Autistic Person Reacts to Autism TikToks!

I'd love to post more frequently on this channel because I have WAY too many ideas! To make the possible, I've started a Patreon. If you join, you'll get get 2 exclusive videos a month and access to the Discord server, even on the lowest tier:
/ imautisticnowwhat
🐌 If you want to learn more about the Patreon & Discord community, I have a video tour! 🐌: • Introducing... THE ANT...
My first time on TikTok...
Actually Autistic woman reacts to autistic TikToks!
*Unmasking Autism by Devon Price:
amzn.to/3LhMV3j
*Chloe Hayden's Book (where was this book when I was 17?? PLEASE READ!):
amzn.to/40fKx2m
💛 WATCH NEXT:
Reacting to Autism Memes:
• I'm Officially LEAVING...
Autistic Person Reacts to AI's Take on Autism...
• Well, this is Insultin...
DISCLAIMER: I am a second-year psychology student and a late-diagnosed #actuallyautistic individual. I am not a qualified healthcare professional.
00:00 Let's gooo
00:16 Why does everyone hate us?
03:52 The pain of CHANGE
05:50 What type of autistic are you??
07:57 How NOT to respond to 'I'm Autistic'
13:00 You don't have to justify your autism
14:51 The WORST thing that could happen to a neurodivergent person
18:21 I'm Officially Leaving Society (Autism Memes)
The TikToks:
www.tiktok.com/@kristy_estell...
www.tiktok.com/@paigelayle/vi...
www.tiktok.com/@actually_emil...
www.tiktok.com/@imoosker/vide...
www.tiktok.com/@chloeshayden/...
📖 Books I'd Recommend about Autism:
*Aspergirls by Rudy Simone:
amzn.to/3xSZ6Mg
*Links with a star are affiliate links. The channel will receive a small commission if you buy anything on Amazon after clicking through with this link. There's no extra cost to you and any money will go towards putting out more content. I'd love to post twice a week and put more time into research for these videos. Thank you so much - I really appreciate every like and comment!

[@imautisticnowwhat]

More TikToks here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpOukqmOf8ZoaJY Thank you so much for watching! This was so fun to make (and my husband has a slightly better opinion of TikTok now, haha!). Let me know if you'd like to see another video like this (or if you have any other ideas). If you want to watch some more reactions, here are a couple that might give you a laugh... Reacting to Autism Memes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpulf6eBeriHZtk Autistic Person Reacts to AI's Take on Autism (ChatGPT wrote me a short story about late diagnosis)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGmqYWOAf7yXmpY

[@bubblechonza]

can you please tell us more about the university you study at??

[@cziegle3794]

Is this book by this doctor associated with Autism Speaks?

[@Mel-311]

​@@bubblechonza I also study with the open university. It's a distance university located in the UK (but you can study from anywhere). Since there are no mandatory lectures it's super flexible. And the student support team really is as amazing as she said!

[@CallMeMrjoe]

You HAVE to make more!!! They are fantastic!!! They literally make my day!!! ❤🙏😊

[@supermario35327]

perfect time to go on a completely pointless tangent (hope I'm using that word right) oddle noodle oddle noodle oodle noodle :)

[@willowsnow1092]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the "everyone masks" thing comes from the sort of broad definition of masking. Because in a way, everyone DOES alter themselves to fit in, but not to the same degree as an autistic person or someone with ADHD or even someone with depression does. They see it in a black and white "either you do it or you don't" rather than the entire spectrum of masking. Just because you decide not to talk about your passions doesn't mean you're masking to the same degree as an autistic person who is masking. I really do think it's a sort of uh.... translation... error? Idk how to describe it lmao

[@myconfusedmerriment]

I came here to say something similar. I think people have so many preconceived notions about autism (or ADHD, depression, etc), that it’s hard for people to see how all these traits manifest on a spectrum. In some ways the “everyone does that” people are kind of right, but they usually don’t take it to the conclusion “hey, maybe a lot of people mask but it’s harder or requires more effort for some, because all of our brains are different.” It’s always like “Well, I do that/other people do that and it’s not a big deal, so why can’t you be like everybody else?” Which is such weird logic. Just because I get seasonal allergies sometimes doesn’t mean I think asthmatics are faking it when they need an inhaler??

[@gigahorse1475]

Everyone puts on a different face for work than they do for church, school, or home. That’s neurotypical masking. Not everyone has to consciously think about their posture, try to control their facial expressions, and suppress stimming every moment of the day. That’s autistic masking.

[@LizzieMcDonnell]

Yes for sure!!! I agree with you. I think it's a misunderstanding of the definition of masking. It's a language thing. Still sucks though.

[@ShadrikEaston]

my entire face that i present to others is basically an amalgamation of every other person I met whilst I was learning how to fit in socially. I've masked for so long now I dont know if I can actually let down my guard. its so natural to be this version of me I adapted for public consumption. sad thing is, im ok with that. Im very aware now how many more hoops I have to jump through to make myself less noticeable. the idea that 'oh, everyone masks as you say, is true. but also like you say, they have no idea the extent to which we do this'. :)

[@mollykins8h]

Misinterpretation

[@D-Maulish]

"What is it about being autistic that everyone just hates you" = complete punch in my gut. I am so relieved to know this isn't just me, and I feel like a tiny band-aid has been gently slapped on my inner child. My poor school-age self... 💜

[@cupofteawithpoetry]

❤

[@ShipperTrash]

(Sorry it's long, but it didn't feel right to stop it before it feels complete lol) This also hit me harder than I'd like, as I'm periodically distressed that I can't keep good social relations or feel included no matter how hard I try, what I do and don't do. No matter how I choose to behave, it still feels isolating. I spent 4 years in uni trying to be friendly and helpful with my groupmates, I even held a bunch of sleepovers at my place! And then a month or 2 before graduation they still acted indifferent or like asses towards me, I struggled with failing classes and no one would help me when I asked for something small. Everyone else saw me as some weak waste of a human potential, I guess. Literally only 1 person was still nice and helpful, she's just like that. Everyone else tho... they just don't like me and it hurts, I wanted to be included and instead I'd just get hurt from their actions. I vented about some of these issues on amino autistic community and it felt nice to be understood. Truly understood. Because people there are like me, like us, they went through the same thing! I'm very glad we have these communities now, I can't imagine what was life for autistic people like in previous centuries...

[@atlanticjem2012]

At first, I didn't quite connect it... but then I burst into tears when she started to explain that! Total relief!!! So many occasions just flooded to mind of people I even looked forward to meeting and had such responses from. I won't name names, but I feel like that's happened every time I've met someone famous that I looked up to. And in an instant all my dreams were shattered of having any kind of actual connection with people I previously felt a connection to from the things they've said and shared publicly that made me think we'd get along so well. This is making me rethink so many things in my life! School teachers, employers, jobs I never got... 🤯🤯🤯

[@ghostofmisao.]

@Shipper trash Omg I'm in college now, and I'm only a rising junior, but every time I've had a group project and I've tried my best to be friendly/sociable and I thought it went well, everyone completely stopped talking after the class or project was over. And it feels so isolating because I've been an online student, so i could only meet people through group projects! I am starting to feel like it's stupid for me to expect any kind of friendship to form just from a group project, but it's my only hope you know?

[@ShipperTrash]

@@ghostofmisao. yeah, but it turnes out it's not enough to form a friendship. It can be a starting point though. You're acquainted now, if you had enough chemistry then you can start talking in private, but the specifics are honestly beyond me - I usually rely on sending memes and talking about favourite fandoms that I share with the person. If there's none - oh well...

[@JustAHoardOfRats]

Before I was born, my sister was diagnosed with "Asperger's Syndrome" because she has a really high IQ and really low social understanding. As I've gotten older, I've realized that I'm more than likely autistic and it's so frustrating being completely shut down about it by my family because I don't look and act just like my sister when none of my family has researched autism since the 2000's. (Especially frustrating because my mom is definitely autistic as well and she's told me that she's as "neurotypical as they come" lmaoo)

[@novasurely1957]

I have a very similar situation. My brother was diagnosed with adhd when he was rlly young and now that I'm starting to see symptoms in myself, I've been trying to get diagnosed, but my parents don't think it's reasonable since I'm not exactly like my brother even though there is actual evidence that girls often present their adhd differently and are less likely to be diagnosed. It's honestly draining trying to fight them on this issue and I just wish they would do some research of their own instead of basing it off of the singular case of my brother's adhd. Anyways good luck in your efforts!

[@turtleanton6539]

Same S me

[@jamiegdubois]

I’ve noticed a similar thing with my mom. I recently discovered I was on the spectrum but I’ve known for a while I had OCD. My mo, very clearly has OCD as well. I’ve mentioned my symptoms to her before and she will say things like, “yes, maybe when I was young but I was forced to overcome it”. I’ve tried to explain that’s not how OCD works, but she never seems to get it (all this being said, I love my mother very, very much, she just doesn’t understand sometimes).

[@Foxtrox7616]

​@@jamiegdubois I kind of have similiar experience but instead of denying it my mother just says that maybe, but she learned how to push through as the life required it of her (I suppose it's a "mask") I love how once I was diagnosed, almost everyone close to me in my family just thinks now that they might be on a spectrum themselves lol And it seems very possible

[@laartje24]

Same. My brother had autism with a lot of the stereotypical signs, non verbal at a young age, obsession with trains, meltdowns when plans changed etc. My parents were told by professionals that only boys could have it and girls were genetically not able to have it. So yeah my struggles, all off them, not only the autism ones, were ignored and denied. It was fun. Edit: Typos removed

[@Thi-Nguyen]

I love the phrase “low needs” autistic. That’s the one that was suggested to me when I was first diagnosed and it made SO much more sense. My doctor had said “high functioning” but it felt off because I felt like functioning was SUCH a struggle or something I was desperately trying to fake.

