Could YOU be autistic? (and not know)

Could you be autistic and not know? I, and many other autistic adults with a late diagnosis of autism, will tell you - YES!
The current model of autism diagnosis is predicated on the assumption that autism traits will make themselves seen in early childhood. In fact, it is often thought of as a childhood disorder. But the amount of late diagnosed autistic adults means that clearly this model is missing something and instead of an outside-in approach we need to start thinking about an inside-out approach - listening to the internal experiences of autistic people, rather than having neurotypical researchers describe what they think they see.
WATCH NEXT: Autism diagnosis criteria explained • Autism diagnosis crite...
If you think this describes you like no one has ever described you before - here are some further resources. Please note, relating to all these points DOES NOT mean you are definitely autistic - there are many other conditions that it could be, so please see a professional if you're concerned.
Autism Quotient (AQ) test:
psychology-tools.com/test/aut...
Women on the spectrum checklist
the-art-of-autism.com/females...
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👭 Autism in women/girls playlist 👭: • Autism in women/girls
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[@YoSamdySam]

WATCH NEXT: Making sense of the diagnostic criteria for AUTISM kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6rZkmeIj7ySqZI

[@kpbergey]

Very informative, direct, & just what the world needed. I love how you approach it from the perspective of the individual's pov. There are different personalities types so i used to always think it was odd that medical professionals usually use blanket conditions (usually leaning just to traits normally found in males). Keep making fanatisic content. :) Cheers!

[@abandonedchannel6661]

Your entire list of autistic traits you explained literally sounded like you were reading parts of my life on paper. good god why did I find out I had autism when I was freaking 18 I feel like I feel happy that I'm no longer confused but I feel so much anger and sadness with the assholes in my life growing up only to have them leave and me blaming myself for loosing my friends when the friends were in the wrong. Thank you so much for this educational video I have no words to describe how grateful I am to have watched this.💜

[@abandonedchannel6661]

I forgot to mention I'm 22 now but I feel pretty happy for this video😊👍

[@miles_521]

I’m in my teenage years and it’s only been diagnosed now. The traits have always been there but they only flared up whilst going into young adulthood

[@hellothanks_]

Hello, to what doctor specialist would have to go forbit to be official diagnostic psychologist, psychiatrist? Please

[@arienrhod1]

"Talk to childhood friends." Childhood friends. Wait. What?

[@lunacy5772]

What is that.......f r i e n d d.....

[@TheInnerBeautyGuru]

This comment lol

[@MyPammer]

Right?

[@lenathefirst_4574]

HA. I FEEL YOU. HELP THIS IS SO SAD.

[@mrskribble]

Same

[@moonie7163]

I spent half the video thinking "Isn't that everyone tho?" and the other half looking at the background because it sparkles...

[@janellybean100]

Luna Folmer me too

[@SpectreOZ]

Hmmmm shiny... shiny.... 🤣

[@harbours.]

That’s the problem. How the hell do you decipher between a disorder and just a personality / mindset type. Most people probably have some of the traits of autism but that means nothing. And causes people to self claim to have x y z disorder that they don’t have, they’re just that type of way for whatever reason.

[@tiiaj7589]

Luna Folmer haha I was checking out the background too. Is it solid? No, there’s a fold on the top right corner. A curtain? Most likely....ok, what is she saying again?

[@alaadwidar697]

HAHAHAHAHAHA SAAAME

[@OPandemonium]

My mom said I was diagnosed as a child but she didnt tell me because she didn’t think it was a big deal. I only found out because my daughter was diagnosed and my mom was like oh yeah you were too. Thanks mom, would have saved me 46 years of feeling like an alien. And getting hit a lot for being “ so goddamn weird.”

[@SuperJimmytang]

Thats neglect, a terrible decision but your mom to not help you

[@janus4689]

My mum did the same thing with my dyspraxia, and I'm starting to think I might be autistic, and wondering if its another one of those things she just didn't bother to tell me

[@cmonkey83]

Wow, your mom is an evil person and I am so so so sorry you had to be raised by such a person.

[@ReflectedMantis]

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 6 but didn't know about it until I was 18 because I was literally never told about it. I think it's because my dad just doesn't understand exactly what it is and thinks it's just being forgetful. I only found out when we were talking about my brother possibly having ADHD and my dad not only confirming that he already knew he did, but I did as well. This was only about 2 years ago lol

[@katbos4995]

My son was diagnosed in Germany in 1988 (he was 2), when we moved to the US none of the teachers, therapists, or doctors knew what autism was. They put him in the corner in the back of the classroom. After the school flunked him for the third time for FIRST grade, I pulled him out and homeschool him. Since literally no one knew what autism was, I didn’t talk about it out loud again. I followed the precepts in the book “There’s a Boy in Here.” And just like the child in that book, I took my son from rocking 8-10 hours a day playing with a fuzz ball, to now he’s married with kids and the manager of a metal shop. So, maybe the reason your parent didn’t tell you, was because there were zero services and nobody in the schools knew what it was; as it was in our case in the 1980-90s.

[@MrBebopChamploo]

I didn't feel like an alien as a kid, I felt like a ghost. Or maybe like all the other kids were ghosts? Like a kid alone on a swing set while all the other kids were running around yelling and laughing. I never understood how to interact with people my age. There would be periods of time in which I felt like I got the hang of it and things were good, but I could never keep that ball rolling.

[@piiinkDeluxe]

Same.

[@LauraStepney]

Same. I would sometimes watch the other kids playing and feel like I just didn't exist at all because they didn't seem to understand how to interact with me and I didn't really get them either. Sometimes I'd say things and no one would even acknowledge that I'd spoken and I'd wonder if I was just imagining the whole world.

[@piiinkDeluxe]

@@LauraStepney hugs (if you like them) 💕

[@dragonhikes]

I remember thinking there was a pane of glass between me and the rest of the world. I could watch but I didn't understand how to reach out and be a part of it.

[@gregory7320]

In highschool I was alone. I felt like a ghost roaming around

[@lucky-px6pv]

“Multipotentialite” you mean it’s NOT normal to consistently change interest, go back to them, change them again and end up good at everything at one point but always feel like you’ll never find something that’s JUST RIGHT and genuinely your true interest/calling?

[@BaByBaLkAnKa]

this is me. I like drawing and do it from time to time. then I started guitar, left it and then switched to digital painting, then I start poetry because I need to get rid off the stuff in my head. rinse and repeat.

[@castielcrews1496]

Oh my gods! There is a word for it?????

[@katierenee5699]

I'm not the only one?!?! I swear I felt so strange for doing this because no one else I knew did this! I felt like everyone else around me had found a passion or calling and I just kept bouncing from one thing to the next. It's nice to know i'm not alone!

[@taleef1760]

Fuuuuuuuck there’s a word for that!!!!!! It’s crazy how many of the points in this video I hit but I don’t know if that means I have autism or not.

[@lucky-px6pv]

kurisumakise the v o l u m e in this bus is A S T R O N O M I C A L it is W A Y Y Y Y too loud

[@sydperkins4083]

Was anyone else here labeled “gifted” in school?

[@mydogeatspuke]

Yep! I was reading the newspaper upside down at 3 years old, much to the delight of my (briefly) proud father's friends. I was doing A level maths and speaking fluent French in year 7, which was I believe 11 or 12 years old, and could play several instruments by ear. I'm now a barely functioning adult haha.

[@bahrlee]

YES!

[@gkanupriya]

Yes... I was at grade 8 level reading when I was in grade 3. I speak 5 languages and learnt to read and write Korean in 3 days (I kid you not)

[@woodruff473]

Yes very much so

[@Orrphoiz]

Yeah, me too!

[@SarahIngleOfficial]

It’s nice to know that other people also thought they were an alien growing up. I’m not autistic, but I do have ADHD, and it feels like we are brain cousins. 👽💜

[@FizXify]

I'm only looking into it and not sure what I have. I'm not sure if I have ADHD or if my poor executive function (and other symptoms) is related to autism

[@carmengogeidnas9670]

@@FizXify me too. I fit most of her criteria for autism, but have ADHD and they have a lot of similarities. Working on finding a doctor.. Let me know what you find out!

[@Harryw007]

I was in a very similar situations. Turns out I only have autism and it can actually cause executive functioning issues, especially with organisation. Before being formally assessed I had no idea which one I had (or even having both at the same time) other than thinking I must have 'something' lol.

[@ProbablyBees]

Adhd and autism are often comorbid

[@Harryw007]

@@ProbablyBees yes it definitely but it is still possible to just have one or the other.

[@allie9015]

“#7 you’ve lost friends without realizes what you did or what went wrong” So many times, all my life. And it’s always very hard for me to “let things go” when that has happened.

[@ShiruSama1]

More than 10 years later I sometimes think I should ask for an explanation. Still clueless.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes😊

[@camscupcakes1701]

me: knows i have austism also me: LeTs SeE iF i HaVe AuTiSm

[@Catastropheshe]

Bc it's fun 😄

[@spacelore1210]

Thats me. It's quite difficult to be 100% sure if I have autism. It feels like I'm standing in the middle of "normal" and autism all the time ...

[@accountname-gg3ms]

Yeah me to

[@camscupcakes1701]

wait how did this get so many likes jjjhdhrhdjdkd

[@bervin3232]

Same

[@daddysgotapenny]

"You can identify with all these traits and not know that that's not how everyone feels" got me there chief

[@mailuefterl]

Yes. . killer phrase of the video.. straight in your heart

[@syleenadawn2038]

Yep lol

[@cozmicfreak]

hit me hard

[@mandaroberts4596]

Ditto.

[@gabbylee4062]

Shes saying that and I'm like, That's not normal?

