Interviewing my autism mom | what was it like to raise an undiagnosed autistic child?

Meet my mamma! She was very camera shy so make sure to hype her up in the comment section lol. Please ask more questions in the comment section because we want to do a part 2 with your questions!! #autism #autismmom #autismawareness #autistic #actuallyautistic
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - 01:00 Introduction
01:01 - 02:50 Obvious childhood autism traits
02:51 - 06:13 When did you notice something was "wrong"
06:14 - 07:07 Parenting Autistic burnout
07:08 - 09:20 Reaction to me getting diagnosed with autism
09:21 - 10:32 Parent guilt
10:33 - 12:49 Parenting regret
12:50 - 14:13 Embarrassed of your autistic child
14:14 - 15:05 Knowing your autistic kid is different
15:06 - 16:11 Parenting bullying
16:12 - 17:09 Overcoming autistic hardships
17:10 - 17:37 Outro
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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ABOUT ME
Hello, for those of you that dont know me my name is Morgan. I am a 22 year old late diagnosed autistic ADHDer from Massachusetts. I am sharing my life on social media in an effort to advocate for autism awareness and break down the stigma.

[@JordanSkinner314]

It's so nice that your mom and dad tried to accomodate you without knowing what was going on!! That's A+ parenting right there, and healing to hear, as someone whose parents haven't been quite so supportive of my 'difference'. Thank you both for sharing!

[@MDev1997]

As a late-diagnosed autistic person, I just wanna say a giant thank you to your parents for working so hard to accommodate you even without having answers as to what was going on. There are unfortunately a lot of parents who wouldn't do that. It was really heart-warming to hear her speak about realizing what your struggles were and trying to accommodate you as best as they could after that

[@CristinaBaskette]

You have a fantastic mom, from what I can see. This was really nice to watch.

[@IamBrenna]

ThankYOU for this . My child is 5 his name is Aj he is non verbal autistic and this is my first child . At first I had no idea what I was doing . He was diagnosed at 2 and quickly got into a child autism school and has been in public school but in a classroom with 7 others like him . He is the most wonderful little boy out there and a lot of traits you had as a young child , my son Aj does now . I would love to know your moms info just so I could talk to another woman who has been though it . But I know on KZbin it’s close to not happening . I hope all the best for you and your family . And remember you are beautiful, smart and absolutely so entertaining with your content ! So amazing honestly how you take something’s that were so hard for you and come on this platform to talk about them is a serious big big win . I pray for you and your family to have a good year ! Love y’all and god bless you!!!

[@ivansmith654]

Hello to the worried mother, Please forgive my English because I live in France. I, too, fell in the Autism spectrum with Asperger Syndrome (aka ASPIE I like this better) I fully understand why you worry. Nonverbal does not mean he cannot communicate I was late to the game myself, and I did see a lady he on KZbin who is nonverbal who self-taught herself to use a PC which included starting a KZbin channel all by herself she wanted this way to prove she was smart enough to take her place in this crazy mean world and she did! Now as for your son, not all ASPIE are the same, your number one job as a mom is to help find his niche what ever, and where ever it be, the best way is to not say he cannot do it the best answer is: it is not his niche yet because what you don't know you don't know it yet, so don't give on him. ASPIE grow better and faster when their feel supported (look at Morgan when feeling blue because she is an ASPIE to the T because it takes one to know one, and she hides nothing from me if you could see me you would go yeah I get it I am a big ASPIE as well I hide nothing to other ASPIE as well we can read each other like a book), and that job well be the hardest job of your life, and for that I am truly sorry, but the good is he will know this even being nonverbal that you need not worry about, and the one you can count on is he will never forget that this is one thing an ASPIE cannot let go of (again look at Morgan and her mom that bond is a life connecting I don't think Morgan would try breaking it now you may think Morgan not looking at her mother what counts is in Morgan brain which turning 100 times than you think mom is in their somewhere again ask me how I know this)! You need help don't worry the Internet is full of good information with lots of help, but sadly here on KZbin you cannot talk to anyone, mostly for safety reason some of this is in part with KZbin term of service like no phone numbers or address can be give to people here on KZbin she could lose her channel, and we need Morgan because she is great at this and can be very fun at less to other ASPIE I laugh with her all the time! Sadly, even I who help run an ASPIE help center here in France cannot help you because if I put my phone number on KZbin I could get banned from KZbin and I would get ever crazy nutcase in the world calling me! However, there is still good news many of can be found you Facebook and Twitter (some call it X however I don't) you will need to do some research once you find a few of us it will not be too long when you find a fit to you that is near you! Now go give your son a hug and a kiss telling him you love him to not worry mom is going to do her best to help her beautiful boy find his niche than watch the movie Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman (RIP to KIM WEEKS who was the imprecation to the movie you should check him out as well)! Now you do your homework, but do your best to not worry too much about him the answer you need will find you, I hope peace finds you soon!