[@seedublancaster9755]

I believe I can relate to the experience you are expressing here on a deep and personal level. Well said!!

[@sarahr8311]

I feel like high support needs and low support needs is a good way of describing a lot of disabilities/conditions.

[@a.person1723]

same here. I have always felt that 'high functioning' was an inaccurate descriptor of our experiences. but until now been using that to describe myself, since my official 'Aspergers' diagnosis was retired as a term in the DSM 6.

[@dorothyallspice1862]

But even the support needs thing kinda throws me through a loop bc even though I’m “high functioning” I do believe I might have MORE support needs. So idk if “low” support needs is applicable to me. (Though it could just be my internalized ableism talking) But it’s a hell of a lot better than the functioning labels though!

[@samuelthecamel]

The only problem is that my pea brain interprets "low needs" as having a bad connotation due to the word "low." I know, personal problem.

[@lemongrassandsleep6352]

I was diagnosed with autism about a month ago, and I’m still processing every single instance I’ve ever been obviously autistic and didn’t realize haha- these TikTok’s were a delight ❤️

[@v_bunny]

i was diagnosed two months ago! it definitely feels like a truck of realisation hitting you. i still have so many moments where i think of a memory and go “wow it makes sense now”

[@lemongrassandsleep6352]

@@v_bunny yep!!! Totally get that

[@demideridder]

I got diagnosed few weeks ago. I finally know what was always “wrong with me” and could not fit in, and felt like I was never myself around anyone.

[@ebonyalexis32]

Me with my ADHD ❤

[@clairejones624]

I’ve been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD two months ago.

[@amypond7631]

about the eye contact--the first doctor i went to about autism decided that she wouldn't even look into diagnosing me or asking any questions because i made eye contact with her. i've also found that a lot of people say "you don't LOOK autistic" because they think people with autism look like people with down syndrome.

[@Maryaminx]

I can make eye contact pretty easily in a first meeting but passing coworkers in a hallway is physically painful with how hard I'm focusing on where my eyes are.

[@jacintaquee]

@@Maryaminxoh my god legit! i can make eye contact with people during a conversation because i know that is what is expected but what to do with my eyes when passing others… HORRIBLE

[@nio804]

​@@Maryaminx It's weird, social interaction is usually fine when I'm expecting it, but my brain when I notice someone familiar approaching in an unexpected situation goes like "Ok uh who is that oh right that person, prepare to say hello in a non-awkward way... ... ... now!"

[@ars6187]

One of the first things still taught/reinforced to children diagnosed with autism today in 2023 in ABA and occupational therapy is TO make eye contact with people regardless of their “level” when initially diagnosed BECAUSE IT CAN BE LEARNED. (duh) AND YET this continues to be among the first “reasons” sighted as to why we are NOT autistic when seeking a diagnosis for the sole purpose of self-knowledge -> healing, assistance, support, etc. 🤔 🤨 What the what?! Seems to me SOMEONE is lacking the ability to reason. Sus.

[@JustMeAri]

The first doctor said the same to me, even though I literally said before I know people don't expect us to make eye contact, but I could do it cause I read in books when I was younger that you should look in people's eyes. The second doctor said I was lying and I had a disease that faked diagnosis.

[@thismustbeisaac]

That whole “neurotypicals clocking subconsciously that you’re autistic” is such a revelation for me!! I’ve found that, completely unintentionally, most of, if not ALL of my close friends are neurodivergent! Even my S/O was recently diagnosed as neurodivergent! I just tend to get on better with people who have similar neurotypes as me :)

[@AutisticAwakeActivist]

I had no nd or nt friends because I was diagnosed at 51 I fit nowhere and developed my skills after 1/4 of my life. I’m a conscience pricker that is my roll in life. My roll is to have no friends and be hated. But they go away and the think. I make people think and look into themselves.

[@iamso-donewithmylife4sure]

Same! I have no nurotypical freinds😭 its just easy for me to make freinds like me

[@AutisticAwakeActivist]

@@iamso-donewithmylife4sure there is no friends like me I don’t fit with childhood diagnosed NDs either and I’m in a village . It’s all men who play games. I live reality it hurts. And I’m physically disabled and over 50 we a scattered to the winds. I got nowhere but the dust in the winds or eternal oblivion

[@allietarasova3560]

It's the opposite for me. Very few people actually believe that I am autistic. Now, they can sense something, for sure. But usually they think I must be depressed and/or not very good at socialising.

[@allexmussen9107]

I wonder if its similar to how lbgtq folk usually come together subconsciously too? Like it would be something incredibly cool to research into or to study social behaviors we subconsciously read like that

[@hannah-lk3oc]

It’s crazy how isolating all of this feels when you’re going through it alone and then I get to the internet and find people that share my EXACT experience. Thank you for making me feel a bit better about it all

[@UnnecessaryWords303]

I always feel this when watching these video. It’s like I finally have a home

[@MiotaLee]

I especially love seeing women with autism. It used to feel like such a 'boys club" thing

[@InThisEssayIWill...]

Dude, they just KNOW. I worked customer service in a call center, we worked (loosely) off a script or at least we're all giving the same answers even if we choose different wording. I would put on my nicest customer service voice and always be polite never break persona and people would be so rude and mean, while I'd have coworkers in a cubicle right next to me being downright rude to their callers (after having been justifiably provoked) and never get a bad review. I constantly struggled with poor customer feedback even when my managers couldn't find anything technically wrong with my calls.. people just DON'T LIKE ME.

[@kookykiddo]

my customers are generally nice to me but I really feel this!! My coworkers throw so much attitude and shade to people and I never stray from my tone. It’s frustrating. People still absolutely take advantage of this though.

[@alyssarasmussen1723]

maybe the whole women liking bad boys isnt so far fetched after all

[@princerex9790]

I have even noticed this whenever going out and about and being a customer myself. I notice it most when getting a haircut. It's like they smell the tisum on me and then they start either being very rude or go strught to infantalizing me. It's so bizarre

[@loverrlee]

Same 😭😭😭 I worked retail and I struggled to get any positive reviews even though I tried my very best to be the most helpful, kind, and patient, and always with a smile. It’s like they take your kindness and genuine heart as an easy target to abuse. 😢

[@rustung1638]

I had a different experience. My mask is basically "customer service mode" for me. So in customer service/call center environments I always excelled with the customers. It was always my coworkers that eventually outed me as "weird." One boss once once asked me why all the "freaks" would come visit my cubicle in an office with 500+ employees. I didn't know I was neuro divergent at the time, but the other neuro divergent workers did.

[@Nakia11798]

I really feel that thing about being hated. For me, it's always that people think I'm standoffish, then either get to know me or not. When they get to know me, they end up liking me for a little while and then deciding that I'm rude and uncaring OR that I'm an innocent baby and they can't relate to me. I also relate strongly to losing my safe foods.

[@Loopisus]

Omg being percieved as either rude and uncaring or as an innocent baby is literally the worst

[@starlamoon286]

Hard relate. It's very isolating.

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

Yes, see, this is why sometimes I just feel like not bothering to interact with society or anyone at all, but I know that's impractical

[@boredofcorn3151]

​@@LoopisusI have been infantilized by so many horrid people that i have a problem where id rather be demonized

[@Loopisus]

@@boredofcorn3151 tbh I get it. It’s at least not completely degrading when you’re demonized.

[@weirdcakes304]

Random Story; I used to be in scouts and once we had a meeting about autism. Thing was they taught us really wrong things and stereotypes. They had us do activities such as write with our non-dominant hand and wear drunk goggles while trying to walk in a straight line, then saying that’s how it’s like to be autistic. Even back then I thought it was kinda strange and had my doubts. Now that I am older I have so many things to say about that messed up experience.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Sometimes I think that trying to understand isn't really worth the effort. I don't think that people without autism are ever really going to understand what it's like to have autism for the same reason why the reverse never really works out. Even with the massive incentive for people with autism to understand how the non-autistic people view the world, it still doesn't really do much other than help create more effective masks. If we could understand each other, there wouldn't be all the videos covering the topic. Sometimes all you can really do is just accept it and try to be reasonable in accommodating it.

[@stingrae919]

That’s really messed up. I wouldn’t have been able to handle that if I went through that at a young age. I’ve already struggled with coming to terms with being autistic and something that blatantly ableist and incorrect would’ve made me feel like crap. I hope they don’t do that to kids anymore. Sorry you had to go through that.

[@comicconcarne]

My scout troop disbanded and reformed without telling me 😊

[@a.person1723]

You know, I watched a youtube once a while back where some cops were 'educating' the public on the effects of weed on the brain. the same methods were utilized that you just described. so my guess is that neurotypicals see all people having handicaps, impairments, and differences as being sloppy drunks.

[@galaxythedragonshifter]

​@@a.person1723Oh wow. That's really screwed up.

[@raelynteaguewrites]

Gosh, the "experts." I had a psychiatrist who, in our first and only session, overturned my diagnosis that had taken weeks of testing and interviews. He told me I wasn't autistic, that my only problem was I was "cute and vulnerable," and therefore my mother did everything for me. He'd never met my mother, nor had we ever discussed her, and I was an adult living on my own in a different city than my mother... A friend of mine who's seeking diagnosis was also recently contacted by the person who would be doing his assessment if he pursues that. She straight up told him she didn't even want to assess him because she didn't think he had autism. Why? Because he had friends and a (neurodivergent) wife...

