Times I should've realized I was autistic

[@illymation]

hi I’m sorry I didn’t do a good job explaining what I meant when it came to self diagnosis - it is valid and I self-dx’d myself for the longest time because my past therapist (who was not educated on autism at all) refused to have me evaluated because she said I “didn’t look autistic.” I saw a new psych who actually studies autism, and I was properly diagnosed. The point I meant to make was: self diagnosing and faking a disability are two different things that I feel become conflated by others who aren’t in our position - because they have access to diagnostics and doctors who listen. And I only “agree” that self diagnosing is wrong if someone is knowingly faking a disability. I used the fake service dog scenario to illustrate this because this is a common issue my friend in the video experiences way too often: people claiming to need a service dog, so they buy a fake vest online, put it on their untrained pet, and that untrained pet will attack and pick fights with my friend’s service dog, sometimes resulting in her and her actual service dog getting denied service places. This is the behavior I’m against- KNOWINGLY faking a disability; not self diagnosing. Thanks!

[@Garrett.does.stuf_lol]

Ok

[@h0pl310]

@@axeanimation2417 She can! She did her reaserch correctly.

[@h0pl310]

I can relate to the self diagnoses thing, I have some sort of mental disorder that I don't know of, but its so hard because I don't want to tell my parents about it, people call me narssacistic because I don't always communicate well, I constantly say weird things and think people will laugh them off, and I will always do weird things that make me feel "safe" like putting my shoes on, then take them off and put my socks on and put them on, and I constantly tried to commit suicide, and I never really knew what to do, to this day 3 years later (Im 11 now) still don't know what to do.

[@illymation]

@@axeanimation2417 I literally got a formal diagnosis. I suspected I had it, my therapist (who was not educated on autism) refused to test me or refer me, so I saw an actual psych who does and they properly diagnosed me.

[@DeianiraJax]

It's amazing to see someone use their platform to openly support self-diagnosis. I don't have autism, but I know that this video is going to help those that do.

[@ZayJayPlays]

"It felt like the phrase 'just be yourself' applied to everyone except me." I cannot express how much I connected with this.

[@JDVanimations567]

Same

[@user-cy3lp4cl7j]

69th like 👍 and same

[@jennbrown6668]

Same

[@destyX-n6f]

Same

[@sashamacdonald4278]

so familiar it hurts

[@Whateverhasbeenmynameforyears]

Important note. The things that people see as autistic and are the main diagnostic criteria are the things that happen when autistic people are overwhelmed and unhappy. Those "symptoms" go away when they are able to communicate, cope, and are happy.

[@eliannaross1285]

This is completely true. Sadly a lot of people think autistic people are just ‘over reacting’ and this is not true, my sister is autistic and has learned how to mask, this means that she doesn’t ‘act autistic’ all the time

[@NEON_YVANNE13]

Agreed

[@milesperhour2286]

Yup. I often have to explain this in school. And that and autistic people aren’t dumb which I am asked constantly “If you are autistic why are you so smart?”

[@LookAtThisHumongousStick]

Man I guess I'm just never happy lol

[@milkymoose]

@@LookAtThisHumongousStick smart. I am the 400th like on this lol

[@ordinaryextraordinary9484]

i heard someone tell a girl with asd, “well, you don’t ACT autistic” and she just went, “Oh sorry! One second.” and then started hitting her head while listing off train facts. 10/10 response

[@keymash-aimciamciamalk8630]

o h m y g o d

[@XxFloofyxX]

Yh my mum says "if anyone says xyz ur not autistic, but start rocking, hitting ur head and say no over and over" never did it, but id be fun to do

[@eenisoo]

It’s like the “well, you don’t look gay” “oh I’m sorry lemme just-“

[@sharkksoda]

I'm gonna start doing that now

[@Potato.00]

Damn that is a amazing comeback

[@Trfjhrhtshh]

I hate it when people use 'autistic' as an insult because, SO WHAT we might be a little different, but we're still a human with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Also, this video is one of the most relatable videos I've ever seen. Thank you, illymation.

[@ebot1944]

fax

[@FionnaRouse]

OK, I have autism and I'm just gonna say this the amount of people in the last two days who have said at least I don't have autism I am like okay and

[@elloelle]

“It felt like the phrase ‘just be yourself applied to everyone except me specifically’” oof i feel deep in my core. I connect so deeply with your experience. It aligns with so much that i went through too.

[@4ster_5040]

same here man being autistic and a furry is hard af

[@bequinhacn]

me too, i relate so much to her

[@aisue]

I don't know what is to be myself, I just know some things that I like. It is just me, or does someone else think that everyone faked their personality traits at some point, and just end up sticking with it? PD: I am not autistic( or at least not diagnosed)

[@LizzyBizzy._.]

EXATLY!!!!!! PPL DOSNt 𝔾𝔼𝕥 𝕀𝕋!!!!!!!

[@NeyamRye]

Frr

[@breezybel827]

My little sister is autistic and she was so happy when she watched this and was smiling ear to ear saying ILY IS JUST LIKE ME! and you don't know how much that's means to me thank you so so so much you deserve the world

[@brynncess2228]

Omg this made me cry 🥺 adorable 💖

[@adeleyinfeifei]

Aw :'D

[@joselynemuniz9430]

Hey I know it's different but I have a brother who was diagnosed at 3 .. he is now 10 and doesn't know because my mom refuses to tell him he gets bullied for being different.. they think he will take advantage of it like .. he is struggling 😔

[@echo5435]

Aww

[@floraeuphoria]

Thats so sweet!!!! Good for her!!!

[@vixy2321]

“It’s like the *be yourself* quote applied to everyone but me” Honestly that hit very close to home. I’ve always been labled as annoying and I never understood alot of things the way other people did, I get called stupid and/or slow for not understanding questions or following conversations properly/differently. I always thought maybe I had some sort of mental problem with me. Maybe I do, I don’t know. I’ve never been diagnosed with anything (yet)

[@TheBestInsects]

I'm sorry :(

[@alex.g7317]

Lmao

[@urgae9125]

@@alex.g7317 Wtf?

[@lyfetheleaf7835]

I kinnda feel you

[@vixy2321]

@@lyfetheleaf7835 Thanks, it’s nice to know i’m not the only one. Haha.

[@oliverg6864]

I love how you put cameos from all the best characters in the background! Yay owl house, steven universe, turning red, totoro and Kiki's delivery service!

[@wolfiegirlxox]

I told my allistic friend I thought I was autistic. He narrowed his eyes, looked me up and down, and said "I don't think so". I told my autistic friend I thought I was autistic. She looks at me for a second and says "No yeah that makes sense".

[@So_Indecisive]

I had that exact experience before I got diagnosed

[@SakuraMoonflower]

Same. I self diagnosed a few years ago, but told my diagnosed friend I thought I was autistic. She agreed it was highly likely. 😅👍

[@Silly_sSheep]

I keep trying to tell my friends I think I'm Autistic, but they don't believe me, funny thing is I haven't told any of my Neurodiverse friend.

[@justanautisticnerd8969]

Funny thing, thats basically what happend to my boyfriend. I asked him if he ever suspected that he might have autism, because as someone that as autism, the autismdare was going strong. But he told me he didnt think so because his family absolument did not think he was on the spectrum. Few months later, he got diagnosed with asd. I was right.

[@catsandcookies443]

my friend says she thinks she has ADHD because she can't keep still. that's her only reason she thinks this

[@RGLozWriter]

“It felt like the be yourself quote applied to everyone but me.” As someone who has ADHD and many overlapping symptoms with autism (sensitivity to certain sounds and bright lights, hyperfixations, auditory processing disorder, overly emotional, stimming.) That hit me hard. The amount of times I was the "weird" girl during school was a lot, and I found myself either the target of pranks, or left out of social events happening. And I sometimes find myself still struggling with feeling accepted nowadays.

[@melsher347]

i relate to you 100%

[@ダダ-l5n]

I don't even know who I am :/

[@witchassbitch3]

I’m glad that some portion of my brain interpreted the “be yourself” as “be yourself in a *safe space* ” whether I realized it back then or not. Did I always see it that way? Of course not, but that idea being there helped me a ton growing up. Even if I couldn’t be *me* all the time, I could be *me* with certain friends or when I was alone. And that got me through it. 🖤

[@kittyrxses]

I relate a lot.

[@tamsi6768]

The second I heard that sentence I though "yep, that's me"

[@PoseidonSon2002]

For anyone who needs to hear this, ADHD and autism have a surprising amount of overlaps: sensory issues, lack of focus, hyper focus, issues with socialization, and so much more. If you researched autism and thought “well, it kinda fits me, but not perfectly” I would recommend looking into ADHD, because that may be what’s up.

[@josebuenrostro5639]

Other one, Obsessive-Compulsive They also have symptoms of this trastorn. Yes. It's hard to be accurate with a autism diagnosis

[@lotus.277]

there's also often comorbidity between them, it's common for people to have both :)

[@Sai_Gacha]

yup

[@Adifferentusername]

I have a story that relates to this. I was diagnosed with the autism and told i don’t have ADHD because “most of my symptoms could be explained by my autism”. Yet i relate so much more with people with ADHD i feel. I have so much trouble with focussing, executive function and working memory for example. It being chalked up as just autism feels dismissive tbh Really great comment by the way. Very informative for the people who don’t know

[@WyteChinpira]

I was diagnosed with every check mark for ADHD when I was 6 and I have adult ADHD now. I mean I have every symptom ...only difference is sometimes I'm very chill and relaxed but the hyperness comes in go for a day or 2 can come off as me being playful..but some days I'm so fixated on this specific task or hobby in my life...I also juggle with different hobbies ..(extreme ambition)?