[@laura_jones]

Since finding your videos, I feel like for the first time I "belong" in a community. I'm undiagnosed, and I've only been studying this for about a week (albeit a bit obsessively), but I resonate so incredibly strongly to you and the folks in your comments section, I just can't overlook it. When you say "us" or "we" as autistic people, I really do feel like I'm included in that. I've never felt that way before, and it's so freeing. It feels strange to say that finding myself to have a "disorder" has made me feel whole... but it does. As you've said several times now, we're not "broken". This is the first time in my life I've believed that. I'm not broken. I really AM just different.

[@meganray2376]

Agree with every word here!! 🙌🏻 It is weirdly freeing. Happy you made it here too ❤️

[@Missdoubletrouble541]

​@@Mp-wc2chyou can't save someone from autism, it's hard wired in our brains. Herbs definitely wouldn't do it.

[@LumiMoonCh]

I've had anxiety for most of my life over not being "normal" enough, and only realised after 30 that I was transgender and autistic. It feels good to fit somewhere and have things make sense.

[@nio804]

I'm currently going through something similar... Though with regard to gender my feelings are closer to... just being done with my current self? Been there, done that, I should try to the other side kind of thing. Dunno if it's autism or anxiety or depression or ADHD or all of them.

[@jeffreyreeves9854]

Jillian, Good for you! It is wrong to push "Non-binary" on children. But at 30, you can make decisions and be yourself. I am cursed with Aspergers. And I try to pass for a dude. Vitamins have helped me tremendously. I hope that everything works out for you. I hope that you have food, soap, Health Care, and a home. Many people don't have any of those necessities and they have anxiety about that.

[@AlysiaLuvsCats]

I’m nearly 30 and experiencing the same. Thank you

[@katrecemiller8325]

Herpes is a common infection or condition, affecting about 1 in 4 American adults, Hsv 1 & Hsv 2 are the common types of Herpes virus and if untreated, they can get unbearable and cause severe medical issues, I'm so glad I'm over herpes and its stigma. all thanks to Dr. Aloha kzbin.info/door/_YFEEZEr1BxGkNg1d4vqww🍀 🍵 🍀

[@petraaccount]

I am currently reading 'Unmasking Autism' by Devon Price, if this is of interest. They talk about the overlapping frameworks of autism discrimination and being queer. So far the book feels very encouraging.

[@pretelquetzal]

Every day I say "today is the day I get my shit together" and then I dont 😭

[@issaread5937]

Felt this on a soul level !😫🌝

[@madamdardis]

I hear you! I’m tired of it, snd days I have radical self acceptance and others like today, I just don’t.

[@jedrashidul6952]

I finally got my shit done at 36😂👍 there's hope.

[@savvivixen8490]

I feel so called out ._.

[@stephenolan5539]

@@jedrashidul6952 I going to try before 60. So a couple years left.

[@ceciraegagnon1901]

I’m so lost with my identity I don’t even know at this point because yes I do relate to a lot of this but I tell myself I’m just faking everything and I’m normal

[@ghadaalmuhannadi1125]

IKRR that’s what’s happening to me :/

[@deltaone2837]

You are spittng facts right now.

[@raccoondingodog6825]

Same. Still not sure :/

[@mrs.pineapple]

Saaaaaaamme every one says its cuz i have imposter syndrome 😞🤷

[@deltaone2837]

@@mrs.pineapple OH gosh. They are saying that about me too.

[@KMWeir]

My granddaughter was diagnosed with autism when she was 18 months old. I think this gives her an advantage. And I’m so grateful. But here comes the hard realization. I believe my daughter, (my granddaughters mother) has autism. She is now 25. She couldn’t handle caring for her autistic daughter. She has had so so much pain in her life. I’m a mom of 5 wonderful children. I am also a a Christian and pray for my kids. I’ve prayed and wept more over my daughter than any of the other kids. I’m angry. Why? Because I knew something was different about her from an early age. And NOT ONE SINGLE professional I sought had an answer. She was diagnosed with ADHD. I do think she has this. But something was wrong with my child. And everyone said, ‘She will grow out of that.’ ‘She is just unique.’ She never did. And she spent her preteen years through age 23 in misery. I’m just so angry and my heart is broken for my girl. Im sharing your videos with her and we are on a mission for answers and support. Now, Heat this. My brother and husband recently were diagnosed with Aspergers ( I know it’s no longer called this). I have 3 cousins who are on the spectrum. My heart breaks. I hope my daughter and I can bond and heal now that we know the truth. She has been doing much better the last 2 years. Im very proud of her! But there’s so much more joy she needs to know. Thanks for your channel!

[@janus4689]

its extremely common for someone to have both autism and adhd so there is a high chance that your daughter has both. I honestly wish her the best and I hope she gets the support she needs.

[@turtleanton6539]

I was diagnosed at 27

[@mangala666]

My parents told me after I graduated high school (with honors) that my 3rd grade teacher told them she thought I was “retarded” because “she doesn’t make friends and is very quiet and keeps to herself all the time. Perhaps she should be in the special needs class.” They were so proud to have kept this from me. This would have been in the early 1980s, before anyone really knew what autism was. My parents just assumed it meant the teacher thought I was dumb and fought to keep me in the regular class (with the people I hated). And now I’m 40, and reading about all these “you may be autistic if” statements and my mind is completely blown. Clearly I had no idea. And now I need to talk to my doc and see how one goes about getting a diagnosis. I don’t think it would change anything other than just having a piece of paper stating the now obvious…

[@saramatthews7159]

Im 38 and teachers told my parents the same thing that I should be in special ed. Now here I am pushing 40 and wanting to get diagnosed. Smh...i wish I'd gotten the help I needed at a young age

[@lesterrivers8863]

My preschool teacher told my mommy that she thinks I have autism then my mommy took me to be tested for autism when I was just 3 years old baby boy they called my mommy told her I have level 3 autism then she said I could have a learning disability then they got me tested again and I was at the age 5 years old then they got me tested again this time it's for ADHD they said I was then I was keep and keep on having accidents then they gave up up on potty training me then they took me to the doctor because I was having accidents and they said I had a bladder refraction and a bowel movement they they kept me in pull-ups and I can't do anything I'm not able life is hard for me

[@___Anakin.Skywalker]

Were you quite but when you're able to speak, talks endlessly and most of the time a know it all?? I'm asking because I have a work mate like that. She can get extremely annoying but people try to understand her because she's totally weird. Put her in a group and let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes before you witness her turn out weird

[@FigureFarter]

Here's what I would say: "Takes a retarg to know one"

[@wintergray1221]

"Bright but quiet and doesn't participate." Every single elementary school report card said this on the bottom.

[@mouseluva]

"You're sensitive to sensory things" me, rubbing a soft blanket across my forehead and neck while straightening things on my desk: i might be who's asking

[@kaelin8775]

I collect teddy bears for the soft fur and always play with my hair or mess with my clothes (such as pulling or tugging on them or stroking them repetitively)

[@ivananovak5653]

I am opposite, to soft a blanket like microfibre gives me goosebumps and not in a good way, i dont like the static i feel from it. And the way it catches on a rougher part of skin on my hands.

[@rhyan02]

I literally collect all the soft things to rub on my face and neck etc but if it touches my feet I want to throw up 😂😂

[@rhyan02]

I also just realised I was sucking on my pen lid so hard I made my mouth bleed so that’s a thing 🙃

[@juliemccann1549]

@@kaelin8775 I am exactly the same :)

[@edhlvsdgs3778]

“You’ve has a lot of bad habits such as picking...” me: picking dead skin off my foot because I can’t concentrate

[@emiliamariabarbagallo1601]

oh.my.god.

[@gwynethbennellick4839]

I ate the inside of my mouth. I picked the skin below my finger nails until they were nice and rough to rub against my lips. I could stop when told to, and start something else. I'm rocking now as I'm typing this. Heck!

[@bruxitas7330]

@@gwynethbennellick4839 holy shit that literally what I do

[@bruxitas7330]

Same here that's what I do

[@bobathings3320]

Me right now!

[@debcevans]

I am 67 and a retired mental health therapist. I have recently come to realize that I am a high-functioning autistic. I became a psychologist because I wanted to understand people. As a child, I would watch others and not necessarily interact. I always was more comfortable by myself rather than around others because I was unsure about them. The thing is, all of that observation made a good therapist. I learned how to make eye contact, stay very still (and not flap my hands), and listen. But I still always felt on the outside. I began wondering about myself, when I was able to diagnose my son as high-functioning. M daughter probably is, as well, but she has ADHD, which was much more apparent when she was young. My husband has undiagnosed ADHD, too, and may be on the spectrum. Thank you for the info that you share.

[@mobuildsstuff]

Thank you for sharing your insights.

[@AntonYadrov777]

You have perfectly summed up the level of ASD and ADHD awareness in modern medical education and society in general, that even you, as a licensed psychologist with years of experience, did not realize that you were ASD, until you got to observe your son who reminded you of your childhood self a lot.

[@shelbybutler9714]

This is extremely helpful. Neurodivergency runs in the family. My son has ADHD and Autism, and my dad had ADHD. The more I research Autistic women though, the more I see myself. I work a lot on triggers, but there are still some things that cause my temper to explode. I also have always been very detail oriented and sensitive to smells/textures/sounds; but, I easily forget names (never a face). I have been called rude regularly, when I think I am actually being cordial and logical- overly polite. I love deeply, but things never seem to work out. Autism would explain a lot of my difficulties in relationships.

[@lemonlord]

"easily manipulated by people without realizing it" Me: **thinks of my horribly toxic friends in elementary school that manipulated me constantly until I caught on around 6th grade** oh crap

[@sonyafirefly3879]

I may or may not have had horribly toxic friends since elementary school and highschool that I only caught on to in my late twenties. And the only reason I caught onto it is because they both decided to end the friendship in an extremely emotionally and verbally abusive way after talking about me behind my back for an entire year.

