let’s talk about autism

[@thewonderlandsystem6276]

Less than 30 seconds in: “Autism Speaks is very bad” *immediately likes* Thanks Ashton! -Jonah

[@nope9056]

OMG yes I couldn't hit the 'like' button fast enough.

[@wisteria6656]

Love seeing multiple people on the comments, have a nice day

[@oopsimmusicaltrash7190]

I have autism and I find it very difficult socially like telling the difference between if someone is mad at me or just sad so than my anxiety just goes rampant and it it highlights my depression when my brain just starts going "everyone hates you" also family situations were they go around and start hugging everyone and hugs freak me out it's like sensory overload it sucks

[@jordanawholemess5452]

oh my god relatable.

[@matildapotter6865]

Same. PERIOD

[@elizabethratcliffe3859]

your name is soooooooo relatable

[@nyxusrune]

I make “eye contact” by observing the features of said persons face.

[@arielpintar8146]

That is one life hack that I appreciate fellow human

[@alexrose20]

I THOUGHT EVERYONE DID THAT

[@soyboy6953]

I like looking at people’s eyes, but the second they look at my eyes back.. nope. For example, my friend has hazel eyes with a darker brown outline and small golden flecks that go around the pupil. They’re really pretty

[@brynl-k4118]

Me too, lip reading

[@hoaxcatboi4191]

God I hate when people use "Autistic" as an insult

[@catemcdowell]

Werx Idk me too

[@PeachyRambles]

me too

[@tintinrose111]

Same and adhd and every other diagnoses. Just don't do that

[@firetitanium3319]

Yea, they use mental illnesses and diagnosis as insults, like bipolar, anxiety, add, adhd, ocd, depression, etc.

[@jasperjones945]

For me sometimes people will call me autistic, as an insult I think, but i cant tell if they are making fun of me because i actually am autism

[@Sheashay101]

I'm autistic and a trans guy as well!! Unfortunately, my parents don't understand or accept me with either. I mean, I come out to them as trans, and they don't accept it, just tolerate it and think it's a phase that will pass. "You're just a masculine woman who's not interested in a mate. We will never use he/him pronouns referring to you, so stop pushing." I'm like, fine, I get where you're coming from; still makes me want to jump off a cliff though. It's just the fact that I was diagnosed with autism years before that, and they still don't understand or accept the limitations it gives me. Going to college? Why aren't you working? Working? Why aren't you going to college? Working and going to college? What are you so stressed for, millions of people do both and are just fine. WE (parents) did both and we handled it just fine. I guess the positive thing is is that I'm pretty independent from them, so I'm not constantly exposed to their transphobia and ableism so much. I just dread family gatherings. I'm just so happy to see a fellow autistic trans dude

[@nope9056]

Oh gosh, all the feels. I'm glad you're independent from your parents. I'm still trying to disentangle from my living parent. And cope with unique autistic trans man issues. Like… binders + touch issues? But at the same time the right binder feels like a hug-box or thunder-vest type situation for my body, or like armor for going out in the world.

[@sirSpookyToons]

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME STORY!

[@garbagegorl1834]

I’m not autistic or non-binary. I’m here because my friend is, I’m trying to do my research to understand them better. Wish me luck.

[@ClosetDemon]

i'm very weird with eye contact. every time i notice i'm making eye contact i look away but then every time i notice i'm not making eye contact i have to look. so i end up just quickly flashing my eyes from place to place trying not to be awkward but ending up looking 10 times worse than if i just picked a place to look at and held my sight.

[@Sunny-gy3jv]

When you have seen a lot of KZbin videos about autism, and relate to literally every thing. But you don't want to self diagnose, and your parents would probably call hysterics if you told them.

[@arielpintar8146]

same situation here, I hope you are doing fine with your current situation.

[@sandcrab3188]

yep. this is me. right now

[@beetlebbum]

same except i told my mom 8 months into thinking about it although she laughed at me and then a few months later she says I'm acting autistic as an insult

[@Sunny-gy3jv]

​@@beetlebbumwow that really sucks, hope your holding on and doing alright.