[@ArtlyssaG]

Thank you for making this and leaving helpful resources in the description. I related to a lot of this when I saw it and then started getting alot of recommendations on my insta and KZbin feed with Autistic creators. I took and retook the test in your description so many times and got the same results every time and today I finally got a formal diagnosis. So many things about my life and childhood feel so much clearer thanks to you. Thank you so much. I feel better about myself in large part because of you. Thank you for all your content.

[@MaximusPhallus2018]

At 4:38 "why would you joke about that?" really hit me hard. I'm ADHD and questioning if I'm autistic (close to self dx and pursuing formal assessment) and even though I make bad or mean jokes, most of the time if my boyfriend or others makes them then I get upset and ask why they would joke about something so terrible. It's to the point my boyfriend and I agreed to preface these jokes by saying "bad joke" then saying the joke. I logically understand its a joke and even make these jokes myself, but sometimes I just can't comprehend the joke or why it should be funny since it's mean. (Overexplaining myself and my behavior, another ding.) I'm also the king of sarcasm but half the time I can't understand it. What kind of logic is this lmfao

[@jamesklark6562]

All I remember is I would make rude jokes twoards my dad then be angry or annoyed when it was done back at me. I haven't seen him since early 2021 after being kicked out because I spent a month unemployed after my last job fired me because I was experiencing psychosis at work from insomnia.

[@Alexandhenry4798]

Bit of the same thing here - I am OCD and questioning if I am ADHD

[@hannaszekely1768]

An autistic creator on tiktok made a video how she can use sarcasm, because she know what she means each time. But when others using sarcasm, she can't tell the difference. So it would make a lot of sense for you to joke about something you KNOW was meant as a joke, but when others do it, you can't be 100% sure. Autism does have a tendency to make you literal in understanding. Also ASD and ADHD both has symptoms of being sensitive to choices of words and phrases. So that can also be a factor in your case. :)

[@spinelsmynameshrocsaremygame]

same lol. i use sarcasm too much but dont understand it when its directed at me

[@dragonit6836]

@@spinelsmynameshrocsaremygame I sometimes blunt with my sarcasm but only if people who annoys me, I'm also autistic but I have my sense of humor(I think).

[@strigijoe8685]

“You don’t seem autistic” this boils my gears and grinds my blood

[@justaguy444]

SAME honestly when people say that to me irl I just lose it

[@jambott5520]

I just start rattling off my autistic traits.

[@str4wb3rry_bl0od6]

I started actually getting worried that you had something happening with your blood💀

[@amahrrinsampson3030]

I do have some special interests. About 22% of them are cat characters that I have liked as a baby. Hopefully, I am not being obsessive about it.

[@wieldylattice3015]

You mean it makes you clench your teeth and grit your fist

[@Sh1fty-Shad0w]

It’s funny cause people don’t even consider you’re autistic until you have a meltdown or get overstimulated etc.

[@knicknac04]

I’m autistic and my special interest back when I was young WAS autism. I watched so so so many documentaries about it. Every time they said it was “rare in females” I always got upset because I thought that meant I couldn’t have (not that I wanted it, just that I related to a lot of the struggles these people faced and I wanted an answer myself but I thought I would just have to deal with it on my own because I was female). Looking back today I believe the statistics were very off because little to no research was on females with autism, so obviously the only people being diagnosed were males and females that had “severe” enough symptoms to act like the males did. I even remember telling my mom on multiple occasions I thought I was autistic but she just shrugged it off. I don’t know why she wouldn’t believe that, I only wore basket ball shorts and knee high socks for nearly 4 years of my life, plus a winter hat even if it was 100° outside.

[@Itsuki.art_]

Apart from the hat that was me as a kid 😂

[@Hidden_Remi]

Honestly I believe the “more common in males” thing is false and a stereotype. Autism is just as common in females as it is males. It’s just that males are getting diagnosed more, even though we struggle with the same problems and issues. Female autistic people are generally better at masking their symptoms, which is why they get shrugged off and disregarded, labeled as just “shy” or “quirky”, because of the stereotype. This is why representation and awareness is so important.

[@Yozzie941]

Yes it really annoyes me when people during my diagnosis said ,,Well you know that girls rarely are on the spectrum." And I'm like- SHUFF THOSE STATISTIC IN YOUR @SS AND START LOOKING FOR SYMPTOMS IN ME, FUCK MY GENDER WILL YA?

[@aikou2886]

The reason with female autism is not that well understood (ignoring the fact that autism is not exactly well understood as it is) is because it presents itself different in females and a lot of their special interests are relatively common for females so they don't stand out as much.

[@lunarcat3283]

@@Hidden_Remi That and originally male subjects were more researched. So, there is more evidence on how boys work with autism than girls.

[@angelofdusk13]

I didn't realize I was potentially autistic until I was 31. I went onto autism subreddits and forums and, what do you know, all those little "quirks" that make me "unique" are actually SUPER COMMON in this specific group of individuals! Who would've known!

[@pixelzebra8440]

For the longest time I wondered about my older brother. He reallllyyyy loves talking about video games and puts it in every conversation lmao. And it’s kinda bad bc I’m am PURE sarcasm and he doesn’t get it a lot of the time. I still love him tho

[@ThePoodleEnthusiast]

me and my father has autism my father wasnt diagnosed while i was and then i spread my condition to my family from my cousins son

[@bluorb]

Same, except I found out from YT videos.

[@STANGERSNARE]

I was diagnosed at a young age, with asd

[@Cwest2mi]

I’ve been experiencing this recently when I’m a lot younger. I’ve been to scared to talk to my parents about the possibility that I might have autism, and the more I research it the more I think I might have it.

[@etansivad]

As a husband of someone on the spectrum, and a father of someone on the spectrum, this video is both heartbreaking to watch and wonderfully endearing. I love them both so much and wouldn't change a thing about them. They can do things I can't, and I can do things they can't. And we all love each other. Thank you for making this video. :)

[@DumplingDoodle]

these kinds of comments are nice to see. you always hear about the problems autism causes, and all the negativity surrounding it. it's a nice change of pace to hear someone speaking so positively about autism and autistic people. i hope i can find someone as loving and accepting of you autism as you are of your family's. i hope have a fantastic day :)

[@Laura-bs2hw]

this is so wholesome tell both of them someone on the internet likes them and wishes them a happy life this also applies to you good sir

[@exologically]

You sound like an amazing husband and father

[@Nonexistentcreature00]

This is all I could ever ask for

[@OakleyRowan]

Autism has been a challenging journey, but the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin mushrooms have been transformative, with other psychedelics like DMT and LSD also playing a key role in my healing and personal growth.

[@TommyLouie-f9g]

True, it helped me in facilitating deep emotional processing.

[@JimmyBowen-l3h]

Do you know where i can get one?

[@TristanYves-p4r]

I got mine from doctorcyruss. He deals on all kinds of psychedelic and the most knowledgeable that i know.

[@MarcusBillie]

Is he on telgram?

[@TristanYves-p4r]

Yes and TikTok, highly recommended.

[@christyclasgens9849]

Another important note. The spectrum isn’t linear!! The autism spectrum isn’t “low functioning to high functioning” or “more autistic to less autistic.” A lot of people like to say it’s more like a color wheel. But personally I like to use the sound board analogy. Each slider is an autism trait/symptom. Each trait or symptom is a spectrum of its own. And the amount you experience each trait can change. So your personal spectrum can look different and change day to day.

[@stratosfear1312]

exactly, that would be a gradient, not a spectrum :)

[@NekoChanSenpai]

It's like that pokemon game where there's a side thing and you feed them berries to influence their stat wheel for pet show type contests. It's the stat wheel part of that.

[@9ightdreamer]

I also dont like the term High Functioning or Low Functioning because I appear High Functioning most of the time but I appear Low Functioning aswel a bit. I like to describe autism as my brain preferring to be themself and refusing to follow the rules of a normal/neurotypycal brain.

[@xei2694]

This may be a stupid question, but is it possible for there to be an autistic person who is mute, but mentally capable eneough to consent to sex?

[@NekoChanSenpai]

@@xei2694 it is. Nonverbal doesn't mean the person has lower cognitive whatever. If you can find another way to communicate consent, it's perfectly fine

[@Minakie]

As a fellow auDHD who also wears glasses, I absolutely loved your analogy about people who only need glasses to read vs those who need to wear glasses all the time and both of them being valid. I might just start using that to explain stuff to people in my life.

[@Scootiepink]

I dont wear glasses but i have auDHD too!!

[@Starlight666CC]

Me too

[@soul_fiddler.cosplay20]

Agreed

[@coffee-ouji]

ME TOO im gonna use that explanation more often nowbc its so spot on

[@Kartanaunfolded]

If you get constant headaches when looking at screens, get glasses! My vision is near perfect except for when I look at my desktop computer, where I get horrible migraines and motion sickness.

[@Nawnii]

man, im so glad someone else hates jeans tbh, i have C R I E D about jeans before

[@venus6987]

Same, I throw up if I wear them 😭

[@theorangepersonman]

Certain skinny jeans have a more elastic material and feels like sweat pants

[@Opalisgrey]

S A M E

[@CJgreencheetah]

I know. I always felt like I was having an allergic reaction to them. My legs got itchy and burned and I couldn't stand to keep them on. Thankfully, my parents never forced me to wear them because they are expensive anyway.