[@lemonlord]

@@sonyafirefly3879 oh, I am so sorry, I went through something similar, except instead of realizing they were talking behind my back they just kinda abandoned me and I let it happen cuz I was sick of being treated like an extra, after them I am doing relatively better in terms of friendships, I hope it got better for you, they sound horrible

[@sonyafirefly3879]

@@lemonlord It is getting better; thank you. I have more energy for my other friends now, and I can already tell that my mental health has drastically improved. Even my parents commented on it.

[@lemonlord]

@@sonyafirefly3879 I'm glad you're getting better! That is very good, I wish you the best!

[@emilys.8505]

I didn’t catch on until 9th grade lmao. But then I switched friend groups and now I have the best friends ever.

[@trapperkay1138]

My therapist said she wasn't educated enough but after 6 months of therapy she finally referred me to a psychologist!!!! To A) to get assessed for autism and B) to get help for my possibly misdiagnosed bipolar disorder. I'm really really excited!!!! Validation is the BEST feeling!!

[@justarandomperson8765]

so happy for u bby!!

[@potatowaffle5653]

Get that help! bipolar disorder is no laughing matter. Good luck! 👍🏻

[@peoplearemyreligion]

That’s so great!!! Have you figured it out or have updates yet?

[@jackskellington9570]

I met two brothers that were 20 and 18. Even without a lot of experience I could tell within a short period time. Not at first with the older one. But I knew from day one nothing resembled bipolar. But that was his diagnosis. At like 16 too. The mom said it wasn't even their regular doctor. It was a new one they got transferred to. And just after a couple short visits. The sad part is that if he hadn't had that misdiagnosis and the family knew earlier then he would be much more balanced. They both would. Instead it was adhd and bipolar prescriptions at a young age. No proper stepping stones. Oh you're 20 years old this or that. After some time they started believing me. They just believed bipolar. Of course cigarettes, alcohol, and weed along with hood crap is how they learned to blend into this generation sadly.

[@ragdollrose2687]

It's also awesome when as specialist admits they don't know much about something but is willing to get educated about! That's what happened with my GP while I was getting diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and it felt like a nice team effort to get through that. So many doctors/specialist are just dismissive about the person's experience because they're not educated enough but don't want to admit it.

[@alicja5602]

People remember that a lot of her points also apply to introverts! Don’t self diagnose yourself too quickly.

[@garfreeek]

And Add. Yes, without the H because you're not hyperactive.

[@cary1056]

@@garfreeek ADD and ADHD are the same diagnosis now. Inattentive and hyperactive are the two subtypes of it, because ADHD presents in both ways, but one person may be more hyperactive than inattentive or vice versa. You're referring to Inattentive ADHD, yes, but it is still considered ADHD.

[@garfreeek]

@@cary1056 I deleted the previous comments, they read as ignorant. Thanks for the info!!

[@Eruptor1000]

If you feel like you are missing the script and everyone else has it... you probably have this retardation. I'm autistic and I'm calling it that.

[@rumaisyahqa]

@@garfreeek sometimes i feel so energetic like "damn man, u wanna set the world on fire ? XD ". But then again sometimes i just don't want anybody to be around like just leave me alone , the light is too bright outside my room

[@barbarachisholm2487]

Thank you for explaining what it may feel like to be autistic. I have suspected that I may be autistic, but when I listened to you counting down all the possible symptoms, you literally described me. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me, to realise that describing myself as “I’m very special”, to now realising why my life was/is so exciting. I’m 60 years old, and I am a very special person and proud of it. 😊 ❤

[@artsyebonyrose]

"its not you being lazy or stupid" that made me cry omg

[@Luna77_Cupcake]

Me too!

[@happilieverholli9994]

Same 🥺

[@melissaflores1497]

I was told those thing a lot as a kid.

[@TheRedstonePlayerMC]

yeah ok but a quick reality check - is anyone "lazy" by your definition then? Maybe your point is that we should never judge anyone but that is a bit ridiculous, can't we have societal norms and expectations just because a subset of outliers don't fit the mold? if you lay in bed all day & get tired from exposure to virtually anything (social interactions, lights, sounds, environments...) then by most practical definitions you are likely seen as "unproductive" even if it's out of your control Can we not acknowledge a person as unattractive just because they have a birth defect and it's not their fault? Can't we observe someone being "unintelligent" if their iq is several standard deviations below 100? not trying to be excessively rude but the mental gymnastics you guys are doing to portray autism as "different not worse" but you still want the diagnose because it obviously hinders your day-to-day life & some of you guys need special work- and financial aid but it's "not a handicap how dare you say that???". Not saying anyone should feel bad and its certainly not your fault, nobody "deserves" anything whether good or bad IMO, we are all human with flaws that we are working with, but can we keep the discussion real? I don't feel any animosity toward autistic people in general, the only thing i dislike is this denial of observable fact. And on a sidenote - if autistic people are more cerebral, literal "NT" thinkers then why are you guys so preoccupied with semantics?

[@artsyebonyrose]

@@TheRedstonePlayerMC it's not be trying to deny an observant fact. it's more about how autistic people's struggles and reasonings are disregarded and played down and all boiled down to the idea that we are PURPOSEFULLY being lazy and/or unproductive. which isn't the case. trust me, its painful to want to get something done and being unable to, then being told by the people around you that you're purposefully not doing the thing (for whatever reason they've decided), when in actuality you have a gigantic mental wall stopping you from doing the thing. i obviously can't speak for all autistic people bc we're all individuals, but i for one have never said anything like "its not a handicap how dare you say that". being autistic is a disability and i know this. i think you have a bit of misguided frustrations, but i understand it's probably come from things you've seen others say and you just want to understand. at the end of the day its not that deep. the word lazy has negative connotations and is a word that we get called a lot before finding out we're autistic/get diagnosed, so it strikes a cord. but i'm not denying the fact that unproductivity is a thing. i'm extremely unproductive at times, but that's what it is: unproductivity. laziness implies that you have control over it and you're purposefully deciding to be unproductive. which for me just simply isn't the case. hope this clears some stuff up!

[@jaygolden7408]

Me, an anxious depressed witch: Okay no need to attack me lol

[@dylandouglas865]

same

[@annameadowshelvie5714]

*Raises hand slowly*

[@brandiwine84]

Right in my feelings

[@teethfaerie9522]

me, all those things with a skin picking disorder: >:0

[@meowsav]

literally me

[@michelletait4958]

This is an excellent video. I realised some time ago that I am actually autistic and it was a mindblower. I asked my GP for a referal and the psychiatrist I saw agreed that without the expensive testing, going on my history it is highly likely I am autistic. I felt so free and alive in that moment I almost cried. My entire life made sense. The healing started and now I am an aide for autistic children and it's going so great! The kids have transformed having someone who gets them in place of a harsh disciplinarian. Videos like this are the key to a life changing journey. Thank you!

[@sandradownie6029]

This is the first explanation where I've thought, "Oh...maybe that IS me" Former goth, bright in primary school, less so in secondary, but gradually struggled as things got less structured as an adult. I would flit between friends and havent carried many friendships into adult life. I notice they work best when the people live far away. I care, but just dont want to socialise. Now, in my late 40s, I've had 2 breakdowns, I'm no longer able to work. Studying trauma work (somatic experiencing) has raised my awareness to a level where i can recognise my behaviours and triggers. I dont finish anything, dont keep up hobbies, especially social ones, and love books but dont remember much. I had never come across the idea of an ADD/ASD blend before. It makes a lot of sense to me now. Thanks so much for your channel.

[@tessagray1686]

I considered a diagnosis and talked about it with my doctor. He was supportive of it and agreed it may be worth looking into, but also explained that it would take a lot of time and money and wouldn't have many benefits, as its not like you can be prescribed medication and as an adult you won't need school accommodations. He also explained that it can be used against in cases such as arrests or child custody. I ended up not going through with it and appreciated him giving me that information, so I just wanted to share it in hope it will likewise help other people make an informed decision.

[@chellelaw667]

I think you need a better doctor.

[@celestinae.8847]

Exactly why I haven't gone in. I think at some point it'll be used against me

[@Budgetforsuccess]

I’m working on getting diagnosed because as an adult my struggles are interfering with working to make a living and follow my dreams so it’s not always a bad thing to seek a diagnosis to get help. There may be no medication to help but their are resources to utilize to help in daily life.

[@traceydixon4926]

You might not need "school" accommodations, but under the disability equality act (at least in the UK), you can be eligible for workplace accommodations!

[@mievla]

Thank you for sharing. That is helpful to hear.

[@neilfromcork]

Part of the reason I don't want to get a diagnosis is that I mostly feel that the gatekeepers of diagnosis are themselves neurotypical. I don't want to hand over control to someone who can't know how it feels to be me.

[@atiger4716]

Some of them are so disociated from themselves that look neurotypical but they are a fake mask, and possibly would feel triggered by other people odds. So many truly ill people in the psycology field, and psycology is not a science at all, perhaps a pseudoscience at best. Would I need a diagnosis from them, sound crazy to me

[@Harryw007]

For me knowing for certain and the sweet, sweet accomodations that I've gotten has made my diagnosis extremely worth it but your points are valid as well.

[@smoothie3993]

@@atiger4716 it’s absolutely not a pseudosience and that’s actually harmful to the people who have mental disorders and conditions to hold that belief.

[@KazKindred613]

@@atiger4716 Psychology is real, and invalidating people who have disorders is disgusting.

[@matthewyabsley]

Well that's not always true. Many people are drawn to the profession because they have an interest in understanding their own difficulties.

[@leahlei5776]

Yes to everything you said. My daughter is diagnosed autistic and I see the things she struggles with in myself. My mom tells me I was shy, stoic, and stubborn as a child. She also (still) tells me I’m a perfectionist, but that label doesn’t match my intention. I see visual projects and writing more like complex puzzles that I’m working to solve-and when I’m hyperfocused, time melts away, such that 2 hours feels like 20 minutes to me. You wouldn’t tell someone who wanted to complete a puzzle that half finished is quite good enough. Just like clicking that last piece into a jigsaw puzzle feels highly satisfying, that is my motivation, not because I want everyone else to see me as flawless.