[@tsurugikinjojoinmycult2100]

I think I have autism because I have the symptoms and my grandad suspects that I had it. Plus my brother is diagnosed with autism but I don't know if one of my parents have it

[@xaraxchnidx]

I probably have autism, and I am currently going through the long diagnosis process. I rock back and forth if I’m in a chair, and I have many stim behaviours that are commonly associated with autism. I also have many sensory issues, and I HATE eye contact, and I get so stressed in class, because my teacher will call me out on why I’m not looking directly at the front. I’m 11 y/o and many people assume that I am just someone who doesn’t listen, so I often get in trouble. There is also a chance I have OCD, but I haven’t talked to my therapist or anyone yet about that prediction. Thank you for this video, and I hope this has opened many people’s eyes about the stereotypical assumptions about autism :)

[@ssppiiddeerr3]

Mx. FluffyPants woah I am exactly like you 😳and I’m 11 too, I’m pretty sure I don’t have OCD but I do have anxiety and an adjustment disorder (I’ve been diagnosed with both) and I do “do” all of the things you were saying

[@horrorsans6427]

Same, minus I'm older. The diagnosis process started when I was "rule in" for it at a mental hospital, and we've waited a month JUST to set up the appointment.

[@k9handlerusmarine185]

I have Autism too. It's a disability but it's my ability. Autism power. I'm a transman too

[@chrissy9997]

Like the truant ability on slaking? You need an ability specifically designed to nerf you otherwise you'd be too op?

[@catemcdowell]

Also Ashton I'm so freaking proud of you on how far you have come

[@mista4life849]

Sometime i get a sense of guitlt whenever i say "oh i might have this !" But i have alot of symptoms of autsim and whenever i look back at my childhood and from like a month or two ago or even yesterday

[@isabelberg3171]

My father has repremanded so much for eating each peace of my chilly seperately, and making sure that the salad on my spoon has an even ratio of each piece of vegetable, and pealing my chickpeas with my teeth before eating them, and peeling grapes, and other stuff like that. (I have autism)

[@hollowhills13]

Hey-o!! My names Ashton, I have autism, and I’m also non binary! I went on a search of videos where I searched “autism lgbtq” and this popped up. I work with people on the spectrum, and on the spectrum as mentioned before haha. But I’ve never really heard of gender diversity being mentioned with autism. I’m so excited to find someone who’s so similar to me, and to see I’m not the only person. People keep telling me I’m just confused because people on the spectrum copy people around them because basic social rules aren’t engrained in us, we have to learn and train ourselves, and we learn from people around us. But I knew that wasn’t the case, I felt like I wasn’t male or female from really young, and I lived in an area where lgbtq wasn’t a thing people would talk about. I guess than you for being so open. It really helps seeing I’m not alone, and I know others feel the same.

[@arielpintar8146]

15:41 THAT WAS AN AUTISM THING??? I've been doing research on autism for a month now bc I started thinking about a thing a kid said to me years ago (they said something along the lines of "stop being so autistic" and at the moment I didn't know what made her see my behavior as "autistic", now it even makes sense that it didn't make sense at the time) and all my research has pointed towards the answer being yes. Also I have a meeting (idk how to express that in english) with a psychiatrist in a month so that will hopefully give me a definitive answer. So anyways, I've always had a bad response to being lectured or talked to in a "bad tone" (like a tone of having authority over me, or that tone that people use to tell me that I did something bad, etc), like my first response is crying and sometimes a whole breakdown if I get to go to a place where I'm alone (bc I feel uncomfortable being seen in a vulnerable position). So yeah nice to see that I'm not alone in all of these experiences that make me feel like an alien.

[@rory5586]

I have this trashy weighted blanket that I made with pea gravel. The gravel is held inside of old bags from WalMart sealed shut with an impulse heater. It's great.

[@hdzeman]

My mother, my brother and I were autistic. My brother and I were both gay/ bisexual. Although I'm a bit older than you, I feel a strong connection to your story. I am very impressed with the quality if your videos. I look forward to seeing more of them.

[@strandedlullaby1797]

i feel you. though i haven't been officially diagnosed, i've done a ton of research and suspect myself to have autism. i don't tell people that i have it, but with what i have (anxiety, depression adhd, etc.) i suspect that i do

[@elliedun5343]

I don't get why people use "autistic" as an insult, many autistic people have amazing talents that others probably don't, I got my autism diagnosis quite late in my life, it does affect me at times but I get on with life the best of my ability. As I was saying about talents, I'm autistic/ aspergers but I do have a talent and that's art, not to blow my own trumpet here but I am good at drawing... anyways, I am trans and autistic and to be honest, I am proud of my autism, it makes me who I am and makes me unique :)

[@adrianmcdermott7175]

Autism is a fad diagnosis, that's why I'm carrying this stupid label now.

[@dealingwithkatherine4068]

What you said about empathy was really interesting. I have autism myself and know a family consisting of 3 kids, 2 of which have autism, the other is (was) a good friend of mine who also had some traits. All 3 clearly (in my opinion) had a major lack of empathy (and hence I am questioning my friendship with this person). Previously I mistook this as a symptom of autism that I just don't have (I find myself to be very empathetic), but i guess a lack of empathy in people who just happen to be autistic could be completely unrelated and caused by other things.

