@yanlima9920]

Wonderful speech. Thanks for sharing!

[@lightningstar6668]

I have two beautiful children with autism and they are an absolute joy to me

[@savageslothbabies179]

Using terms like "risk" of Autism just made me annoyed.

[@laurencasey7203]

+SavageSlothBabies Totally agree my brother is autistic

[@malazkarar1171]

i was about to refer to that

[@CoolGuy-kz2ti]

But it is a disability, and generally disabilities are bad. So it makes sense that she would say "risk".

[@savageslothbabies179]

"Generally" speaking, disabilities are bad. There are many people that consider their Autism to not be a disability at all, and more of an extention to their personality. I know many people with it. I'd never even think that they're disabled. They're bloody awesome.

[@moeezS]

+SavageSlothBabies Being able to concentrate really well on a task and other computational problems is great but it's undeniable that there's a social disability right from the start like the presentation shows about eye contact in babies used as a diagnostic sign. Which is what a person with autism needs help on.

[@margueritewright9013]

Good video. I used to bang my head against the wall and sometimes tear at myself when overwhelmed. I also had issues with communication, reception of spoken language, and hypersensitivity to touch and smells. It got a lot milder as I got older, to the point that the behaviors are not noticeable unless you really know me.

[@bakingwithmegan3028]

Wondering Marguerite... have you heard of CD (Chlorine Dioxide), specifically for treating Autism spectrum symptoms? How about parasite cleansing/protocols? Here's author, Kerri Rivera (also mother of an Autistic son - nearly healed) presenting her healing protocol at the 2014 Autism One conference (at that time, this prototcol had already 100% completely reversed/healed 133 individuals with Autism - some as old as 30yrs!!! Amazing stuff. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pma6kJ6vZbd7bqMm10s I only days ago came across Kerri Rivera's work (originally published back in 2013), but now that the second publishing of her work just came out in recent weeks, Amazon banned sale of it 4days ago (giving it lots of notoriety), after a concerted effort by certain factions who don't want truth to be shared. www.change.org/.../amazon-remove-the-book-healing... In response to the banning, the author has now made it available for FREE on her website, since all the banning by some major US sellers like Amazon: bookriot.com/.../amazon-pulls-two-books-claiming.../ But if you want a copy for your personal library (and support the author), I'm finding that most sellers that are selling it are from UK, but I did find this one from NV - I have a copy on the way: www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail...

[@thenobleone-3384]

I'm an introvert and I don't like people that look down on me. I feel like I can live on my own maybe I don't like talking to certain people who I don't like. It's not meant for everyone to like u or understand u. Very important to get around people that understand your problems.

[@autismalamode]

Thank you for helping me learn something new today!

[@pizzatime9196]

My parents were patient with my little brother, but they were a little TOO patient. They decided to get my brother checked out when he was almost 4 years old and he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 4. He’s 8 now and has made some improvements with communication. He wasn’t able to speak coherently in our language and this is still the case for him now, but thanks to the help of his amazing teachers and specialists, he’s able to communicate with us through hand gestures and understand and go through with some commands such as putting his shoes on or throwing trash away. Sometimes I wonder if we had got him checked out earlier, maybe he would have made bigger improvements. Despite his situation, he is my brother and I love him more than anything in the world ❤️

[@bravestraven4650]

I actually have autism too. But unlike most people. I never really found out about until later in life. I was 11 to 12 by the time I knew about it. My parents didn’t even tell anyone I had autism other than doctors. But they did not tell me so that I did not feel like there would be a limit to how successful I can be in life. And it did actually work. But it took an incredibly long time. But even today I still experience the same problems. But I’m doing better.

[@jewelslove2200]

thank you for your valuable contribution.

[@afellowhuman8944]

Thank you, I have a friend online, she had this abusive father who abuses her mentally, and many bad things happens to her

[@popmasteralan5594]

So what happened after

[@afellowhuman8944]

@@popmasteralan5594 currently not doing well, had her online twitch 'friends' steal her work ( one of them accused her for faking her autism) and had a lot of family issues to deal with. I haven't created much but I drew drawings for her to cheer her up

[@mansoorkemal7588]

I am nineteen and I have autism. Although I still have some problems handling frustration it’s nothing compared to the old days. In elementary school I used to scream in class almost every day and I would get a note from my school saying what I did. In middle school this was less often but still prelevant. In high school I was constantly distracting the class when I thought of bad things and would make a screeching sound. I graduated now but I still need to work on what to do when I get upset Or frustrated or stressed. Because screaming and hitting my head is not the way to do it.

