How Scientists Are Changing Life With Autism

The number of children diagnosed with autism has more than doubled in the last two decades. Today, one in 68 children will be diagnosed with the developmental condition.
VICE's Gianna Toboni explores the transformative work being done at the forefront of autism research, meets families trying out some of the newest treatments, and discovers a growing self-advocacy movement out of the autistic community that wants to refocus the science.
This report originally aired in August 2017 on VICE on HBO.
Subscribe to VICE News here: bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-News
Check out VICE News for more: vicenews.com
Follow VICE News here:
Facebook: / vicenews
Twitter: / vicenews
Tumblr: / vicenews
Instagram: / vicenews
More videos from the VICE network: www. vicevideo
#VICEonHBO

[@VICENews]

VICE's Gianna Toboni explores the transformative work being done at the forefront of autism research. WATCH NEXT: Why Drugs Are So Expensive - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWa7eJmkormgbqc

[@themanwnoname3454]

VICE News 2020(G) “Respect and dignity.” Furthermore:

[@bigjim2times]

Had 2 Autistic friends back in high school. One guy was on pills all day and night, he's either pissed off or sleepy most of the day. He was the best piano player in school. At the age of 15, and he can play pretty much anything out of his memory. The other guy was constantly bullied throughout his years. He was really afraid of stairs. This dude was amazing in badminton. I partnered with him with pretty much every P.E. session. We didn't do so well in most sports but he destroyed every team during badminton session. He never miss, even a single time. I didn't have to move at all. These guys are gifted with sheer will and focus, but society aren't so kind to them.

[@annenelson5656]

I’m so glad you were friends with those autistic boys. You did more good for them by simply being a friend than years of therapy or drugs. I wish my oldest son could have had a friend like you. He’s grown now and doing well. He still needs more care than his dad and I can provide so he is in an independent living situation. But his Christmas and summer vacations here at home are the highlights of his year. As parents we cannot believe what Jeffrey has taught us. I bet your two friends shaped you into a better person than you ever thought you could be. All the best to you.

[@zag288]

Gianna is the prime example of a modern-day Journalist, keep killing it

[@jessarhodes6196]

Id argue its the opposite. Modern-day journalists lie and spread fear. This chick is pretty cool.

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

I am an autistic man who is now 60 years old. Life for autistic kids today is so much better than it was for me growing up. All doctors, teachers and other professionals were telling me and my parents is that I should be put in a mental institution, forgotten and left to rot there. I was told growing up that I would never ever get a job, live on my own and survive long outside of specialized care. Today I have been living on my own since February 1980. I have a awesome career with great pay and benefits. I've been working as a successful autistic man for 20 years. I have managed my life better than most neurologically typical people have. Today I am successful and I even travel around the world speaking on autism related issues. Today I help autism professionals and allied healthcare college students better understand the autism experience. I have even been on TV twice once on a local show and the other time in a nationally televised documentary named Neurotypical: The Movie. Never sell your autistic child short. When I was young everyone felt I was hopeless even me. Hey I listened to the wrong people. Now that I am in my 60's my successful life proved all those so called autism experts WRONG! Autism can be the biggest curse you ever experienced OR Autism can be the biggest advantage in life you will ever be blessed with. Autism is like clay left alone it can hold you down. Shaped and molded to suit your needs and skills clay can lift you up. Likewise autism is a boon or a bust depending on what you do with it. My autism imprisoned me for my first 34 years but then I changed my relationship with my autism and my autism let me soar to heights of success I never dream't of.

[@___Anakin.Skywalker]

How did you develop yourself? My son is 4, I want to help him overcome his asd

[@AUTISTICLYCAN]

@@___Anakin.Skywalker First my grandparents who raised me encouraged me to try everything I could think of to do as much and learn as much for myself as possible. I learned things differently from my neurotypical peers and my parents let me learn my way. When learning and doing things my way conflicted with the typical world to the point others got uncomfortable my parents would stop me and say try something else. They would highlight the parts of how I was learning or doing things that offended typical human polite society or common sense ideals and say you can't do these things. However right after telling me what I could NOT do my parents would say now "TRY AGAIN!" There was a time as I approached mid life when I became suicidal after being told so often that I was worthless, Hell I started believing it myself. My parents used to tell me things like nothing beats a failure but an honest try. You only become a failure when you stop trying. Failures teach you how to become successful because of what you learn with each set back. My grandmothers favorite inspirational message was a poem, Excelsior Onward and Upward by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This poem one among many of my guiding inspirations in life. (It did not hurt at all that one of the most beautiful ships on STAR TREK was the NX 2000 U.S.S. EXCELSIOR. I loved that ship and always will. That silly Trans Warp Star Ship reignited my desire to try that had waned by that time and I never looked back. Eventually by the grace of God I found that my tormented past gave me a true lived story of triumph to tell in hopes to help and inspire others who could relate to my struggles with autism and disabilities. That's why I share fully here and other places. Internet tolls constantly tell me shut up and thus encourage me to continue sharing in hopes my autism \ disability related words, wisdom and experiences help others. God has shown me that true Evil only tells you to shut up when your message is effective so I hear not the venom of internet trolls and I heed them not. Your autistic son will need to learn the vital and difficult lesson of not caring about the rantings of his life's trolls for they can and will dog, vex and sow potent seeds of doubt at him for every turn he takes. I had many disabilities so trying 1,000 different ways of doing things that typical humans take for granted eventually became second nature to me. Eventually I stopped needing my grandparents telling me to try again. Eventual postmortem forensics became a routine part of evaluating my every failure. I organized my life around functional units of Typical Human World common sense and polite society operations that I called my, "Systems." One of the biggest most powerful "Systems" in my arsenal was a combined Anthropological Forensic Analysis and Adaptive Psychological Management Science" system. Being autistic I had to organize my experience of and responses to typical world human life into discrete functional areas of operation or systems so I could structure my understanding and make sense of this vast human reality. I could not possibly break down everything I did to blaze my unique autistic path to success as that would be not be a book but rather a TOME! Also my path to success was not linear, as it had many dead ends, false starts, blind alleys and failed investments of vast quantities of time, resources and discipline. In a nutshell what I did was try everything I felt could elevate my functioning to something typical humans could at very least be comfortable enough with that they would not torture me for being "Different!" Only in time did I get more aggressive wanting live on my own, wanting to go to college, wanting a real good paying career, wanting to own my home and finally wanting at least a few true friends. I tried and failed to be more typical world world friendly and failed most of the time in the beginning well into middle age. But I never stopped trying even when sane minds and caring hearts said I should because it was a waste of time. Eventually things fell into place and I was able to be a success at college and I did get that awesome career I always wanted. Owning my home came shortly after entering a good career. I'm now in my third home fixed up just the way I like. I have a few good friends which is more than I ever hoped for. My life is not perfect or without autistic struggle. I am a gay man with NO Sex Life At All because sexual relationships are still very much beyond my understanding. So I shop building relationships with things I love instead of big or fat gay men I find attractive. My life has always been one of compromises. Like my endless relationships with men neither could I figure out how to drive. I just make the best of life without things typical humans consider vital. Autistic Werewolves don't cry over spilled milk we kill the cow and enjoy the best cuts of beef to be had from the carcass! I hope this helps you and your son on your journey to autistic success beyond what I accomplished!