[@horrorsans6427]

You're right. I noticed that most people with autism I knew were nice to me, but not many others. Maybe they related to me, as we were always similar (and I likely have Asperger's anyways)

[@ClosetDemon]

I wish my brother could see that being autistic is normal and ok. my mom is a persons-with-disabilities care-worker and my brother is still so mean to neurodivergent people. if my mom knew about what my brother says she would be so mad at him but she doesn't believe me because she'd rather avoid conflict than teach him.

[@ClosetDemon]

I took an autism test as well as an ADHD test for fun but also because I think I may have them or something like them. both of them said I have a very high chance but idk. ps it was the one you did, and I got a 38

[@ThisGirlReviews]

Could you please make a video on why Autism Speaks is bad? I've done some research but I'm still a bit confused. I understand that they are bad.

[@SC-po9em]

That Vegan Manatee // A few points about them that I know: 1. They think autism is a disease that needs a cure and they also fund research for this so called "cure" so money donated to them goes towards removing autistic people from this world. 2. They victimize parents and families of autistic people. They act like autism is this bad awful thing that happens to people and it is seen as negative. 3. I don't remember who exactly but I know either the founder or CEO/someone very high up admitted to wanting to kill their autistic child. 4. They generally just spread very negative stigmas about autism and autistic people. 5. The services they do provide generally only go towards the rich and white. But those services are geared towards "normalizing" autistic people and their behavior instead of embracing it and understanding it. They basically want to remove autism in any way they can. Unfortunately, they are probably the most well known organization related to autism and they have a whole shit ton of money. They do sponsor a lot of events (a local informative street fair at my county board for example). I really wish we wouldn't deal with them at all and refuse their sponsorships but county boards and are so underfunded that without sponsorships of their size, events like that wouldn't happen. Something needs to changenn autism speaks needs to be taken down and there needs more awareness of better organizations so they can take it's place

[@creating.casper]

Watch this ad of theirs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4bKfaGNf6t6frM It’s awful, making Autism out to be evil, something that takes things away from people

[@moony2703]

In general I think it would be nice for more people to talk about this, which I think they may be now, or I just know to look for it now. However I remember when I was new it was sort of just this subtle thing or not so subtle thing that Autism Speaks is bad and to stay away from them. Although it generally never said why or where else to look for information. Also starting to look around again for information years later and just... head for the autistic people. Best advice ever. That I learned myself along the way. Since even the ‘accepting’ ‘more accepting’? videos etc from non Autistics have started to make me cringe or seem to grate in some way, there always seem to just be this essential bit that is wrong or they got the perception wrong or just something. And I generally know what is wrong because I know more now but some people don’t. Also when you listen to an autistic online who is spreading awareness. They essentially emotionally invite you in to talk to you about autism but also themselves as a person, an individual and so, so much awareness from non autistics just doesn’t get that. They focus on the ‘disease’ the ‘problem the illness’ they focus so so so much effort of being open and understanding that by doing so they just make it worse and more obvious and just no. No it’s great that people are trying to be more accepting in some places but even if they accepting I still want to listen to autistic people first and get to know them as people. (Side track rant.)

[@theoaaron2495]

They use non legally tested drugs on con consenting children for starters

[@quinnj3296]

Stephanie Bethany, who is autistic herself has made a very good three part series about this question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anbNiHqHrqudmNE (Part One) Even though their history speaks for itself some people claim that AS has changed for the better. However there also is recent controversy that points in a different direction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqjGgqJ5r9RlY5I Big triggerwarning for ableism, cure culture, medical abuse, death, eugenics and an overall insulting and hurtful take on autism for all four videos, though.

[@evabribech890]

I found your video really interesting, i didn't know much about autism and also by the way, your voice is so deep man 😱

[@IlikecocoAJ]

*sees title* wow me! that’s me

[@PopcornWolfie]

same xD

[@sebastianredgwell9133]

im gay same

[@courtnrysalamone7677]

I thought being trans and autistic was weird untill ive seen like a good 3 other guys on youtube who openly put it out there. I dont feel as weird now tho

[@DutchDigit]

thanks for this! i'm also a trans guy and me and my gender therapist have also talked a lot about autism. At first I was super insulted when they said I might be autistic.... but through learning about autism I actually learned a lot about myself. :) I have a bunch of quirky attributes that I am now finally able to understand. Thanks for talking about this - you are awesome and I really like your videos.

