How I Learned To ACCEPT My Autism

Hi indie people, how did I learn to accept my autism diagnosis? Well in this video where I share some of my experiences which led me to ultimately learn to accept myself and accept my autism diagnosis. As I have been getting a few comments from viewers about how they are struggling to accept their autism diagnosis
But I hope that by talking about how I learned to accept my autistic self will help you in accepting your autism diagnosis.
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ABOUT ME
Videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve their understanding of autism.
Hello indie people, I'm Andy and I have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I make videos on autism from the perspective of an autistic adult. Sharing my autism experiences to help other autistic people and autism families to improve their understanding of autism.
This channel is focused on raising autism awareness & acceptance of autism. To try and change attitudes towards autism, to educate people about autism for those who are new to the autism world.
*New Videos Weekly: Tuesdays*
So if you are on the spectrum, know someone with autism, or are working professionally in the autism field and want to learn more about autistic people then consider subscribing and turning on the notification bell to see all future videos.
Useful links:
💡 NAS: www.autism.org.uk
💡 Autism Directory: www.theautismd...
💡 Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (US/Australia): autisticadvoca...
💡 Young Minds: www.youngminds...
💡 Samaritans: www.samaritans...
#autism #indieandy #autistic

[@rev.jesseabelchristianlife6693]

For me my diagnosis was liberating and it vindicated me from 42 years of being shunned, abused and rejected. There was an actual reason for why I had to face all the negative stuff.

[@75maxdv35]

it took me 14 years to understand what autism actually was and realising why i felt so different from classmates my entire life and im so glad i found out at a young age. i always used to underestimate myself and now ive learnt to appereciate myself

[@MasochistMouse]

Yeah... Before my diagnosis I felt inferior, but my mother was an ablist & prevented a diagnosis when i was younger- so knowing i was different, but not knowing why & having to mask a lot of myself was hard...some things i just couldn't mask though. After my diagnosis at 25- I learned i wasn't alone, and was able to accept myself better.

[@Pompazour]

I’m not diagnosed yet, but I have lots and lots of autistic traits that control my everyday life and impact others and I’ve found it so hard over the years to accept my limitations. I often try to force myself through things I know I can’t handle in the hopes that I won’t hurt anyone or let anybody down. It’s very draining for me. Piecing together that I’m probably autistic has been so helpful and it’s all thanks to people like you that I’m starting to understand myself and give myself the things I need in order to function to my fullest potential and forgive myself. It’s even saved my relationship and I’m so grateful. I’ll be starting the process of trying to get a diagnosis soon, just difficult because I’m uninsured. But thank you so much for the videos, gives people like me a lot of hope

[@IndieAndy]

Aww thank you but hopefully that things get better for you over time as I can say that they do 🙂

[@shimoon8896]

I feel generally very positive about my autism, but I've also had a very different experience. I didn't know I was autistic until this year, so up until now I've always known I felt different and struggled with certain things but just didn't know why, and that was exhausting. Knowing that I'm autistic has just been a huge relief.

[@IndieAndy]

Awww yeah that's great to hear! Of course challenges will come and go. But if you have the right mindset then I feel those challenges become easier to deal with.

[@howsitgoing3465]

Ditto! got diagnosed last year at 52yrs old.....Feel my lifes been completely wasted. No relief for me ,im afraid to say... All the best to you..👍

[@thewasp9476]

I found being autistic hard and still do have trouble excepting it

[@IndieAndy]

Think it is just a process really but I hope that things do get better for you and hope you are well!

[@TDDrum]

Hello Andy, thanks for posting content like this. Accepting myself and my recent diagnosis is no doubt an uphill battle for me; but, hearing your story really helps.

[@UnapologeticFranchfries]

I love when youtubers share their personal experiences experiences, it trips me out in a good way when I see how others experiences were so different from mine. Like how you didn’t made friends outside of school! For me was the opposite, it was easier to make friends in my neighborhood than in school because of school politics and how kids were so ruff and the bullying made me feel alienated many times & I would go in my own world many times to escape what I just couldn’t comprehend. But in my neighborhood was different, I could be myself and the kids liked me for being unique and different and they didn’t it in mind any of my eccentricity!😅 But it’s really sad how in most of the worlds its still considered a bad thing to have, & that’s why I’m trying to break that outdated stigma and teach everyone about Neurodiversity! 🙌

[@MadHatch1971]

I found out I was autistic recently - but when I was looking through my medical notes for evidence for the diagnosis I found out that my parents had been told to get me assessed when I was 6. 43 years later I finally got the diagnosis. They were embarrassed about it. I'm not.