[@jun3.bug.s]

yes, oh my god. skinny jeans especially make me so uncomfy. i’ve only recently realized that wider, straighter-cut jeans work better for me ;-;

[@lilliewright5213]

Wow. Your character looks just like me...down to the hair color and length. I was diagnosed autistic at age 20 (I'm 25 now) and watching this video made me realize how far I've come. Autism is so idiosyncratic and unique to every person it touches and I'm so glad you're finally healing. Welcome to the club.

[@asherdoug9526]

I like that you put so many references to the Owl House and other shows into your videos. I also like that you make videos covering topics like this, that so many people seem to skirt around or take at face value. They legitimately help so many people. Thank you.

[@Lim95]

exactly I was like “wait what the hell that’s Eda”

[@naisyadurraniromadhani76]

Yeah I noticed the Jughead Jones quote

[@ibexibex]

And "Turning Red" ones, like Tyler on 5:26 and 7:25

[@janakey0076]

3 guesses at what her current hyperfixation is! your right if all three were the owl house!

[@karolluxCovers]

Yeah I saw willow 😀

[@bearflipstable8365]

The thing with you saying “I can’t wait to see you fall” is REALLY relatable. I also tried to mimic people. When I was 10 there were these girls I would hang out with and were always saying “mean” things to each other. In a joking way. So I called one of them big bum. She looked really offended and called me fat arse. I was really shocked and skulked away trying to figure out what I did wrong, while they all looked at me probably talking about what a rude weirdo I was. Eventually I just gave up trying to be friends with people and sat alone more often than not. Teachers would sometimes find me alone and force me to sit with others. I guess because I wouldn’t be “lonely and sad”. Honestly, I’d rather be “lonely and sad” than in company that didn’t even talk to me and be confused why.

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

oooof i remember this too very well, trying to fit in with “normal” girls, trying to act as them to not be seen as weird, trying to listen to non-enjoyable music they listened to, trying to copy behavior and way of dressing and hoping it will all make sense at some point in my life… and then at some point just realizing it will probably never make sense (i’m 31 and it still doesn’t) and giving up trying to be ,,normal” . I did have the luck of having a passion early on so it gave me purpose, otherwise i can see how empty it could have felt ❤

[@jelatinosa]

My first memory of mimicking was when I was like 6 or 7. I saw how older people acted about children, and I personally never understood the appeal of children even though I was one myself, but I decided to mimic their behavior surrounding children. I think it was my sister's bday party and there were other kids and my family at my home and one boy that was my sister's age so about 2 years younger than me started acting "silly" and I said aww how cute, because I thought that's what adults thought if young children, and then all the adults started taunting me and shaming me for "liking a boy". After that I developed a strong dislike for young children and babies, which also earned me the scorn of every adult. I felt like I was damned either way, and so I doubled down in my distaste of children for many years.

[@higherground337]

YES I can relate to this so much. I still did this kind of thing well into adulthood without realizing. In college, I was hanging out with some new people once and this guy said something sarcastic and his girlfriend jokingly told him to "shut up." About ten minutes later he said another sarcastic thing and *I* jokingly (or so I intended) told him to "shut up." He didn't take it well...

[@fanciestfrenchytoast1207]

So we all tried to mimic??

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

@@fanciestfrenchytoast1207 Highly likely

[@anjelloproductions]

I love how “non traditional” topics are being talked about by Illy. I definitely find these videos more personal and really helps those who can compare. This SHOULD be normal conversations. Amazing video and thank you for using your platform as a bigger voice for those who cannot!

[@heiagampee9965]

Psychologist and therapist also make everything a disorder to make others feel like somethings wrong in order to lure people in and gain more money for the business when in reality they make everything that’s human a disorder but really it’s fake don’t be so easily naive to believe everything that’s thrown at you. There are people who make up fake problems that’s aren’t real as well and put on an act with fake negative problems that aren’t real. Even negative emotions can be masked and acted out and aren’t real and you would never know.

[@rommix0]

It's better than listening to Jaiden talk about Pokémon for the hundredth time.

[@violetoderwald6535]

Hi illy!, I'm a person who has A.D.D (Attention Deficit Disorder) and i have a boy in my school (no name) whom is ALSO autistic and this video you made on Autism and the Autism SPECTRUM is REALLY important and inspiring.

[@yellow-oj3qe]

you dont understand how nice it is to see someone i really look up to have the same things as me

[@goonersunite]

Real

[@werewolf.394]

Literally same.

[@DumplingDoodle]

representation :D

[@saradesmet8834]

😮same

[@NotAnEldritchHorror]

i’ve been diagnosed as Autistic since i was 7 years old, but because of my masking and ability to function independently, no one around me could tell i was struggling, or that i needed any help. so many of these examples echo my own experiences and it’s a really relieving feeling to see that there are others who are like this, and that i’m not alone, broken or just “weird”. this video will really help me in explaining my symptoms to neurotypical folks, and i’m sure it will help many others. so thanks Illy, and thanks to the rest of your team.

[@salem-01]

“It felt like the be yourself quote applied to everyone but me.” Hits way to close to home. Over the years I’ve been very selective about sharing my interests with people because whenever I went on long rants they’d ignore me or tell me that I was annoying. I’ve only ever opened up to one close friend, who I’m still in contact with even though they moved 3 years ago. I just feel like there’s no safe space for me to express my feelings and ideas. There’s certain thing I know I can’t say because I’m me. Like, if i said a certain joke they wouldn’t laugh, they’d just give me a polite smile. If my friend said that joke, everyone would act like it was the funniest thing in the world. Edit: also the ‘You don’t seem autistic.’ Reminded me of an experience. I let slip that my brother was autistic (something that still haunts me to this day) and we had this kid in our class, he actually had Down syndrome but everyone thought he was autistic. He was closer to what people view as typically autistic, he had trouble talking and doing certain things. One of my friends immediately got it into their head that my brother was like that kid and asked about it. The others, who had met my brother, were pretty shocked (which I don’t really blame them for), but they all said stuff like; ‘Wait, hold up! He acts so normal, not like (insert kid in our class’s name)’ ‘Are you lying? But he doesn’t have any trouble with school!’ ‘He was probably diagnosed wrong’ I was so mad at them but didn’t speak up, because I was afraid. I’ve always been afraid of my friends because I’m if I tell them what I’m really thinking, they’ll hate me.

[@Rudiced]

respec

[@madisonm.4535]

This is hitting close to home. I eventually found people who got me. A lot of the people I really connected recently have been getting diagnosed with autism to be honest. Those who aren't are already nuerodivergent on some level. The closest friends I've ever had keep getting diagnosed recently.

[@salem-01]

@@madisonm.4535 i think I’m slowly starting to become friends with people who get more as well, but I don’t really know. Everything’s been super uncertain lately

[@giant_internet_nerd]

YES

[@krissydiggs]

Extremely relatable

[@TEETEEUNDERCOVER]

I have diagnosed anxiety, depression, and possible adhd/autism and all my mom says when I talk about it is “oh yah God can heal you from that” and I’m just looking at her like ;-; ok bro

[@dragong33k]

hail satan time?

[@zaja9728]

FSM ​@@dragong33k

[@Cotten_Ta1l]

Yes

[@Kalehaha_739]

​@@dragong33k dude

[@dragong33k]

@@Kalehaha_739 if god can and doesn't heal them, the logical thing is supporting god's opposition, no?

[@nickchambers3142]

I loved the owl house references! And thank you for bringing up the “it’s not just young white boys” part. It ignores so many other people, especially when someone’s looking to be diagnosed as an adult. Our needs change as we grow, and an adult who has trouble with socializing would be able to mask or adapt more than, say, a six year old. Our struggles still exist, they’re just sometimes harder to see

[@giant_internet_nerd]

I love the Owl House

[@anvithequarsonist]

I do too lol. Did you see the latest episode? I saw young Eda somewhere in this video

[@euphemialyraeyre8710]

And steven universe references, and totoro.

[@pesterbot7000]

and a bluey reference! :DD

[@anvithequarsonist]

@@euphemialyraeyre8710 i thought that was mei? do you mean the red panda? or maybe i didn't catch totoro

[@Platinum_XYZ]

Hearing both about masking and mimicking how others acted, and even the "doing nothing" really resonated with me and my experience with ADHD and ASD. "Doing nothing" or just "acting normal", although might seem like a great thing to neurotypicals from the outside view, it's often not a happy state for that individual, and them acting "normal" is more a sign something is off, forced, or they are unhappy. I actually didn't even really realize that this was part of the condition. I just thought it was just me, and that I was crazy. This explains so many interactions and experiences I've had at school. Many people seem to be only accepting of one "normal way" to act. It is amazing to see how much you have learned about yourself in order to even be able to educate others like you so well! Finding out content creator I heavily look up to have a similar experience to me is something very special! If anyone like us is reading this I wish you all very well.

[@5soda]

Hey, I'm so sorry if I'm bothering, but I wanted to know if autistic people can maintain eye contact till a certain extent or not be sensitive to loud noises?

[@yg6484]

I’m autistic and can very much relate to mimicking others, specifically when I’m speak. I feel like often reuse verb cues, phrases, tones, etc. just because I can’t imagine anything that fits better.

[@yg6484]

@@5soda like the video said, it can depend. Sometimes it isn’t even a problem at all.

[@Platinum_XYZ]

@@5soda you're not bothering. it basically varies wildy per person. It's like saying "we went on a trip". That doesn't just mean one thing. When did you go on that trip? How long? Where to? There's so many possibilities you couldn't possibly consider "going on a trip" just one thing. same thing here

[@heiagampee9965]

Psychologist and therapist also make everything a disorder to make others feel like somethings wrong in order to lure people in and gain more money for the business when in reality they make everything that’s human a disorder but really it’s fake don’t be so easily naive to believe everything that’s thrown at you. There are people who make up fake problems that’s aren’t real as well and put on an act with fake negative problems that aren’t real. Even negative emotions can be masked and acted out and aren’t real and you would never know.