[@pocasanchez]

Im an autistic mom w autistic kids if you have any questions I can help with! Honestly though, its true what they say, "if youve met 1 autistic person, then youve met 1 autistic person."😅 We are all so incredibly different but at the end of the day, I'd say what we all have in common is being extra sensitive and extrasensory, paired w a different way of thinking and perceiving the world. I tend to think of NT thinking as more linear, whereas asd thinking is more like a web where each point leads to many points and its hard to find a straight, continuous line. There is nobody better qualified to understand and help your son than you, so trust your gut and don't worry! I'd say the most important thing you can do is to just "listen" in whatever way that looks like for him. You will figure out what he's saying, what he needs, wants, dislikes etc. If his behavior seems "bad"(i.e. hitting, biting, screaming, self harm etc, but not things like stimming, self soothing, being alone etc), then it's bc he is having big feelings but difficulty expressing them. It could be anything making him uncomfortable, from pain to lights, so try to figure out what it is so you can both have more predicatable, easy days! My siblings all think I was a terrible child bc they would pick me up against my will and Id scream and scratch them to be put down, and also bc I was crying in every picture but it turns out I just had ear infections for 2 years straight and couldn't communicate that so, yep, makes sense! Lol

[@IamBrenna]

@@pocasanchez omg thank you so so so much for this . This helped me tremendously. I wish I could get in touch with you some how I do have an email or maybe just recommending a group of some sort

[@StitchesAndKittens]

Yay! Congrats on (kind of) conquering your fear of cameras! You were so sweet in the video.

[@courtneyharper]

Great conversation... As a high masking, recently self diagnosed/therapist affirmed AuDHD mom, this conversation helped me see a lot of my and my daughters' traits and behaviors through some new lenses. Thank you both!

[@belorama8]

Your mom did so great! I will never be able to have this kind of honest conversation with my mom and I also wasnt diagnosed until adulthood. Thank you for sharing, I think it's healing to watch.

[@Kalanicoe]

There was a dance student of mine that was mildly/functionally autistic, (and I suspect I might be as well, with different symptoms than her) when she started dancing everything hurt her more. I remember her complaining about her toes in her shoes and pains in her body often, when I would critique her she was more sensitive about it than the other children, but half the reason for that is that she was already trying sooooo hard, harder than the other children might of even been able to imagine or think up how to try… so when I realized that I gave her more space, and more positive critiques. She has multiple other teachers, but after that she started to improve much faster than the other children no matter the age. She would practice constantly instead of socializing during breaks, and she did have to deal with social anxiety especially on her birthday and Christmas. She was my favorite student, as far as my heart was concerned. I always felt drawn to her, but I wanted to give her her space, since it seemed like she was uncomfortable socializing. When she won the award for most improved she lit up so brightly and authentically, my heart as never been so warmed in a single moment. When she saw my choreography (my favorite of mine thqt season) she was the only one to freak out ajd say I LOVE THIS. The weird patterns, roll offs, and just different movement than you usually see. I never felt that any other child appreciated that dance at all. One day I went to the studio, and my boss told me that the girl quit. She said she was depressed and didn't know why, but dance was just too much for her at that time. I immediately regretted not communicating to her how cool i thought she was, and how she didn't need to be there to make friends, and that she had more potential than she realized, and that she was brilliant, and in some ways more mature than the other dancers. It still hurts to think about. Maybe one day she will stumble upon this comment? I hope I think she left because of autistic burnout, and I hope that she gets to dance again.

[@keylanka940]

As someone who was a dancer growing up, it was my safe space. I had a set of choreographers that were always kjnd and encouraging to me and to this day I think about them fondly. But our regular choreographer who was just generally kind also had a massive impact, and maybe even moreso just because she was a constant over the years. I know I'm not the kid you're talking about, but I'd love to thank you on their behalf. You helped them do something they enjoy that brought them joy. Even if it eventually was too much to handle at the time I can almost guarantee they really appreciated the role you played in their life.