[@myconfusedmerriment]

Yikes, it is ROUGH out there. Sorry that happened to you and your friend. (Cute and vulnerable…literally what??!) Reminds me of a friend who went to a practice that specialized in ADHD treatment and they told him he didn’t have ADHD, he was “just dramatic.” Like…he very clearly has a lot of the textbook signs of ADHD. If these are the “experts,” who are we supposed to trust?

[@raelynteaguewrites]

@@myconfusedmerriment Yeah, I got diagnosed about a decade ago. I was kind of hoping things had gotten better now that there was more awareness about autism, but my friend's experience kind of says otherwise. That's awful when the people who specialize in ADHD treatment can't recognize it! And it IS rough, especially since those who seek a professional diagnosis may be depending on those "experts" in order to get accommodations they need.

[@pokelover02]

Finding an AuDHD therapist has really saved me. I realize that it’s very rare to find that though :(

[@theartist_harlivi]

My support worker today said she thinks that some people “use” their diagnosis to get away with things and not try at all. I didn’t really know what to say. I was stumped. All I could say was I didn’t get that chance, I was diagnosed as an adult and struggled without knowing why my whole life. I also had to explain to her that you don’t just become autistic as an adult or grow out of it either.

[@jamesphillips2285]

I think sometimes NT people don't actually believe that we think differently. Its why they don't believe us when we clearly state our needs.

[@NormyTres]

Unfortunately, I think it's true though. Honesty seems to be a popular trait amongst autistic people, but it isn't universal, and I have personally met a couple of people who will manipulate people by using their diagnosis as an excuse for poor behaviour. This is one reason that partners may end up with Cassandra Syndrome. I think it's probably pretty rare though. I hope so.

[@Em_Elizabeth]

I've witnessed one person use autism as an excuse (to be a jerk or to get out of doing his job properly) but I know it's not every neurodivergent, just one bad apple.

[@poyudi]

When it comes to the food one. Honestly. Just take a break from eating that food for a couple months, maybe a bit longer. Then come back to it. I usually have that kind of reaction to food when I've gotten bored of it and need a break from having it. I've had times where after not having something for months, I try it again. And its suddenly amazing food again.

[@CraftyVegan]

I do something similar where if I need to change something, I’ll substitute it with a completely separate food before I start using the replacement. For example, because I have extreme lactose intolerance, I had to switch to a plant based milk (waaaay before I went vegan) so I swapped out milk with the added calcium version of orange juice including in cereal. Kinda. Only with bran flakes though. But by the time I got used to not having milk and only drinking calcium orange juice for like a month, I added soy milk to my favorite cereal (multigrain cheerios btw) and it tasted so good… literally I used to gag from soy milk but going without for a while and subbing in something not even remotely similar tasting made a big difference

[@xXxLolerTypxXx]

Same. I often have some food that suddenly tastes amazing and I'll eat that for days, until at some point I get bored of it and it starts to taste bland. That can be simple things as well, like bread rolls with a certain type of cheese, or boiled eggs. In my childhood that often caused my parents to start buying that particular thing in bulk and once it was always available I lost interest.

[@jamesphillips2285]

@@xXxLolerTypxXx My dad is ALWAYS trying to figure out what we like: so he can buy it in bulk. Getting through 120 packages of ramen noodles because I couldn't decide on a specific flavour was rough (5 flavours, 24 packs).

[@steveneardley7541]

Since I had no idea how to act in high school, I adopted a funny, aggressively weird persona. Then at least people thought my weirdness was something that was chosen, rather than a defect. It worked pretty well, actually. Before that time I was completely withdrawn. Afterwards I had friends. I actually enjoyed playing out this persona, because it allowed me to express myself. I studied people a lot--like an anthropologist--but WHY people acted the way they did totally baffled me. Had I missed some important class at school?

[@pokelover02]

Same! Being a goofball became my persona. My friend group used to call me the Karen (from Mean Girls) of the group because I played the ditsy, weird girl character well.

[@rejectfalseicons]

this is what i started doing in college!! i now aim to be the class clown. its kinda fun confusing people. and ive noticed that people tend to think youre kinda cool if youre weird in that way.

[@jaya7760]

I've lost jobs because of the "vibe" people seem to get from me. I can be friendly and participative and everything other people seem to be doing but how I'm doing it isn't good enough. I remember participating in light office gossip with all these other people who did it all the time and I'm like "oh this is what we should do." I ended up talking to HR for my inappropriate behavior. And the people who are adverse to me seem to latch on and try to get me in trouble. Luckily my job now is solo with limited moments of interactions.

[@xMotherOfDragonsx]

I've gotten fired 2 times, it's for the same reasons

[@zaraandrews600]

I have been really struggling this. My colleagues now dodge talking to me and my manager complains I am too much work so I am trying to find a new job.

[@xMotherOfDragonsx]

@@zaraandrews600 I'm trying real hard to find a job that involves plants, cleaning or anything that I can handle. I love helping out and cleaning

[@lunatheleo]

I’m glad it’s not just me. This literally happened to me. My temporary contract at a company was not extended after working there for nearly 2 years because I “wasn’t brand x (insert brand name) enough”. Wtf these were their exact words and there was not even anything I had said or done they could find blame in but I was let go just for the person that I am.

[@pokelover02]

Oh gosh I’ve had the worst experiences with disability services and HR. You are not alone. Thankfully I mostly work from home now

[@shleegaming]

I told my husband that I think I might be autistic and his immediate response was to loudly laugh because he "doesn't see it." Later, I finally checked myself in to therapy for depression and told my therapist I thought I might be autistic. . . and he also laughed. I don't think I'll ever be diagnosed, but quietly know in my heart that this is could be the reason I'm so different from everyone else and always have been. Just because I seem fairly put together and can navigate most social situations (painfully and I have to fake it most of the time). I don't know where I'm going with this comment, I'm just tired and found this video informative and entertaining. Thanks for the smile at least. EDIT: I took the RAADS-R, AQ, CAT-Q, and Aspie tests and am now completely confident in my suspicions that I'm very much on the autistic side of the spectrum. No doubts anymore and feeling pretty validated 💜

[@bushral.tasneem5464]

I hope you get diagnosed!

[@pokelover02]

So glad you took the tests! Definitely look for neurodivergent specialists if you can. I have an AuDHD therapist who is 100% affirming of my self diagnosis. There’s still hope ❤

[@loverrlee]

I’m so sorry you went through that! :( Sooooo many women get misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed because they only ever did studies on male autism and ugh I’m just so mad because I can relate to so many autistic memes and tiktoks and stuff and I’ve been told I can’t be autistic too but it honestly would explain so so much in my entire life…

[@hgrey8725]

That's horrible and I hope you'll soon get the affirmation you deserve. I've been diagnosed for several years now and, as a male who lives in a pretty openminded country, the worst stuff I've gotten regarding my autism has come from my own brain. I will say that I relate to a bit of what you said, although not to the same extent. There have been a few times in the past where I've spoken to my long distance bf about my autism and he's retorted in a similar manner, brushing it off as me being silly or whatever. He'd say stuff like "Come on man, you're not autistic", "You have full control of yourself and behave like a normal person" and "stop, you don't seem autistic in the slightest". He later admitted that he had always viewed autistic people as people who are mentally/physically disabled. Anyway, being very stubborn, I force-fed him information on the subject, cleared up any misinformation and shut down every retort with *"It's in me fuckin papers man, wot u on about?"* lol. Ever since then he's been completely accepting of it all, even intrigued, and we can make jokes about it. I really hope your husband can reach that level of acceptance because literally all it takes is a few hours of an open mind. I don't know your gender or pronouns and all that, and I don't like to assume, but I know that females have a harder time getting an official diagnosis, and in case you are female and that seems to be a factor in how others perceive you, know that both you and your autism is valid and that you absolutely deserve a diagnosis. Either way, keep fighting for those papers and know that you'll always be a part of our odd little 'tism club, with or without an official diagnosis. We're happy to have ya! (Sorry 'bout the novel. I enjoy typing)

[@reneebroski]

please for your own sake get a new husband and a new therapist lol

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

When I used to be married (...a story in itself) every ONE of my wife's friends would silently take her aside and say something along the lines of "...um, your husband. What is wrong with him? He's weird." Usually I would be trying my damndest to be totally normal at these times. Haha, now the mystery is at least partly understood by me...

[@comicconcarne]

I've been married for a year and I get kinda scared with all these autistic divorce stories. Fortunately it seems like when the partner knows they're signing up for it, the outcomes are better - but it also seems like people change so much over time, it's difficult to keep growing together instead of drifting apart, especially if your executive functioning or other abilities decrease.

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

@@comicconcarne if I could do anything differently next time I get into a relationship, I would test out how my partner reacts to me being more open about stim behaviors, starting early on. Of course, in the beginning of our relationship I buried my stims and it made me miserable, due to shame, shame transferred to me from a close minded, uninformed and largely unsupportive partner. Be yourself from the get-go, stims and all, and hopefully you'll find out sooner if they'll love you just the same. My story is just one, and I know it can be hard to stay positive seeing comments like mine and media that reflects it, but try to be positive, and I hope your relationship turns out much happier.

[@Pamini-xt5kn]

Im recently diagnosed with adhd, n im finding out how similar yet so different autism is to adhd. It feels good to relate n understand eachother :))

[@metracxx]

can relate, it's very interesting! what stood out for me in this video is the food thing, which can be an adhd related thing as well i think (at least it's for me)

[@Pamini-xt5kn]

@@metracxx oh yes I understand, but I dont think its as bad for me as shown in da video. Im very picky with my food cuz of food textures, like i cant eat onions dat hav been cooked into soft long bits, feels like worms in my mouth n it makes me wanna puke. N foods with too many stuff in it dat each hav very different texture n all hav been chopped into lil bits i cant eat, im from an Asian country so there is a lot of food like dat n i just cant eat it 😔

[@anna.owo.]