[@___Anakin.Skywalker]

@@AUTISTICLYCAN thanks...my son is still small, I don't know if he understands what I'm saying. Many autistics are blank and cold and doesn't listen. They live in their own world, How to break that barrier and reach them? Also my son can't speak yet... How do I teach him language? He also drools alot and bites and hit. He hurts people including me. Why does he do that? How do I stop him when he doesn't seem to listen or understand words

[@SiestaMyWaifu]

Thank You Because I Have Autism And ADHD

[@valeriaburina]

​@@___Anakin.Skywalker While your kid may look cold and blank, he probably has a lot of emotions inside, but does not understand why it should appear on his face - try understanding his emotions from reactions, things he likes and doesn't like. His biting and hitting (or things like hand flipping, running around, covering ears) may also be manageable, if you look really hard to find the patterns he's following with his behavior (and remember that nobody can tell you what they are on the internet - your child is unique, from the color of their eyes to their taste in food etc) - it is often a way to process information while feeling overflow of information for autistic people. A lot of it is sensory issues - sound, color, light, textures, physical touch, particular way of speaking. Every human is different in this way, for example, somebody may be afraid of fireworks - in similar loud way, autistic child may hear just a regular TV show or music. It may not be similar to how you or people around you see the world. Maybe he doesn't like to be hugged, for example - for a simple reason that is feels like a big pressure to the body. He may not speak, but you can teach him how to show you emotions of discomfort or comfort, with sounds, or gestures, or paper cards etc - so he can show you himself what is a problem and what is a help. It is important to be patient, so he will have a chance to open up. It may be slow, but knowing that your child is making progress so he can live with other people around is rewarding. Another things - if he bites, find something he can bite into, that is not a living thing, that he likes, like a plush toy, a rubber toy, a blanket, just a snack, etc. And about starting to speak - he may be just uncomfortable at the moment. While for you, speaking is easy, it may take a considerable amount of energy for him to try of make sounds and he may not think it necessary at the moment. You can explain it a bit later. Meanwhile, talking can be done, as I said before, in different ways like symbols, flash cards, just pointing and showing things etc, you name it. I am confident that your child want to be a part of your family and be a god kid. He also needs help to do that. Be kind, be patient and most important - remember, that he has emotions, want, needs, likes - that he is not different from you inside, he just looks different from the outside. Let him show you what is useful. A parent can only help on the journey, but cannot shape a child to their liking. Present him options, show how you can work together. I hope you both find your strength and learn how to make it work. Just like every relationship, getting to know them better is the most important part.

[@frenchjr25]

Now it's time for a wide-ranging study of adults living with Autism. Where we have all these great services now for children, us adults living with an ASD that are intelligent are left out.

[@spregged7231]

2 years later and no comments on this only crickets… Speaks volumes of peoples’ actual apathy towards us.

[@ocramoibirot1286]

@@spregged7231 you seem to understand emotions pretty well and sarcasm

[@sarahhughes1505]

​@ocramoibirot1286 yes, autism is a spectrum and therefore some autistics (such as myself) can and do understand emotions and sarcasm. Educate yourself, you clearly know nothing about autism, especially in those with lower support needs.

[@atfrench22]

I’m a proud autistic. The negatives are massive and so are the benefits. I want treatment not a cure. But nobody cares about functioning adults with autism. Our parents are expected by the government to pick up the slack.

[@drzeworyj]

how about changing/educating the society? what are the reasons people would need a cure?

[@Riddickisawesome101]

drzeworyj things that would be effectively treated with greater accommodations and acceptance. We don’t need a cure

[@kaishawna3753]

@@Riddickisawesome101 We need understanding and acceptance

[@amiahedmondson6320]

I agree, as an adult with “high functioning” autism I feel like people are meaner to me than someone who’s in the more severe end of the spectrum. The ignorance and bigotry needs to stop once and for all.