[@alexdiaz4296]

“ Mildly “ like how can u judge that based on ur EXTERNAL experience? Just say Autistic. You don’t know what that person goes through.

[@amys0482]

I felt ostracised by the other kids in my dance classes and was discouraged from practicing because I didn't feel like I belonged.

[@clicker7019]

I wish you had a way to reach out to her Mom, or if she's an adult now try looking for her.

[@nehagupta8283]

Awww she was the sweetest ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ loved the q and a with your mom

[@PIPFinalFilmProject]

You and your mom have such a sweet relationship! Thank you both for opening up about your experiences. ❤

[@jwnich179]

I’m a parent of a 20-year-old autistic child who had a period of complete shut-down/burnout with depression a couple months ago that he’s working out of now - a rocky process as you know. He *was* diagnosed when he was two, but in retrospect the supports he got, while certainly a lot better than nothing, were inadequate to prevent this crash - and have basically disappeared now that he’s an adult (as you mentioned in another video was your experience too after your diagnosis), We started homeschooling him at age 8, and in most ways he absolutely thrived. He’s a profoundly gifted musician and is in a great conservatory now - but his achievements did not prevent his eventually just feeling overwhelmingly defeated by what he sees as his failure to form relationships they way he wants to (confusingly for my wife and me, he does have friends and was in a relationship that broke up just because it became long-distance during college). Like your mom, we never saw anything whatsoever “wrong” with our son. He is a fabulous human being and should change absolutely nothing about his way of being in the world - except for one thing: he needs to learn and practice self-love.

[@nonyobisniss7928]

You might be my new favourite autistic creator (which means you're my new favourite creator, as I've been almost exclusively bingeing autism and ADHD videos lately). Loved hearing you talking with your mum. My mum was very caring and loving of me, and I loved her very much too, but I feel like she could have figured out my issues and got me help and she didn't and I wonder what she knew. I wish I could ask her these sorts of questions, but tbh even if she was still alive I'm not sure what I would say to her if I could. She was very accommodating of my oddness, but she had an almost oppressively positive opinion about me which I didn't really trust after getting to high school and being bullied. I always felt she was withholding her real beliefs from me, at least in part, or possibly she was deceiving herself too and in denial. I guess from her perspective, the fact I seemed to be doing so well at school (academically) made her think I must be fine. The truth is I was extremely depressed and isolated at school, and I kept it from her as it didn't occur to me anyone would or could actually help me and I didn't feel safe showing weakness to anyone as I felt it would be used to control me or bully me. It wasn't my mum I thought would use it against me, but other family members, but I also didn't want to let her down. Even now I am afraid to get diagnosed, as I really don't trust my family or doctors to not use that information against me. I've been shamed all throughout my life and I am only now recently trying to make friends in real life for the first time, after practicing and having more success online. I've basically lived online since I finished high school, but I recently started going to some sports clubs for people with mental health issues, and the people there are all very nice and friendly, and it's been good practice talking to beautiful girls especially as I feel more confident knowing they have difficulties like I do. Anyway, thanks for your channel and I love hearing you and seeing you and I wanted to say you are so beautiful to me. It's nice to think you might read this and I hope I haven't made a bad impression. Goodbye.

[@vanessaprestoncreative]

I totally relate to 'relief' as a reaction to the diagnosis of my loved one ... that person doesn't yet accept it, refuses to talk about it at all, so we're in limbo, knowing the diagnosis but not able to access support, continuing to accomodate within our environment as we always have, and trying to help them cope with challenges and work towards a fulfilling adult life. I'm glad to hear that two years down the road, you (Morgan) feel differently. Thankyou so much for this, both of you! I need more of this.

[@jaybrock2595]

It seems like you're parents really took a lot of interest in your development and it really paid off, your blessed.

[@SpazzYSabS]

Mom you did amazing ! Morgan you’re a lucky gal having supportive parents !! I think you’re very intelligent and are more self aware about your surroundings than more people without autism. Love the way you are teaching us about autism. Thank you ❤️

[@sunsetties]

Hi Morgan. My name is Leah and I’m 21 years old. I am undiagnosed person with autism traits. Growing up I’ve always known I was different from everyone else and it’s been hard. When I was in third grade, I was switched to special needs class. I was so confused and no one explained why to me. I was always getting picked on. I couldn’t even make friends because I was embarrassed and tried being myself. I have bad social anxiety and poor social skills that I struggle with daily. But I’ve learned and grown to be better. I finally came across someone who I can relate to. Thank you for sharing your story!