I have dysothographia which does effect how express my ideas, and i can relate to some stuff. i have noticed that i am often othered and many people have told me that at first they didn't like me for no apparent reason and people enjoy to antagonise me, like i said "it is better to not buy pugs and other dog breeds like that because they are unhealthy and inbred" and one girl was like "so now i want to buy one" and stuff like that. It isn't just my perspective, my nt friend always noticed that. I grew up thinking i was just weird but now i realised it just some neurotypical people being mean. About food i have some textures i hate, like onions and stuff that are cut in small pieces but i can still see and feel, i hate in but i had to eat them because my mom always does it

[@Pamini-xt5kn]

@@anna.owo. oh ive never heard of dat diagnosive :0 but i can relate on da “ppl naturally hatin for no reason” part. Idk how to socialize n when i try to ppl usually ignore me, like recently my classmates were asking for participates for our graduation dance dats planned n executed by our class, i asked to put my name it da list of dancers n they agreed to. Fast forward to a couple of days i still haven’t heard from them n grad party came (yesterday actually, it was fun:) ) i thought they never did dance practices? No, they did do dance practices i just wasnt invited for it. Well they looked like they were having fun dancing n i enjoyed myself too with my 2 besties so im not dat bothered by it:). Oh u hate onions too? Yess they just not nice :(( my mom puts onions in everything n i hate it so much ;-; i usually just live on snacks n water, but recently ive been addicted to apple juice been drinking cartons of it hehe

[@dismurrart6648]

I have adhd too. It's wild tbh just the ways neurodivergence can be similar across diagnosis.

[@gregofthedump]

I was finally diagnosed autistic last November, at an unhelpfully late age (52). I actually did find things getting more difficult as i got older. As far as i was concerned, I'd tried everything i could think of to improve my life. Nothing had worked. Now, things are finally making sense. 🙂

[@NormyTres]

That gives me hope. I've been screened but still awaiting my assessment and diagn6at 59. I'm finding it harder to cope as I get older too. I really need a diagnosis to get people to take me seriously or I'm in danger of losing yet another job, and as I get older it gets harder to find new ones.

[@romywilliamson4981]

The way you described choosing a high school based on having as few people as possible from your primary school... That's exactly what I did.

[@thesincitymama]

Me too

[@solitairelyrics]

how i chose my college :D

[@lunarwolf-pie813]

For the 'Why does everyone hate us' portion, I was confused as to why more people didn't vibe with autistic people. I personally never had many problems hanging out and meeting with Autistic people, I actually found them much easier to be around. I don't know if its because I was accidentally placed in a special needs class when I was younger or if its because I have an autistic sibling.😅

[@loverrlee]

I hate to break it to you, but if you primarily get along well with autistic people, there is a good chance that means you’re autistic too (this happened to me and I’m 99% sure I’m also autistic)

[@coffeekat5066]

@@loverrlee I second this, I don't know advice? haha I'm autistic, I have three older brothers who are all a good bit older than me so the eldest wasn't overly present in my childhood cause he'd already practically grown up....Yet I've always related to and gotten along with him more than the other two? Hmm.... Yeah, he recently found out he's autistic too.

[@a.person1723]

@@coffeekat5066 it runs in families sometimes.

[@LowSelf-EsteemLord]

Same tbh

[@Em_Elizabeth]

I had a close friend who was autistic. He didn't have other friends and ... before we fell out, I used to wonder why people didn't like him. Unfortunately, some bullied people later become bullies.

[@catienoble3191]

I just need to vent about this. I first realized I might be autistic in 2019, but when I brought it up to my therapist at the time, she immediately shot me down with "no, I don't think so". I then brought it up at my next appointment with my psychiatrist, but he too immediately said "no, I don't think so", but he printed out a list of places in the area that I could go if I wanted to seek a diagnosis. My old therapist's practice was on the list, so I brought it up to her again and she begrudgingly gave a take-home diagnostic test... to my mom. Like, I get that it can be important to get input from a parent in order to make a diagnosis, but I was 18 at the time - shouldn't I have gotten diagnostic paperwork too? My mom's paperwork said I wasn't autistic, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was, but that I was just being dismissed and not heard. Eventually, I convinced myself that I wasn't autistic for a while. Then, just over a year ago, I realized I had ADHD, and though the process of being diagnosed (which I now am), all of those feelings came back up to the surface. I talked about them with my current therapist and told her this story, and she too felt the need to say "no, definitely not". But as I accepted and embraced my ADHD, I found that that didn't explain everything in my life (though it does explain a lot lol). I think autism completes the picture. I am now self-diagnosing myself as autistic because I don't think I can bear being dismissed and misunderstood by professionals once again. Sorry, I know that was a lot, but I feel better now lol

[@skdamico13]

Wow are you me? Such a similar experience except I finally did get my diagnosis recently after initially giving up, then going for it. I can say it wasn’t worth it to get officially diagnosed by a neurotypical doctor… especially if you are sure you are already. The best part of all this is finally feeling like a part of a community of similar but different individuals.

[@kellylyons1038]

Same here. I also have 3 rare chronic illnesses and those were also pains to get diagnoses for (even tho they are all connected so if you have one you have all 3, not sure why simple logic is hard for doctors since you're supposed to have to be smart but oh well). I have tried before to discuss autism and got shut down but after going thru the medical world with my other conditions, my patience to deal with this shit anymore is gone. If a doctor isnt willing to get their head out of their ass, then i leave and find another doctor. Its not easy to do that though. Pretty sure my cat is smarter than these doctors lol (and much more empathetic!)

[@LizzieMcDonnell]

I really feel what you're saying here. I also have had experiences in which professionals were very stubborn and dismissive towards me and my questions about a possible diagnosis. It's really painful. It just goes to show how rooted the stigma about autistic people is in society, including the medical world. Doctors like these ought to be ashamed. Also such BS that only your mum got paperwork. At the end of the day, you know your own truth. You know what your sensory experiences are. You know what you struggle with and what you are amazing at. And you aren't alone. Exhibit A: this channel, this video and all these comments.

[@ellelk2443]

sounds very similar to what I went through as well but I just can't bring myself to self-diagnose, I can only say I'm still waiting to be assessed (even though in reality I've been "assessed" before and I'm actually just trying to get the courage to mention it to my current gp)

[@nv3363]

I was recently diagnosed with adhd, it was working great until I started freaking out over loud noises, it’s like my adhd was always distracting me and it was like I couldn’t hear or smell very well unless I concentrated hard. But once I took my adhd medication all of a sudden loud noises, smells and bright lights are super overwhelming. The medicine makes me calm and able to concentrate the only time I get upset is when I’m trying to multitask and i just get information overload or there’s loud noises that cause me to feel anxious. They’ve caused me to have to leave the room because they caused me anxiety and I felt like I needed to escape. That is when I started suspecting that I might be autistic, I’ve started watching a ton of videos in autism and have written entire paragraphs on why I feel so strongly about it. I’ve even told my coworker whose adhd and autistic, he told me that he absolutely thinks I should go get tested and I can relate a lot to him, however I’m afraid that they’ll just deny me. When I first told my mother I thought I could possibly be autistic she immediately told me “nope I would be able to tell”

[@congratulations-]

I was trying to organise a meeting with my friends for 3 weeks because whenever we decide on a date someone would say they got busy so we would delay it. It was one of the least productive 3 weeks of my life. I just laid on the floor and watched the ceiling all day.

[@imautisticnowwhat]

Oh nooo!! That sounds like the worst 😅

[@congratulations-]

@@imautisticnowwhat oh it was. And i was waiting for my delivery the whole time. They kept delaying it also 😂

[@jonathantrauner3742]

​@@imautisticnowwhat INTENTION // The definition of a hero is a person who endures through the greatest adversities and sacrifices lovingly for the greater good of our collective humanity period. // The definition of a hero is a person who survives through the greatest obstacles and challenges and comes out the other side of those challenges eternal heroes. // Define people by their perseverance and resilience not by their failures and their mistakes. Never give up during difficult times. Tough times create champions. // Nothing is impossible to our collective humanity when we overcome and stay positive. The greatest champions and triumphers went through hell and won. // How we exist in the present is how we get remembered. During our greatest battles and wars we are not defined by our falls. We are defined by our courage. // Unconquerable and indestructible triumphers rise above the ashes of defeat and setbacks to become a true all time great. Keep on rising. // We were all meant to triumph and conquer over our toughest battles and wars. Through who we are, we have the power to love and inspire. // Positivity and hope exterminates negativity eternally. Superheroes fly against the wind not away from it which is why I thrive in turbulence. // We are not the heroes of everyone’s life stories. We are the heroes of our own life stories. Make every second of life count. We never know when our lives will end. // Superheroes and heroes exist inside of our loving hearts and souls. Greatness excellence and victory is only achieved when we rise up. Nothing is impossible.

[@Eduardo-xy8jj]

When I was a kid, cold water was my confort drink. I drank it so much i had a “water poisoning ” 😅

[@skyetrick2666]

On sudden changing plans, I don’t so much just sit and stare into space (sometimes I do!) I find instead my anxiety kicks up full force and I end up being very touchy, so for a while if people try to talk to me or ask me about anything I can be very very easily set off into a meltdown. If the plans cancelled were something I personally was looking forward to, multiply that reaction by 1000. I really wish I could just go do something else calmly and happily 😔

[@CouchNoodles]

I’m not autistic, but I always love watching videos like this so I can know how to better communicate with certain people, considering that I really struggle with it.