[@jeffreyreeves9854]

Leahlei, Stoicism is shit. The real world is based on Survival of the Fittest. Vitamins can be beneficial. I have the curse of Aspergers. I am more scatterbrained and I envy your ability to hyperfocus.

[@Chirpy-eo8jq]

The perfectionist comment resonates with me! That’s been said to me by mom, dad, and grandma with advice for corrections over my entire life!!! Thank you for sharing, I didn’t realized this could be a part of this

[@christinamcdonald7308]

Recently found out I am autistic and coming to terms with it (39 years old). I am a highly visual thinker and I can’t stand it when people give me vague and confusing verbal instructions - that gives me chronic stress especially at work. Also have OCD anxiety too which I’ve had since from the age of around 14/15 - never had the support I needed throughout my life and am just amazed I got through the school system, sheer determination 😢🙏

[@esc5487]

I think our age group, im 41, really was just outside of all this, they tried to throw me in "SpecialEd" in elementary school but my mom fought it

[@AlanAndrei]

you sound like me. 44 recently diagnosed autism, OCD and anxiety started same age as you. Always felt i was completely different from everyone else and that my brain processed stuff differently (for good and bad). Extremely sensitive, shy and no need for friends ever, just family.

[@lizfetzner5989]

"you have significant deficits in things other people consider easy, for example making phone calls" Me: at my third day of work having a meltdown in the bathroom because the manager asked me to answer the phone

[@kanzi1958]

phone calls are the worst. So glad texting exists...

[@andread8]

Agree

[@constancedenchy9801]

I hate phone calls...I find them overwhelming. The fact I can't see their face creates anxiety

[@sarenikaktus]

i have anxiety when i need to make a phone call, so i have like a little mental preparation and rehearse what i have to say, my heartbeat gets a lot faster when talking to someone on the phone. even when we have to order food i make my bf make the call, i avoid it as much as i can and i don't really know why

[@catbirdler]

@@constancedenchy9801 me too!!!!! I HATE the disembodied voice!! I thought I was the only one! I have actually lost friends over the years and I am sure it's because I never call anyone. I have been told this by more than one person. My good friends understand and check in with me, but otherwise.... I actually prefer texting. Nice and quiet and no pressure to respond immediately.

[@fjakjcwjcjjwjcch]

I… always assumed it was the ADHD and the anxiety now i'm very confused

[@fadedsophomore]

Same

[@claralobsiger4284]

Same! 😩

[@stellasdoesstuff]

People with ADHD and people with autism have a lot of similar experiences, so it's not unusual for people with ADHD to relate to things autistic people say about being autistic

[@KattMurr]

Me too..

[@RianeBane]

There's a lot of crossover between those disorders, particularly between ADHD and autism. Both are characterized by executive dysfunction, both can be overly sensitive to stimuli (many people with ADHD also have sensory processing disorder), both can have difficulty with relating to peers or interacting with them, etc.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

My 16 year old son was having a really rough time. Thousands of dollars and 6 months later he was diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and OCD. But all this process with him has lead me to believe that I was on the spectrum myself and suffered in silence as a kid because of it. I now know that I masked my symptoms, feelings and experiences. I was often silently in agony and couldn't understand why. This journey has been one of grieving, healing and understanding.

[@devianzaconiglia]

Jackpot! Yes to all of the points! Therapists said "you are an artist! Intelligent, talented, SENSITIVE, gifted!" ok, but being an artist isn't the answer to why I'm suffering in my life... I'm Autistic and an Artist. Thank you for your videos. I want also to say that your glitter background, your hair style, your appearance and voice tone are really captivating for my brain, and I super love it! Thank you so much ♥️

[@turtleanton6539]

Yuup😊

[@t3mptr3s]

I cannot imagine going to my mom and asking her questions about my childhood. She's been in denial for so long. She even gets defensive when I tell her what was going on internally.

[@annansmith7382]

TeaThreePO same!!!!

[@meganwoehl5277]

My mom has been brainwashed by my narcissistic stepdad...but everytime she gets drunk while I'm around she ends up sobbing and apologizing for my childhood...atleast she knows somewhere, deep down, how harmful it was to grow up with a narcissist with anger management issues...still don't think she would ever understand why I am so different...he doesn't believe in Autism or Anxiety or Depression or anything besides physical ailments...and by extension of his brainwashing, neither does she.

[@elizem6267]

TeaThreePO if you give it time and you begin your own healing I’m sure it’ll all be okay

[@mlighthart]

Me too

[@e.l.lucychiron]

I once asked someone who specializes in psychology in children if there is a mild form of feral autism found in people who experience mild forms of physical or emotional neglect as children. She said what would be expected in such cases is more along the lines of attachment disorders. Which I thoroughly related to and took to heart until I saw this video.

[@erinpeterson3202]

from someone with a severe case of adhd, this list is very relatable. adhd and autism are like "sister disorders" that overlap in a lot of symptoms and presentations and both are frequently missed in adults. if you relate to this list but find, upon further research, that autism doesn't seem to make sense or fit, adhd is maybe worth looking into as well. it looks a lot different than the stereotypes 💛💛. (please note that this comment is not meant to say that you don't have autism if you relate to this list! just offering another path if you find yourself still confused after research)

[@YoSamdySam]

Absolutely!!!

[@9SMTM6]

Take note that the symptom overlap is mostly with the predominantly inattentive subtype of ADHD, sometimes reffered to as simply ADD (but in the 80s ADD was referring to all the subtypes too, so there's that...). Otherwise people see lots of symptoms with ADHD they can't relate too, as we people that get diagnosed with ADD are often lumped in with the hyperactive remainder, as they make the majority of the diagnosis. It's really tireing to be honest and I would appreciate a clearer separation by medical professionals, I'm not hyperactive and if I explain my condition to others they'll either assume wrong things about me (if they don't know me well) or doubt the diagnosis (if they know me and see I lack a lot of the symptoms associated with "ADHD").

[@erinpeterson3202]

@@9SMTM6 in the current version of the DSM the correct classification of the disorder is ADHD of three types; primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive, and combined. this isnt a super clear separation to a lot of people, but it is the correct terminology for the disorder currently. I am no expert, but based on personal experience, there is broad overlap with autism across all types of ADHD. obviously they are not 100% the same, they are different disorders. but there is a lot of overlap especially with symptoms of ADHD that are often overlooked (sensory issues, stimming, social issues, emotional dysregulation, etc.)

[@ilistentojojosiwa2681]

It also reminds of of OCD a lot. I am diagnosed with OCD and my tics and they way I view the world seems similar.

[@gabo341]

yes. i have adhd (combined) and what id call a pretty sever case. i have every symptom on this list. i may have autism but I definitely have adhd.

[@grahamexeter3399]

All of them describe me to a T. My version of No. 6: "Everybody else has insider knowledge of something I'm supposed to know as well, but they never let on to me what it is." I'm 71 and have felt this on and off throughout my whole life. I've even wondered at times whether I may be paranoid. I just discovered your channel and 'Autism from the Inside' five days ago, and my mind is appropriately blown - into the shape it always was, except until now I've always believed it was the wrong shape! What a gift from you both!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes it is exactly how it is😊

[@AngelRawien]

I’m sobbing. If I had only identified with a few… then I’d be fine. But it’s like you’ve read my heart and idk what to do with that information now… 🤭

[@elzabethdowns241]

“If I’ve just blown your little mind” ugh... that was a moment... your video is spot on... I remember feeling like everyone was issued a “how to be a human” manual that I just did not get... it was an awful way to live... I even recently had a relative tell me they “just don’t buy it, you are fine”

[@YoSamdySam]

I feel like everyone else got a "what to say in every scenario" handbook for sure!!

[@ladyjaneoftheearlgreyteatribe]

Same here. How do I human?

[@YoSamdySam]

@@ladyjaneoftheearlgreyteatribe Humaning is overrated

[@garyfrancis5015]

Yo Samdy Sam Gas lighting in childhood. Family saying "Just be normal" get out the house. Socialise with your friends. Come to this party. My family not knowing as a kid I was alone not lonely.

[@shriya8966]

I used to make extensive notes in worry to always have something to say or I wouldn't know what to do from moment to moment

[@kaiwilliams1881]

“You have multiple deficits in things other people find easy” Me, trying to call the Chinese restaurant: “Um hi, yes, Um, I would like Uh, um, um- I’m sorry, um” *orders the same meal every time*

[@MelodySnowflakeVA]

I can relate to that, being partially visually impaired doesn't help either because I get so scared to ask what's on the menu

[@kaiwilliams1881]

@@MelodySnowflakeVA I relateee 😔 everyone makes fun of me for it but it’s really a thing

[@MelodySnowflakeVA]

@@kaiwilliams1881 aww, don't worry you're not alone^^

[@Joe-ou1iw]

once i called up a chinese restaurant and was just like "hi, um.. i want food?"

[@scummoth]

I won't order from anywhere you have to phone up. Online only

[@Vesko224]

A lot of doctors use the bio male people, the use their symptoms for adhd and autism. And bio woman, such as myself, often aren’t diagnosed because of that.

[@niteotter]

Thank you young woman. I began to recognize this only a few weeks ago - and I’m 70! Explains so much, doesn’t it? ❤️🤗

[@meganwoehl5277]

Wait, wait, wait!! Are you saying my incessant need to google every question or word I don't understand could be related to autism? Because it's a running joke in my family that if anyone is ever wondering anything, I will research it and have the answers for them in 2-5 business days 😂

[@squigglesquirel3652]

Literally me if anyone is talking to me about anything and we both don't know something, we thing about it for a second and then I go 'hold up lemme just google it' and then I google it and start falling down a rabbit hole right in front of them

[@bunukalashrestha9575]

Really, I do !!!