[@livenotbylies]

"you parented me like I was autistic without knowing that I was autistic" my mom did this too. God bless your family. Good job

[@rachelmartin2424]

So happy your parents were/are supportive & made accommodations for you & helped you. Makes a huge difference

[@veronicarogers2483]

Wow, this is giving me so many feels!!!! I'm a late diagnosed ADHDer (around age 30) with a daughter who also has ADHD. First of all, Rachel (sp?) thank you so much for doing this video, it's nice hearing about your experiences from a mother's perspective. Morgan you are so lucky to have such a great mom, cherish that ❤ I hope that all folks on the spectrum can be better understood so there are coping skills we can learn to navigate life. Hindsight is 20/20 so please try not to beat yourself up about how you acted before you got diagnosed. Giving yourself grace is a skill I keep working towards, I say this as my young inner child & as a mom

[@pocasanchez]

I loved this chat! Thinking back to what went down for me in kindergarten is SO funny now! My teachers were absolutely flabbergasted by me, my behavior, thinking and my abilities😅

[@meganmakesmagic802]

This was such a great video! Kudos to your mom for being brave!

[@courtneyharper]

Whoa!!!! The death stare... My youngest did that as a toddler.

[@ThatPaintingLass]

It’s always so great seeing these kinds of exchanges. Being undiagnosed until my 30s, I felt so much relief and understanding while my mom harbored so much guilt and shame for not knowing sooner. She knew I was different and faught for testing through the school in elementary she had no clue it wasn’t enough. They said I was twice gifted because I was in the gifted program and in sped for reading & spelling but that’s where the testing ended. Then when I was a teenager and doctors threw so many different diagnosis is at me that she felt like the complex combination had to be right. They were doctors after all and it all aligned well with so much of the testing as a child said… We have had many talks over the years about what did and didn’t happen to me as a kid and now that I have my own kids the one thing I know for sure is she was doing what she could with the info she had. I know for a fact i wouldn’t have been able to get my kids diagnosed as early without the internet. I wouldn’t have known to parent them differently….

[@sylve2474]

this is really sweet to hear,,, it reminded me of back in middle school when my mom would say to come up with 5 questions to ask someone in a social situation for like, when you don't know what to say when a conversation is stagnant,, lowkey, don't remember if I ever really listened to her, max probably came up with only 2 or 3 if that,, but it's funny remembering with this sort of context,,, also,, not diagnosed and she doesn't even know I'm autistic now,, but yeah, interesting to think of stuff like that even from forever ago that was lowkey kinda accomodations without her even being aware of the most likely cause(the now diagnosed adhd prolly impacted stuff too, lol),,, but yeah,, this was really nice to watch and hear about how she thought of things,, was really wholesome and reassuring to hear about your mom's persepctive,, kinda cathartic

[@janetmcbride6419]

Mom you rock!!!! This is totally informative for anyone. I have 2 high functioning adult children and I sometime wish I could go back to when they were little. I was a mama lion and could protect them a little. I think now that when they become adults we lose a huge connection with them. Mom understands child however, child doesn’t understand parents. The parents that raised them and helped fight their battles. I took 2 weeks off work and went to school every day with my son, 2nd grade. I could not understand why “out of the blue he did this”. Following him at school is how we finally figured out he was high functioning autistic (at that time it was called Asperger’s)

[@user-fq6bf1hw3h]