[@Polytunnel]

You were one of the first "KZbinrs" I found and you inspired me to find the positive! I am unlike you in that I wasn't diagnosed until 40 (and that was a lucky accident!), but I relate to what you describe. I didn't try that hard to fit in as I soon realised I preferred my own company (at primary school), but my family "exposed" me to various "groups" and arranged "play dates" (while still allowing me to be independent at home - I was lucky in that respect.) Not that I learned to enjoy socialising, but various peers "put up" with me until their "teenage" minds switched on. I was still enjoying my private activities and my bed is still covered with soft friends; my shelves have various "action figures" and I'm not sure I actually "grew up" at all. (Becoming an adult is unavoidable, but "growing up" seems to be very much optional.) Still, I didn't feel anything was really "wrong" until university and jobseeking reared their ugly heads. (That is, I realised I was the "weird" one, not everyone else.) I love being autistic, but this current crisis removed some of my vital supports such as volunteering (where they seem able to accomodate me well enough) and I seem to have "regressed" to a certain extent. This channel and that of others, especially "Autistamatic", "Stephanie Bethany" and your good self, among others. (I love everybody.) There are plenty of knock backs, but I still dare to imagine a time when we might be more accepted. It takes far longer than it should, but we can't give up hope.

[@IndieAndy]

I loved reading this comment Rowena! Because I agree that yes things do take a long time to chance but I hope that the efforts myself and others are having will impact on things positively

[@JadeDRail]

Never underestimate the power of finding people that are like you. I never felt like I fit it or was understood until I found friends who are on the spectrum or have anxiety or ADHD. Strangely enough, I have ADHD but I tend to get along better with autistic people than people with ADHD.

[@IndieAndy]

Yeah I agree with this! To be honest I tend to get on with people who are on the spectrum more (not that I dislike people with ADHD at all). I do get on with many but I find it hard to keep up with the conversation really 🤣

[@JadeDRail]

@@IndieAndy You would have a lot of trouble keeping up with me then haha. I jump from thing to thing and people are like...wut.

[@scatterlienatalie9873]

Thank you 🙏 You're videos are helping me immensely, in the same way that Invisible I, Yo Samydy & Aspergers from the Inside are helpful! You are doing the thing 🖤 Thanks for being Au-some! 🤘

[@IndieAndy]

Aww thanks Natalie and I like those guys as well! Katy is a personal favourite of mine ☺️

[@CylitheraGreywolf]

I am greatly relieved after my diagnosis at 41 a few months ago. I knew something was off with me because I couldn't relate to most others and very few could relate to me. Knowing that I'm autistic helped me understand why I am the way I am and how to address my challenges, mostly revolving around sensory and people challenges. I think my autism has actually helped me become a better weightlifter and archer because I am very detail oriented when motivated as well as enhance my systematic thinking.

[@robbie_davies]

Hi Andy, thanks for this video I totally relate to your journey through school and into work. I wish I was as good at putting it into words as you though! I'm a mess when I have to talk in general! I was friendly with people at school but couldn't make the friendships deeper and I used to avoid seeing anyone outside of school and always felt on the outside of things and that carried on into being an adult and work. I didn't understand why other people talked about and did the things they did, and that feeling of being an outsider really sucks! There's lots of things I don't like about being autistic but mainly just feeling like I'm so different to other people (oh and meltdowns!). On the positive side, I love my creativity, attention to detail and that I'm always looking to learn new things. So for me it's a bit of a mixed bag. Great video Andy, thanks.

[@IndieAndy]

Aww yeah man I agree with you on feeling like an outsider. I still feel like that now especially at work. Even though I accept my autistic identity, it's still a challenge to contend with.

[@robynriana396]

I waited 16 months for referral to a psychiatrist... my appointment is next week, finally. I will find out whether I’m qualified to be diagnosed. 🙃 Kinda scared. But autism is a positive for me. As long as people care to understand me, my autism can be positive for them, too! 💙

[@Garrison_the_Barbarian]

The thing that bothers me most about my autism is how it’s comorbid with my schizophrenia and depression, both of which have gotten worse in this year alone. I know better days are ahead and I know my autism isn’t all that bad. But for the times that I have my psychological lows…it just sucks. It fucking sucks. :(

[@IndieAndy]

Hmm no I get that it is a tricky thing but think it's just about remembering that better times are ahead!

[@puremustang732]

Stay strong mate❤️

[@gonnfishy2987]

i am definitely limited by my traits and it makes me feel damaged not special. HOWEVER once i knew there were others like me and there is positive reinforcement if you know how to look for it, i’m part of an echelon i never wanted to be in. but belonging is like a blanket in a storm.

[@Vermillion_Treezzz3113]

3:02 Wow, i like what Andy says here bout his experience not havin friends outside a school, i also haven't ever really made friends outside work or college cause social gatherins are real weird for me wi my socialization issues 😅

[@Tella_as_it_is]

Andy, I got diagnosed later at 33. I'm still struggling to accept and feel like a fraud

[@IndieAndy]

Hmm think it's a difficult thing like I say but hopefully things will change for you.

[@StephanieBethany]

Great video! For me, I found that learning about it gives me a kind of power - like its not some scary unknown that makes me weird, but whats going on inside and how what I do helps and how to work with it instead of against it. Learning about autism is so valuable - and I don't mean just lists and lists of what's wrong with you 😅

[@IndieAndy]

Yeah I agree with you there! Think it's just about finding that part of yourself and running with it! Also correct me if I'm wrong but did you comment this at nearly 6 in the morning over there? I worked out the time difference like a boss 😂

[@StephanieBethany]

@@IndieAndy 😂😂 yes! My new job is overnight so I was staying up to help adjust to the change

[@aidenhorse504]

Hey Andy, this helped a lot thanks I'm coming to terms with it a little more now

[@IndieAndy]

Hi Aiden, that's great to hear! Obviously it's a process so take your time :)

[@LoFiSamSero]

Thank you Andy😁

[@melaniewantsabeer243]

I can't Believe Andy is gone.......l

[@monigiselle2140]

Why? What happened?