[@colelynch8688]

I used to watch you so often but I made a new account and wasn't subscribed to you anymore. I really wanted to find you again, but I'm extremely bad at remembering names. I remember about this video because I'm autistic and related a lot with you through this video. I'm so glad I finally found your account again!

[@crimsonking2908]

My special interest is Furries I am tottaly obssesed with the Furry Fandom !!

[@evil_death_roll]

That's epic 👍

[@horrorsans6427]

Same, as well as being catgender :3 It really helps me when I get anxious with my identity and it just helps me cope in general!

[@aaronbrown8377]

I took that psych quiz. I got a 36. Likely autistic is 34 and up. The test determined that I probably have what used to be called "Asperger's". It was right on the money, I was diagnosed with Asperger's when I was about 11, back when that was an official diagnosis.

[@xelariomara6557]

omg dude I didn't hear what you said when you were talking about doing the double tap rewind thing and I had to actually rewind to listen again lmao

[@finn7435]

What is the double tap thing he was talking about? I've never seen it... what do you tap?

[@stinkylittleman709]

No. 1 Fander idk if it's on more then just mobile, but I know on mobile if you double tap on the far left side of the screen, you rewind 10 seconds, and the opposite for the right side.

[@alexm4421]

I'm getting an evaluation for autism/ADHD next month... 🙏 hope they find something so I can finally understand this aspect of myself.

[@kirbyjuice2033]

I know this video isnt new but its so helpful! Im glad you explained all the symptoms more deeply with actual examples bc when people just say stuff like "problems with empathy" I dont really understand what that means and therefore cant relate to it and you explaining it helped me realise that I actually have those problems

[@Safeguard1]

Can I just say that I love the pins on your jacket? So cool! Hope you're doing well Ashton! I have Aspergers so I know what you're talking about, stay safe dude.

[@kayleyvlogs2739]

I'm autistic and I been watching your channel a lot lately I'm so glad I found you

[@icarrionmoth]

I'm autistic and I have a huge issue with being told off or yelled at too but I didn't know that that's an autism thing. I guess that explains a lot

[@makrdr6774]

I have a close friend who "came out" Admitting they have a form of autism, glad I found this, trying to inform myself about it for them. Thank you for this ❤

[@danielcullum317]

I rock too! But I have ADHD. I stim CONSTANTLY.

[@redfire2575]