Watching this hits me in a different way because much of it mirrors personal experience as my kid was diagnosed at the age of 22, and we really were clueless. She came home from college and after a week or so she told us that she wanted to be assessed. At this time, she had picked up what I assumed were tics. Anyway, to make a long story short, she returned from her appointment with an ASD dx. Strangely enough, it didn't really come as a shock, but rather, I found that it opened my eyes, and enlightened me as I replayed much of the last 22 years in my mind, and it explained so much to me. Fast forward six months, to Christmas break. She again returned from school, and since my wife and I both work in the public schools, I had plenty of time to spend with her. One day, while watching television, she tells me that she felt, quite strongly, that I am also on the spectrum. I was skeptical, but I listened as she began to present her observations that led to this conclusion. She pointed out that 75% of what comes out of my mouth is echolalia, giving multiple examples. She mentioned my inability to comfortably interact with most people, and my extreme discomfort when I'm in anything even resembling a crowd. For the next hour or so, our conversation felt almost as though she was quoting from the DSM-5. At one point she mentioned that it was almost painful watching me try to talk on the phone as I struggled to figure out when it was my turn to talk. This set me on my own personal journey of self discovery, as I began to research and look for everything I could about ASD. By this time she was back at school, but she was also sending me stuff to read, as well as links to various tests and quizzes to help me get a baseline, should I decide to pursue a formal diagnosis. Of course I have yet to take a test that does not strongly suggest that I might be on the spectrum. What has been most helpful in my journey, has been the insights provided by people actually on the spectrum. I haven't decided if I will pursue a diagnosis, as I'm not sure if the benefits would justify the expense and effort as old as I am, but just knowing has gone a long way towards helping me to better understanding tons of the stuff I went through growing up, and beyond.

[@katzenbekloppt2412]

Uff, Mom, I REALLY apreciate how You tried your best. And the one thing I am really thankful is that You were proud of your daughter AND told her. I always felt full of shame beeing me and my mother always told me how wrong I was. And she was a teacher, later headmaster and studied also psychologie (and biology, just for fun). The worst is as I got unplanned and alone pregnant very young, I told my son the same bad sentences my mother told me. He was diagnosed with ADHD with 7, then I was also, but I am NOW waiting for my official ASD-diagnose with 46 (have to save more money for it ).. The feeling always to be wrong, trying so hard not to be but not to be able destroyed me. I had no contact with my mother for twenty years after she told me again how bad she felt to have such a bad, daughter as me, not worth all the work she put into me to have a presentable outcome of it, but I must me mentally ill, so she has to deal with it.(I had no ADHD-diagnose then, and I was always the quiet version, very other to my son, and very good at school til I was raped with 13, which was not taöked about as it was "my fault" for looking older and attraktive, which was a sin to her prude opinion). She died and I was informed by an official letter from.court with a copy of the testament wich excluded me. I think You did much better.

[@rebeccalouise81]

I don’t have that close relationship with my mother. You both did a great job answering those questions 😊

[@leavesarefalling880]

Morgan, your videos have changed my life! I recently self diagnosed with autism and this has just helped me understand so much more. I feel seen in a way i never have been. Thank you soooo much!

[@goldfishcrackers7845]

I cried watching this bc i relate a lot but not the exact same but similarly. Im undiagnosed and have a very big suspicion that i am on the spectrum. Im just afraid if the professional ends up saying im not just bc im good at masking now at 26. Im afraid if theyd say im making it up. Bc all my life, neurotypical people say "its all in your head" to me when i convey my struggles to them 💔

[@TigerEgan]

Thank yall both for putting this together. As always, your content Morgan is amazing! Thank you

[@minamina-np7lr]

you and your mom did great!! thank you SO much for this video, it was really useful and i’m glad that i watched it.

[@serenainavan]

I’m literally sending this to my mom right now! Thank you for this ☺️

[@KimsiePimsie]

your mom did so well! such a great & interesting conversation, thank you both for creating it!

[@claudiaochayon2730]

You really blessed to have the support of your parents and your mom is delightful. They support your journey don't feel too much pressure. You doing great.

[@Varushasirbu]

You bond and gigle so much with your mom thats so cute❤❤

[@Mgt44411]

Two Amazing people!🌟 You both speak with such understanding and clarity! 🌟 From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this!🌟

[@surewhatever8843]

Hey Mom! You did so good! Excellent Q&A on a difficult and pertinent subject. I’m struck by the kindness and grace you each show for each other. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@cexilady3333]

Your mom is so great!!! I'm NC with mine who won't ever know my diagnosis so it's heartwarming to see others have their moms be supportive 💓

[@anisah6089]

This was so interesting Morgan! Also your relationship with your mum is so beautiful and heartwarming 🥺❤❤

[@PearlM38]

Your mom is so sweet! These are the people that should be parents and teach others parenting courses. Seems like you had parents who adapted to you and still taught you some of the ways of the world as best as they could. Love this!