[@dorothyallspice1862]

Thank you! You are a saint!

[@mistydake2109]

THEM: "But you're making eye contact with me..." ME: "In lieu of masking, I've reframed the concept of eye contact into a challenge where I try to identify objects behind me that are visible in your eyeball reflections." THEM: "I see the autism now."

[@lydiagentry6467]

“YoU dOnT aCt AuTisTiC” Yeah. Because I was bullied for doing that. 🙃

[@LillyAnna17]

I'm self diagnosed autistic, (both my parents work in the mental health part of medical care), and actually diagnosed with adhd. I can say that, from experience, it doesn't matter how many times I moved or changed schools. People still didn't like me. I literally moved out of my home state multiple times, and nothing changed. When people see you as unusual they automatically make the decision to treat you as such.

[@isabellefaguy7351]

From my autistic adult experience (45 y.o.), it does gets worse over time. We accumulate fatigue, our sensory overload get even worse, people's expectation get higher ("at 45, you should be able to do such and such", "at your age, you should no longer have meltdowns", etc.). And you suddendly can't anymore do stuff you used to be able to do. For example, in my 20's I was able to drive a car on a daily basis in heavy traffic. Nowadays, I could drive only on a perfect day, in a very low traffic area.

[@scalylayde8751]

Top tip for literally anyone: if you don't know whether to respond positively or negatively or something someone has said (like their autism diagnosis, or someone dying that they had a complex relationship with), "how do you feel about that?" is almost always a safe option. It shows you're interested and care about them without trying to guess at their feelings or risk reacting in the "wrong" way

[@TransGuyShane]

I was called a freak for years but Halestorm helped me embrace my freak label and now it's something I am proud of ♡

[@mariazeredo6657]

Yes halestorm is one of my favorite bands because of that!

[@TransGuyShane]

@@mariazeredo6657 definitely one of the best bands imo ♡ Lzzy helped me accept myself and now I wave all my flags (im ftm demisexual bisexual with fibromyalgia and alot of other issues but I wear them all with pride so I can help raise awareness and help others accept themselves) ♡ Also lzzy literally wrote a song about being neuro diverse ♡ P.s its lovely to meet another freak here🤘

[@mariazeredo6657]

@@TransGuyShane Lizzy helped me too!! It's great that you found a way of raising above your issues and raise awareness :) We need more of that in this world. I have been blasting "strange girl" a lot lately. Which song did she right about being neurodiverse? I wanna take a look Freaks for life 🤟❤️

[@TransGuyShane]

@@mariazeredo6657 I'm glad she has helped you aswell ♡ Thanks ♡ and I agree , we need more awareness for alot of different things tbh ♡ Haha I love strange girl , I weirdly relate to it coz people used to call me a strange girl when I first transitioned lol The song is called chemicals (I really enjoy the acoustic version) ♡ She sings about having add and being different but we are all made of chemicals (we are all human basically) but yeah it's a great song ♡

[@haileye4215]

Same thing happened with me basically, it wasn't due to anything in particular but im autistic and have been in a lot of fandoms that are often considered ''cringe'' (furries, fnaf, gacha, mlp, deltarune(?), probably more) and after awhile ive just decided to give up on trying to be ''cool'' by hating on cringy things and instead just embraced being cringy and its made me a lot happier in general

[@micheller3251]

my trick for when our brain starts being repulsed by a kind of food we like is (you're probably not gonna like it) to not eat it... like... for a year at least. What I learned with the years is that the more I force it the least likely I am to be able to eat it again without feeling icky.

[@secretlybees]

For YEARS I couldn't eat peanutbutter anymore.... until suddenly I was at my friend's and the peanutbutter was smelling particularly good, and I've been able to eat it regularly again for a while now!!! It's not a daily staple like before, but I'm relieved to enjoy it again!

[@thecolorjune]

Yeah. This happened with two of my childhood safe foods: oatmeal and scrambled eggs. With both I had to take ~1 year off from eating them. It also happened with yogurt (I can only eat cherry yogurt too or I gag lol, I have no idea why because I don’t like cherries).

[@novasurely1957]

Ugh I used to really like apple cinnamon nutrigrain bars as a kid. I would eat them basically every day and then suddenly just couldn't do it. I hated them. I haven't tried to eat them for a while, but last I checked I still just can't do it. No clue why, but I mean, it was a bigger loss as a kid than it is now lol.

[@maskedmallard537]

I used to always ask for cheesecake as a kid. My parents knew, if we were going to a place that sold cheesecake, that's what I was getting. Then one day, ick. I haven't had cheesecake in decades and have no desire to ever again. I just tell people that I've used up my lifetime allotment of cheesecake. 🤣 Meanwhile, I tried for years as a child to like jello, because it looked so tasty and fun! But, no, ick. Then one day in my late teens, early 20s somewhere, it suddenly started tasting good. Maybe there's just not enough room in my world for both cheesecake AND jello. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Dillenger.69]

I didn't find out until I was 54 and divorced because I was "too hard to love" after 25 years. 7 years later and I have ditched most of my "friends" and only kept the ones who are actually accepting.

[@cupofteawithpoetry]

❤

[@demondaddy328]

Also to add to the part about people assuming the worst about being autistic, I use this analogy: I was diagnosed with type one juvenile diabetes when I was 9. Before the diagnosis, I became severely ill to the point that I ended up in the ICU for a week. Once they diagnosed me and started giving me the resources I needed to survive as a diabetic, my life made more sense and became easier to manage. Growing up not knowing I was autistic was so difficult and when I made that discovery as an adult it literally changed my life for the better and yet so many people seem to get upset with me for saying “I’m autistic” and not “I’m diabetic” because they understand the need for resources for ONE of those disabilities and not the other.

[@saml4004]

While working in an adult day center for adults with disabilities one client stated he has autism and my boss’s response was to tell him he can’t have autism because “he wouldn’t be so social”…. I was like “….that’s…not how this works….” I was diagnosed with Autism a couple weeks ago (at 34 yr old) after suspecting for a long time (been diagnosed as ADHD since a kid) and I’m still processing but videos like this help. Thank you!

[@indigoalexgaming4500]

ahhh, first one hits hard. most the time i just assume im "too out there", "not the type of person they like to be around" or im "too annoying"... damnit

[@coridapper]

I love that you mentioned cycle!! People who menstruate with ADHD or ASD have a higher instance of PMDD compared to neurotypical (or other types of neurodiverse) individuals.

[@suzz1776]

A little trick I learned to sorta kinda be able to look into people's eyes, is to practice looking at the eyes of people in yt videos and then when u get comfortable with that then go out in public and trick ur brain into thinking ur looking at the person through the screen, when talking to them. It works for me about 10% of the time, the other 90%, well y'all know how that goes lol😅

[@sarahr8311]

If you look right between eyebrows it looks like eye contact but isn't. Useful for job interviews etc.

[@StarStoneWolf]

8:18 I had actually found a work around this when I was in highschool. Girls that are on trend and are either doing all the school stuff like ideal students or drugs? No. Never. It's impossible, it's illogical, it's against my tism. But... hanging out with the geek girl squad who also like drawing? YES I can chat their ears off about my favorite anime and my ocs to them. And in return, I just had to listen to them talk about every version of Teenage Mutant Turtels, Hetalia and Homestuck lore, Star Wars ocs, and how Transformers give birth. It's was a pretty good trade-off, really.

[@prettyrat.]

… how DO transformers give birth?

[@StarStoneWolf]

@Pretty Rat Do you want to know? Like, are you sure you want to know??? Okay... Transformers reproduced by "budding," a mitosis-like form of asexual reproduction whereby Transformers could rapidly reproduce by generating a mass of energized liquid metal from within their body. This mass then splits itself off from the "parent" Transformer to become a new Cybertronian. My friend once also mentioned how there are fans who didn't like the asexualty of the transformers, cause it implies that the males can get themselves pregnant. And that weirds them out, lmao So there are fanfictions of how instead the male Transformers ingect liquid metal into the female ones, which is just basically just robot corn...

[@jbug884]

I looked like a popular, cheerleader type at school, but hated all that crap! Those popular girls wanted me in their group, but no way! I loved nothing more than been alone in my room drawing, instead of going shopping or clubbing, those types strike me as shallow, boring and superficial. I gravitate towards strange and unusual people, far more interesting 😂

[@AramatiPaz]

Many times in my childhood I wondered if I was autistic. Eventually as a adult I see the mandatory prerequisites to a diagnostic then was like "then it's settled. I'm not autistic just weird for any other reason". Now I'm having postgraduation in the education area and most my classmates are certified in special education and whatnot. ... My classroom and some teachers are pretty sure I have ASD. 🤦‍♂️

[@amypond7631]

that first section was wild to me. i wasn't diagnosed until i was 16, and i spent a large portion of my life wondering how everyone seemed to know i was different and why they all seemed to dislike me for it. the fact that people just intuitively *know* explains a LOT

[@coffeekat5066]

Right? I mean as a teenager I was so excited to finish high school cause I'd heard most people outgrew bullying and being judgemental and I thought I'd get to make friends who liked me for who I am. (I kind of assumed my appearance was why no one liked me) ...Only to find out I apparently have a "vibe" and actually my whole life is going to be this way. Now I have to sit and evaluate if I've actually looked fine this whole time... (That's mostly a joke haha I know I'm pretty average in the looks department now, not the hideous creature I used to think I was but...Trauma sticks)

[@Ayshafr]

I don't have autism but there are certainly some things here that I relate to, particularly about changing plans. I cannot bring myself to do anything when my plans are canceled no matter how hard I try. I do have ADHD though 🤪 I find it interesting seeing the points where ADHD and autism overlap (and where they don't) and also just the ways in which people can relate to each other regardless of diagnoses/exact conditions. I also just appreciate being able to learn about different experiences, it's so easy to assume that our internal experience of the world is "normal" and must be the same for everyone. Anyway thank you for the fun and entertaining video :)

[@clairejones624]

As someone who was diagnosed with both ADHD and Autism, I agree. Many of the symptoms do overlap.