WARNING Long post: My Diagnosis: I have personally been diagnosed for over 20 years with ASD, (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) I also work within the Medical Field. IMHO you should go to your medical practitioner. It is more than just not being able to make eye contact. It is about eye movement- often they eyes will dart in an erratic manner or will not dart at all. This would happen when you are concentrating on something, are in deep thought particularly. It would happen during filming as well as offline. It is about sensory interest and tolerance, emotional attachment and process, thought process. It is about intellect type, and ability, it is about understanding of so many aspects. It is a SPECTRUM. Autism and Education: There really are not two Autistic people alike, although they may share some of the same aspects. In the start of my medical career, Autism was taught to us as "a disability" but today we are trying to learn more and our understanding as practitioners has grown. That said, we still refer to it as a 'disorder' and some of the language and ideas are yet to be updated. Our understanding of autism is changing, but we still have a long way to go to undo all the stigma around it, and to push that education and support into schools and work places and other areas of society. Carers and Educators alike need to be updated on thing s as well, I feel. It is sadly not something that happens overnight, but I do believe we could be moving faster, and helping in more areas. This is down to the red-tape bureaucratic 'dis-order- of society, preventing that [speed and readiness of education and training] from being enabled. There is a lot of stigma around people with Autism, and assumptions are made, judgments are made, without really thinking, or considering how those judgments and assumptions might make others feel. Autism and Stigma: Initially, I found being Autistic and studying to become a doctor wrought with stigma, and sometimes I still come up against some, and that is not just from colleagues, but also from the public who I am treating. I do not have a badge which screams "AUTISTIC PERSON HERE" but sometimes, it can be plainly obvious that I do not have the exact behaviourisms, or mannerisms as NT's do. This can make some people question whether I am able to treat them as well as "another normal doctor" because I might not make eye contact as much, I may be a little bit more direct, I might not understand their jokes as well as other "more normal doctors" and sometimes they might worry if I can "cope with" as much pressure as my .other colleagues. The simple answer is yes. - I can cope probably better than my other NT colleagues, because I am more focused. And yes I can treat you just as effectively as any other doctor. I finished my exams with honours, I was one of the youngest to qualify, and I might not get your jokes as well as my other NT colleagues, but I will work hard and dedicate myself until I have helped you. I will ensure nothing gets in the way of that task. Autism and Intolerance: It frustrates me when I hear people misusing terminology, but I put that down to ignorance. But there is a difference between ignorance and wilful ignorance. Being wilfully ignorant to use sentences like "you're such an Autist!' annoys me and upsets me because being autistic is not a choice, and it is not something that you can help, it is not something negative either. I feel they either don't understand the topic at all OR they don't want to understand it. The latter is far worse to me. If you are ignorant of something then you have access to tools today which can help you not to be ignorant. You really don't have any excuse if you have the tools to educate yourself on something, but you choose deliberately not to. People talk about having Autism like it is a disability. or is an illness in the sense that it needs to be cured. NO. I do not wholly agree with this at all. Autism is evolution some say. Whose to say thy aren't right? Autism and terminology: Autism has many terms and not all of them are well known, some are insensitive, some are misunderstood and some people feel strongly about those existing terms. To save from all of that here, and to classify it as an illness in the usual sense or as a disability, or to infer that someone who is Neuro-divergent or Autistic must automatically be imperfect or subnormal or worth less than their other human counterparts? This is not true - whilst it is an intellectual disability in some areas [in some very severe ASD] - some may find it difficult to function in what other's refer to as "normal society' it often means they are actually very highly intelligent and have far higher IQ than the "general public" but I would like to argue the terminologies here- for "what intelligence is, normal, average, and general" as often these terms can dehumanise, demoralise, depreciate, make a person feel sub-human or less-than. I believe we can find better ways to describe, better ways to understand and therefore to help bridge the gap of understanding, and compassion toward people who are otherwise born human just the same. We love to have neat boxes for people, for things, and when they don't necessarily fit, we plunge them into areas which devalue them as people. Please forgive my rant, I could go on and on about it, but I won't, although it is a topic on which I am passionate. Ashton: I believe I have noticed a lot of traits in you already. However, I cannot officially diagnose you over the internet, but I will nod to the acknowledgement that I believe you are Neuro-divergent or not a consdered NT. I must also note that Autism is not my area of medical practise- and even though I have been diagnosed personally with it, It does not make me an expert in the field. [But It does however, mean that I can offer some moral support to those who need it[. You can take an Autism "test" online which can give you a rough overview of the traits you might have, and it will give you a score at the end of it. You could then take this to your Doctor in the future who will refer you onto a specialist for review. While it is not a definitive diagnostic tool, it may give you a very basic idea and it may be used as part of your overall evaluation and go toward your diagnosis. So you waste nothing by Showing them. Getting Autism Evaluation and Diagnosis: ]They] will have their own evaluations for you to complete before giving you a diagnosis- but it isn't a one-visit process, it takes time. And in your country, I believe that means also that it takes $$$-so I entirely understand how hard it is to go down that route, which is why I thought I would write this to you. If there are areas you struggle with in life, or need support, then talk to your doctor though, and ask what they can do to help you. You are entitled to a variety of supports both before and after diagnosis. Some of these may ask for a fee- again this might be an unaffordable price. So do your research, and ask your Dr. Also-You are entitled to a second, 3,4,5,6,100th opinion. Just because a Dr has MD or a bunch of letters after our name, just because we have a title [Dr] does not mean you should be spoken to rudely or without respect, -Know your rights as patients. Patients are people. Just wanted to ensure you know this, because I had a few really rude Dr's who I felt totally made me feel uncomfortable and disrespected. Don't be afraid to make a complaint! Stimming: Rocking can occur in NT types as well although stimming [of many types as you already cover in your incredibly informative video] is common-place in Autism as well. OCD, Anxiety, come as part of living with Autism quite often as well, you are correct. Most people do exhibit some degree of traits that are noted as 'Typically -Autistic,' but yet they are usually not on the Autistic Spectrum. NT's Neuro-Divergent and Autistic types: Autistic people have a term for other who are not Autistic: this is NT (NeuroTypical) Autism is intense traits, intensity of comorbidities within an umbrella term/-I could list all of the traits we know to be under this term, but they vary from person to person, but all of [us] have major emotional and sensory sensitivities. To provide a place I was recommended, and am now passing on to you: Wrongplanet.com is a forum online for anyone with an interest in Autism, a place for NT's and those with ASD to gain a wealth of information. It is a forum which offers support and advice. Let me know what you think? Whether you choose to get a diagnosis or not- [and you may not feel a need to do this, and that is perfectly OK, as many people choose not to] I still wish you luck. You are welcome to get in contact with me should you wish to. Apologies for my lengthy post. Once I start I can ramble on and on for hours! All the best to you, Red.