[@JamesRocks920]

Congratulations on your 100,000 subscribers, You’re really inspiring 🎉 ❤

[@alexkraemer1263]

Your mom did great! This was great to watch. Discovering my neurodivergence now at 31. It was great to hear your story.

[@ehlucky13]

Thank you so much for this! I’m the mom of a very extroverted autistic 6 year old. My husband and I have not been formally tested but strongly relate to many of the traits as well. I love that you had your mom on! It incredibly helpful to hear her perspective. Sounds like she’s pretty amazing ❤️

[@melissabennett6571]

What your mom said at the end about reconciling who you thought you could be with who you are is so important. This whole conversation was incredibly wholesome, thanks for sharing.

[@MsTachke]

This Q and A helped me a lot, it actually reminds me of my child hood. I have adhd, NLD and asd. I really love the way your mother reacts . This is just a beautiful interview, you are interacting so well with each other.

[@tomralfe5428]

I’m 34, I have just been diagnosed with ADHD and autism and this was really nice to watch. It’s really lovely to see your relationship with your parent.

[@lucky0bastard]

thanks to your mom!! she really did so good :) today and raising you too i guess it's so good when people don't have an official label for some diverse stuff, but try to believe it's really diverse and valid and need to be recognized, and think of accomodations for it. it's so great

[@saturnprincess88]

Your mom seems like such a caring sweetheart, while at the same time giving you the space you need to learn things on your own. I hope to be that kind of mom to my early diagnosed ASD son.

[@autism_and_niamh]

What a fantastic conversation!! I'm going to share with my mum, who will definitely relate to almost everything you mentioned! I was diagnosed aged 15 but had no real idea what it meant and could not really accept my diagnosis until I was 21. And I too had an autistic burnout episode in university. Thank you for this video 💜

[@allthecoloursyoucantsee9907]

Oh my goodness, as a parent noticing other children being mean to my son before he does is massively difficult to navigate. This whole video is so helpful, thank you for sharing. My son is undiagnosed but I am in the process of getting him assessed but since researching autism and finding individuals like yourself, so much about my son's struggles make sense and he is starting to understand and be able to explain his experiences so much more since we have looked into the possibility of autism/ADHD. Thank you again for sharing, you make a huge difference.

[@tracik1277]

Much respect to your mum and family. Back in my day in the 70s I just got beaten and humiliated. It’s so heartwarming to hear the way your mum feels about you.

[@jfjdjdji723]

Mom, you did so well! Beautiful duo. I'm in the same boat with my daughter, except that I saw my own struggles by seeing the same ones in her. We're both essentially working through the same things while learning how to unmask and just be our joyful selves. Yes, that has meant avoiding a lot of social situations that trigger us to exhaustion, but it has also made us understand how much care we have to take for ourselves. And finding those true friends that love you especially for being yourself has been the biggest reward. Good friends are such a blessing.

[@LaCafedora]

This made me reflect on my own childhood and wonder what my parents thought was going on with me. I wish I could ask them, but neither of them is alive now. Thanks for the video, Morgan!

[@animelord157]

I think it's amazing that your parents accommodated you as an autistic child without knowing you were autistic. I learned to mask at a very early age and would spend a lot of my time watching TV and analyzing the characters' behaviors, body language, expressions, etc. so I could act more "normal", because my parents were not very accepting of my behaviors as an undiagnosed AuDHD kid. I started suspecting I was ADHD when I was about 10-11, as pretty much all of my friends (and I didn't have many) were neurodivergent in some way, usually ADHD and/or autism, and were all convinced I was also neurodivergent. I had talked to my parents about a possible diagnosis when I was 11, but they refused to believe me and that never went anywhere. I started suspecting I was autistic when I was probably about 15, and again mentioned it to my parents. But they still refused to believe me, and at that point I was so high masking I couldn't even be myself around my own family, only when I was alone in my room and hiding from the world. A few months after that, my brother started dating someone. When my parents met my (soon-to-be) sibling-in-law, who is AuDHD, and they started calling out my and my brother's autistic traits, that's when my parents finally started to believe it was a possibility. I'm 17 now and still undiagnosed, but I've been doing research on my own and trying to unmask and better manage my needs.

[@sparky4786]

This is fantastically articulated. Thank you.

[@jeanettecastle7916]

You are blessed with a wonderful mother!