[@LaceyMyriah]

My therapist (who is AMAZING and when I told her I thought I was autistic, she just supported me and affirmed me) told me last week that they’re considering making ADHD a symptom of being on the spectrum, because they’re so strongly linked. I don’t have any facts or feelings on this - but thought I’d share what I’d learned recently! I am diagnosed with adhd, however.

[@leavemealone2997]

i've had people nervously laugh when i explain that the reason i do some things is because I'm autistic, which is very strange. one of the nicest responses I've had is when i was talking to my close friend about how my autism presents and someone overhead and simply asked "are you autistic?" and without thinking, i just looked at them and said "yea!" and their response was just "oh, cool!" and we simply moved on. it was great!

[@stampandscrap7494]

I have some Autistic and many ADHD traits, realised that all my stims are quite hidden. Wiggling toes, tightening muscles, picking at scabs, lumps nervous pulling at lip. But my food I would have said not Autistic because I can eat lots of foods, but at times, I don't know what I want specifically just describe temperature, texture, fresh, spicy. eg cold , crisp, Sharp apple. Warm, chewy, salty, wet so a beef stew and if the food fits those then I can eat it. If it doesn't I can't eat it. Anyone else do this?

[@myconfusedmerriment]

I have an autistic friend (has been diagnosed since childhood), who I would class as a pretty adventurous eater. She’s usually down to try new cuisines, although sometimes she does prefer to go with her old faves. It could be that she’s just made an effort to branch out in adulthood, but I do think autistic traits are going to be different in each individual and just because you don’t check off every single one of them doesn’t make you not autistic. Also, if you have ADHD as well that might change what autism looks like for you.

[@anonomus4598]

Yeah I'm kind of like that too, I am averse to some things but tend to be almost more adventurous with food than the average person. I struggle a lot with bland food. Autism can lead to being hypo or hypersensitive with things, you may just be on the hyposensitive side like myself or your autism might just not effect your taste/ability to eat

[@maskedmallard537]

I eat all the things basically too. But I will sit starving for hours trying to identify what I want to eat. I'll sit in my car and peruse menus as the sun gets lower and lower and places eventually shut down for the night and then somehow decide that the food I want was in a place that just closed/is closing soon. Or, I'm at home, the fridge is full of tons of stuff, stuff I like to eat, but none of it says eat me. And I'll wish I could have something simple and fast, like all the leftovers in the fridge. And then wind up making some complicated thing from scratch that takes hours to make, because ADHD as well, and it's great, but ugh!

[@maskedmallard537]

I also do all the picking at everything! Scabs, bumps, hairs. My parents once thought I had allopecia as a child because I picked off all the hair on a particular point on my head. My mum just switched my part over until it grew back. I've picked off all my eyebrows and eyelashes at various points, and when my hair was longer, I would form it into loops and crush the little loops or just chew on it. It made a satisfying crunchy sound. I've picked all the gel off phones cases, picked at marks on desks and made them bigger, steering wheels, that gold stuff on the edge of fancy looking books, the little stubs on the perforated sides of paper, etc. If it sticks out, I pick it. Now that I allow myself to do regular stims like leg bouncing, humming and rocking, I find I pick less. If I can get myself to leave the annoying hairs alone, they will grow out and be less bothersome. I also think a lot was internalized NT-ism or something; I knew something was off about me and did "things" to try to correct it? Like, now that I know I'm neurodivergent, like idgaf anymore and don't get the urge as much to engage in the more destructive BFRBs as much. I also accepted my NBness (or possibly am some flavor of intersex) so I let the hairs on my chin grow out whereas before it was like, oh noes, girls don't grow beards!, pick pick pick and having a permanent red mark on my chin.

[@narushini704]

I can relate. If I even feel hungry or have appetite (which isn't always the case, sometimes I just eat because I haven't eaten anything that day) I'll have to choose my food by whatever kind of taste, texture etc. fits. Even seemingly similar food can feel quite different, so much that I'll struggle making others understand why I really cannot eat 1 but the other. Overall I am lucky that I love vegetables and eat nearly all of them (though it is very important how they were prepared) if they are cooked/prepare in a way I like. Unfortunately some people don't understand that me saying I like tomato or celery for example only is true if they prepare them the right way.

[@MaeRose26]

recently bc i stated in another video agreeing with someone that autism is not an excuse for murder, someone else commented to me "well not every autistic person is like u" which i agree with. ik it's a spectrum after all. but then they said "but some of us have actually struggled in our lives". that part pissed me off bc i was literally abused since i was a baby and for many many years. the abuse stopped finally when i was 23, which was only 3 years ago and im in therapy for a lot of unresolved issues. so, to prove my point, i sent them an entire book on just the basic ways i was abused and struggled from baby to the age of 23. they havent responded back

[@YourRyeBread]

I’m really glad to know I’m not the only one who has had asian safe foods as a white person from a young age. I was considered weird for a long time for it so it's just comforting ig to know Chloe experienced it for a long time

[@loverrlee]

I’m white and I also loves Asian food, it’s actually my favorite kind of food (I grew up in California which may or may not be relevant) but yeah American Chinese food or Thai or Japanese foods (like sushi) have always been my favorite kind of food. I think it’s because it’s a comfort food for me because I grew up getting this kind of takeout or eating it in restaurants on very special occasions with my large extended family. We were also very poor so my sisters and I grew up eating those cheap packs of instant Ramen or white rice most nights.

[@DeputatKaktus]

After a talk held by a man who raises awareness about autism (his autism was discovered when he was already in college) I sat down with him for a very long time because I recognized many of the patterns of the anecdotes he shared. I had some very similar experiences as a kid, recognized some of the emotions and behaviors. It really gave me food for thought. I was diagnosed with hyperactivity syndrome back in the 80s. Today it would be called ADHD, so my childhood was…interesting in some ways. Hyperfocus is something that I try to use in a beneficial way still today. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t and I get scatterbrained. We parted ways with me taking away two things that he shared with me. First, you do not need a diagnosis. It might help you frame things better but just having a piece of paper that says „you are autistic“ changes little. Especially if you are diagnosed relatively late in life. Getting a proper diagnosis can also take years and isn’t done with half an hour of chatting and filling in a questionnaire. There are very few experts who are really qualified to make such a diagnosis. Second, self diagnosing doesn’t tend to work very well because too many people have preconceived notions here that might influence the outcome of a self diagnosis, also owed to certain movies that have influenced public perception of what autism should look like. According to this man, who I am grateful to have met, there are some experiences in my life that are definitely associated with being on the spectrum. But it’s not a diagnosis. And I am not sure I want or need one at age 42. Oh, and the guy who gave the talk also shared that the talk almost did not take place at all. The reason being that while he had a very detailed description how to get to the venue (because he has no sense of direction and is also sensitive to noises) one of the stairways he was supposed to take was closed that day due to construction works. He wandered back and forth until he mustered up the fiber to ask someone, as a last „Hail Mary“. Had that person no known a different way out of the train station, he would have gotten in the train back home.

[@gosiahasal182]

Is being ridiculously bad at directions an autistic trait? I'm considering getting diagnosed and I'm so so bad at directions my friends make much fun of me because of it

[@pokelover02]

This makes so much sense. I almost went home from work one day because the elevators weren’t working and I couldn’t find the stairs. I ended up going to a coffee shop and tried my best not to cry.

[@gisellemagraibhaigh8342]

You've made a really insightful post and it saddens me that responses to it are more self-diagnosis symptom checkers. The whole point of a diagnosis is that the symptoms are lifelong, profoundly disabling and impair functioning at a developmentally age-appropriate comparison. Having Autistic traits is not being Autistic, and being Autistic is not just about a checklist. Living to a label is one of the most harmful things a society can influence people to do

[@comicconcarne]

​@@gisellemagraibhaigh8342I'd almost agree that diagnoses like autism are constructed frameworks, not concrete things with easy tests (unlike infections with a clear causal agent). But I've gotta ask - why are you subscribed to a bunch of self-proclaimed TERFs?

[@TheCimbrianBull]

I only recently discovered the great autism related content on the TikTok app. As a late diagnosed adult autistic the videos on TikTok are a constant source of self discovery and validation.

[@summerholt112]

OMG I just learned I’m autistic and I never thought that a sudden change effected me but now mentioning it by saying “plans changing” I’m realizing HOW BAD it’s always effected me! Like it hurts physically

[@lunar_dreams]

Throughout my life I thought everyone thought of me as weird and like I can feel it within a second when someone dislikes me and it's often within a minute I talked to them. At the same time when people actually get to know me most do like me but everyone's first opinion of me is either that I'm a bitch or that i'm a little weird.