[@waluigitime5960]

I wish I had the resources these kids have when I was growing up. I’m so proud of these people and so happy for these kids. My family was largely unsupportive because they couldn’t, and refused to try, and understand me growing up. And I’m really glad these kids are clearly getting help, and a safe space they can be themselves without fear.

[@wannabeaussie5809]

Thank you waluigi time, very cool

[@andresv.8880]

@misssophisicated the parents should not be the ones pleading for excuses from the challenged kids. From my point of view, thats dumb, it almost sounds like you are blaming the kid for not understanding the parent, which they shouldn't have to.

[@waluigitime5960]

misssophisicated regardless of whether it was exhausting or overwhelming, I was a child and they were my parents. Refusing to try and help me, or work on getting me into therapy to help manage my outbursts in public or my panic attacks. And you know what that got them? Ignoring their son’s needs for help, refusing to be supportive of him just because he was different, violating his personal boundaries repeatedly and not letting him have friends over or go to friends houses got them a son who never calls, never talks to them about what he’s doing and a son who ignores when they call them unless it’s for the holidays. My grandmother who lived on the other side of the country was more supportive for me then my parents ever have been. And I actually talk to her. My parents repeatedly verbally and emotionally abusing me all because I had Aspergers led to me developing severe social anxiety, chronic depression, PTSD, and a whole host of other issues. And I don’t know how old your kids are now, but I’m 23 now and I never talk to my mother anymore because she bullied me, her own son, growing up because I was different. Being a parent doesn’t mean you can treat your kid poorly because it’s hard, or they’re different. Being a parent means supporting your child and trying to help them anyway you can. And it’s that mind set you have that made me cut off almost all contact with my mother. She’s never even met my future husband because I don’t want her to.

[@sasumasa]

​@@waluigitime5960 Dude I know that this sounds cheesy, but your story touched me. It reminded me of my own a bit. I was homeschooled and raised virtually in isolation with an older sister, phyisically and mentally abused by my stay-at-home father, while my mother worked herself into an early grave. I was not allowed to have any friends, and since I was homeschooled and lived in rural Oklahoma, this meant that I talked to virtually no one outside my immediate family for much of my developmental years. The sporadic sports I played as a child were pretty much the only interaction I got, and by the time that happened, I was too socially unskilled to function, and would get extreme anxiety. I was still almost never allowed to hang out with anyone. I was beaten by my father over any tiny thing that angered him, and I always lived in fear that he could kill me. I'm a 25 year-old now, and have not spoken to my father in months. For the past few years I have begun to realize that I am different, and I've learned that I am likely on the spectrum and have severe ADHD. PTSD is pretty much a given, since I turn into screaming, crying animal if I am yelled at or feel threatened. I am currently saving money to go to see a professional, as I have not been able to keep a steady job for my entire adult life and so could not afford to see anyone. Basically I'm trying to get my shit together lol. Just know that it wasn't you, it was your parents who fucked up. I hope your life gets better, and you find peace and happiness. Congrats on the engagement as well!

[@vivosanchez3679]

@misssophisicated Its been one month ago and you haven't reply back to the original poster and from the looks from your comment is just looks like your guilt tripping him and don't get me wrong but doesn't neurotypical children also could be exhausting or stressful you know equally speaking

[@gunzblazin2355]

THIS IS THE VICE WE WANT TO SEE

[@upsyndrome4964]

And not a fat lady forcing her kid boy to act like a girl and crying "discrimination" when he is not allowed to enter girls toilet.

[@jae1k279]

@@upsyndrome4964 exclude fat

[@Snuskigaste]

@@upsyndrome4964 don't worry there are other fat ladies with trans kids you can date.

[@Bettie_Rage]

You already said it 5 times

[@gunzblazin2355]

Bettie Rage ok boomer

[@JD-ht7yw]

Thank you, Vice. This is important.

[@wificlinc1009]

So much of the vice we’ve been missing for years came back overnight

[@TRDPRO312]

wificlinc 100 this so true.

[@MafiaboysWorld]

Must have fired the previous guy and the new guy found the stockpile of edgy, great videos. 👍 I'm glad, there's only so many ways you can make a device to smoke weed in. 😂🤣

[@user-yq7hd9wg5o]

This video originally aired in 2017 😂

[@avamurphy8550]

Nope. It's not. Autism is a neurotype not a disease, and it's perfectly valid. We shouldn't have to change who we are to satisfy neurotypicals. Just because our brains function differently doesn't mean it's wrong and needs to be fixed.

[@bumfist88]

Yes

[@DavidNunezPNW]

This is where I want my tax dollars to go towards finding projects like these that will improve peoples lives who really need help 🥺

[@Dog_doge]

No I have autism this vid is bs your tax dollars are better used to fund utility and infrastructure. Much better

[@boezz8]

You else is gonna pay for the bombs boy :p

[@studioq4560]

jsyk, you can actually donate money without the government being involved at all.

[@studioq4560]

@@Dog_doge WSB or nah?

[@Starfishxoxo]

I wish we can have a choice when it comes to our taxes.

[@andystm]

As someone who worked with many autistic kids before this was still so educational and heart warming. Awesome job Vice.

[@awesomeguygaming4702]

I was diagnosed with ASD in 2013. The stigma really hit and hurt me hard. I have heard people say that I should be in an asylum, and one stupid kid said that I should be euthanised. But I have gotten very far in school, and have done very good. If everyone with ASD were to overcome the stigma, and harness their abilities, many opportunities could emerge.