[@rhexxgreymane4121]

As someone who is autistic and deal with everything mentioned here, thank you so much for explaining things I cant put into words because explaining anything about myself is an absolute nightmare and my brain completely forgets how to organize any information. So, i usually tell people to "specify what they want to know" in order to give a reply but for anyone completely ignorant (not in a bad way) to autism has no idea where to start. Now I can just link this instead!

[@The_FUNNY_Commenter]

I swear my teacher yells a lot and it hurts my ears but my classmates say she’s just talking normal id never thought of that

[@9ightdreamer]

I also struggle with how to start explaining my experience with autism and what it is, its always easier to talk about it in my mind for some reason.

[@SquishNationsAnimations]

The beginning bit when you want to feel the textured stuff at the grocery store was so relatable! It’s the little details that make your videos great!

[@travelwell6049]

Oh I missed that bit. I love feeling clothes when clothes shopping but not so much when grocery shop.

[@MusicDecomposer]

10:22 Finding people with common interests is not easy. My biggest interests are the PC game Speedy Eggbert, and the direct-to-DVD Garfield movies.

[@Lucifersfursona]

Have you seen the QuintonReviews videos on Garfield lore? I’m not sure if you’d like them but he (also know of a youtuber called Garf Gab that spends a lot of time on specifically, the Garfield himself) has a big chunk of garf content :)

[@andrearat7063]

I think i know the garfield movies, are those the ones in wich garfield is 3d along with live action actors? And the second is like the prince and the poor with a second garfield?

[@stanmarshsillygoose]

my friends at school don’t relate with me. It makes me uncomfortable. The internet is only where I can relate with ppl-

[@screamingopossum7809]

My main thing was the direct to DVD Disney sequels. Nowadays they're gaining recognition, but when they were released they were HATED.

[@nah....702]

oh youd fit in great with my friend group. nah fr tho finding people with common interests or who will even listen to them at all is so difficult. like no one wants to hear me ramble for 3 hours about the cinematography in a 30 minute episode or about the history of *inster thing here*. its hard to bc our interests can be so particular like "WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT HOW TOASTERS ARE MADE" "IDFK 😭"

[@JThePerson]

god, i just realized how I'm still masking all the time. the whole copying what people do is a thing that I do in basically all my social interactions, including commenting on KZbin videos, which takes like 5 minutes every time because I'm thinking about how people say things and how do I do that

[@marble_sack_]

everyone does that dumbass... thats how social interactions work... you imitate the behavior of others to some extent. No one acts the same way around their freinds as they do with their parents, or online, or with a teacher, etc. it's called code-switching and everyone does it, even primates, scientists found out

[@JThePerson]

​@@marble_sack_ 'to some extent' is the keyphrase here. it's not 'to some extent' when i second guess myself all the time because im not sure if im behaving the way im supposed to in any given situation.

[@marble_sack_]

@@JThePerson i say again, virtually everyone has to consider these things in any social interaction. its a normal part of life

[@JThePerson]

​@@marble_sack_i'm not sure if you meant it, but when you say things like that, it sounds like you're disregarding my struggles as something that is 'normal' and not a real issue

[@marble_sack_]

@@JThePerson everyone struggles, you can understand your own, and other peoples struggles, without singling yourself out or thinking you are above other people.

[@Taylor_mightbecobain]

I never knew I was autistic until I asked my sister a few weeks ago. She told me every one of my siblings are also autistic, including her and me, and my parents never told me.

[@MrPillowStudios]

I guess it's genetic then.

[@Taylor_mightbecobain]

@@MrPillowStudios I guess so.

[@Inevitably_Invisible]

@@MrPillowStudios yes it does have a hereditary component but we don’t know what it is, but if someone in your family has it you’re more likely to have it, same with adhd

[@Anonymous-df8it]

Why would they hide that?

[@MrPillowStudios]

@@Anonymous-df8it Embarrassment.

[@angelsindisguise]

I wish i could get a diagnosis because hearing "you dont act like my nephew" or "my 'daughter' isnt autistic" every single day is so frustrating

[@mar420.74]

me too.. it's honestly interfering with some of my assignments and schoolwork even though i handle it to the best of my ability, i need assistance and to talk to a professional but my mom keeps saying "well my daughter isn't autistic because insert my cousin is and i don't act like him" 😃 we're not the same person first of all and second of all it's called Spectrum- for a reason 😭

[@haylee7951]

My mom has told me I’m not autistic when I make autism jokes about myself (because I’m pretty sure I am) but then she made a joke about it the other day insinuating that me and my sisters are autistic and get it from our dad. I’m not mad about the joke and I’m thankful that she can also make jokes ab it because that means that a sliver of her accepts that I may have autism.

[@Tormekia]

Just ask them if they have any weird family members who know too much about stuff and keep to themselves.

[@cipherbunz2612]

ok but the whole thing about "not wearing jeans until you're older and forced to wear them bc of sensory issues" is so goddamn relatable and really explains why i never wore them when i was a kid (and still dont) also i wanna mention that another aspect that prevents some people from getting properly diagnosed is lack of access to anywhere that would give me a diagnosis. like for example, i'm 99.999% sure im autistic, i related to nearly everything in this video, ive looked at lists of symptoms and experienced a ton of them throughout my life, but finding somewhere to get diagnosed where i live is extremely tough, in addition to the fact that i'm a girl, which as you mentioned in this video, makes it even harder to get diagnosed

[@eclipse_eternal8178]

God the jeans thing is so relatable

[@noahhager1187]

I have the exact opposite problem. I can't wear shorts because there's too much restriction but also not enough coverage. Wearing long *but not itchy pants is a thing I will always do

[@vavavijay8164]

It is

[@qtdoggy2787]

And im afrolatino afab and im 12..

[@clementine1169]

I only wear baggy jeans because that way they don’t touch me

[@milkycolaaa]

My sister has autism and is really nice. People shouldn’t judge people for having autism cuz my sister is really nice but in middle school she was bullied. It makes me sad because she is the nicest person I’ve ever met.

[@juliekeyse2912]

Tell your sister I love her

[@milkycolaaa]

@@asdfjkluwu yeah exactly

[@danieltwardowski1100]

When I was in school,the kids were pretty mean to me,but when I talked to my sister's friends they usually said "yu're such a nice kid" but I couldn't believe in them because everyone else in school hated me 😢 Kids can be very,VERY mean

[@milkycolaaa]

@@danieltwardowski1100 yeah. certain kids just suck. People with disabilities get bullied ALOT and its sad. it makes me sad. And, its not just kids with disabilities. Its just anyone who sticks out of the crowd.

[@yoshepop]

People at school tease me all the time by trying to say “I like you” or just trying to get my attention for some dumb reason. I feel like I have some autistic symptoms, but other than that I can’t find a reason for being teased :(

[@epiclover1]

“I’m weird. I’m a weirdo. I don’t fit in. And I don’t want to fit in” Saaaammmeee!!!!

[@elizabethoslow55555]

I relate to literally everything in this video, even the part about not wearing tight jeans because they're itchy and wayyy too distracting. My mom knew I had ADHD from a young age but never did anything (or told me) about it because I still did "okay" in school. Little did she know that I struggled to listen to teachers, couldn't make eye contact with most people, could barely take notes, hyper-focused on unimportant details, and struggled in social situations; just to name a few things. This is actually why I got into reading in middle school, I couldn't make mistakes if I was reading a book. QUICK NOTE FOR PARENTS: please please please PLEASE tell your child if they are diagnosed with a mental disorder. Not telling them WILL LEAD to low self-esteem and negative thoughts about themselves. Think about it; If you are told over and over to not talk so much, to stop being over-dramatic and such, you are going to bottle your emotions up and isolate yourself. THIS IS BAD. HELP YOUR CHILD. They need support and keeping this a secret might lead to them thinking that you are ASHAMED of having a child with a mental disability. PLEASE take this into consideration.

[@jaspersversion]

ME TOO?? ARE YOU ME?? MY MOM DIDN’T TELL ME UNTIL I WAS *14*

[@minecraftlover1168]

i HATE wearing jeans. i only wear them if there's no other clothes. they kinda restrict movement and can be hard to sit down.

[@positivea9111]

That is the one thing that confuse me why don’t parents tell their child about why there acting weird? It not like it going killed their child if they heard the truth. My parents hid it from me but luckily my older sister realized that my behavior was off since I was doing the same behavior ever since I could walk and talk. But before I found out about my diagnosis I was getting irritated with myself because I can’t control myself making noise which annoyed people, can’t control my voice volume because I can’t tell if I’m loud or not, and being very hyper active. And I tried my best but still failing, which make it more irritating.

[@SunnyMoonwilluploadin]

BRO SAME I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE JEAN PROBLEM- and literally everything else here is true, starting to make me wonder if i actually have autism (dont get me started on fire drills 😭)

[@Hauntaku]

@@jaspersversion I think a councilor told me something about autism when I was younger but I wasn't paying attention

[@dawnhankins9534]

I'm still learning to not mask. Realized I was on the spectrum about a year ago, and a lot of things clicked. I'm positive my father has more symptoms then I do, and the realization really helped us connect. He only talks about and cares about sports, I've gotten more involved in sport subjects and we have much longer conversations. The service dog thing holds a special place in my heart. My bestie has one for mobility support, and she passes out randomly. All 3 have been attacked by another 'service dog' it really amped up her anxiety. She no longer goes to the store without an able bodied person to create a wall/take over because she can't handle the confrontation. Please leave your untrained dogs at home! We love our dogs, but she needs hers to live a semi normal life.