[@lacybookworm5039]

My best friend calls me a walking reference library, in a affectionate way. 😊📚🎧🎨🛠️🐾 So many intens interests.

[@irmielam5192]

Me too...and I answered yes to 80% of the questions... At work I'm always googling stuff people bring up...it's become a joke...I'm the information "hoarder"... Speaking of which I do have hoarding tendencies and extreme disorganization problems too...always wondered what was wrong with me. Wow...this is eye opening. I'm in my 60's!!!

[@mearainbow]

​@@lacybookworm5039 my partner calls me a walking encyclopedia 😭😭😭 just found out last week that i actually have a lot of autism symptoms and had no idea

[@autismfromtheInside]

"perhaps you are now off to google this word" - lol

[@YoSamdySam]

Glad I caught somebody in the act! 😜

[@SpectreOZ]

Nothing wrong with self edification... finding out the answer to what has your present attention allows you to move on...

[@jaygolden7408]

Haha! Jokes on you! I have a suspiciously strong need to know what words mean and could figure it out based on the parts of the word because I'm lazy!

[@Brady.Schmitt]

haha she called me out before I could even blink!

[@Shoe26]

Aspergers from the Inside lol I can’t relate, coz I have autism, so of course I know the word

[@annarosex1]

I've been talking to my older sister a lot recently about our messed up childhood and she told me that she always thought that I was autistic and we reflected on all of the things that I used to do as a child (before I learned how to mask my entire being) that were strongly exhibited autistic behaviors and it has helped me understand myself and how I am now tremendously. I'm not as hard on myself and a lot of this self reflection has really helped me come to terms with some of my childhood trauma as well. And yes, I relate strongly to all of those traits you mentioned. I plan on going to see if I can get help with my anxiety and depression that I've had all of my life and plan on bringing up my suspicions of being autistic. Even if I never actually get that official stamp of autism, I know that I definitely am and that's all that matters.

[@kisille]

I never spoke out loud about this, but this video made me :) My journey really started when I dated my ex girlfriend when I turned 16. We talked about everything you could ever imagine and she was really the first person I opened myself up to. It was until then I started focusing on myself, and get a understanding who I am and what I want. I started to ask the deep questions about everything and was maturing very quickly. I always felt I was different than most other kids were, but I was fine with it. I started masking very early in life, because it felt normal and things like 'look me in the eyes' or manners like please or thank you I had to learn and use correctly too. All those things added to the aspect of me doing it like it's required from me. For being a good member of society. I now know why it was the way it was, but back then I didn't. When turning 17 I thought I had this condition called HSP (highly sensitive person), me and my girlfriend too. That made sense, so I adapted it and felt okay. Until this point I never ever thought about being autistic, looking back it's so obvious😅 When I broke up with my girlfriend about 5 month ago, I started to feel very lonely, in a way I haven't experienced, so I got in touch with a psychologist. She quickly noticed my autistic traits and I am very glad I'm living in a country where this diagnosis is payed for me :) Still I am now 20 years old and my life just turned 180°. I am more happy than I ever was. There may be some mistakes in my text, it's my second language 😁

[@franniecherry]

People who are wondering: yes autism overlaps with things like anxiety and introversion. I mean, if you were different from other children you would have anxiety and become introverted?

[@notsoon6721]

you can`t "become" introverted

[@diamonddog2638]

@@notsoon6721 Technically you can but just not as the the word "become" may imply. It's up to interpretation. You generally don't really actively decide that today you want to be super introverted but tomorrow you don't want to. A lot of it has to do with personality, which isn't always something you can control. But, if someone constantly feels different and afraid of social interactions, they might go from being a sociable extrovert as a child to a very quiet introvert as a teen or adult by the time certain actions are no longer seen as "normal" for a kid. That's still becoming introverted, it's just not an active choice.

[@hiwall4883]

Exactly, makes sense that an autistic child who grows up with rejection and constant negative feedback will develop anxiety and withdraw from society. I don't think it's necessarily an autistic trait, it's just a result of a childs experience of the world growing up with autism.

[@user-bc7nx7nr8o]

Hmmm...whodathunkit?

[@brunoboaz7656]

"Easily manipulated by people without me knowing "...that really struck a chord with me. This was a great video. Very informative. I thank you.

[@fjakjcwjcjjwjcch]

Same. Would never realize it until afterwards. Still don't after months of trying to work it out

[@pargatjheeta6729]

I'm really grateful for these talks on Autism. Massive thanks! I'm a step closer to understanding myself better, I can totally identify with many of the signs or experiences. The thing that rang the alarm bells with me was when you mentioned that other people can easily manipulate me without me knowing... I've had that happen to me lots and it is very exhausting! Being dragged about in different directions!

[@kinnie.mp3]

I relate to so much that I hear about the autistic experience, but never considered that I might be autistic until a little less than a year ago. I wondered why I never considered it, and realized it was because my idea of autism growing up was people like my brother. My older brother (by 7 years) was diagnosed early on at the age of 3. His autism was and still is very "visible" and he cannot live on his own, so he lives with my mom. His academic skills are stuck at the early elementary stage. He had a hard time making friends. I had my share of struggles as a kid, but in comparison to my brother I was "normal" and just a bit quirky or weird. It's like if you have a really bad cut on your hand and it seems really bad, but then you see someone with their arm cut off and suddenly your injury seems like nothing at all. I deviated from the norm early on, but my parents still don't see it (mostly my mom). As a baby, I almost never cried (same as my brother). In early schooling years, I had no problem leaving my parents to go to class. I excelled academically for nearly all of my K-12 years with the exception of a few complicated situations. I was even deemed a gifted kid by the state I live in. But for years, I never made friends, and instead just sat and read or drew pictures by myself. In 4th grade, this prompted a teacher to call a parent-teacher conference because I was "reading too much" and not getting out and playing with the other kids. Unsurprisingly, Twilight Sparkle was my favorite character from MLP (my first special interest). I had one "friend" in elementary, but she was actually a bully and I just figured that friendship was different than I thought it was. Now, years later, I do have friends, but never because I approached them. They were either the person to come up and introduce themselves or were introduced to me by another person. I have sensory issues, and my brother does too, though mine are a bit different naturally. Things that are hard for most people were easy for me, and vice-versa. I'm so good at masking because I was expected to act like everybody else since the beginning. I put everything together finally, but I'm not believed by my family, except my dad who has suspected this in me for a while but hasn't said anything. I know some cons come with an official diagnosis, but I want to get one so that my family will believe me and take my struggles seriously. I hope this is all coherent, because expressing my thoughts in words has never been easy. I just wanted to share my story. I just want to be heard and understood and believed.

[@GladysAmelia]

I'm 63 years old, and never thought I was anything but an extreme introvert. Your video has brought back memories that might be explained more easily now. Thank you.

[@catbirdler]

@Detective Halverson May I step in? I'm also 63, just watched this and resonate with 11 out of the 17 points. I can give you a ton of examples. 1. I'm highly sensitive and need a lot of down time alone to recharge after being with people. I'm very sensory and am drawn to certain textures, lights and anything sparkly. 2. Socially, I prefer to be alone though I do enjoy the company of people. Even though I do want to be social at times, I feel slightly trapped and anxious in the company of others, cannot start a conversation and do not know how to make "small talk". I cannot fake a conversation. I once tried analyzing a casual conversation a bunch of nicely-dressed women were having so I could figure out how to join in but just couldn't relate to the things they seemed to come by so naturally, like talk about lipsticks and shopping. I appreciate and like to be invited to parties, but once there I am overwhelmed with all the people talking around me and am not sure who to gravitate to and feel very out of place, so I end up by myself for the most part wandering around aimlessly with a plate of food or a glass of wine, watching everyone else have a good time. 3. I don't like phone conversations as having to speak to a disembodied voice, where I can't see a face, makes me uneasy. I've lost several friendships over the years just because people were hurt that I never called and they got sick of always calling me. 4. As a child, I had NO friends. Zero!! Kids bullied me and I was excluded from most group activities and playdates. I didn't fit in anywhere and used to cry myself to sleep out of loneliness in elementary school, but the truth is, I was more comfortable being alone and in nature than I was with people. I could better anticipate and understand the behaviours of small creatures and birds than I could with people. 5. I tend to get "lost in the details", whether it's in a story I'm telling, or a movie I'm watching, or a work of art I'm creating. I used to love to do photo retouching in the days before photoshop as I could pick away at photos for hours with a tiny brush and get paid for it. When I was very young, maybe 6 or 7, I used to enjoy picking out the tiny pebbles from the asphalt in the road by my house on hot days, and study them, enjoying the different colours and textures and types... bits of granite, quartz etc. Never played with dolls. 7. I have been easily manipulated in relationships. Recently, I went through a breakup with a narcissist after being together six years. (I didn't realize he was a narcissist at the time... I didn't really understand it till after we broke up.) He was seeing someone else on the side and eventually dumped me for her (she is his 6th long-term relationship). All throughout the cheating, he was lying to me and I believed everything he told me. I thought he was my soulmate and bought every story. It never occurred to me that when he said he was staying late in the office he was actually at her place - until I caught him there, totally by accident. I couldn't understand how he could betray my trust in him. Even now, our mutual friends are incredulous as they saw him for what he was all along while I was just not "getting it" and just laugh when I naively ask why shouldn't I have believed him. 8. I'm very disorganized and have stuff lying around all over the place - because to me, out of sight is out of mind and I'm afraid that if I put everything away, I'll forget what I have to do next. Even though I love seeing orderly spaces. 9. I analyze and ruminate ad nauseum and have a hard time letting go of certain things, both physically and figuratively. One of my kids recently suggested that I get tested for ADHD but perhaps this is a better description for these particular traits. I hope these examples help you. This has certainly been a revelation for me.