[@TuskTheRipper96]

As someone on the “higher functioning” end of the spectrum I often see so much focus just on people who are low functioning, but I really think this video did a great job at highlighting things that all of us, regardless of placement on the spectrum, may deal with. I think general awareness is very important!

[@LO-qs3sp]

TuskTheRipper96 sorry for asking this because you might get asked This a lot, but what's it like to have high functioning austism? Do you still have the sensory issues?

[@TuskTheRipper96]

Lachlan 420_ , I do, yes.

[@LO-qs3sp]

TuskTheRipper96 okay thankyou

[@AuDHDNovaScotian31]

TuskTheRipper96 I’m also a Autistic on the High functioning end of the spectrum and I completely agree with you. There has been to much of a focus on low functioning Autistics. I think that their should an equal amount of focus on both high and low functioning Autistics. We can’t just stereotype the entire Autistic community by only hearing one side of the story. #AutisticandProud

[@anoushk]

Yea dude me too I just found out I have it like 1 month ago

[@toyotaprius79]

These kids melt my heart, their parents and their teachers too!

[@dacealksne]

These kids remind me of Greta Thunberg

[@NoizyBoyUS]

I love Gianna. She’s my favorite journalist at Vice.

[@moncef2466]

Isobel Yeung is cool too

[@damienkendrick1457]

Gianna calms me and makes me yearn for a a friend or parental figure

[@damienkendrick1457]

Ben Anderson is is a beast he and Gianna are some of my favorite people

[@goatpepperherbaltea7895]

Davidx fudatho

[@shino8854]

@@moncef2466 Yep, Isobel gets my vote.

[@AlvarLagerlof]

Thanks for recognizing both sides, although not equally. I'm a high-functioning autistic 18-year-old that has been able to recognize my differences and effectively hide them from everyone. I was near not getting a diagnosis at all. This hiding, or masking as it's called takes a lot of energy from me. I'm effectively decoding everything from humor to irony manually. I notice everything going around me, now to the point that I'm better at noticing subtle anger than others. But my heightened senses also means that I hear absolutely everything. I have trouble following conversations on a sidewalk when there's a lot of cars on the street. Every sound is equally loud and there is no filter. Only very few people know that I have autism, and I choose to not tell most, because of the prejudices people have. Some of the few that I tell ask me whether I even have emotions. This, is where I feel we can do better. People don't even know the basics. My autism has also allowed me to focus, like nothing else. When I was little, it was electronics, now it's coding. I've even worked professionally as a web developer a couple of months. Despite how completely draining it is for me to just act to fit in I would never ever want to be like other people. I just needed some help recognizing how I was different and when I needed to step aside because I was exhausted. I hope that you in the future consider talking about how experiences with autism differ. If anyone I know reads this, please reach out so that I can stop acting for you.

[@twisted1294]

You just basically described me. 27 year old high functioning aspie here.

[@AlvarLagerlof]

@@twisted1294 That's the thing. There's a bunch of us but we rarely go in video like the kids here.

[@aflameninja]

I can relate to this, but i stopped masking a couple of years ago and it was the best decision i ever made. I was lucky that i found my circle of friends who have all kinds of diagnoses, which makes them very accepting people. Now i say it proudly and I will outshine all prejudice with my brilliance. I hope that you can find a way where you dont have to mask as much.

[@isipscognac]

25 w/ high functioning aspergers. That was a very good description of what it's like. I personally haven't experienced any discrimination or bullying because of it (at least, not since middle school) but that hasn't stopped me from putting lots of effort into blending in. It's nothing to hate yourself for though.

[@Dog_doge]

19 yr It feels like its the demons using up your RAM from your mind if it were a computer. And your mind is like tf just happened.

[@remixisthis]

I have a little brother with autism who grew up right before the sheer amount of focus and research in children with Autism. First off, thank you for this piece. Autism is something that's become more prevalent in society, but remains hidden in plain sight. It's especially rare to find a show that shows so many facets of autism. It is truly a spectrum. My little brother is in his early 20s and is still non-verbal. There are other high-functioning people with Aspergers. There are also the parents and siblings who learn to take care of and accept their children and siblings. I like another posters comment about having two threads of research, both the cure approach (removing or diverting autistic tendencies early on) and the accommodation approach (providing people with autism tools to more easily navigate society). Raising a child with autism can be brutal for parents, especially if they're not financially well off. And I imagine a large number of autistic people don't want to have their mind and life rearranged and would just prefer to have an easier time of dealing with society.

[@satinderjit4]

I love this journalist!

[@rickardkaufman3988]

Her name is Gianna Toboni.

[@Sp1n1985]

Except when dealing with ⚧ topics

[@rickardkaufman3988]

@@Sp1n1985 What do you mean? You didn't like it when she cover trans people?

[@chidera7031]

@@Sp1n1985 yeah, thats ture. I respect her and not ganna judge.

[@Sp1n1985]

@@rickardkaufman3988 no, because they removed the comments because they(vice) were wrong.

[@joshuak4553]

I cringe when I hear the term "differently abled" being used in place of "disabled"...but with autism, "differently abled" is a very accurate term imo.

[@soccerselect57]

You would be surprised, those who say they are differently-abled frequently make fools of themselves in social situations and peer interactions (in my experience). They fail to see the perspective of their peers who are more severely disabled and continue to push this "differently-abled" semantic change. Just because ASD is a disability doesn't make it a bad thing, and from my perspective, changing the wording will make it harder to argue for the ASD population who can't speak for themselves.