[@zarailly]

Thank you for making this video

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

I had my autism diagnosis finalised in 1996, I was 16 years old at the time. I didn't fully accept my autism after I started to watch and listen to Connor Ward and Dan of "The Aspie World".

[@aspiewithattitude3213]

I've of course found your Autistic KZbin creator channel shortly afterwards.

[@rev.jesseabelchristianlife6693]

My story is really hard. In the early 1980s they placed me with Downs Syndrome kids. They did not understand Autism. I had 12 years speech therapy. Today I speak very well.

[@puremustang732]

So happy to hear that mate. We will start in 2 weeks the speech therapy for my son. Wish you all the best

[@zk1801]

Thank you Andy for another great video

[@nicholasromberger6369]

I find it difficult not for myself but for my family because I dont see when I am not doing things correctly so it hurts others. Yes I have difficulties with social situations and sensitivity issues but being the best husband is what I want to do and sometimes I dont do it right and that is difficult.

[@nicholasromberger6369]

I'm not cheating or anything just the inability to understand the depth of emotion or the reoccurring negative feelings about self or something like that is where I fall short.

[@muppetjedisparklefeet2982]

I know what you mean, I struggle with being perceived as not being thoughtful because of some things i don’t pick up on that others would see right away and then people’s feelings get hurt. I feel so bad about hurting their feelings and afraid I’ll just keep doing it forever because I’ll never get better at it and I’ll end up all alone because of that. Marriage counseling has helped my husband see my missing things is not a sign I don’t care, I’m just not wired to pick up things the same, so he has to be more direct with me than he is with everyone else.

[@DavidJVMusic]

hmm, I'm not sure about the Dx(diagnosis)... I like who I am but I can't do a lot of things that others can do. I can (and do) try to do those things but it is such a trial. It starts off, "this is the job" then I am like, "ok" but this way of doing it is insufficient or is not optimal, is monotonous, is a longer way, is not fully logical... then I try to fix it/tweek it, supervisors get mad, I get told I am slow or lazy, I get reprimanded, I give up for a time, I try to fix it again and I either get reprimanded again or I get it fixed and more efficient and faster then I am burned out. I try to regulate my output to those around me, so that I am not being negative but it always seems like I'm surrounded by negativity. I have not found anything that I am not "slower than everyone, " at... thanks for the video

[@noyes9731]

Honestly i feel more uncomfortable when im being autistic than when im masking. I feel naked and unprotected when I dont mask. Id rather have an identity crisis than have everone i know and love make fun of me for being “weird and annoying”

[@loominaria721]

I feel like I'm accepting my autism more about my creativity and so smart I do algebra so good but the the aspergers comes into play and I don't like and or how that feels cuz it puts us in so much stress cuz of how we think

[@IndieAndy]

Hmm think there is always negative & positives no matter where you look really. But focusing on the positive side is harder to do so just keep on going!

[@zaeculliver6402]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@thomastanghe479]

Thanks alot for this. I had my diagnoses and I am, as a thirthy year old still struggling with self worth and acceptance. I feel ashamed about myself and the burden I bring to my family. My limitations. I also have a dyspraxia diagnosis. This one I have an even harder time with. I have alot of difficulty accepting my clumsyiness . If anyone reads this, may I humbly ask to connect.

[@Greg_Romford]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with comparing yourself with other people, what is unhelpful though is judging yourself against others…

[@evannewman8381]

How did you figure out what your strengths are? Thanks for the video.

[@Karlos-pf3kk]

I've just now been diagnosed with autism at the age of 30. And life has been very difficult for me lately. The amount of bullying I had to put up with was brutal. And it didn't help when my dad used to call me useless all of the time. Being socially akward is the hardest obstacle to get over.

[@miggyloucas7575]

I have a 4 year old ( Non vervbal, and sometimes hostile) was diagnosed with ASD 1.5 years ago.. We are still in shock.. You know when you start to plan to have a family and expect that everything will be okay like any other typical family but youre not.. Im just struggling with the fact and question : Why my kid? Why us? Im still in denial and sometimes Im really angry.. I just hole that we can prepare our little guy for his life ahead.. I sometimes feel like all of our hardwork building our son’s future will be for nothing.. im scared, Im angry, Im in denial..

[@Aranara2203]

Your hard work will never be for nothing, he will appreciate you for being there for him and trying to understand him despite his differences and difficulties, he needs your positivity and understanding. Just try your best and we'll see where it gets him. Once you accept him for who he is, you can begin looking into what you can do for him and try listening to his needs.

[@JackT21]

Hi Andy I'm autistic. Question is what does autism friendly mean

[@mrmemory3.14]

Most people are lying in this section