[@ihatedoingdishes]

"you have difficulty...organizing daily tasks." nods in agreement with my clothes and shoes on all sides of the room, with my laundry basket full of clothes to be supposedly washed the next day but ending up pending. haha

[@momoso143]

Same :/

[@nelleke2639]

Me too 😬

[@dragonsaregreat1948]

I organize well and then follow it well for like a week and it ends up falling apart

[@reyne8424]

I have been living as a minimalist for years to make it all a bit easier. Now I have difficulties simply buying replacements when something wears out XD I need it, but I just don't get it. I once had only 1 pair of winter socks for months, until I finally sat down and ordered some. (I wore thinner socks and almost froze my feet of)

[@NL2500]

Hadn't even come to the idea that 'that' was something that fell under this category...

[@ReyOfLight]

This list… Story of my life! Been suspecting for some 10 years that I may be on the spectrum. Last week I finally got around to taking a self test online aaaaaaaaaand scored rather high on both tests I took, and based on that and the more I think about my past and my present, the more I can see that yes, I’m autistic as all heck! I’ve also been too good at masking through my whole life, so no one (including myself) caught onto it until now, I turn 37 later this year. I also have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and it’s very common to be autistic if having EDS. It feels like I finally have some answers as to why I’ve had issues with bouts of light and sound sensitivity even before I was physically disabled from my EDS, why I always had a love-hate relationship with crowded places such as malls, restaurants and cafés and always hated the sound of a crowd talking, why I’ve always hated sounds I didn’t choose to have around me at the time (like noise from outside, music from neighbors and such), why I’ve always hated bright light and was annoyed with getting the sun in my eyes in the car as a child, and to this day prefer to be in a dimly lit room. How I just walked out of a class in 8th grade, calling the whole class idiots and telling the teacher I didn’t give a fuck about the grades in that class because I wasn’t coming back (also never went back). How I was always the silent, shy and withdrawn one in class who usually knew the answers but rarely or never raised her hand because too awkward, birthday at school being the worst day of the year with being dragged to sit in front of the whole class and have them sing for you (when I turned 12 I asked my teachers to not celebrate me at school because I was just too uncomfortable with it all) and to this day I hate people singing for me on my birthday. School was a struggle, not because of me being stupid (my IQ is actually slightly above average) but because of the school environment not allowing me to focus, and I was also prone to lose interest in things and then my brain went nope. Other subjects I’d just breeze through without much effort from my end, and I’d often do very well in written tests but refuse to speak in front of the class or read out loud. (I’m Swedish, and English was one of those subjects I just sailed through and did very well in, even though my teachers hardly ever heard me speak a word of English at school, they’d all faint today as I’m damn near fluent with very little accent) Always having had issues with textures and flavors (few years ago I’d seriously gag from trying to eat home made mashed potatoes, and potatoes in general are a hit or miss for me) I can taste any flavor that shouldn’t be there, and if I ever drink anything with alcohol in it even if it’s just 2.25% it can taste like pure alcohol to me if I’m very sensitive at the time (yet I can tolerate alcohol and have never been drunk when I did try, I just really can’t stand the taste of it). I really can’t mix warm and cold food (except for at breakfast) so if I have a salad side, I have to eat my salad before or after I have my warm food, I can’t take a bite of salad while having the warm meal (but I’m totally fine with having lettuce and such in a hamburger or even on top of a pizza) I had friends growing up, but many of the friendships were pretty shallow from just happening to be the same age and having our parents work together or something like that. Closer friends existed but they often had to force me to hang out, I was prone to preferring to just sit at home and read a book, watch tv or play on my GameBoy. Today I have little or no contact with childhood friends and former classmates, I was always an alien at school anyways and never really fitted in even though I tried. I’ve always hated phones and have for many years now struggled with panic when the phone rings. I’ve always struggled big time with making phone calls unless calling someone I know and care about (such as my parents) and I never take calls unless it’s my parents calling me or I’m expecting a call from my doctor or something. I can however chat in voice with online friends on Discord just fine. Just last night I had a complete sensory overload meltdown while doing dailies in my favorite game (that I’m apparently also pretty good at, some call me one of the top players) because some random person had popped a party amplifier (looks like a disco ball with lights coming out of it) inside a building I was standing outside of while waiting for an in game event to start. I was fighting tears while doing what I needed to do in the event area and then just quickly forced myself to finish my dailies and logged off and spent the rest of the evening trying to calm down under a weighted blanket. I’ve always felt completely mentally drained after spending time in crowded areas, or even just a pretty relaxing cafe if a baby or toddler starts crying. It can just ruin my whole day because I get so exhausted I just need to go home and rest. Needless to say, it’s always my worst nightmare to have babies or toddlers on a flight, or anywhere near me on a train (and the latter always happens because I’m a wheelchair user and they put the accessible seats at the same place as the family area…) Just so many pieces coming together now in the past week. It’s likely I’ll try to pursue a formal diagnose but I know it won’t be easy and that I may need to turn to private options for it. But I do believe it will be worth it. My life makes more sense now. Masking is exhausting

[@simplyelf]

I've now watched a couple of your videos and I relate on so much of what you've said and are seeing similar traits in my kids. I literally teared up listening . Thank you for putting this out there .

[@camillegenois8239]

How is it possible that other people don't feel like this..? How do they experience life then?

[@ash.mystic]

That’s what I want to know! I’m constantly observing other people so I would have thought that I‘d pick up on it.

[@taoist32]

Camille Genois I still want to know for myself if I am Autistic. I have most of these in my experience, but I always thought I was just introverted. But, I have a lot of these traits, even the sensitivity to light.

[@gabemerritt3139]

I have well over half, don't think of myself as autistic, I just grasp logic way more easily than anything social

[@marleigh5606]

Tbh most people I talk to deal with these, but then again the environment created by my school district kinda forces these anxieties and things like it onto most of the students at my high school.

[@sabserab]

Maybe a different numbed and dumbed down version like us where they constantly can save energy for then even craving others cause they are so bored in life. Imagine that. Lol Once I was in a waiting room and everyobody read a magazine. The one that accompanied me asked which one to get me. I said none. She was confused. She said but it's boring doing nothing. And I told her why the need for a magazine, don't people have thoughts? Lol she was so offended! I so didn't mean to, and also I said it much too loud! But yeah I still want to know the answer, this was a legit question.

[@paragoncumulus6636]

I had put all of those things down to me being an INFP. But this does indeed "blow my little mind".

[@ArtistLane]

I too embrace the infp label ... I wonder a lot if that’s the best explanation or maybe there’s overlap. Being neurodivergent could be more typical of certain MB types perhaps?..

[@3DSiscool]

Lisa Wells Hello fellow INFPs😎 Hope y’all are doing well.

[@PegR38]

I was watching this for myself, but the more she listed symptoms the more I thought about my INFP sister.

[@micks336]

I put it down to being an infj 🤣

[@TrippingOverParadise]

ChelleBelle me too!

[@ellinorcajsenmaria]

Thank you for your amazing content. I watched your KZbin channel during 2019-2020 and found it incredibly helpful (and fun!), in 2021 I was diagnosed autistic at the age of 37. I am sure you have helped many others as well.

[@mycreations318]

I find your videos and information very informative, down to earth and heartfelt. It really brings to life what being autistic truly feels like and they were not alone. I know getting formally diagnosed at this point in my life wouldn’t help me but I am truly grateful for you being strong enough to stand up and speak about it. You’ve made me feel less alone and I truly appreciate that❤

[@laurelh1975]

The bit about people calling me shy, rude or quirky, geeezzz all of those! The amount of times people have told me they thought I was a b*tch when they first met me, or "creepy and emotionless".. oof :') thank you for this video!

[@clairewolf6013]

People thought I was arrogant. For posing questions in lectures towards the professor. I just desperately wanted to know.

[@sims2lovealot]

Ya same. A lot of people say that they realised I wasn't a bitch after they got to know me, lol.

[@max_punch]

Some girls on my old school said they tought i was a psychopath, still dunno why really lmao

[@cla_rence]

I still remember the first time a friend told me he thought I was a highly confident, emotionless, dominant kind of person when he first met me. I was genuinely shocked because I had never even imagined people could perceive me like that, it was so weird

[@ameng5]

Not even joking I just recently tried to explain to my friend that I didn't think being "shy" was even a personality trait. It's more like a layer hiding your true personality underneath it. You're "shy" or maybe quiet for a while bc you don't know how to talk or interact with them and then you're fine. Is that not how being shy works? I hate when people try to use it to define me.

[@delilahhart4398]

I wasn't diagnosed with autism until I was 44 years old. When I was a kid growing up in the 80s, autism diagnoses were mainly given to nonverbal kids who often had intellectual disabilities. However, I was recognized by others and myself as being different, even though my situation didn't have a name then.

[@strehlow]

That was my experience too. "Autism" was what the teens in the Special Ed room drooling and snotting all over their desks (which they were often strapped into) had. I would never have dreamed that label would fit my experience. But, here we are. I rather like how my mind works. At least the parts that aren't getting in the way of my marriage, or paying bills on time, or whatever other adult responsibility I have to keep track of.

[@micks336]

Or The comment back then he is nothing like The Rainman.

[@SecularPaganMum]

Similar.. I was always the quiet wallflower that would rather read than talk at lunch, dressed goth in high school, thought I was a were beast of some kind at 14, had a few flip outs that I didnt understand why.... always over emotional and 0 to oh-my-God-how-do-I-go-on whenever something isnt going smoothly or I messed up and think imma loose everything because of it...... so yeah, I'm a sad mess BUT I seem to hide it very well.... till my dad died... such a long story, sorry so long and rambling, but I think I needed to see this vid...

[@lau.tizzir]

Have you obtained any kind of personal gratification when getting this diagnosis as an adult? Did your life change for the better in any way? I'm asking this because I suspect that I can be autistic and although a part of me wants answers there is also another part that questions whether it is worth going through everything that requires an official diagnosis, especially when you are already an adult.