[@ChipsDaCat]

My brother has autism, and this is a very good explanation of autism. He gets bullied at school and soon is going to middle school. I’m glad you are spreading the word of what autism actually is.

[@Chicken_JAC]

same

[@toughpuff1799]

Oh shit my brother too and I’m TERRIFIED.

[@mavviemavsters8465]

@@toughpuff1799 why are you scared

[@lcb2839]

@@mavviemavsters8465 that his brother is going to get bullied

[@ramssesvalenzuela151]

I'm High Functioning Autistic, and when I went from 6th to 7th I felt alone and isolated, I was made fun of but not bullied.

[@CoreyThornton-Trump]

Try combining undiagnosed autism with being bullied at school and living in a home where the parents don’t notice and just assume you misbehaved just to screw around with them because they’re unstable, and he bullies followed you home. It’s a beast especially when you begin to think you are undiagnosed with autism but no one noticed! Where was Illysa or at least Michael Turko when I needed them?

[@amandine2153]

I have two siblings with autism, and I can say that a lot of the things in this video are accurate to what I've observed about them. Despite the fact they share the same disorder, they could not be more different. One is very confident and loud, likes to communicate, likes to joke, goof around, and the other is timid and quiet, the purest soul you'll ever meet. They have both have completely different interests and views of the world, so keep in mind that if you're researching on autism, be mindful that they are people too, with different interests, hobbies, things they're good at and things they aren't. So, what was stated at the beginning of the video, about how you can get pasta but several different forms of it, is a really good way of describing it.

[@vantruongthi9105]

ok

[@EmmaJohnsonShenanigans]

My cousin’s 2 kids are the exact same way

[@emilyprowse6729]

Same 😂

[@kunpunko]

@@vantruongthi9105 what??

[@Letcharlieplay2545]

When you talked about 'shutting down' when overstimulated I definitely felt that. But at the same time, I have different overstimulation reactions! Some days I just curl up with my music and go silent. Other days I need to move a lot and pace around for 40 odd minutes listening to music while my brain goes nuts. And sometimes (Internally or externally), esp when I can't leave, I get very mad and snap at people around me.

[@kittycat1130]

I guess there are tons of different ways a autistic person is overstimulated, just like how people behave differently on the same emotions. I guess it's also a situation thing. My overstimulation look like I'm very active, but I can also shut down entirely. Which is annoying, because when I shut down my brain can be hyperactive, but you can't see that from the outside.

[@DarkMageNuggetStudio]

This. If I'm somewhere with a bunch of loud sounds going off at once, (Like at work when the phones ring, the oven timer goes off, and the store is crowded) it seems to initiate a fight or flight response and since I can't escape it, I get angry at the sounds. But if, say, my 3 year old nephew is screaming and throwing a fit, my response to that is sharp pain, followed by curling up, eyes shut, and plugging my ears until I can get to my desk and use my headphones.

[@onyxtheowl24]

For me whenever I go out to a place I don’t want to be. I always just sit there quietly. I always want to go home as soon as possible. I’m bored and I always lock up and stop talking. I usually know No one there so I have no one to stimulate with. I just sit there and listen to music or a video and wait. It’s agonizing. And it’s usually super loud. I’m not used to the environment. It’s sometimes really hot or cold so I either get freezing finger tips and a nose or my body turns into a melting ice cube underneath my jacket. Truth is I wanna interact with someone but I just lock myself up in the bathroom because everyone is so busy and occupied with their own thing. I don’t get how they do it. I wish I could go over and start up a conversation but I can’t. I don’t have the guts to do that sort of thing. And whenever I’m talking to someone new I’m always afraid I’m talking to much. I always wanna talk about drawing or animals or my cats or science. Stuff not everyone will care about. That’s why it’s so exhilarating when I can actually interact with someone I like in these social situations.

[@shczzma3083]

I’m the same, it depends on the day

[@mxochii5159]

Air streams affect me the most, they make me go non verbal

[@mashthebanana]

One of my family friends has this "funny" story about me when I was a kid. One time my dad put some ketchup on my plate but he didn't make sure the food was out of the way so the ketchup was touching the food and I started bawling my eyes out and refused to eat it. My dad had to wipe the ketchup off my plate and redo it properly. My family friend always tells this story as if it's soooo funny but it's always made me so uncomfortable. Only this year did I figure out that I'm autistic and that this funny situation was an actual sensory problem, one of many sensory things that I continue to struggle with. Shout out to everyone who's on this journey of discovery. I've found it quite difficult but it feels so good to finally be able to understand myself.

[@edenweeb2067]

I have a similar thing but with smells, like if somebody was eating something with tomato sauce (ketchup) and they touch me or something sometimes I would pretty much break down and start crying and like if sombody touches me after doing the dishes it makes me feel like I'm gonna dye sae if they're hands are wet

[@edenweeb2067]

still I don't think I have autism its more related to my ocd, with sounds weird but that's just what it seems like

[@MonkeyDLuffy-rr3wl]

I have this with sounds & visionary stuff too. I can't eat with loud music, I hate eating with others looking at me & if my brother opens the door on me while having dinner, I get very stressed, angry, I have to stop eating & get him out of my room. I hate people chewing loudly & the sound that ordinary plates make when you cut something with a knife. I also always seperate my sides & mains & if they're already mixed, I'm a little bit overwhelmed, because "how will I have the perfect proportions?". If the food has something slimy & liquidy & solid stuff, the slimy liquid NEVER should be on top, ALWAYS on the side. Also, I work in McD & I put McFreeze & fries into my cheeseburger.

[@meatball7669]

I have this same thing to, but a lot smaller and subtler. Pretty much if I have some chicken on a plate but chips touching it, I have to move the chips away. I do it because I don’t want things like chicken juice touching other stuff. I’m fine with having things like carrots and potatoes touch though, as long as they don’t have anything on them that could get to the other food.

[@awakarikatase]

Eating food separately since I was born 😩💅🏻

[@JamesIsTheSameYTAgain]

Thanks, this really helps me to know im not alone

[@JamesIsTheSameYTAgain]

@@cessimal bro I never even knew I commented this wtf Xd

[@jeio7737]

10:45 - *speaking french* the caption - beyonce 😊

[@holabuenosdias28030]

ah yes, beyonce

[@ahmetyavuz9437]

Yes

[@womankisser1]

Yes. Also im a frog

[@soysamdibujos]

It's true, it says BEYONCE XD

[@luigiboi4244]

Beyoncé eating a baguette.

[@symbsillies]

It's honestly very refreshing seeing a youtuber talk about their experiences with being autistic . My whole life I felt like I had to keep it secret so it makes me happy seeing autism be discussed more in a non negative light :]

[@anemouche5838]

I have been diagnosed with adhd, and i think i have autisim. Though people just say your being dramatic, its so frustrating sometimes tbh. I always wear headphones and ive been bullied and hated for no reason. Im so glad this video was made, because it is so relatable

[@HaloofWar35276]

I’m autistic and there’s two other kids that are too and we hang out so we call ourselves the auti kids or autism kids😂

[@catsboxesyt]

Same

[@JaC.Animates]

Same I feel you

[@sofyaangelicx]

*you're

[@Something.Go0fy]

I just commented about the same thing, so I feel this.

[@Milezz_]

I'm recently accepting myself as autistic. And this video was actually almost identical to my experience growing up, and add a little ftm experience. But this video made me smile, I'm now 20. Animated videos were always a comfort when I was young, so thanks for sharing the experience. I'm going to be sharing this with my family in hopes they understand too. :]

[@StarmisYTP]

As someone who is autistic, this is all so true. I am happy to see someone who feels the same way I feel during my years in 4th-7th grade. I hope more autistic people see this cause this is really special.

[@SlugcatEmporium]

I'm autistic and only recently having a "times I should've realized I was ADHD" journey, haha. Your story matches up so much with mine it's spooky. The recipe analogy is one of my favorites :3 I love everything you said and how you explained things.I think of the spectrum as a whole circle rather than a line between two points, I'm so excited for you and happy you are okay with putting some of your story out there. It's nice to be able to relate to more people and hear things put into words that I have trouble articulating. (CATS CATS CATS)

[@Bikuta224]

😐

[@asheyknees719]

I really admire some of the analogies you used during this video. The "symptoms are like ingredients, just because you have 2 things doesn't mean you can make spaghetti" and the "just because you need glasses only for reading doesn't mean you're faking having vision problems" were really good ways of explaining individual experiences

[@mc_quackie]

agreed the examples made it much easier for me to understand!

[@ethanstyant9704]

I really liked the glasses one

[@thementallifeyo]

"F-ing. Bean cup." Is now a vocal stim, thank you /g

[@BethanyMedeiros]

It's extremely hard to get a proper autism diagnosis when you're an adult. I was lucky to get my diagnosis when I was 17 at Seattle children's. All the things you talked about are things I go threw too. I recently learned that apparently the feeling of macron batter on my hands makes me panic, which it never did before, so that was fun to deal with. My whole life I was told I'd never be able to accomplish anything in life by teachers because I couldn't focus on the task at hand, because I'd take things too literally, can't talk to people I don't know with ease, act too childish for my age, etc. In fact when I was going threw schooling for ece the professor I originally started with, who was an amazing person that worked with everyone's unique differences and helped me get threw a lot of things that were hard, got moved to a different department and the new professor flat out told me that because of my autism I wouldn't be able to work in childcare. Flash forward to now l, I have a full time job as a co-lead teacher at an amazing daycare working with an amazing group of Pre-K kids. I find that my autism helps me to better understand kids because kids tend to have similar sensitivities as I do, plus kids like having an adult that actually plays for real with them and is fully invested in said play. Don't remember what my original point was but now it's don't let people say you can't achieve a goal simply become you have differences that'll make it more difficult. Keep working towards that goal and eventually, with help from trusted people around you, you'll get there

[@wingdingfontbro]

People say you will get nowhere in life and then you in the future perfectly fit in. People need to stop saying “yur not normal” like boi what even is normal never met her. Seriously tho what does “normal” even mean.