[@shadowstitan]

This is great, and your Mom did amazing. I hope that one day my parents will understand my AuDHD diagnosis and support me through it. I know my Dad hasn't accepted it yet, and they both don't understand the struggles I have to go through.

[@wolfgangbudde2737]

A wonderful video - it was great watching your conversation, and I'd like to thank your mom for accepting this on-camera interview with you 👌🫶

[@aleksandranakonieczna9880]

Mom's support made me cry. I'm at work avoiding my tasks (ADHD is a bitch lol) and I'm literally crying. Healed my inner child a bit ❤️

[@widewailcorduroy7278]

This was really nice to see and get a different perspective on.

[@treasuredwisp]

Your mom really did so good! You also have the same timbre to your voice as her.

[@laurieanne3075]

Your mom did great! She sounds very supportive :)

[@Say_yo_jay]

thank you Morgan, this was very interesting, since I been asking my mom similar questions lately...

[@lironle6]

Your mom is absolutely delightful

[@DIYbri]

Your mom is amazing!! ❤

[@Visitkarte]

Your mom did great! Only love for both of you.

[@sam_apollo1187]

Such a sweet mama 😇

[@edwardtaylor502]

What a wonderful Family ❤

[@user-uh1qp4cc5h]

I love your channel!

[@littleefelant7968]

this reminds me of my relationship with my mom, its nice to see

[@roseforcatsandbooks]

When I was little my mom and I played a lot with dolls (Barbies mostly), watched a lot of movies and read a lot of books and stories, so basically I learned how to behave from those. I think that’s also why I did behave differently from other kids, because interaction was mostly with adults. Since elementary school all my tea said I was extremely mature and well behaved but not very social, unless there was a game with very well known and followed rules. It’s so interesting to remember these things, because for example I remember going to dinner with my family to family friends and they kept complementing my good behaviour and how I wasn’t loud or fidgety or complaining about being bored or anything. I was just… watching, learning, absorbing. It helped we as a family weren’t very social, so I basically could stay at home for long periods of time outside of school. I’m basically using these videos as prompts to reflect on my own life 😅. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@HumanOfficiaI]

hi Morgans mom!!! amazing content Morgan, hope you reach 200k subs 🍿

[@livenotbylies]

Great Mom! So nice to see. Lots of cluster b moms in autism families (I have a theory!) but so glad to see this.

[@pocasanchez]

You are just so adorable, Morgan❤ you remind me of a pixar character w your cute smile and big eyes😊

[@Varushasirbu]

You are so amazing❤❤❤

[@blackquiver]

Mom did well..👍👍 good job mom

[@mckenzieanne15789]

I love this

[@superrandomuser]

this feels like my mother is talking directly to me. extremely emotional rn brb

[@jonigarciajg]

sounds like morgana parents were psychologically healthy and well attunded to morgan

[@superrandomuser]

as a curl girl with audhd, i desperately need your hair care routine😭😭😭

[@stephenieolson8535]

Aw, this reminds me of my mom. This makes me want to tell her I’m autistic.

[@cristinaoancea2228]

This talk is very nice. Morgan, do you think you can make a video or maybe more videos about all the good things autism gave and gives you? What are your advantages as a neurodivergent or what are those things you are good at? Also, maybe the things that would have helped you during your childhood? I am a parent of an autistic child and, as I watch your videos, I understand I am making a lot of mistakes with his. For example, I ask him to answer people's questions much more than he wants it. So, I suppose I have to choose my battles: when and why it is important to respond and when he is free to remain silent. I would find very useful tips and tricks if you'll ever feel like doing this sort of video. Thank you!

[@MorePranaGardens]

You did great, Morgan's mom!

[@sena_akinci]

OMG EARLY🎉

[@laurienewman7117]

Thank you.

[@Paisley...]

❤Thank you!

[@almostahippie]

I also wasn’t bullied by peers, I think, because if people said something, I would think about it, and well, yeah, they’re not wrong. Of course I felt bad when they said that I look like so and so (implying I am ugly, I guess) but I do look like them and my father also said I am ugly so yeah, truth hurts, I guess. It was only last year during therapy that I realised that that was abusive. I thought it was hurtful but I didn’t realise (or maybe I was in denial) that it was abuse.