[@sezi9plays]

I have noticed that people just hate you thing, even in the form of online messages in a group chat. The conversation is going smoothly, and then I add something that is relevant and then everyone stops talking. That makes me so frustrated, and it has not helped my social anxiety. I have gotten "I never would have guessed you were autistic" from an acquaintance which wasn't too bad. My mum got "Isn't everyone a bit on the spectrum?" from her therapist when she was talking about me and the possibility that she might have it (I think my mum is autistic). She doesn't see that therapist anymore. The worst response would have been from my uncle when my mum told him that I am autistic, he said "Who did (me) get that from?", implying that it was a defect in the genes from mum's side of the family. I can relate with getting bored of safe foods. Even partway through a meal I can have it happen, I refer to it as being "sick of the same taste" and I struggle to finish the meal. It is commonly meals with strong sauces cooked into them. Yet I love Indian food such as butter chicken. Does anyone else have this?

[@AlexandraUtschig]

Omg, I think I understand why a recent former friend decided to end our friendship now. She was constantly reading non-existent things into my words and actions and I couldn't figure out why. Then, the last message she sent me included that she thought I was self-absorbed and thought I was better than everyone else (which is absolutely not true, if she actually took the time to know me, she'd know that I'm my own harshest critic). I have not been officially diagnosed, but I feel very strongly I am on the spectrum and now my difficulties with friendships are starting to make sense. Oh, and an ex-coworker disliked me for absolutely no reason. We barely ever even interacted with each other, yet everyone could tell she disliked me. One of my other coworkers asked her why, and she said she didn't have a reason, she just didn't.

[@MiotaLee]

My classmates ostracised me. I was never part of any group/gang. I thought it was because I lived on the outskirts of town and they were just being clique-y. They said that I was mean and talked using confusing language. I still don't understand why they thought I was mean. I was the one being bullied?

[@jamiegdubois]

I’m glad you featured Paige and Chloe on here. Chloe specifically was one of the first content creators I came across who made me begin to realise I might be on the spectrum, although I already knew I was neurodivergent bc I had been diagnosed with ADHD and OCD. I had never seen someone on the spectrum with a personality similar to mine. Now I’ve found so many other great creators like yourself that I can relate to and it feels great!

[@Mars-uz3xt]

Really felt it when you mentioned that people always know one person who’s autistic and that the stereotypes could quite possibly be influenced by the traits of someone who get diagnosed early on. Very interesting!

[@misschieflolz1301]

8:04 - I get that all the time. Yet a professional has told me they knew immediately that I was autistic the moment they met me. And I still haven't got a full diagnosis because it turns out the people running the benefits system can recognise autism better than my local GP's.

[@lexidc3940]

I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago and been suspecting I might also be on the spectrum...yesterday, I had a trial for a job application that got rescheduled last minute because of a glitch in their system and today, I was waiting for a phone call from a job agency that didn't happen. So, I've basically just been internally crying and barely able to get myself to eat, funnily enough, udon 😂 I'm gonna be so upset when I inevitably get tired of udon 😔 Anyway, great video! I'll definitely check out the rest of your channel 😁

[@byrrnitdown]

For the safe foods suddenly becoming unsafe thing - for me, it’s usually pointing to an iron deficiency. I am not a doctor, this is just my experience, but… I found out a few years back that my hemoglobin was low for the first time in… ever. After asking my mom, she mentioned I should also get my iron stores (ferretin, I think?) checked, since she’d just checked hers and they were really low. Mine turned out to be as well. I’d been struggling a ton with food, with basically only pumpkin seeds seeming appetizing? After a while of supplementing, my safe foods started to return. I’ve had this cycle happen a couple of times now (stop supplementing cause I forget/it’s unpleasant, start losing safe foods & struggling a lot more with food, start iron supplementation again, food gets easier). I think other deficiencies could also cause this, but because iron has a relationship with ghrelin regulation, it seems like a particularly likely candidate. (Note - if you are going to supplement and you can afford it, get a version that is supposed to be gentler on the stomach. It is worth the extra cost if you have any level of digestive issues.)

[@tbonemalone3407]

I absolutely adore the way you say “gives me 16:07 the ick”! I have never been able to describe my food issues as well as that! What a fantastic term! And I experience it very similarly to you, sometimes I love certain foods and sometimes they give me the ick! I get obsessed with eating the same food/foods every single day until I hate them but then I can go back to eating them later, depending on what it is. ❤❤❤

[@misss7056]

I think the biggest slap in the face that I don't mask as well as I thought was in University when someone called me flamboyant. I've always tried not to stand out and that description was so opposite that it really shook me. I know they were trying to be complimentary but I think about it a lot.

[@darlinqtoni]

Same I got called annoying and a pick me and weird. And bullied a lot. I never understood why until I read the texts I sent to people and realized I info dumped and Trauma dumped and got over stimulated and texted them too much and dident know what was socially appropriate to say or do and over thought everything and said sorry all the time for everything.

[@flam_buoy]

I’d often get called weird/wild/crazy, and I was always so surprised, because I thought I was quite mild mannered and someone who wouldnt get noticed or remembered. The thought of being perceived is awful to me, and realised that being oblivious to that (kinda on purpose) was a way of coping with it.

[@bethanythatsme]

My AuDHD noggin isn't great with the tiktok algorithm, so I'm living vicariously through you 🙃 Edit: I'm middle aged/late in life diagnosed & Chloe's book was like a weighted blanket for my soul. Her energy makes me so joyful 💛

[@Authentistic-ism]

I find it ironic that I can't enjoy tiktok! How can people process moving from one topic to the next so fast? I have to watch one like five times to understand. Other people watching tiktoks around me drives me nuts, it's so much chaotic noise, moving images, uneccesary music, and sound effects all going SO FAST to convey a really nuanced message that deserves more attention than a few seconds. ... Meanwhile, I love long videos like yours and I"m the only autistic person I know among all my other, also autistic, friends who can even watch a long video. I wonder if maybe it is because I am older (42). Most of them grew up with the internet, whereas I did not have it until later in life.

[@mimigaudet7484]

Would you mind making a video explaining the process of getting an official diagnosis, especially for high masking women? Essentially a what to do next if relating a lot to these videos :)

[@imautisticnowwhat]

That's a great idea ❤ I'll get to it!

[@mimigaudet7484]

@@imautisticnowwhat thank you!!

[@satunbreeze]

Idk if I'm autistic but man the food thing is so relatable. It's kinda like, even there's even a slightest bit of something in the back of my mind where it goes "Y'know, this food kinda reminds me of [something disgusting]" and from then on I cannot shake that from my mind, it'll get me subconsciously

[@TinyGhosty]

Burning out on same meals is the worst😭

[@TheWilliamHoganExperience]

Great presentation of a very serious topic, and what we deal with as outsiders. Your loving, positive framing of autistic people as they present the challenges we face on a daily basis is...uh...inspirationa! (lol =) It brought me to tears. Unfortunately, alexithymia prevents me from knowing why I was crying however. Probably because it's all so familiar, yet I spent 57 years not recognizing any of it as autism. I just knew I was differnt, and felt broken and ashamed because of it. Keep up the good work sweetheart. Your're beautiful and courageous, and are helping countless people like me know we are not broken, and that we are not alone. Thank you. Much love to both you and your husband PS, One of my language deficits involves spelling. I noticed the mispelling of "inspirational" after posting this, went to edit it, and realized that was a form of masking, so I'm leaving the misspellings. See? I just misspelled "mispelling" TWICE. I think my brain varies spellings of the same words figuring it's got a better chance of getting at least one of them right 🤣

[@LizzieMcDonnell]

I love your honesty

[@Baka_Crazy]

Me undiagnosed but I can relate to the first Tik Tok is just an instant pain... ooof... I am also called weird so often... And neglected...

[@carissstewart3211]

Same here. Undiagnosed, don't know what to think. But that one hit me hard.

[@bhe915]

I couldn't watch past 2:24. I've known something was wrong since I was at least 14 or 18. I could never figure out what. About a month ago I was diagnosed at age 41. I always felt like people saw something that I couldn't but even when I asked no one could tell me what I was doing wrong or different. I've beaten myself up so much that it is almost like there is nothing left to salvage to start over.

[@jessicat6136]

😢

[@Susieshoosie]

My fifth grade teacher absolutely hated me for no reason and I never understood why. That year devestated me and made me hate school. Prior to that I had top marks in almost everything. Sixth grade I was so over burdened with expectations of being a "gifted" kid I burned out and ended up in charter/home school for the rest of middle school. Thank you so much for your content, I've thought I could have ADHD for awhile now, even had someone in college try to get me in for testing for it. But nothing ever came of it, and recent inquiries were rejected because "adhd looks too much like depression so I wouldn't be able to tell" And to be honest it always felt like an incomplete picture. now that yt has suggested several people with both adhd and autism I now feel like I can see the whole picture. oh god I identify with safe foods becoming ick, its so hard to find new safe foods that aren't boring. And then its way too easy to accidentally over eat a safe food and start the whole cycle over again.

[@karyntownsend]

I'm 6:57 in,and I'm actually crying now..... This is the FIRST TIME,in my 48 year old life,that I am feeling understood...... THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU! (and your video just popped up outta nowhere) Loads of love from,Denmark xxx

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

I’m sending this to my HR department 😅 they need to educate people about bias

[@JDMimeTHEFIRST]

Saying everyone is a little autistic is like saying to a blind person that everyone is a little blind. It’s ableist. I don’t know why people think it’s okay to treat autistic people poorly when they’d never do that to someone with a different disability. “Everyone’s a little paraplegic”

[@spritebug3666]

OKAY SO I have this experience where sometimes the thought of chewing and swallowing food is just repulsive. and I kept telling my friends about it, and they've been like "??? literally have never experienced that" and now!!!!! I know why!!!!!!!

[@amyhoops5885]

I just got diagnosed with autism (37 yrs old, woohoo), and I also have ADHD. I love your channel !