[@abhiswarakumbhare5468]

This comment is huge. I might not be able to read it is my brain shuts down

[@abhiswarakumbhare5468]

I read your comment completely! Yay! Also, um, I am glad you are successful and have fun with the kids! I couldn't think of much to say...

[@ixionn563]

@@wingdingfontbro Exactly. All autism really means is that your brain is wired a little differently. This applies to a LOT of people, even if the effects for those people may be less obvious.

[@wingdingfontbro]

@@ixionn563 just cuz you’re different doesn’t change the fact that people should respect you and your feelings.

[@raekurz3701]

In the “you don't seem autistic” conversation I saw Eda Clawthorn (from Owl House) and started excitedly saying “oh my god- it's eda!!” 😂

[@raekurz3701]

And all the owl house references, like the characters!

[@BrieYourself13]

same!

[@BrianneMeyer-tc5on]

Exactly!

[@Jazzy-owl8]

OMG I LITERALLY STARTED FAN GIRLING. AND EVEN MORE AT 9:24

[@consumerofbread424]

OMG I'M SO GLAD SOMEONE ELSE NOTICED!

[@darkstorm26]

The “getting overly passionate about something to the point you need to dominate the conversation with it despite everyone ether not caring or moved past it” hit me HARD

[@Localtoast05]

Oh my god I absolutely love the little background details in your videos

[@gavanimates599]

9:36 is that Willow from TOH just chilling in the corner? 😂

[@supersonic_tumbleweed]

“it felt like the phrase ‘just be yourself’ applied to everyone but me” MAN that hits hard-

[@theLEGENDARYaxo]

Omg yes! Every time I try to be myself I’m seen as weird, hyperactive, sensitive, dramatic, and dang it i forgot the other word but yeah and everyone looks at me weird and if someone is whispering near me I get scared and afraid and I breathe heavily and I think they are talking about me. uh yeah probably should talk to my mum about that…

[@seadragonslayer6721]

I have ADHD and people think I'm just stupid and say I don't seem like I have ADHD which is very sad and its hard to cope I'm glad she made this video to make this more aware. Thank you Illy.

[@Cashcorn]

Yeah same I’m introverted so people act surprised when I say I have ADHD. I always knew autism and ADHD were similar but I didn’t realize they were this similar. Another thing I related to was being forgetful. I am so incredibly forgetful and I’m always shamed for it. I always say it’s not my fault because I don’t choose to forget things but people take that as an excuse for being lazy or irresponsible. Also I get sensory overload pretty easily so idk what that’s about.

[@Serenescre3n]

@@Cashcorn introverted?

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

@Cash0311 MSM & more! Having both autism and ADHD in conjunction is actually very common. Look into it. ;]

[@Cashcorn]

@@Serenescre3n I prefer to be alone

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

@SkittleCrossing needing more alone time to recharge, rather than mostly recharging in social situations. With ADHD, it could also be called internalized ADHD, previously known as ADD. (Basically the same thing, but without the outward hyperactivity) Internalized ADHD is more common in females, because, well, society tends to teach them to internalize things more, to be less 'showy' or expressive; and due to gender stereotypes and worse criticism aimed at females with ADHD - but doesn't mean it isn't present in males. Hope that explains anything you were confused about. ^-^

[@kyliejw8811]

My mom never believed me when I told her I believe I am autistic, until I showed her this video and she cried and finally accepted the truth

[@hannahday2228]

I'm 17 and I'm going through the process of trying to get myself diagnosed. And this video was so comforting because its a hard journey of realising I'm not "normal" and allowing myself to stop bottling it up anymore and then coping with that. It hurts that I spent 17 years of my life and no one picked up on it. I'm scared the people making the decision if I should even get an assessment won't see it disrupt my life as it could others.

[@splashnskillz37]

Legit got diagnosed at that age, thought i was just weird while growing up then doc got diagnosed and i was like ?????????? Then recently i realised i had rights

[@trouble-ry8kf]

Im in the same boat. It wasn’t till I had my autistic friends point stuff out to me.

[@delusionaldreamer8332]

I'm 16, and my older brother (19) was diagnosed with autism several years ago, but perhaps because of the issues at the time, even my parents saw me as neurotypical, so nobody bothered to look any closer. However, after taking a closer look at a lot of issues I've had since childhood, I'm pretty sure that I'm somewhere on the spectrum, and I'm just happy that my closest friends know that and accept it.

[@Wilfoe]

Literally every historical figure ever wasn't normal. Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Ghandi, etc. Them not being normal is a part of what got them into history. Literally every invention ever wasn't normal when it was first invented. The airplane, the train, the computer, people scoffed at those. Literally every form of progress that has ever occurred wasn't normal when it first occurred. If people were so focused on being normal, there would be no progress. Normal is different from person to person, different from culture to culture, there is no set normal. Everyone's different, so it's not normal to be normal. I'm not normal. That's not a bad thing. Normal doesn't mean good or bad or right or wrong. If anyone here disagrees with me, then feel free to try to explain why you think there's something wrong with anyone not being normal. :)

[@emoskullfire9823]

My friend who has autism, has been recently been telling me that I might have autism and that I should look into getting diagnosed. I've been doing some research and it makes a lot of sense, and tbh it's kinda overwhelming learning this part of myself I never really understood.

[@babygalstar1992]

Same

[@O_Sol_202]

OMG SAME! my brother and friend kept telling me they think im autistic and my mum and school thinks that too. I done a test but it came back as unsure but slightly leaning more towards autism so they want me to do another test. They say it's harder to diagnose girls so yea lol EDIT: Cahms and school and my family think I have it and maybe ADHD too-

[@islalarose4750]

I recently-ish made an autistic friend and she told me to check the disorder out and when I told her "I think I do have it" she said that her autistics senses where tingling when she met me.

[@Drew-jh8wx]

My brother has autism

[@ashe4244]

That was me a year ago - I talked with my therapist after seeing something online similar to this and they diagnosed me with Autism more towards the Asperger’s side of things and when I told my mom, she said she’s always suspected it but wanted me to figure it out for myself. I legit went through so much shit and always felt like something didn’t make sense nor understood why I never fit in anywhere. I’ve been mad at my parents because it felt like a missing piece was put in and I could have had a different life if I had been treated and told about my ASD sooner.

[@PumpkinPie-rd5dn]

I also have ADHD and autism, and a thing I found out that broke me was that the more you tried to get people to like you the more you pushed them away :(, so I used to rip off my skin and hair and let people bully me because it made people happy and gave them an outlet, I always wanted to help people. I’m really glad there’s someone who’s open they have autism too :)

[@imageword5576]

it's easy to end up in a toxic relationship this way too be careful

[@Lanhua.v]

yep... letting em walk all over you just so you can get a chance to walk with them. and then walking with them sucked, it wasnt any fun or cool like you'd thought it'd be AND you still felt left out. "alone in a room full of people" i think describes us very well

[@tuanly1701]

Tbh when I heard the teacher part I remembered that my 4th grade teacher and some classmates doesn’t understand disorders like adhd autism and ocd (probably social anxiety) which is so stupid like for example: ADHD: adhd to others feels like you are not normal and you act like hide in random peoples closets (that’s over exaggerating btw) and having a lower attention span then a average human nowadays which is 8 seconds but no it really feels like I’m always confused and and doesn’t have the ability to focus because of zone outs and distractions Autism: autism to others to others feels like “oh you’re a weirdo” or “dude wtf man what are you doing” but no autism is kind of like anxiety as described from a child OCD: ocd to others feels like they are always perfect and they have stuff organized theire way like a Karen but it’s really just an anxiety disorder people it feel like the brain is saying “dude this is so annoying we gotta fix this no matter what because it feels uncomfortable and I’m getting mad right now” Like guys can’t you just fvcking understand that you stupid people (I’m not saying it to you people with disorders by the way) like just let me be myself guys wtf *casually continues to watch this ilymation video after commenting that writing whole fvcking essay*

[@AshKetchum442]

holy shit. are you ok

[@cloudy_cat11811]

I used to pick my skin off when I was anxious. In second grade too :( I got therapy though and I do not do it anymore though I still pick scabs

[@Frosted_Fox]

1:50 I do the exact same thing still do but when I was younger I flat out REFUSED to wear those jeans or any clothing items especially jeans,socks and shirts lol

[@primalprime8864]

I was a freshman in HS when i got tested for autism, it turns out I am on the spectrum. But between my dyslexia and depression, my parents didn't want to "give me another label to blame my failure on". I was 20 and in collage by the time I found out. I love the video, and the glasses comparison, definitely gonna use that one in the future to help explain when I need.

[@JoshiTheKitsune]

Same here, bro. I got autism, dyslexia, and depression, too. You're not alone.

[@ChefArella]

This video is wonderful. As someone who wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 30's, I hope that more people speaking out about things like this will help others find their way much sooner than I did. Life would have been a lot smoother for me if I'd had the tools I needed when I was younger. Best of luck to anyone else out there learning to navigate life like this.

[@dayanimancia9304]

@Garbage Guy oh

[@corbintm2838]

Feeling the same way. Currently 21 and have recently been feeling like I am autistic, but completely unsure. I’m so glad she made this video to help people feel seen and understood.