[@theroadtocosplayandcomicco5840]

Theres many terms nuro divergent or exceptional children ( thats a new term ) I personally don't mind the labels as long as they arent bad or harmful

[@soccerselect57]

The Road to Cosplay and Comic Con I think the word itself is not bad. However, my problem is more with the way it is used by both the parents of children with ASD and those affected with the disorder. Putting it simply, it’s a blue pill solution to a red pill problem

[@nutsuphanat197]

As a neurodiversity advocates, please do not rid me of autism. I am who I am, and I am who I am today because of autism.

[@berdema6555]

These children are gonna be adults later in life, can we watch something related to that next time ?

[@kekw3271]

they mostly die from epilepsy before becoming 40 and usually there parents take care of them until they die so they never really enter society.

[@berdema6555]

@@kekw3271 lol hope you'te not serious, your comment has some chris crocker- the secret vibes

[@transamination]

You won't see that. They never show the adults because they want to convince people that the 'treatments' etc work.

[@berdema6555]

@@transamination this is very real and very sad

[@MrPillowStudios]

@@kekw3271 That is not true. Most of them have regular life expectancy.

[@alimay8344]

My nephew is level 3 on the Autism spectrum. He is non-verbal and it's heartbreaking to see his frustration and sadness while trying to communicate. This research gives me hope that we can one day better understand and support people living with this ❤

[@zenplus6515]

AAC

[@jlopez1017d]

I work with kids on the spectrum it’s sometimes challenging but when you see a kid make a breakthrough in their behavior or you see how thankful the families are it is the most rewarding job ever.

[@chandrascharpf2432]

I never understood what parents are talking about with the lights went out. My child was always different then neurotypical children. She was vocal stimming at 2 months and needed to see everything.

[@gianniclaud]

What about adults who grew up undiagnosed.

[@overseer3072]

Gianni Claud I think of we went undiagnosed it’s mild enough to deal with it yourself. Like myself I have no friends no girlfriends but I work I actually own a business. I’m not sure what your story is

[@overseer3072]

7:38 like this girl. I think she would be fine like most of us

[@gianniclaud]

​@@overseer3072 I think if folks are more "able" that shouldn't necessarily make the issue less visible - is what I'm saying. There are so many people who end their lives tragically or end up in worse circumstances from denying or hiding their own neurodiversity.

[@birdie2010]

I grew up undiagnosed for years i was 34 when diagnosed and 46 now..and it runs in my family of different generations inc my adult nephews & paternal cousins

[@emersonhawks]

I disagree. It means your family just didnt care enough to do anything. I've struggled so fucking hard and was punished for stimming as a kid and they EVEN SUSPECTED my autism for like ever and just. Didnt do sht. Now I'm still undiagnosed and still struggling bc doctors think we're all the same and refuse to even consider it

[@neargaming2057]

"I am not an expert, don't call me that" Imagine how many times people have endlessly questioned Sol just because they think his passion for movies is some novelty. I remember making the mistake of revealing I knew a lot about something and my classmates harassed me for a good week just endlessly asking me stupid things about it.

[@SensorySensitiveAdult]

Noticably missing: females on the spectrum. Autism is different in XXs. We're greatly underdiagnosed because there is such little awareness. I hope you have another one on this topic coming up.

[@Sp1n1985]

Really how so?

[@LaurenMca]

I’m a female with asd. I was diagnosed with a developmental disability at 5 and not diagnosed with aspergers until 14 and autism until 20.

[@Dog_doge]

How about both

[@Idontcommentonvideos]

@@Dog_doge That's literally what she's asking for...

[@chickenbatnana4600]

@@Sp1n1985 Autism for the longest time was a diagnosis only in males. As in, it literally couldn't be diagnosed in females. That meant that much of the perception early on became based on the characteristics of boys with autism. There are many differences between men and women when it comes to autism, especially when they're more high functioning. For example, women and girls will often do something called 'masking', they kind of study social interaction and then mimic that instead of being themselves. They watch the popular kids, take notes from tv, read books that show inner thoughts of characters, and they will project that in their own interaction. This can very much conceal autism because they appear to function almost normally in social interaction, but in the long term, it can lead to burnout and a bad sense of self. Mind you this also occurs in men, just much more commonly in women. There are many more examples, but also different reasons that females don't get diagnosed nearly as much. Sometimes, they don't fit diagnostic tests because the tests aren't modified according to the female type of autism. They are misdiagnosed as teens with borderline disorder or other personality disorders. Teachers and parents don't recognize symptoms because they are familiar only with the male type's symptoms. Its a nuanced and hard to tackle issue, but a very interesting and important one to me :P

[@rileykouf7453]

As someone who has worked with these kids they are the best, yes they have ups and downs but the relationships i have built will last forever and are so worth it.

[@Eccentric_Villain]

As an autistic, myself I really don’t want a “cure or fix” for one’s brain. I love the fact I have hobbies and things that make me happy. Autistics don’t want a fix, we just want people to accept us as we are. Who knows, an Autistic may just be the person to find a cancer cure. Thanks to dedication, and a yearning to accomplish that goal set themselves.

[@kaishawna3753]

Hundred percent agree. I don't want to be "cured". You can't cure autism.

[@thelostrebelmc809]

I am autistic myself and completely agree with you

[@anonymous-cx7ng]

I want a fix I’m anti social and can’t see people I panic

[@mentos93]

So let people decide for themself. If there is a cure take it ot not take it.