[@delilahhart4398]

@@lau.tizzir I'm glad that I sought and got the diagnosis, because it explained a lot with regard to my experiences and issues. It was also reassuring to know that I wasn't unintelligent, because I had questioned my intelligence and competence for nearly my entire life. Thanks largely to the diagnosis, I'm now much more self-confident.

[@chestnes1]

You helped me let go of everything I've been fighting against my intire life. Thank you so much for opening up to understanding myself on a whole new level, I don't have to fight anymore ❤️❤️

[@nikitajanei102]

I am the autistic parent of an autistic daughter. Never a dull moment in my house :) I have 3 children in total. I never have thought of myself as a ''natural'' mother, whatever that means I guess, hugging especially doesn't really come automatically to me. Although I have been able to correctly identify and give hugs when and where appropriate when the kids were growing up, for example when one of them fell over and hurt themselves etc. My kiddos (30, 20, and 17)all seem to think that they had a great childhood and they wouldn't of wanted me to be any different so I must of done something right along the way haha

[@hartoonian0402]

"...childhood friends..." Bold of you to assume!

[@waluigi-time]

lol my mom often called me an absent-minded professor when I was like 10, and people didn't get why I was obsessed with fictional characters so deeply that these characters were like a part of my life more than most people.

[@Kelle0284]

I can relate. I always created imaginary people.

[@elanaweinberg6251]

I’m so grateful I found ur page!! Thank you so much. Reminding you that most ppl won’t stop to comment thanks. You are helping so many more ppl than you know. It’s amazing. Ur amazing !! Please keep sharing ♥️

[@homoerotic85]

This was an amazing spot on video!! I just recently found out at age 36 that I'm on the very end of the Autism spectrum. I wish I would have seen this video first because this video is like hours worth of research! The first few months of realizing I have autism was honestly really hard I was over analyzing everything I did. It actually set me back and made me feel worse about myself and the things that are hard for me to do I would just say to myself- well I'm autistic so I just can't do it. Once I realized I was going backwards I had to stop that way if thinking. I realized that I need to use the info as a tool to better myself not the opposite!

[@TarkMcCoy]

Me: "But I'm an HSP." Her: "You may have been called an HSP..." Mind Blown... ...and then the similarities roll on...

[@EmpressKadesh]

I've actually wondered if I am autistic because people tell me I'm too blunt and insensitive but I feel like I'm just being realistic. I have also been told though by people that I said things that totally influenced and changed their life like I had some insight no one else recognized. I think autism is a gift. I have siblings that are autistic so I might be too. I grew up in foster care and always moved around so no one was ever around me long enough to really know me well enough to diagnose me.

[@georgia2303]

I’ve been told all these things too! I literally just tell the truth and be realistic and people are somehow mind blown

[@aliquidcow]

I have mixed experiences with this. Sometimes I say something that seems obvious to me, and I'm almost reluctant to say in case I'm just pointing out something everyone already knows, only to discover that it *wasn't* obvious to everyone else. Other times I point something out that I think other people have missed or aren't acknowledging, only to get the sense from their response that, yes, I'm saying something that everyone already knew and took as read.

[@vanissaberg5824]

I've been called "the quiet observer" because I usually sit in the background listening and thinking by myself and I'm able to point out my observations and find hidden solutions to problems and it often amazes people lol. I also love reading encyclopedias because I want to understand the world better, which to most people probably seems kinda weird and nerdy that I can blurt out all kinds of different facts about the topics I've read and studied. Yeah you can call it a super power I guess. 😂😂🤓

[@beckyh8041]

I relate to this video so much. I’ve always been told I was different or weird; my painful shyness, to the way I can’t answer a question immediately, severe anxiety&depression, sleep struggles, I’m highly sensitive and I have virtually zero social skills to this day. I haven’t had an official diagnosis, but a video showed up a few days ago and as I watched I thought to myself “I knew it” I’d been thinking it for some time, but I didn’t research at all, but it came to me in the random video suggestion. Now I’ve taken a few assessments and it just makes sense. I’m not sure how to feel about it or where to go from here.

[@nickieblandford9057]

I’m absorbing so much of this at the moment as I’m realising at the go of 47 that autism is explaining my whole entire life. It’s most definitely blowing my little mind but in a strangely exciting way. Nerve wracking too. Thanks for helping me

[@hishouha]

I’ve had my suspicions for a while now but recently it’s even stronger I finally talked a little about it with my therapist, took me a while because I’m always scared to assume something that isn’t true. Maybe I am not? And I don’t want to self diagnose… Honestly, my brother could be too, it would make so much sense really. I’m just scared of overthinking and assuming a title that might not be me and « insulting » autistic people in the process. Although I don’t know how it’d be an insult, but that my brain telling me that..

[@meganm4877]

Hi! I'm not going to be able to phrase this very well, but: in my recent ADHD/autism learning binge, I have come across multiple instances of people saying things like "wondering if you're faking/wrong about thinking you are neurodivergent is not something neurotypical ppl do" or "not wanting to take up space that isn't meant for you shows a level of consideration for ppl in the group that outsiders usually don't have". I feel that slight, lingering uncertainty despite overwhelming evidence is probably a good indicator : ) (...Like me, thinking I was just a really good ally to the LGBTQ community, then loving the undercut hairstyle but being afraid that getting it would be appropriation. Turns out I'm queer ; ) Anyway, you deserve to explore and figure things out. I doubt any autistic person would take offense at you thinking you are and then discovering you aren't. The actual problem is when ppl dismiss neurodivergence by saying things like "oh, we're all a little OCD/ADHD". And I'm not getting that vibe from you at all : )

[@willowthewarriorwolf7153]

I feel the same way! I think it's called imposter syndrome (heard this from a comment on another vid similar to this), where you think you're faking it or something. The chances are you're not. I think you should get it checked out. That's just coming from me though. And taking into account that you commented this a year ago, you've probably already made your decision.

[@desertrose3511]

@@meganm4877 queer is a slur

[@Sunny00002]

Same. In my childhood i always felt different from others and i have been thinking i may be neurotivergent. And my brother, who people often say is similar to me, i seen he has some autistic traits and if end up having autism i think he may be autistic too

[@MatthewAndThings]

I feel the same way

[@StudioHannah]

I thought this was all just being an anxious artistic introvert. Hah, a lot of these feel sooooo familiar, but how would I tell the difference?

[@Denis461997]

Well, I'm just an introvert, one who learned extraversion with time... I identify a lot but I'm just an introverted polymath

[@deborahducret-shiley6309]

ME TOO!!!

[@mothic-kk8lj]

its so comforting to hear that beginning thank you

[@bobnolin9155]

This list was unique and some items just jumped out at me. Only a couple weren't "me." Thanks for this. Here is a summary: You may be on the Spectrum if: 1 -sensitive to all sorts of noise and lights 2- you notice or are bothered by things others don’t notice 3- you may have considered yourself a “highly sensitive person” at some point in your life 4 - you have many enthusiasms (special interests); you may have once considered yourself a multi-potentialite (having more than one strong skill) 5 - You find daily tasks that others find easy (like phone calls) difficult 6 - You’ve always felt like an outsider, but don’t know why 7 - Lost friends without knowing why 8 - You need time to recharge after socializing 9 - Occasional uncharacteristic meltdowns 10 - You ruminate after interactions with people 11 - Face or voice don’t jive with meaning intended 12 - Difficulty running your life (adulting) 13 - Growing up, you identified with counter-culture or alternative beliefs 14 - People see you as quirky, weird, or rude, and you don’t see yourself that way 15 - You don’t feel constrained by societal norms regarding sexuality or gender 16 - “Bad habits” like fidgeting and picking 17 - You aren’t good at detecting liars 18 - You find yourself in this list and are surprised to know that life isn’t like this for most people

[@bryonycoates3]

Yes to most of these. I find it so hard getting my life together, I get so tired out by social interactions and daily tasks. I've had several burnouts where I just couldn't function until I recharged

[@Denis461997]

That's apparently introversion, most of these are not exclusive to just autistic people.

[@ilovemycats9150]

No one: My big brother everytime I do something: what are you, autistic??? Me: . . . w e l l

[@Average_Dominos_Employee]

That's mean :(

[@cornybram845]

I hope I can get diagnosed so I can respond to things like that with “yes, actually.” And make the whole situation feel more awkward

[@ashleypray4612]

ASD pretty much my hole life :)

[@thekiwibeast2418]

@@cornybram845 I do that often bc I'm very clumsy

[@pixie_19]

I can relate to each and every item on the list. I’ve always known I was different, I’ve always wondered what made me SO very different from everyone, and I’ve always felt broken. In the last few years I’ve been researching ADHD and Autism and I’ve realized that I’m not broken, I just work differently than other people. I will be meeting with a psychiatrist in August about ADHD but I’m also bringing up Autism. I feel like I need a diagnosis so I can show people who treated me horribly, WHY I’m so different.

[@rebeccamay6420]

There's always been something different about me, about how my mind works. I'm now recognizing what it is. It's not "something wrong with me," but a "different kind of something right with me." Having "this piece of paper says so" is often the smack in the face that some people need. Otherwise they'd think we're exaggerating, hypochondriacs, flat out lying to them, any way they can dismiss the thought about there being a reason we've felt out of place all our lives. "Because This Piece of Paper Says So."

[@goatsandroses4258]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to do these. I know some of these are several years old, but they are still valuable.

[@wilbur7884]

me, a depressed, anxious, overly sensitive witch, who used to literally hiss and bark at people: is the universe trying to tell me something 🤔

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

Barking at people is fun. They stop staring at me and move away quickly.