[@ssppiiddeerr3]

Hi um so I actually was looking into the autism spectrum because I suspected I might of been on the spectrum somewhere and someone said the best way to “know” is to like “see” a person on the spectrum and I can’t tell you how much I related 😳I have also been diagnosed with anxiety (and an adjustment disorder)

[@ndhbndn]

I’m 17 turning 18 and I’m just realising in this last month that I’m probably autistic I’m so happy to finally have a word for all my brain crap it feels so much like when I realised I was trans the best feeling in the world

[@nope9056]

Hearing you talk about the double-tap thing I realized the way I've been coping with the feelings I'm having watching this video. I have to keep pausing and getting up and moving around or writing down my thoughts in my journal. Like, even when it's good-overwhelm it's still overwhelm for me. Especially when I hear things I relate so much to, things I've never shared with anyone and felt so lonely with for 40 years of life. Finally finding out that I'm a trans dude with autism has led me to awesome people like you bridging gaps in my self-awareness and making me feel okay to exist like I do in this world. Watching this video, I feel like no matter how many people have hurt and may continue to hurt me for the way I am, I'm not alone. Apparently there are more people like me than I ever imagined. Thank you so much for making this. Ugh, I'm not gonna cry again… nope, I'm gonna cry. I just am. I love this video.

[@moonshine_17]

I have autism, OCD and anxiety and I love this video. Thank you.

[@milan9010]

I just found your chanel (i'm sorry i am not native english speaker) i'm a trans boy, so i loved your channel and started watching your videos, and i also did a test online of the autism spectrum, i got 44, and i relate with every single word in this video, the most weird thing for me to hear was the fact that your food can touch each other, 'cause for me is the same, my mom always says that's ridiculous, but i get really upset when my food is mixed, and like that a every trait you said i could relate to, i am diagnosticated with depression and anxiety, but i haven't told my therapist about this, now i think i really should.

[@fiveratsinatrenchcoat4408]

autie not naughty! I’m asd btw 😊

[@420jerm]

"I heavily vibrate with"

[@alyssawilliams1372]

I understand this. I am currently self diagnosed and relate to a lot of the things you mentioned in this video with a few others thrown in, and I just wanted to thank you for speaking about this. Discovering my autism and how my brain works has been a very lonely journey as I am afraid to speak to my parents about it and try to get professional input, but you (and some of the comments on this) have made me feel a lot less lonely with my brain :)

[@crockboy5435]

thank you for the representation! i’ve found your channel recently and love your trans videos. it’s something i can relate to. and seeing this video made me really happy. there’s barely any videos like this and as i’ve slowly started to love your channel this video was really heartwarming and i hope lots of neurotypicals watch this

[@Lux_Lost]

love that you seem to be wearing an against me! shirt, it's my favourite punk band

[@3evo333]

Being friends with older people.😮 Walking on toes.😮 Oh my jeez. I have identified with most every thing you have mentioned and some ones that I didn't know were associated with autism either.😅

[@aaronexists4308]

I have Asperger's Syndrome. My brother once used 'autistic' to insult me and I just laughed. It's like saying "You have autism." Yes, I know that. Thank you for the compliment. I was (now the virus has taken over the country) working with the guidance councillor for the monthly assembly, this one for autism awareness month, and we were going to show the other side of autism, the people who are not as different as most people think people with autism are. I am one of those people, and another is a first grader who was going to read a poem she made. I can't imagine being able to stop what you're doing and see the six hundred kids in front of you, watching. I can deal with 300 while I cannot pay full attention because I am playing music, but being able to pause and see the people would be painful to get out of. I can hold eye contact but it is painful. Almost literally. Most people with Asperger's (including myself) do not seem very empathetic, not understanding the other side, but I am sympathetic (understanding that they are feeling bad). I am really good at loving book characters. It helps when I read ~100 books a year. People with Asperger's are also very specific. Like, for example, I may correct someone so the truth is heard even though it hurts their feelings and alienates other people. Wait. I just remembered how I also felt really bad for anyone in anything. Even the villains. People with Asperger's also have obsessions with a few things. I probably have sensory issues and I can almost assure you of that. My dad most likely has Asperger's and I agree, it is sometimes hard to understand sayings. One thing that both my dad and I do is mess with words since it, at least for me, is a way of joking. For example, he says "We'll burn that bridge when we come to it" and I got so used to it that when I was nine or so, I heard the real thing and was really confused. Helping with the homework of an older kid makes sense; it's common (I believe) for people with Asperger's to have a higher IQ than average, myself included. For example, after having an April Fools joke from my first grade teacher in which I got a sheet of basic algebra, I went home and asked my mom to teach me. By contrast, I think I remember a kid crying over a multiplication sheet. This sounds so condescending. I also seem more self aware than other kids. I joked about it yesterday. I have 200+ books at age 11, and am more of a perfectionist than I am human. For example, I just saw an 'I' as a lowercase and capitalized it. Also every word, you may see, is correctly spelled. My perfectionism demands it. I also collect rocks. I have a schedule for what I eat at lunch in school. I eat my quesadilla, then 1 piece of cheese, then the other. And finally, my carrots. Yes. Every school day. And the texture of food is more important than the taste for me. I cannot eat (especially refried) beans. They make me shudder from the texture. I do not relate with any more of these things aside from a possibly milder reaction to the yelling. but as you said, all people are different. This is not meant as a diagnosis or any form of confirmation, just a plausible answer. And the lowercase sentence beginnings annoy me. As a matter of fact, I'm surprised I only noticed them now. That is not meant to make a change, just a little thing I noticed. And I pity the people who think they should pity you, and I (speculating) pity you for possibly needing to delete those comments.