[@shinobunn]

I dont wanna be cured, the world needs to be cured not autistic people

[@Dee-ye2dk]

I’m shocked you didn’t turn off the comments Vice. Just amazed

[@Sp1n1985]

Just wait they are biding their time

[@Christhefast222]

They turned the comments off on a one about a transgender family. this one is a broader piece

[@Dee-ye2dk]

Christhefast222 doesn’t help their mission to block comments, sad.

[@clandestineindigoquadrinome]

Some videos that have kids in them get comments automatically disabled by KZbin. Look into it, I’m not claiming Vice doesn’t disable them.

[@Sp1n1985]

@@clandestineindigoquadrinome uh the comments on their videos were not disabled initially.. Turn your bell icon on and wait for specific "progressive" topics

[@sylviem.1299]

This covered a lot, was well-balanced and respectful. Very well done.

[@jmantime]

The only cure for autism is becoming self-aware , learning to over come the symptoms and re-wiring yourself enough to function on your own without assistance. Alot of people with autism are stuck within their own heads unable to connect with others. Took me until age 21 to Wake Up from the condition and i always feel like i;m mentally 10 years behind everyone else. i use to weight 400 lb , now i weight 280 lb trying to get to 180.it;s a long road but you gotta keep trucking along.

[@Day-ZDuke]

jmantime ....best wishes my friend, I hope U can continue to achieve what U are aiming for!

[@YUDHOXYZ]

May i know how you woke up from the condition?

[@ChameleonSoul]

KenaDeeeh magic mushrooms and marijuana can help with that.

[@ChameleonSoul]

I agree with you sir.

[@jmantime]

@@YUDHOXYZheath scare , i had developed heart palpitations at 21 from obesity , alot of guys with autism have weight issues after that i started losing weight and began to see my symptoms more and more and eventually started to learn how to re-wire the way i think and see things. Before that my mind was always cloudy , random and unfocused i felt like some kind of confused emotionless robot just existing and following orders. it's pretty scary to think that alot autistic people never leave that state of being.

[@3000jlattimore]

Awesome content vice!

[@olivermitro5076]

This really touched my heart, made me understand it so much more. ❤️

[@Hraptor]

Great, Great Topic and Video. Congratulations Vice.

[@robinr5337]

More content like this please! There are so many people living with autism and we need this info.

[@clintongwanyama7188]

If u think life is hard or challenging tried raising a kid with autism, prayers to all the parents

[@annalisei4924]

Imagine hearing you are only a burden to your parents. I feel awful for any autistic child having to hear that from their parents.

[@zenplus6515]

I feel bad for any kid whose parents evaluate them in the way you've described. It must have been hard raising you. Kudos to your parents!

[@tanner1ful]

“ I actually have no idea ! “ this kid is awesome

[@rrpearsall]

"GRRRR... I'm not an expert, don't call me that" - lol

[@dacealksne]

I hope you get awesome kid like that.

[@rrpearsall]

​@@chownfulBuzz kill, yes not awesome to take care of but would be fun to babysit for an hour a day and get paid..

[@hughrealman50]

@@chownful some of those "defective humans" are more intelligent then you could ever even dream to be

[@chownful]

@@hughrealman50 And? I never said otherwise. I just don't think it's awesome to see children suffering with differing levels of autism. If you think that's awesome, then that's a little disturbing IMO.

[@barbrakennedy65]

Thank you for talking about autism! I'm part of autism spectrum disorder guess I'm one of the higher Spectrum. Research is important because we learn some amazing stuff.

[@laurelchapman7787]

Right now where I’m from they want to cut funding for education like larger class sizes and less funding for special needs children it’s very sad that this might happen

[@MajinMist603]

Laurel Chapman you think they care for anyone or level of education ? They are making clones not individual people. They don’t teach the common student skills they need after high school like how to pay bills/ taxes or how to have a budget, invest into stocks/ metals like gold or platinum , investing in 401k/ pensions , practice job interviews/ resumé practice etc etc .

[@moonshine9039]

Yeah... That's not the problem, the problem is that pollution is making everyone retarded

[@bok..]

Dougy dougy, hes annoying

[@Dog_doge]

@@moonshine9039 Sadly true, you pollute the earth and with it the minds of its people.

[@theroadtocosplayandcomicco5840]

@@atxscrew8470 look at Texas they tried and they got fined by the goverment. I was one of the lucky ones who got the accomindations my boyfriend who is also autistic didn't sadly education isnt equal for all.

[@HamedAlgabbani]

Good job Vice on this 👍🏼

[@anonymous-cx7ng]

People don’t socialize anymore! I have autism and always lived in isolation since I was a child

[@notar33lbadjur60]

I was pleasantly surprised by the last segment of the video. As a person with high functioning autism, I strongly believe that while people who have trouble speaking and have a more severe impact on their day to day lives need serious treatment, others possess a gift that would damage the lives of themselves as well as everyone around them if it was taken away

[@cashtalks6253]

Raising a child with autism is very tough. Doing it as a single father whose disabled is even harder. I sure hope that my son gets the ability to talk and live a normal life but he's almost 5 years old and still nonverbal. I don't even know how to potty train him. He has just started receiving treatment but at the end of the day as a parent with a child with autism I need training myself on how to better his future.

[@TheRealFobican]

Didn't everyone around this age experience about the same when it came to learning from the ground up? The best you can do is wanting to learn develop.

[@MxMrMase1]

Theres hope. I was non verbal until I was 5. With extensive therapy, and growing up, I'm able to maintain a full time job, make and keep friends, and save for my retirement at 22.