[@TheEtherny]

I think I'm somewhere in the spectrum and that life would've been easier had I just known but as of now I simply don't care anymore to get diagnosed, I stopped covering my ears when I was a tween, these days it's rare for me to be overwhelmed by sensory overload and I feel I'm better at communicating even if the subject is uninteresting, the one thing I have left is if I'm bored in a store I'll just grab something that feels good and stay there for a while just...feeling normal lol

[@FiggityJones]

I also recently realized I was on the spectrum. Even though I was literally told by my college counselor out of the blue on like my first day with her, it still took me like 4 years to finally get it because I just had so little understanding of what ASD is. Still learning more and more everyday 😊

[@diamondkone]

That's great to hear. Some signs may not be as obvious as we think, and we are still exploring everyday. I'm glad to see you're supporting yourself and not letting it get to you. Staying positive is sometimes the best medication, have a great day! :)

[@inescosta2671]

I was also told recently about my diagnosis even tho I went to therapy as a toddler and I'm rooting for u. I hope u realize that for some reason you are living and that no matter what disorder you may have,you are worthy to experience your life to the fullest just like the other ppl btw thx for the positive comment,I wouldn't be able to write such a short but powerful comment

[@Jamangel]

Lol yeah!

[@ebz_asmr]

This is so real, I’m in the process of getting an asd diagnosis and suddenly my whole life makes sense

[@carleyosburn4794]

As an autistic female myself, this made me feel heard in a way that I can’t quite explain. Thank you for sharing your experiences, Ilyssa.

[@JaelinBezel]

I hope you have a good life

[@sassquatch990]

Videos like this make me feel more confident in raising an autistic child. My youngest son is 2 and a half and possibly autistic. I have 10 siblings and 5 of them are on the spectrum. I see similarities in them that I currently see in my son. videos like this remind me that he doesn't have this terrible disorder like family wants me to think it is. He's not broken or damaged. He's just a person whose brain works a bit differently than mine. This is so important for neurotypical parents to remember about their neurodivergent children.

[@Kmn483]

As someone with autism myself, thank you for looking into this stuff. I had severe behavior issues as a kid and I think it was because of how overwhelmed I was constantly. Make sure you know the symptoms so you can give him refuge from them, such as loud noises or uncomfortable feelings. Things like the back of the chair or open doors make me feel really uncomfortable for instance. Take note on if you son reacts poorly to certain fabrics, scents, sounds, or locations. Bright lights can be rough for us too! Though I'm sure you know most of this already. Unfortunately it'll be you against the world protecting him, but thank you for doing so. ♥

[@jamesgaming-kn1zz]

JESUS CHRIST 10 SIBLINGS? THAT SOUNDS LIKE HELL I CAN BARLY DEAL WITH THE 2 KIDS MY AUNT BABYSITS LET ALONE 10 KIDS

[@washingmachineheart.]

i love you for this

[@MelissaThompson432]

I grew up before autism was understood (to the degree that it is; we still have a long way to go.) Since educating myself and realizing that, yes, I really AM autistic, I have been able to think back and identify other family members who almost definitely were, also. My uncle who never spoke till he was four, and still, although likeable and friendly, hardly ever socialized with the family (or anybody, much.) My brother, who was wildly (and loudly) enthusiastic about whatever thing he was learning everything about this week, but who also worked online because people made him nervous. My nieces and nephews have been diagnosed, but my generation, and before, just grew up to be... eccentric. It's a lot easier to be different nowadays, because autism is better understood. And there are a lot more online job opportunities. I think all I'm trying to say is, if your child is vocal and a masker, he should be fine. He just needs your help to learn to cope; to give him skills. I follow a woman named Lauren Brazee whose son is two-ish and appears to be on the spectrum. Her older child is also autistic. She's a wealth of information.

[@DragonNexus]

It's so great that there are ways for people to express their experiences now so that its easier to learn. It's fantastic that you're approaching this as a way to learn and make accommodations for your child rather than try to "fix" them.

[@morwenna]

Ugh...this was painful to watch. Only because I can relate to it soooo much and it brings back a lot of traumatic childhood memories and how bad I felt being rejected by my peers. I am self-diagnosed, but may soon be seeking an official diagnosis so that I can get some support in the workplace. Thank you for this video and thank you for validating self-diagnosis!

[@4ster_5040]

Get a diagnosis! It could be the difference between peace and hell.

[@osheridan]

Same! I was self diagnosed and nobody listened to me and told me I didn't know what I was talking about. But I finally got diagnosed and good god it felt good to turn around and tell them they were wrong. But even jf you don't get a diagnosis but still feel like the community is where you belong, or you decide you don't think you fit in but still use similar tools, please know you're still valid!

[@yeetyeet1603]

It’s really refreshing hearing some one have what i have thank you

[@epicplayz6132]

This video is wonderful. As someone who wasn’t diagnosed until I was in my 30’s, I hope that more people speaking out about things like this will help others find their way much sooner than I did. Life would have been a lot smoother for me if I’d had the tools I needed when I was younger. Best of luck to anyone else out there learning to navigate life like this. 💖💖💖

[@cori68]

I LOVE all the owl house references. I was watching this video because I wanted to educate myself about the spectrum, and when I first noticed younger Eda in the corner I was so happy. I love your art style!

[@peytontajchman1484]

I just finished season three and am sick with a fever so this video was the highlight of my day for that reason 🥰

[@naos313]

i have seen willow at 9:23 and an abomination at 7:50 but it took me a while to see eda lol (6:26)

[@3lattefy]

im sorry but your pfp-

[@smartskull]

Your pfp scares me

[@3lattefy]

@@smartskull whose

[@ismicemre4365]

Great sharing and animation too :) i m getting informed bec i have an autistic friend and i just love realizing how i was not informed back then and also questioned why they didnt teach these stuff in school or inform us. This videos helps me ( i hope for other people too) to understand different perceiving and receiving styles and solutions to them :) everybody is just different and we need to give time to know person we are sharing and spending time to, so we can connect more and be in a healthier relationship with eachother. Love the video, keep it up ❤

[@KayleIsAChampion1977]

This explains a lot, about me. And the "You don't seem autistic," is so common. I feel you on all of the things that you explained about how you have ASD. I have ADHD and most people are like "you're overacting." I like this video. No,I love it. ❤

[@maxgaming_1280]

Yeah. For me that usually comes up when I’m doing something I don’t even realize, or there might be something overwhelming me that’s fine to everyone else. I don’t like using my ADHD as an “excuse”, but sometimes it’s an actual reason for something and people just don’t want to put up with the fact that there’s actually a reason I’m not the same as them cause they can’t handle “different” things. It’s so annoying sometimes.

[@KayleIsAChampion1977]

Wow, yeah I feel ya. It is annoying how people act like they have add and they don't. It is so aggravating to see and hear.

[@maxgaming_1280]

@@KayleIsAChampion1977 yeah it is

[@sushiroll3795]

I think the scariest thing in my experience with ASD is the fact that my masking has become completely subconscious. Like, I don't even realize that I've been masking until I've been alone for a decent amount of time, then my normal personality shows itself. It almost feels like my need to mask has changed me into an entirely different person than I was before.

[@ticearpey3235]

I masked a LOT in middle and high school, and my social life has suffered immensely from it. Like Illy teasing that one kid about tripping, I also went too far at times while trying to make a funny.

[@hawklegs6940]

Dude, I feel the same way! Even with just a few hours alone, I find myself talking, making noises, singing, moving my hands, acting out scenarios physically that are only happening in my head, basically acting like a completely different person. I mask automatically, and maybe that's why I have so many traits of an extrovert, but act like an introvert as well: it's my autism masking draining my battery, not being around other people in of itself.

[@WaterDefysGravity]

It’s so tiring to mask your the point where I wonder who I am

[@xandervs5675]

With me being one of those "lucky white boys" I was diagnosed at a very young age which honestly came in to help me alot with all the issues I had. Especially my "blackouts" but, unlike alot of people on the spectrum they were pretty dang violent. Although I know what I did was wrong alot of people at my middle and elementary school didn't know how to handle it and even though by the time I was in high school I got meds for it I still feel that with any trouble I still had my teachers handled it way better. Shout out to all the teachers at Holland High

[@zipporian1491]

Wdym by blackouts?

[@texugo_branco]

@@zipporian1491 You kinda lose focus on what you're doing and ''blackout''

[@rynemcgriffin1752]

I wouldn’t call it lucky, I was frequently ostracized and infantilized because of my diagnosis. I was always viewed as the kid everyone could pick on in school but not too much as I could and was known to physically hurt people who crossed certain lines. My own step-mother thought I was a psychopath who would snap and kill her family on a whim. Just because I’m white doesn’t mean I had it “easy”

[@morii-v6g]

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm weird, I'm a weirdo. I don't fit in. And I don't *want* to fit in." RAMSHACKLE REFERENCE????

[@Shrimpozy]

RAMSHACKLE 🥹

[@realbadmews]

Oh my god. This was almost my exact experience. Once I started getting my ADHD treated a year ago, it cleared up so much space in my mind to realize something was still fundamentally different about me, across every part and era in my life. I never understood why I felt like that, why I still feel like that, until December last year. I never got why I was bullied so much especially where my peers didn't. I was bullied and ostracized even in college. I can't believe I went 26 years without me or anyone else actually picking up on me being autistic, but it finally makes sense, and I could cry just saying that alone. It's so much to process. I'm glad we finally have an answer.