[@artandme_]

The ice cream thing is the best way to explain it. Way better than the spectrum

[@pixelphilic6810]

I am autistic and ocd and this video was 100% on point. (I actually didn't know a few of the things I do were attributed to autism). I've been nervous about telling my boyfriend for a while but I think this video offers a perfect explanation and I will definitely have him watch it with me lol. Thank you Ashton.

[@SarxTheJew]

Wow u have my EXACT experience regarding OCD and undiagnosed autism. The overlap is a bitch, and it's frustrating to hear people shut down or discouraged from seeking a diagnosis cause 'why should it matter?', THANK YOU for tackling that. This was a rough watch in some ways (hearing abt other peoples' ocd stuff is triggering a/f for me, not that that's ur fault lol) but it was really affirming and nice to see!

[@angelictofu]

OH DUDE THE PROCESSING THING LIKE WITH ASKING PEOPLE TO REPEAT OR USING THE SKIP 10 SECONDS DOUBLE TAP YT FEATURE????? felt that I'm adhd and Possibly autistic myself (the latter isn't diagnosed, but I do have a lot of traits associated with autism & my psych thinks I might be so that's why I say it's Possible) Honestly overall this video is big big solidarity but I had to point out the processing in particular bc that really got me I've had to use that youtube feature literally about 5 times in a row once because I just didn't process what was being said

[@grey9914]

it feels like you're talking about me. relate to EVERYTHING you said.

[@IzzyHendrix]

it seems like a lot of people i like have been starting to open up about being a-spec lately (you and Aaron Ansuini mainly lol) so it’s making me feel way less alone

[@graveyardpansy]

dude yes aaron talked about it on the podcast and I knew EXACTY what he was saying but I didn’t wanna say it bc he doesn’t seem like he wants to talk abt it yet but I hope he does soon !!!

[@ajloversify]

I have also an Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder. I was diagnosed that disorder when I was 8 years old. It's looks familiar for me.

[@25worms]

omg ur a junior and you were allowed to get top surgery?! thats amazing! man i wish i could get breast reduction surgery, my dysphoria sucks when im a guy (im fluidflux)

[@LucyAmelia]

I love you so much ash❤️❤️

[@SC-po9em]

The way that I found out I was autistic was when I started working as a staff member who assists all types of DD peeps. I had a couple of doctors/counselors suggest I could be autistic throughout my life but it's never been a forsure thing because I also have that wonderful trio of depression/anxiety/OCD making it hard to differentiate what symptoms and traits are coming from where. But basically every new person I meet at my job always asks me if I also have a disability and a couple of my closer pals I've met through this job have straight up just told me "ye ur definitely autistic". My bosses are also always amazed how good I can connect to people and communicate with people and I think it's just because I understand them in a different way and all my self consciousness and anxiety is so minimal at work bc my environment is so welcoming and comfortable and everyone is so accepting and understanding and just get me better than any neurtypical in my life does. I'm afraid to tell people I think I'm autistic (like a good 99.9% sure) bc I don't want to lose my job or for people to think it's not possible for an autistic to also take care of autistics. I can't really do "traditional" jobs for a lot of reasons and I need this job because it makes me the happiest I've ever been in a long time. I mean you really can't emphasize enough that every autistic and DD person is different and experiences their disability and their life differently. It's not just black and white, there no such thing as high and low functioning, just different people have different needs.

[@arcuali4]

i really enjoy your videos because your voice is so soothing and i really liked this one. i always had a feeling i had autism and a few months ago my mom told me i was diagnosed with autism when i was little and my parents were told i'd grow out of it so they never told me. ive found autism super interesting and wanted to learn about more and i dont know if i am still (growing out of autism sounds so sketchy?? idk) but i identify with a lot of this and its really nice to see this video.