[@sensorychannel]

Incredible amount of information, great talk!

[@supremelootz5207]

I like the video very much, Wendy was easy to understand and ill be able to us it.

[@tess2021vlog]

Thank you for sharing help for our job as a nanny with autism person.

[@mnewby82]

It's a major struggle. I was diagnosed with it at 25

[@reukoji9520]

22 here

[@mohaklondhe3020]

@@reukoji9520 my niece is diagnosed with Autism yesterday. She is 2.5. What can we do the best to get her out of it?

[@emsai123]

my son is 6 and has autism, but he is the sweetest ❣️

[@crimsonking2908]

I bang my head even though I am high functioning, and my talant is art and writing.

[@Catlily5]

I banged my head on concrete walls until they told me it could give me brain damage. Then I stopped.

[@felixphiamphu3180]

We don't have to fear Autism and a person with Autism, it is that they are just enjoying and having their own world. It can't be cure, but we can make their life better by helping them.

[@jgardness7407]

We do need to fear Autism and fight it...you obviously don't know severe autism. These kids aren't enjoying their own world. They are in torture every day of their life. It's a horrible condition that our environment has helped create. That's not OK. And in about 10 years we'll have a very hard time taking care of the half of our child population with autism with any type of quality care. Let's get our heads out of the clouds and sand here.

[@felixphiamphu3180]

@@jgardness7407 there is no point in fearing Autism, instead we help them live a better life. I work with them everyday, got kicked, bitten, scratched but we have to understand that's their way to communicate way to express their feeling. It cannot be cure so whats the point in fearing them, instead i tried my best to help them out to live a better life.

[@jgardness7407]

@@felixphiamphu3180 Great. I watched my 6 year old regress suddenly into Autism, her doctors were baffled, she had NO signs of autism like symptoms EVER noted with NO concern for it prior. It stole her future, her dreams, her life. Don't feed me a line. I, as a parent, am not OK with that. We live in a pie in the sky time where we just need to "accept everything" and you're dead wrong. I love and fight for and protect and accept my daughter (more than anyone else in her world) with my life. That means fighting Autism and raising awareness of the need to FIGURE OUT why this is happening. There is a reason, but nobody cares.

[@contradictortea6509]

When she said "epidemic," I was done. People with Autism aren't part of an epidemic; they're part of a community that's very commonly misunderstood.

[@ImaSkeptic1]

Be sure and get compensated. Vaccine-induced encephalopathy can result in autism. That means vaccines can cause autism. The US Health Resources Services Administration [HRSA] state to CBS News reporter Sharyl Attkisson: "We have compensated cases in which children exhibited an encephalopathy, or general brain disease. Encephalopathy may be accompanied by a medical progression of an array of symptoms including autistic behavior, AUTISM, or seizures." childhealthsafety.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/attkisson-cbs-hrsa-email-exchanges-autistic-conditions-vaccines.pdf There is no agreed on definition for vaccine encephalopathy, however in this disorder, children commonly experience developmental regression and seizures within one to 14 days after administration of a vaccine which may be accompanied by a medical progression of an array of symptoms including autistic behavior, autism or seizures. But vaccine court likes to claim the autism was caused by the encephalopathy. Not the vaccine. That way they can avoid compensating the victims for autism. It's just word games. Claiming vaccines can't cause autism would be impossible to claim since vaccines can cause encephalopathy which can result in autism or autistic behavior.

[@pengu2133]

She just emphasized the correlation of the word "epidemic" with the statistics of its growing increase over the years. She even admitted it may be due to the addition of learning disabilities as the same title. No need to be emotional.

[@villager1831]

Ima Skeptic boi, bit gud

[@brandonmikell9223]

It is a problem and it's rising at an alarming rate. The word epidemic fits. I personally don't have a problem with it. In fact, this needs to spread so people can gain an interest in this and better understand this as a result.

[@Myriamseeslove]

i was done when i hear d her square brain translated through her cold metalic voice

[@esk8jaimes]

That child eyesight test at the end was really intriguing, never heard of that approach before.

[@ayasarsour2860]

Amazing, thank you very much✨️

[@BLESSINGSMANINDER]

Very informative 👍

[@eriksurbanfarming5924]

My son is awesome!!! I wish I was more mature when he was younger...