[@wilbur7884]

@@crazybrit-nasafan frfr, very effective at getting people to go away. surprisingly, I wasnt bullied for it lol

[@alsy6813]

My classmates literally called me "Witch" in elementary school, because I was that weird kid that always reacted unpredictably and strangely and didn't feel pain that much, but had little understanding of what I shouldn't do. I guess, I was too weird to be bullied (plus my class was pretty good, we just had a few groups that didn't interact with each other... I wasnt in any of them xd), so they all just learnt to leave me alone to books and notes, until I had an idea I needed people for. Like, a religion I made up and wanted people to be part of, they ended up following it for two months. Or when I brought some shine colorful glass crystals in school and made them new money for a week or two, lol. I always thought I was just a weird kid, but all my strangeness makes so much sense with the diagnosis

[@rojin866]

I still bark and hiss at people My little brother started doing it too Im not a good role model.

[@Kelle0284]

I meow at people.

[@mothhaddock1801]

My mom recently told me that when I was younger some doctors told her that I might be slightly autistic and that she didn't want a diagnosis because I "wouldn't need it". Now I feel like I'm finally realizing why I am how I am and coming to terms with myself...

[@sonyafirefly3879]

I've been slowly realizing it myself and recently told my parents. They both said, "Yeah, you probably are". I really wish that they would have told me. I went through life thinking that I had an awful temper (because of my meltdowns), feeling crazy, and trying to repress everything that kept me sane.

[@rewildingkayla]

Yes to every single one. I’ve only started diving down into this in the past week after a random sequence of events. Thank you for the work you do.

[@vanissaberg5824]

I've been labeled as autistic by my family and relatives quite often because of all my odd quirks and struggles which never made me feel any better because of the negative light people with autism are often viewed under by society like I'm retarded somehow. I've always had a weird sense of not fitting in (alien sindrome) with other people and being extremely quiet and shy as well as basically everything mentioned in this video. Whether I am autistic or not I won't know for sure unless I get a proper diagnosis, so I refrain from calling myself autistic. My psychiatrist commented that my quiet nature is just my personality and that there's nothing wrong with it. It's just who I am and I'm trying to be at peace with that fact.

[@thatonegingerchick4666]

I’m just going to continue thinking of myself as a changeling since I don’t have the time to unpack all of this

[@pattie2day]

I'm 66 years old and have pretty much concluded that I've been autistic all these years! The list given in this video was so helpful.

[@mizotter]

SAME--at 57--after a teaching career in which I specialized in working w/ students w/ Autism!

[@linden_e]

This is 100% me... A new friend who is has a masters (I think) in psych/is a teacher/has an autistic niece very sensitively helped me see that I was likely autistic two days ago. Now it's my special interest of course and I've been non-stop researching. I called my brother and sister in law last night and they shared that they had been on this journey with my sister in law last year and she identifies as autistic too! She validated me so much and said she absolutely agreed that I was. Her entire friend group (post childhood) is also autistic, so she is VERY familiar with the traits... This is nuts! I feel like it's the missing puzzle piece of my whole life experience!

[@matthollywood8060]

Just want to say, my new special interest is watching videos of fellow autistic people explaining their experiences. Keep it up. Thank you!

[@t-98]

“You are surprised to know that you identify with all these traits and that’s just not how everyone feels” oof

[@jennytaylor3324]

I always smell everything: new paper, new clothes, new anything/anything, and smells really affect me! My bro is the same, too, and we thought we were normal until others reacted with confusion. I have often thought privately that almost all of us are somewhere 'on the spectrum'.

[@halisternator]

omg. SAME? its not just smell, i’ll also touch everything? like paper, specifically like, old ruined paper? it gives me so much joy and no one gets it. IDK IF THIS IS WHAT YOU’RE SAYING! BUT I RELATE TO THIS. i am not medically diagnosed though :p so take everything i say lightly

[@emiwarble]

Is this an autism thing?? I only really smell foods before deciding if I should eat it or not (the answer is usually "no" because I'm awful with food) but if I'm in a shop with glass figures, I HAVE to touch them. Multiple of them. Especially if the glass is smooth????? Heaven.

[@roseystudio10]

Wait, that's NOT a normal thing?! Fam, I always notice! Welp, I do suspect myself of having autism.

[@chamallow989]

I keep perfumes I was gifted in primary school ( I’m 18 now ) and when I smell them it can literally make me go completely crazy. But for some reason I thought it was kind of normal.

[@Arkylie]

I sniff dishes to make sure they're clean, sniff food to see if I detect anything off before I use it, sniff clothes to figure out if they're okay to reuse or should be washed... thought it was odd when other people found that behavior odd, but I didn't think it might be an aspect of Autism. Huh.

[@dreaabercrombie2457]

Thank you again for the personal life experience and helping me understand what I have been doing so "wrong" I genuinely appreciate the fact that you don't sugar coat but you just say it how it is!

[@Alice_Walker]

Just want to say thanks for all your fantastic videos. At 43 it's recently come to my attention that I am almost certainly on the spectrum and I really appreciate the thoughtful and positive way you talk about it. I don't think I will pursue formal diagnosis as it would put me at risk losing the security clearance I need for my job which I love but just being able to identify to myself the characteristics is extremely helpful. So thanks for all your hard work putting your videos together 💜

[@leonolan5409]

until recently I always thought I was nerotypical and that everyone did the same stuff as me, but now I'm looking back on my childhood and remembering certain things like: refusing to sleep on sheets that weren't a certain fabric, begging my parents to let me not talk on the phone because I couldn't understand the social cues, obsessing over certain subjects, my inability to understand peoples emotions (I've always had a really hard time with sarcasm), I always pick at my nails and cuticles and bite the inside of my mouth, and having sensitivity to noise... sorry for the long paragraph, this is something that's been on my mind for a while and this video spoke to me

[@Just_A_Random_Weird0]

I relate to everything you just described, you're not alone :) ! (i have Asperger's syndrome, now called high functioning autism or mild autism)

[@inka5915]

Same, I remember my dad always giving me lectures on how to talk on the phone to people, literally plugging my ears in the cafeteria, turning to psychology and neuroscience to try and fit in, etc. It's been a wild ride of a life

[@kaylaschroeder1]

Don't apologize! You're sharing your experience. You added value to the thread. Nothing to be sorry for here. 🤗

[@melissaflores1497]

Oh, the telephone. It was terrifying!

[@babyface3396]

oh jeez. I hate the phone. It gives me so much anxiety when I have to make phone calls. I always feel like there's a script I should know but don't have. Like the person on the other line will say something and then pause, and my mind is like "oh shit, they want me to say something now. That's my queue and I'm blowing it. What are they asking? What is the answer to the question they refuse to say out loud?" and then it will be awkward until they realize that they have to explicitly ask me for something if they want me to give it to them. I feel so embarrassed bc I feel like they must think I'm stupid or something, and it must feel like pulling teeth to get any information out of me. ugh. why cant we do everything via email or schedule things through a website, please.

[@dill2169]

Do you really mean to tell me that these aren't things everyone experiences??? Like, that's not just how people are??? I legit kinda have a hard time believing that, cause everything on your list I easily relate to

[@__________________________7596]

Paytton I agree with you

[@felicityh6310]

I agree with you fully, I thought everyone feels this way.

[@kirbypopstar5807]

Paytton introverts also experience a lot of these things. Idk about the lack of social skills though

[@noemita494]

Do most people get easily manipulated, speak in a monotone voice or have difficulty with things like making phone calls?

[@brendomiryr]

This is why it is never a good thing to try and self-diagnose. I’m sure if you look at the various symptoms of many other disorders, illness, and diseases you’ll get the same, “Oh hey, I experience these things every once in a while too!” But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have said condition. I once thought I had diabetes because I had a dry mouth, urinated frequently, and could never quench my thirst. Turns out I didn’t. I do, however, have Autism and relate to this video entirely. It’s a condition that, for many, is invisible and hard to pick up on because we are constantly masking and adapting ourselves to blend in with everyone else. Some with Autism cannot mask in public and so the condition becomes incredibly debilitating.

[@CB19087]

I had an ADhD diagnosis 12years ago but have controlled it with routines. I'm just realising now that all my life i have assumed what others are thinking or intending. I actually have no clue. I've been pretending and copying people because i thought everyone did that. I feel a great sense of relief that i don't have to pretend anymore. But am also in a really good place to relax into understanding and experiencing my own point of view. Adhd and autism definitely presents differently to autism alone. I really resonate with your experiences. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos 🙏

[@adammendenhall7384]

I was diagnosed ADHD or whatever it's called, but I never thought that that was quite right now I'm a 49 year-old man looking at this video looking back and thinking wow

[@sigridvanosch1990]

Yeah, I got diagnosed with ADD too, but I thinks autism fits on so many levels 4 me. It's crazy! Also, multipotentialite... and I'm 31, still stuck.

[@val-pb9vk]

me: *thinking i might be autistic bc i relate* me: *realizes i was like that bc i was a closeted lesbian*

[@EchoHeo]

i mean, theyre not mutually exclusive

[@theeveningcallsforfairies5246]

I related to a lot of these but because of my gad, my social anxiety, and the fact that I’m nonbinary, but I was surprised to find some of my traits on this list 😅

[@liz257]

When youre both

[@drzeworyj]

the two are actually *very* correlated. it's a neurodiverse neurology, not a bunch of psychological symptoms. the key is, were you or *are* you like that? and were you like that in childhood?

[@drzeworyj]

@@theeveningcallsforfairies5246 oh hello, I was GAD too, until it no longer answered my questions 😂 if you have a specific cognitive/detail-oriented profile, strong logical skills, a possible 'special power' or a learning disability, and felt different ever since childhood, then you are very likely autistic. greetings from a nonbinary autie :)

[@jesters.workshop]

Multipotentialites I’ve never found a word more perfect to describe how vast my interests are and how quickly I’m able to delve into them Thank you

[@adamjkerby]

Thank you so much for this! I started looking into autism when a friend mentioned a common link between synaesthesia and autism. Every question was a strong yes, so this is clearly something to look into. A lot more of my life makes sense through this lense. Also thank you for defining it through experience rather than as a disorder.