[@ellie_grace_gymnast7720]

One of my signs as a child that was very clearly autism but we didn’t know at the time before I was diagnosed with autism at ten was when we would go the roller rink because every Friday evening my elementary school had skate night and I skated with my best friend and sisters but before my friend got there or if she left earlier then my family and my sisters had their friends I would sit in the middle of the rink under the disco lights and just open and close my legs in a straddle clicking my skates together probably stimming but that was just so clearly autism I wasn’t diagnosed till ten years old I guess I was a,ways just so good at masking was diagnosed with Aspergers eventually though had ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder diagnosed at age 6 and hypotonia at 18 months and mild hypotonic cerebral palsy at 3 so always had supports before then

[@mimiq182]

Fantastic video.

[@DavidLindes]

17:20 - you did great, mom! (that is... Morgan's mom... i.e., you did great, Rachel!) (And yeah, sure, I was prompted to say this. But I also mean it. :)

[@sabrinasophia7925]

💖💖💖

[@ellie_grace_gymnast7720]

One of my first diagnosis was at two years old was apraxia but actually at 18 months at an OT eval they noticed my hypotonia and at a Pt eval said my coordination wasn’t correct and sent me referrals to a neurologist where after a brain MRI at 2 for hypotonia to see of there was a reason for my hypotonia was when they diagnosed me with mild hypotonic cerebral palsy

[@alenkaaknela2793]

❤

[@conradgiese3248]

I had my Autistic burnout at 16-18; got diagnosed at 19.

[@ellie_grace_gymnast7720]

And I also have no one in my immediate or extended family that is autistic but last year my sister got diagnosed with ADHD and me and my mom think my grandma has ADHD actually when I was six years old my medication doctor wanted to test me for autism and Aspergers because then Aspergers was still a stand alone diagnosis and I had been diagnosed already with ADHD combined type and generalized anxiety disorder so they tested me and said I didn’t fit the criteria for autism or Aspergers until fours years later when I was diagnosed with Aspergers because in elementary school they sphere thinking of changing my IEP from OHI for my mild hypotonic cerebral palsy and adhd to ASD

[@ryanmurphy7219]

This for those who feel like they aren't aren't progressing forward. Baby steps forwarded are still still steps forward. Progress isnt linear, it's exponential. This question is for Morgan. What was your emotional reaction to finding out your diagnosis? If you've answered this in a video can you link it please?

[@elenamenendezgonalez9881]

Hiiiiii. I was recently diagnosed and have been trying to teach my family and friends about autism and ADHD. My mom is only now bashing out all these weird facts about me, but sadly she thinks that my autism is her fault. She thinks that it comes from issues she had during pregnancy. I wish she could get over this, and look at scientific evidence for how neurodivergency happens. I feel that she thinks that I have now suddenly become unable to grow into a functioning adult. She thinks, that I shouldnt go to college, eventhough I have always been in love with sience, but shes worried. I hope that she will setttle down and get her peace with it. Does someone have a clue how I could help her?

[@ylgn9561]

Tell her (coming from an asperger): It's not your fault. Being autistic isn't a problem. (sometimes it's a problem). I can handle college.

[@elenamenendezgonalez9881]

@@ylgn9561 thanks 🐛

[@JonBrase]

There are legitimate concerns when it comes to college and autism. For high masking individuals burnout can be a huge issue, as can peer pressure. Sensory issues can also contribute to burnout, depending on your profile. Depending on your goals, a two year degree or just an appropriate set of certifications can be a better fit than a four year degree, even for a neurotypical. Going to a commuter school and continuing to live with your parents is likely a better idea than going off to an out of town school, both from a financial perspective and in terms of various autism related issues, though if the major you want just isn't available locally that may not be an option. You also might consider delaying college a few years to mature a bit. Degree choice will also affect your social environment: STEM will tend to be heavier in low-masking autistics and fine arts in high-masking autistics, while other subjects will tend to be closer to the mix of neurotypes present in society at large. For my part, there are definitely paths I could have taken where a four year degree would have been useful, but for the path I ended up taking I probably would have just done a two year degree and *definitely* a different major (a four year German degree is dead weight when your job is keeping web servers running).

[@bradpaul8576]

I think that the “smiling” demand is exaggerated here in North America, sometimes I wish I lived in a culture where there is not such a premium on smiling. I am often smiling on the inside but it just doesn’t translate into physical smiling. It makes me sad that people judge us so much.

[@jameslebeau7078]

I wish I was parented like this. I just got beaten, yelled at, and stuck on Ritalin and Prozac