[@DetournementArc]

If Autism is such a wide spectrum involving so many causes and symptoms, isn't it a little inappropriate to consider all of it to fit under one umbrella?

[@gardenboundbylove2193]

[@sallyho3000]

It is, indeed.

[@nickmagrick7702]

yes, but explicitly states there are multiple causes. Did like 90% of the people in the comments not even watch the full fucking video?!

[@cheyennepetersen3417]

I actually think it's more helpful to have an umbrella term because, as you said, it is a spectrum. so a spectrum isn't going to have a limited amount of traits to define it. I think it's better than having a collection of seemingly unrelated syndromes and disorders that could cause someone to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because they didn't meet such a narrow qualification. I'm definitely autistic but I don't meet every single criteria, especially the ones that tend to present in boys more

[@annaamin2460]

Thank you for the video. Your daughter is beautiful! I am going to try these tips with my daughter

[@daniellehorvat5229]

My 7.5 year old son has autism, he's level 2, as a baby even up to around 3/4 we didn't notice anything. He walked and talked really early , made eye contact, played and really flourished. It was as he got older and it was pointed out to us buy a daycare worker at about 3.5 we started processes for diagnosis. He is ADS LEVEL 2, ADHD and SPD.

[@davidjames6321]

In my opinion (not an expert) the reson for the incline of autism, is because we are becoming more aware of the spectrum.

[@nickmagrick7702]

theres probably some over diagnosis too. I honestly believe its showing up more too, but I can't say for sure not being 100 years old.

[@grahamcraigjordan7107]

This opinion is annoying. Its like saying the parents in the early 1980's were rubbish and didn't notice obvious problems with their child. when in reality of course , this is not the case. Parents back then are just as much loving and great parents as they are nowadays, and they would notice an obvious problem. This myth the medical profession has spread to get the profession off the hook. How dare they say parents didn't notice major issues with their kids back then.No, something is CAUSING a massive spike in autism and we better look into what it is. That something is the massive increase with babies vaccinations. Mercury and Aluminium are in these vaccinations and they are TOXIC especially to children with mitochondrial damage. To suggest that a perfectly healthy baby requires 12 vaccinations in the first year of life is absurd . There we have it. A 600% increase in autism coinciding with the massive increase of vaccinations to healthy babies. That'll keep the pharma industry in billions of profits.

[@nickmagrick7702]

@@grahamcraigjordan7107 theres still some truth to what he said. Question is, how much is the % increase responsible for increased awareness vs other factors?

[@alishadb]

there are not more males with autism, there are equal cases, but girls are much less likely to be diagnosed because the diagnostic criteria are based on the male stereotypes. Autism research is still very basic and gender stereotyped

[@stefkalkers5781]

+gartios11 its true

[@InfinitiTackStudios]

And also girls are generally taught better social skills from when they are little, so they tend to cope better as they learn to mimic.

[@nathanthemoneyman9191]

How do you know that there are as many women if they are just less reported...

[@JStar962]

Absolutely none of what you just said was true.

[@bohemond5983]

If there not reported how are you so sure of the numbers?

[@carlosvelasquez2625]

"Diet, excersize, stress,,, can turn genes on or off" so it means in identical twins in different situations can express their identical genes in a different way, Im not a twin but have Asperger, and thanks to my condition I done enough research to know that, period

[@nickmagrick7702]

right, but what does gene expression have to do with autism/aspergers? Your not very clear about what your arguing or if your upset with the presentation or anything like that. And its not like the presenter dismissed the idea of gene expression, she didn't even talk about it.

[@teaartist6455]

@@nickmagrick7702 In about 23% of cases one identical twin can be autistic while the other isn't, that's what it has to do with autism. It's also one way of explaining autistic children born to parents that only have a few traits or appear totally allistic, along with random mutations.

[@no_peace]

If you get your genome sequenced and upload it to Promethease you'll get a sense of genetics. It predicts i have blue eyes (they're brown), i have several deadly diseases (i don't have any of them) and I'm thin (I'm not). As a rule they are risk factors not edicts.

[@Daniellegarrow]

this is start of learning the Science of biology. I have learned more about what is being done over the years then not being done. trails are being down. remember trails are by asking not making people be part of it...

[@iwantpig]

i understand that autism can be very extreme and debilitating. however i fear this early intervention destroying some great minds, with only mild autism, in favor of "fitting in."