[@bestbi3587]

yeah, it really does explain a lot. i mean,, the Steven Universe profile picture should probably earn a diagnosis in and of itself /hj

[@rue8929]

I wish I found this video earlier. I was diagnosed as being on the spectrum when I was 8 years old, and this video really spoke to me. Even knowing that I was on the spectrum didn't help me understand why the other kids in my school kept picking on me, they didn't tell me that my anger control issues were a genetic complication that I had to adapt to and live with the rest of my life, and they certainly never told me that it was normal for me to be overwhelmed by too much noise to the point I'd have an actual panic attack. The part that really hit me though was where you stopped trying to be yourself. In high school I had tried masking, tried having friends and none of it was working so eventually I just gave up, I hardly said a word in school, stayed by myself and spent all my time outside of school indoors so I could avoid any and all social interaction, just so I wouldn't get made fun of for being who I am. It wasn't until college that I made my first true friends, all neurodivergent in different ways, and finally learned how to interact with more normal people in my own way. I'm 27 now, I have a steady job, great friends, and while I still have trouble keeping my anger in check and am sensitive to very loud noises, I look back on how far I've come since my original diagnosis and am proud of the man I've become. I feel like I can tell people that I'm on the spectrum without fear, and I'm glad that you feel the same about yourself, Ily. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[@AGirishdancer]

I relate to your story some. I had trouble keeping friends and by high school I stopped really trying. Then in college found friends and it felt so good. Now I've finally gotten my driver's license and a full time job and can imagine supporting myself in the near future! I'm glad you're in a good place now. (I'm 28 and only started working during the pandemic)

[@lea8321]

i'm not autistic but my friend is, and i kept hurting her by mistake but i was never sure why. thank you so much for helping me realize what i was doing wrong and how i can be better :)

[@Mayolocheese]

6:25 Eda ?!

[@K1nda.just.h3r3]

YESSSSSSSSSSS

[@Fantasy_dvd]

Absolutely

[@Fantasy_dvd]

7:55 9:44 Somehow I get the feeling that she watched owlhouse

[@overtheorizingnerd]

Lol

[@Leebread12345]

9:38 Annabelle

[@imchangingmyname]

I love the way Illy explains things. She uses analogies and is as inclusive as possible.

[@flowerfieldofdaisies]

the Jean thing isn’t just you illy, we are here for you. ✊

[@liamorrison4484]

Mhm, I got forced in sixth grade, and now they're the main type of pants I wear. It was really hard, but I'm a bit glad my mom made me get used to them because they're actually nice-looking pants, and not as bad as some others.

[@neonice]

Also 5:49 happens to literally everyone as well no matter whether they're disordered or not.

[@The_diva_lindsey]

I now only wear bell bottom jeans I used to hate jeans

[@isabelt4132]

Same here i hate jeans.

[@kelencarter4766]

I would only wear leggings till 7th

[@abelinasabrina]

Love you little lady ❤️

[@Banter07]

Why are there no replies here. Welp, now there are, whoop Dee doo.

[@alex.g7317]

@@Banter07 that’s exactly what I would have said!

[@Banter07]

@@alex.g7317 great minds think alike.

[@GlowingEraser]

@@Banter07 but add a third, forms disorder and chaos.

[@Banter07]

@《IamChaos》 Ah, general Kenobi.

[@pinkdiorrr]

This is literally my comfort video, I’ve watched it 342783243264973243927 times

[@tinnagigja3723]

I'm 37 and I feel like I'm finding out that all the things I thought were my personality are just a collection of undiagnosed symptoms.

[@jaqkhan113]

I'm discovering these things in my 50s!

[@derda1304]

well, it's possible that you have one of the more rarer personality types not everything that is different from the majority is necessarily something that can/should be diagnosed as a disorder you are the most important person you have in your live. treat yourself well.

[@crowkita2010]

Same man... well except I'm only 13... but still

[@jimcrelm9478]

You can't be diagnosed with ADD or autism after childhood. You don't have a disorder.

[@tinnagigja3723]

@@jimcrelm9478 Oh, good. Thank you, esteemed Professor Doctor Internet Rando, for your informed, educated, scientiific opinion! I feel so much better now!

[@awesomeandrew5266]

As a guy with ASD myself, I definitely understand how you feel. Even though I was diagnosed really early on, the "doctors" didn't really know what it really was, so I never got the help that I needed as a kid. I was bullied, outcasted, etc, and still am a lot of the time. Also, as I've gotten older and learned to work en tandem with my autism, so many people are shocked when I say I have autism (many of those shocked people saying "you don't look autistic"). My hope is that one day, autism as a whole is understood on a level where people don't outcast you because of it (which I still deal with, even at almost 32 years of age).

[@awesomeandrew5266]

@@asdfjkluwu Well, I wouldn't say it's easier, but it is more ethical to seek understanding of Autism rather than a so-called "cure".

[@claudioestrella1160]

You look hot for Austism

[@QuantumCairo]

Mine wasn't caught early on, I got no coping skills and grew up in a religiously strict educationally focused home with a tired single mother. I have literally been masking so long I can only unmask when I'm alone. Completely alone. I'm 33.

[@littlelowe]

A super relatable and comforting video. Plus I love all the references to things like anime, Ghibli, Bluey, Pokemon, Disney and of course all the the Owl House ones. Its great to hear you talk about your experiences while also including all the little nods to a bunch of media that are popular comfort shows and hyper fixations for people who might have trouble making connections if it weren't for the communities built around fandoms

[@erorr.sanitynotavailable6937]

The Owl House is one of mine lol. Along side many other things such as Don’t Starve, Greek Mythology, Gravity Falls, medieval armour, Gone (By Michael Grant), Little Nightmares, animals, zombies, D&D, Warhammer figures, miniatures, Ultimate Werewolf, art, and many many more things. Edit: Spelling

[@believers_in_CHRIST]

I love all the owl house stuff in this video (teenage Eda, abomination slime, Willow)

[@Maltodextreen]

This video is so well done, as someone who is AFAB and POC it's insanely hard for me to go about getting a diagnosis. When I was in seventh grade, my mom took me to get tested and even though the doctor said I met all the diagnostic criteria, he refused to diagnose me because it "didn't effect" me. However, if I go through a list of things we talked about, ie: I hated loud toilets with a passion and would cry if I had to deal with them, I loved choir but hated concerts because the band was always so loud it hurt my ears, I never went anywhere without wearing a giant puffy coat. It becomes pretty clear that it did effect me, and the doctor couldn't even just not diagnose me with anything because once again, I met all the criteria. Since then I've had a diagnosis of SPCD (social pragmatic communication disorder) and I've been trying to figure out how to go about actually getting a proper diagnosis, because my behaviors and symptoms are clearly much more than I've been diagnosed.

[@jjaa_joyjoyartist]

I can't believe that doctor. That's such a racist mindset, hopefully someday soon you'll find one that understands you better and cares.

[@sassycourt25]

You should definitely look into a new doctor, that's such a racist mindset, but there are a lot of great doctors. Even if it may take awhile you will find a good doctor that can help you.

[@SHHFANZY]

Change that from “poc” to pogs

[@rommix0]

What the hell is AFAB? An organization for FABulous people?

[@Maltodextreen]

@@rommix0 assigned female at birth :)

[@mooonblooom]

I also got diagnosed with ADHD about a year ago, but I still felt like something was "wrong" with my brain. I've been wanting to get tested for autism, but it's too expensive. I had already gotten "tested," but the doctor who tested me didn't even have the qualifications to diagnose autism?? So that was a waste of time Sure, I could live without an official diagnosis, but life would be so much easier with one. I would finally understand why I've been _like this_ all my life. I would finally have the answers. The first time I got tested and my doctor said I wasn't autistic, I cried. I cried because I _knew_ something was different about me, but I was being told everything I thought was wrong. I mask a lot, and I only ever unmask when I'm alone, so people don't realize just how hard this is for me. I keep going back and forth between wanting a diagnosis and not wanting one. Everything's so confusing, I hate it I tend to get some internalized ableism, which isn't.. great. I feel like I'm just overreacting or pretending to be neurodivergent, but then I watch a video like this, or have a meltdown, and remember that it's a _spectrum,_ and there are actually autistic people who are just like me, which is really encouraging :) also, im with you about the washing the dishes thing. dirty dishes are a NIGHTMARE i hate them so fucking much get them away from me edit: tysm for all your nice comments ^^ it makes me feel so much better knowing im not alone in this :)

[@jojolovespie123]

I cried so hard when i brought forth some evidence to a loved about all the reasons i thought i had autism and they basically rationalized it so i thought maybe i didnt have it. But reading ur comment makes me wonder: why did i have such a strong negative reaction to being told i didnt have autism?? (I was literally sobbing) But looking back i felt as if its something i knew intrinsically but all of my experiences still werent enough to justify it.

[@tinytaleah]

YESSS and my family doesn’t do a good enough job at scraping the food off the plate like-

[@maphy1453]

I'm so sorry for hearing that :( I hope you can get a diagnosis really soon, don't give up ✨✨

[@yaga8337]

" I cried because I knew something was different about me" Bruh... You really want to be autistic huh? You aren't autistic. You literally went to a doctor and he told you that you're not, yet you still deny reality. You're trying so hard to prove your 'NOT THE OTHER GIRLS ✨🥺' so badly. Please get help. You sound like you may have munchausen syndrome which may explain your extreme want to be Neurodivergent. This obsessiveness isn't normal by any means and you should work on that personally. Please just love yourself and accept that you may be a bit different from other's. You don't have to be autistic to apprentice your uniqueness.

[@yaga8337]

Also literally half the people that have touched a sink hate washing dishes. It's isn't something only limited to Neurodivrgent folks