[@cashtalks6253]

@@MxMrMase1 I certainly appreciate the information that is encouraging. that's great to know that you are able to care for yourself as well. I certainly hope my son has the ability to get where you are in life.

[@akumav3160]

This helped a lot. Thank you.

[@problematic_canik]

Y'all been dropping some quality videos lately.

[@BothHands1]

extremely interesting video, thank you!

[@oliverm8058]

Amazing video VICE. nice job, seriously

[@nexttounknown5361]

honestly every time i see motivational videos to improve the quality of life of people, which would make us dedicated to have a meaning to live on this world. This has truly motivated to push through my final undergrad year.

[@roxruiz2756]

Fantastic job VICE. Just a great job reporting all the way around.

[@yobekorb]

Thank you, Vice for genuinely putting out good content.😊

[@ThatMargaret]

Thank you VICE!!! So important. Please do a longer doc sometime in the future on the therapies associated. I’m an ABA Therapist and I’d love to have you do interviews with families that work with our program!

[@Grubdissimo]

My niece is on the spectrum and thank you vice I love this

[@babuji198]

I have two young daughters with autism and this video scared the crap out of me for the future.

[@codyhawkins7602]

Research Tony Attwood , he is incredibly knowledgeable.

[@aldoaguilar1364]

I love vice news because they always have great journalism.

[@gretchensorrell7587]

Such an awesome segment, it warms my heart that my boy could get to come out of his shell. But I love him as he is.

[@lwrdsmoke-beard2590]

Olivia was such a sweetheart, her brother is lucky to have her and shes lucky to have him.

[@DanyCesc83]

I know we always say the positive and great learning experience that it is being a Autism parent, let alone a single parent raising autistic children, it can be lonely, extremely depressing and above all an excuse to shut ourselves out but my dear fellow parent's please remember to be happy and don't forget that your goals too.

[@BRS07]

Great subject vice 👍👍

[@Endermanator]

When the kids danced in the circle, it made me smile.

[@douglasw1545]

This was an amazing job good job

[@abrahamkibret1053]

Vice is just pumpin out gold these past few days

[@opiagasm431]

VICE has been producing some quality content the last few weeks .

[@lindsayrserrano]

Gianna was so amazing with how she reacted to him when he got over stimulated. She seems so intelligent and sweet natured. I got a crush for sho lol

[@bluezone3]

I feel like shutting down after watching these kids; So much activity I'm panicking. Amazing how people can handle it and help them. God bless them, and these kids.

[@McToasterBath]

She’s so amazing

[@toddorr4559]

Beautiful !!

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

My older sister actually went to the Rebecca School. She LOVED it. We sadly had to move states in 2012 though so she couldn't go there anymore. It was very hard to get into that school. We had to fill out a bunch of papers and stuff. Thankfully we were able to have her in; at least for a little while. She loved it much more than the other school she was attending before Rebecca School. :D

[@mattronwilliams7327]

I think we need to focus on giving children with autism as best a quality of life as possible so they can live more independently have more self confidence and be able to be employed for long periods of time

[@charlottebreton6796]

I feel like we only focus on low functioning autism, but high functioning autism does exist. I have autism and hold down and high end job in the film industry and own my own home at the age of 25. The world expects me to be a failure, and when I'm not its surprising to other people which is sad. I want to be the norm, not the exception.

[@carloslara5989]

Autism is a little bit harder for males when they get older

[@MsOctoninja]

I feel the early years of misdiagnosis. My brother in law will always live with my husband and I, he is 35. He was diagnosed with learning disabilities and ADHD. My sister (31) had the same diagnosis as a child. From what I have learned about autism I feel they are both on the spectrum. Was “learning disabilities” with an attention deficient disorder the go to diagnosis in the late 80s/ early 90s?

[@macfloresc]

Thank you

[@mchlchristensen]

So important to show what so many people are going through. Autism is increasingly prevalent and needs to be more normalized in our society. Great content!!!

[@monty3182]

what an amazing video

[@luminescent__]

Saul is absolutely precious 🙏💙 God Bless ALL these & every child who is doing their best to survive with this disability 💙

[@ladyducatnip]

An absolutely brilliant piece of journalism. 🎥 They cover everything from symptoms to impact to possible treatment to the ethical concerns and individual rights. 🤔 You could say it covers the spectrum of the “spectrum,” I suppose. Well done, VICE News. 🧩👏🙌💜

[@Ikescout100]

Good show best looking and most talented courageous reporters in the game

[@rishabh7589]

wholesome journalism at its best.

[@rachelreichert1966]

What a beautiful documentary!

[@SDGreg]

My daughter is on the spectrum and I really appreciated this story.

[@Kiddly3000]

I was not diagnosed until I was 24 years old I think it has a lot to do with being a female on the spectrum

[@BigBoss-lm6cf]

I have a loved one with mild autism but I always wondered if I really know who he is, cuz if he didn't had this problem would he be a unique different person or be the same but with out the side effects of autism..??

[@emersonhawks]

Autism makes us who we are. It's our neurology. You cant take autism away and have the same person.

[@aflameninja]

What emerson said. It is so interlinked with how i work as a person that it is impossible to separate the two.

[@chere100]

Third it. Autism is part of the person. They'd be someone else without it.