[@angelic8632002]

#squealpig I understand your fear. But I don't thing people who get intervention early in life, necessarily loose what makes people on the spectrum "unique". It depends on the treatment though. And the attitude of "normal" people. As someone diagnosed with asperger's, i can testify that i wouldn't want to be *completely* cured. Personally, all i want is a bit less problems with social interactions.

[@iwantpig]

i remember a documentary that followed many autistic teens over a number of years. those that chose to work hard at improving their social skills also found a regression in their mathematical abilities. This is due to the logical processing area of the brain being larger or more active than the social area in people with autism. After some quick searching i am unable to find any sources for study on this. However if this is true, i fear society's desire to support only a single social archetype and forcing this on people may regress a great natural gift in favor of greater social skills.

[@angelic8632002]

squealpig If that was the case, then yes there would be a tradeoff. And considering you have to make this choice when you are around the age of four... yeah its a moral dilemma. What i *can* say is that a lot of individuals on the spectrum suffer a *lot*, being outside of social norms. The feeling of isolation can cause severe depression and anxiety. What is clear is that we need to have this discussion, with all parties involved. Right now its *all* seen as a decease, when in reality the deviation from the norms is what gives many individuals on the spectrum their uniqueness. All things in moderation i guess.

[@angelic8632002]

***** That is a good point. The language center/social reasoning and spatial reasoning(dominant in mathematics) are highly specialized regions of the brain. They shouldn't overlap normally... Unless the brain uses its neuroplastic ability to adapt other regions of the brain to compensate for the underdeveloped regions. Instead of training them to function normally. Its an interesting thought experiment.

[@fludblud]

squealpig But merely favouring possible gifted mathematics instead of socialisation neglects the fact that we as humans are a social species who depend on each other for survival, well being and general happiness. What use is being a mathematics genius if you cant communicate with others? If you cant express needs and desires? If you lack the social skills to fall in love? What becomes of that child's life if all you want to do is focus on his strengths? I would rather be a well rounded individual with multiples strengths than an unhappy and unsociable glorified computer. To not intervene in favour of focusing on known strengths is to basically dictate that child's future life without allowing him the skills and ability to choose for him/herself, that would be morally repugnant.

[@zacharyp32]

This was very informative and a very good talk. Thanks!

[@moonshade99]

Wow, she is the most intelligent person i jave heard in a while, that's what world's most intelligent person should do, solves problems that makes human life easy, rather than mindless pursue of money and power, because any average person can have power and money but only intelligent guys like her will be able to solve such a problems

[@pattykean5339]

I am an educational therapist who teaches and accompanies college students in their college courses with the learning objectives of metacognition and self-regulated learning approaches. About 1/5 of my students are autistic and so I am aware of the neurodivergency within the spectrum. I currently have a student who is educating me about autism as seen through neurodiversity as opposed to the medical model framing. And, I think it is important to see and respect where these two ways of seeing autism overlap and complement each other. To insist that it is an either/or framework, instead of both/and, will continue to disadvantage and isolate autistic persons. For example, I very much affirm the neurodiversity point of view that autistic persons deserve more inclusion and respect as they are. Period. I affirm that allistic persons need to be educated so that behaviors they EXPECT and ACCEPT from others in classrooms and workplaces are wider and inclusive of the behaviors of autistic persons, persons who are ADHD, persons who are dyslexic, persons with slower processing speeds, etc. And, I appreciate and value the input from those in the medical fields who research the causes of autism and the various neurological processing of autistics so that autistic persons and coaches, teachers, therapists can work together to help autistic brains serve the person's goals and needs better. I also see that what benefits autistic students to better know themselves as learners (metacognition) and to regulate their own processing styles (self-regulated learning), benefits ALL learners (and teachers). So, thank you Wendy Chung for making advances in our understanding of autistism and at the same time, thank you Agony Autie for helping ballistics understand and appreciate the lived experience of autism. Both are valuable teachers. Let's learn from both.

[@vaccinefraud5570]

Thank you for the Neurodiversity neural linquistic programming language to attempt to "normalize" brain damage caused by military weapons called vaccines. It will indeed become the norm when everyones' minds are gutted so there will not be a remainder of undamaged people from whom this Divergence could be distinguished from. The propagation of such labels/language serve the agenda of engineering consent that it is OK for grand dad to come back from the war with piece of shrapnel in his head so it is OK to everyone else to volunteer for shrapnel implantation because grand dad wasn't disabled from an Act of War he is just now Differently Abled.