[@JadeAislin]

Both my niece and nephew are autistic. They both struggled in school but are very different. I've also known others who also presented differently. Still, I had never thought all the little quirks I had could be signs of autism. It wasn't until my therapist suggested it that I looked at those quirks and realized I could be autistic. I got my official diagnosis last month.

[@LoudLeo3]

Honest to god listening to you broke my brain. You vocalized my daily life (plus in a British accent which is novel and just hit my ears at that next level. I’ve always been SO into accents.. is that autistic?). I’m 33 and before this past year I had no idea I was autistic (diagnosed with Adhd without hyperactivity in 4th grade cause I was failing and medication allowed me to mask to the max and as the people pleaser I was I did the most to meet those expectations). It’s been long and lonely road and to hear someone else who gets the chaos that’s going on in my brain especially as I’m more aware of it and realizing everything I’ve been masking. It’s so overwhelming. Thank you for sharing. It’s so much more helpful than you know but maybe you do. I’m not crying your crying 😭

[@koen8185]

Now that's interesting what you say about accents , I've always been fascinated by them too , I love it , me I'm Dutch , plenty of accents here in this little country , but maybe even nicer are the 'dutch' accents they speak in Flanders Belgium . Don't say in Flanders they speak Dutch with an accent , they hate that , its Belgian...🙄😊

[@livluvsmusic]

i am not autistic but the food phases actually happen to me often,like i LOVED cereal and milk and i ate it like every day but then idk i just didn’t like it anymore. and it also happened with robiola that is a tipe of cheese and i was OBSESSED w it but it just gave me some weird vibes and i felt really guilty when my mom asked me:i bought it for you since u like it! and i just wouldn’t eat it😭

[@NeurodiverJENNt]

"Always someone's nephew who is autistic" 😅 TRUE! I said this in my first KZbin video and legit used nephew in my example!! Why is this the ambassador for our people?

[@TheRaven9844]

i've found out i'm autistic more recently, and i was kind of brought down when i talked to my mom about it (she loves me so much, but kind of just went "okay, so?") seeing others with their own experience has been so beautiful to see and has really helped me feel more comfortable with my differences, and accept myself as who i am. its so hard when people just don't know or don't understand because there's so much stigma or misinformation. thank you for being so open and positive about this and spreading information to many people!💖 (also what is with noodle comfort foods??? mine is ramen XD)

[@MultiSenhor]

That happens to any disorder, really (where people feel weird out by uncanny behavior). Having Bipolar II, whenever I'm depressed people get a bit confused and annoyed by the slow, dead-looking guy in the queue.

[@jessicacarr4933]

I’m autistic and very unstereotypical in my presentation, I’m also a mother to a little boy who may be autistic as well (no diagnosis yet and flips from subtle signs to very noticeable every day) and has very stereotypical interests and reactions. I.e he loves watching videos of level crossings at work and every now and then will squat and grab his hair for a reason I can’t quite discern myself. It’s been fascinating to see to be fair and I now have a next level respect for my parents who raised me with no knowledge whatsoever of what autism is, just that I am.

[@jennamars80]

I once ran into a person a few years after high school to find that they had completely changed their style. Since I am always gauging what type of personality someone has or likes/dislikes etc by the way they represent themselves with clothes, etc., I immediately noticed their makeup and clothing style had changed from more "preppy" to "edgy." I was more excited to talk to them because I tend to see people who dress that way as more "safe." So I unmasked and told her excitedly that she looks so different now. Flashforward to me talking to a mutual friend months/years later and apparently she assumed that I meant she got fat. Obviously it is based off of her own insecurities because I honestly hadn't even noticed that. But I'm never given the benefit of the doubt based on my delivery or something. It never occurred to me that she would make that assumption. A reason people don't like me. I point things out when I notice change like this and after finding out this was her interpretation, it immediately reinforced my reason for masking at all times, even when I think I'm safe with a person.

[@xiledpoisonh3idi315]

Love talking about judging people by their strengths not their weaknesses…..I am a recently diagnosed 43 year old mom who had has so much trouble in my career due to AuDHD and have said this my whole life. It has been so frustrating that sometimes the things we do so well and better than others is why we get judged so harshly at the things we struggle with because nuerotypicals just assume it’s intentional or something we can control. Gah! And love your husbands pics….some of my favorite autistic creators!

[@johnbillings5260]

On the flip side, I think that neurodivergent people can more easily recognize a "high masking" individual.

[@seedublancaster9755]

Around the 11:55 mark, you are discussing the word diagnosis and how it seems to trigger a specific mood or type of response from a lot of people. And how this response would be more appropriate for someone suffering from a debilitating disease or terminal illness. I definitely relate to what you were expressing here. I would add to it by saying that in my personal experience I have had some responses from (well-meaning, I truly believe) friends and family along the lines of: well it’s good to have a diagnosis but that really doesn’t change anything. I think that I understand what that means in the sense that it’s not like a light switch where now that I know what is causing certain aspects of my life to be so challenging I can suddenly no longer suffer from those struggles… but to me it misses the point entirely of how validating and helpful it can be to finally put a name on something that has been so omnipresent yet largely unknown and misunderstood. I have never sought diagnosis as a way of reforming my identity entirely around this aspect of my life or as a way to excuse myself from attempting to participate in adult life to the extent I am able, nor to constrain myself in the box or label defined by the diagnosis. My intent has always been to try to better understand what is going on beneath the surface and to find appropriate strategies for reducing the unbearable struggle-bus sensation that even routine day to day life comes with far too often. In a sense diagnosis (and particularly just external confirmation of self diagnosis) for me has not too much to do with the present moment. It is much more rooted in better understanding my past and how I got to be who/how/where I am today AND at the same time, preparing myself for my future by informing my efforts to equip myself with knowledge and strategies necessary to support myself in areas of life that have so far been significantly challenging (read: most areas😂). Hopefully this ramble made some sense to anyone else coming across it.

[@lilyb4229]

9:18 was literally an ad for homeschooling and I’m here for it.

[@sarshar9614]

I wonder if this “instantly identifying people as weird” thing relates to the concept of the “uncanny valley”?

[@Beafree1975]

I'm reading that book as well! I was always labeled as Quirky or Funny, I think Funny was their way of saying weird. Haha

[@wakeupstylellc]

Im so happy to have found your channel. My 6 year old was recently diagnosed, she is someone who doesn’t need a lot of support. I’m trying to educate myself and understand and I’m so thankful for your content. ❤❤❤

[@myco2408]

God your videos hit so hard I feel like I’ve found home. Ahhhh the thing about people being offended at my proclamation of my autism. Way too real.

[@Toad_bonk]

I have never related to “I hate turning on stoves” so much. I hate it and my parent forced me to do it and it always freaked me out to the point I cried and fell to the floor. I didn’t know that it possibly is part of autism. I have other symptoms bur not officially diagnosed because of personal problems but I am by a few counselors in my school so its quite weird to know that and I thought I was alone.

[@idiotsimulator8055]

I've just found your channel and I'm loving it already ❤. I'm 53 and was diagnosed with autism last year and phew, I've struggled 😢. No wonder really..

[@jamalgordon8883]

My friends have autism

[@mewdreamer]

That first video hit me pretty hard. I was bullied so much in elementary school. It felt like I got at least one new bully every year, sixth grade was especially terrible and it got to the point where I just dreaded going to school every morning. I was called weird so much when I was little too. Knowing that people can sometimes just hate you for being strange or weird isn't ground breaking, but it does explain a lot about my experience. I also like the high masking phrase. I was diagnosed as high functioning with Asperger's Syndrome when I was eleven, but high masking would be a lot more fitting.

[@rachelparker6739]

you talking about being scared of the gas stove unlocked a core memory that i completely forgot about. when I was younger i was so terrified of opening pillsbury biscuit tubes bc the way it kind of bursts open would scare me!! but my mom always treated me like i was being dramatic and it wasn't a big deal

[@9crutnacker985]

Literally had the 5y/o nephew thing. ❤Paige & Chloe.

[@daresh5064]

People hates me really quickly, specially adults that have to supervise me. They tent to think I think im superior because i tent to argue everything or that’s what they tell me, like what wont you just do what im saying instead of debating everything. I didn’t notice i was doing it, it is unconscious, like i just need to find a logical explanation for everything and not just do things just because. They think im refusing to do everything and i debate it to surpass their authority.

[@dynogamergurl]

16:33 I think that’s called taste aversion, basically you have so much of it that it you can’t have any more. Eventually it does wear off though it just takes a different amount of time to build up or wear off in autistics I find shaking up the favorite foods a little helps. For a while I loved ramen noodles with cheese ragu, I changed it to Alfredo sauce and butter and I found it was still edible again, still felt a little ick but it was better. So now I alternate between eating ramen as normal, cheesy, and Alfredo-y in rotation so it doesn’t end up ick.

[@momoonkissed]

Omg the food thing!!! Sometimes I get this feeling of extreme guilt? (Or something like that I'm not sure) for not being hungry, and I feel like crying, the only thing I would eat is chicken nuggets or french fries/chips, the worst thing is that people start telling me to eat something else and I feel even more like crying

[@justuscrickets]

We had a rule in our (💯 ND) household that special events were not detailed ahead of time for the Young Crickets. If anything went off the rails, we could manage the pivots & they'd be unaware, so less likely to lose their sh!t over whatever had to be changed. Then whatever the experience was for them, it was still special & fun b/c they had no idea what the original plans had been if they'd been changed at the last minute. Note: we had no clue that any or all of us were ND; we just knew how everyone struggled w/unexpected changes & adapted coping strategies accordingly.