[@doctordrewl6413]

Solid Snake Have you ever heard that thought experiment about the axe? There’s an axe. After awhile the head breaks in half, but is soon fixed when the broken blade is removed and replaced with a shiny new metal end. After that, the handle eventually also breaks, only to also be replaced by a shiny new wooden handle as well. Then the big question arises: is it the same axe that you’ve always owned? When did it change? Why did it change? How? Sounds like dumb stoner stuff but it’s definitely a good introduction to other branches of philosophy. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

[@BigBoss-lm6cf]

Thanx for all the likes and replies, but I think it's really sad specially for families that have a close family member with severe autism that I am sure they would trade that loved one for a healthy brain..... I personally believe that autism is like terrets sindrome or something similar that you can't control it and at the same time it doesn't let you be who you supposed to be cuz your body doesn't let you. The more I think about it the more sad it makes me feel cuz I feel like I never truly met the person my brother would have been if he didn't had this problem, but I still wouldn't trade him for anything in the world I still live him to death but I wish he never had this problem...

[@hitznkoff4285]

Great video.

[@pteehan1]

I have a problem with the whole premise of this video, the focus is completely backwards for where it should be. It's all about autism as a disease and autistic people as abnormal, except for a few minutes towards the end where some autistic adults are allowed to speak for themselves, and I'm grateful for that but it should have been the entire video. Autistic people are humans and this video is about them, it should have centered their perspective. Watching this video if you didn't know better you would think autistic people are diseased and malfunctioning and need to be fixed. Because my partner is autistic I know that autistic people perceive the world more directly and (I will say it) more accurately than neurotpyical people. Watching this video I see neurotypical parents and carers lying and lying and lying, acting nice while being cold and disconnected and angry, and guess what, the autistic children respond negatively because they sense there is no real warmth and they are responding to what is actually there, rather than the performances our society calls "emotions". The boy correctly identifies that the journalist is patronizing him by calling him a "movie guru" and reacts angrily because he knows he has just been insulted -- because he knows he is no expert, and he knows the journalist knows, therefore she has lied to his face and they both know it, and he correctly interprets this as a power move designed to dehumanize him and guess what, he's pissed off, but he's not allowed to say this because our society has no language for kids to say this to adults, so he expresses it in the only way he can. And then the music stops and it's deathly silent while he expresses his anger. I mean god damn. I feel kind of gross watching this because I think this video fetishizes autism, like the heavy handed tragic music and the concerned looks and the earnestness of it, it's like tragedy porn. Except for the segments with autistic adults speaking about their own experiences, then it felt like fresh air blew right through the video. How come the tone and feel is so drastically different when it's autistic adults speaking for themselves, hmmm? Why isn't the whole video like that?

[@vacafuega]

:'(

[@melelconquistador]

There are youtubers that might present what you want and its by autistic adults. There is the channels Orion Kelly and Autism from the inside.

[@alexanderthomas9458]

Yes

[@pitking503]

wow an actual well rounded report by vice. very surprised and impressed. a rarity now a days

[@realityapostasy2158]

that's funny because I see that exact same type of comment on every one of their video, even ones that are six years old.

[@GhillieGuide]

They even included the shameless eugenics angle!

[@teratikkoanan7671]

Well done,​Vice News.

[@Ikescout100]

Always inspiring

[@elh7149]

Unrelated, but the pillow at 12:29 looks hella comfy

[@jamjamk]

Can I get a like for this gentle journalist

[@endorfiene7457]

im autistic, i really wish i knew before i got my diagnosis at 16 years old. I cant seem to cope with the hectic world because i feel unable to find rest, even when the world is quite, i can hear my lightbulbs making noise, my alarmclock has a constant buzzing sounds, my charging phone has a buzzing sounds which switches when it is fully charged (and that wakes me up) Social interaction is exhausting, after 3 hours of seeing friends i need to return home and when i do, i feel like a truck hit me in the face

[@keepgoodcompany1279]

When the dad at the beginning said that what takes a normal family ten minutes takes the 45, hit home in a big way. Our saying with our daughter is “everything is a thing.” Might be a no big deal thing for everyone else, but for us it can take all our day.

[@aniketmishra4085]

Thank you VICE for this ♥️

[@michaelcaza6766]

I love Sol, he reminds me of me when I was his age!

[@krauzex8712]

Vice with the banger ayyyy

[@pepperoniunicorn8641]

I have a family member with 'High functioning Autism' as an example, he scored 36 on the CARS scale (Child Autism Rating Scale), 30 would be inconclusive and 60 being severely disabled, This family member attends Early intervention and in comparison to the other children that go there, he seems extremely 'normal' where is the other children are definitely disabled, its very easy for someone like John Robison who is a successful man to sit there and say "we just need to be accepted" there is some truth to that but the children I see who are mild to extremely disabled if there was a way to ease the burden on themselves and their families then it should be done, it would be impossible to weed out Autism genetically because that would be Eugenics but if there are medical ways to help that person then do it. John Robison needs to spend more time with severely disabled people on the spectrum and see how debilitating it really is!

[@justicefdny.2976]

I used to be a student here years back. I left in 2017. U can see me in a few clips

[@MrGenenmi]

Isn't Google Glass like, canned and thrown away? What of this Glass project. Is it the same device?

[@HolowatyVlogs]

It’s not canned, but it’s been moved into the commercial space.

[@emersonhawks]

Just starting it and m terrified to see this video through as an autistic person bc People just wanna push abusive "therapies" and shit onto kids that causes PTSD so I'm reaaalllyyyy hoping this isn't like that

[@aflameninja]

Nothing makes me more uppset then people pushing abusive "cures" on nonverbal kids. If i meet some of these antivaxx people irl I dont know if i could stop myself from kicking their teeth out.

[@theroadtocosplayandcomicco5840]

@@aflameninja may I join you