[@laineemaupin]

This happened to me. But I was never told I’d grow out of it. I didn’t find out until I was 15.

[@arlotheasian6597]

@@laineemaupin woah i found out when i was fifteen too

[@brynl-k4118]

I absolutely appreciate your frankness. I agree with you in regards to an official diagnosis or not...it is so difficult. I remember telling my therapist, I am pretty sure I do, merely based on the facts that I have told you in every detail how you changed your office, and the fact that I know just as much, if not more than you on autism....but if you want the breakdown, I have them bulletpointed here.....

[@anniehowell6266]

I have always found it hard to maintain eye contact and I have strong passions

[@mountainymaple]

ive been diagnosed since 7 and all i can think of is how ive been told my whole life "people with autism dont have emotions" and i internalized that until the point where i believed i didnt have emotions eithor. recently though ive been thinking about my past and its helping me realize that i do have emotions ive just been repressing them.

[@p0tat0s0up]

this video is so relatable i’m losing my mind rn

[@moonbased7796]

8:09 Same! Like my main two special interests currently is Lego Ninjago (which is basically a lego show about lego Ninjas, it has a few of similarities with TMNT and ATLA if anyone is interested to check it out) and The Loud House and every time someone brings those two up I legit can’t stop talking about them until they ask me to stop.

[@crimsonking2908]

I love Star Wars too. I am very Empathatic too. I even feel others pain.

[@Itri_Vega]

I feel similar about diagnosis. I would love to know, but finding a therapist that doesn't have massive wait lists is impossible. I'm glad I found a social worker who is certified to give me the necessary forms for hormones in my country, as I am also trans, and I have enough on my plate just managing my transition and mental health issues related to breaking away from toxic family. But every single video I watch where autistic people, especially those diagnosed with what's frequently called Asperger's (I'm still learning but I am under the impression that name is problematic, hence the cautious phrasing), talk about their experiences I just sit there checking off mental boxes because I relate to nearly all of them, sometimes in slightly different forms, but at the core there is always that clicking sensation of something making sense in my mind. The persistent sense of otherness and me constantly running into examples where I notice that my brain is wired differently is why I am comfortable with calling myself neurodivergent. I have a couple of diagnoses on top of that (C-PTSD, Anxiety, overcame depression and an eating disorder), but I feel they're all linked to me trying to survive in a world that isn't quite made for someone like me. It would be nice to have it on paper, in black and white. But on the other hand, the way there seems a lot for what I get out of it. Maybe it's okay to just listen to my gut feeling and be mindful of sensory overload and similar issues while taking pride in the huge chunks of knowledge I got from my special interests - one of them being behavioral science in animals and humans as well as psychology. Because that knowledge helped a lot in my personal healing journey.

[@starburstsydney7560]

You have helped me so much with understanding myself as well as helping my 'son' (not real son, 1 year younger, but love like son) through his experiences. You helped me come to terms with my own sensory issues though I don't know if that's a symptom for one of a dozen things but you did help me realize that sometimes I do need sensory detoxes and recharges and it's helped me cope with my anxiety so much. I hope you have a wonderful new year, I'll be with you every step of your wonderful adventure!

[@ladybugmitchell8234]

my cousin is autistic. she is mild functioning. When i was in high school my school councilor thought i was autistic. i had a lot of sensory issues and anxieties and socializing was very difficult for me. my therapist mentioned this to my parents and when i got home from school they said she called, and then they laughed at me for thinking i might be autistic. I don't think i am not. I am a very sarcastic person, always have been and when i was younger i wanted to be a comedian. Jokes came easily to me they were not difficult to understand at all. With my other issues i do see how sensory issues and anxiety can be mistaken as autism. It's funny you did this video because until this i thought you were already diagnosed with autism. Especially after your OCD video. I mean my cousin is autistic, we are very close and you have a lot in common with her. She's mild functioning but she is very intelligent. she taught her self fluent Spanish using google translate. Although she doesn't have any delay in retaining or hearing info, she's a sponge. once she's heard or read it, she knows it almost forever. Like you said as with average people all Autistic people are different too. Love all your videos by the way. My name is Stephen i'm a trans FtM as well, but i'm not gay. i'm asexual, but i'm told that that could just be a side effect of all the medication i am on. i used to identify as a gay man. (sorry this is so long)

[@SC-po9em]

Please dont use functioning labels.

[@ladybugmitchell8234]

ok, sorry. That's just what she tells me she has.

[@katherinedonovan974]

Hey, thanks for making this. I am autistic, well actually I have Asperger's Syndrome and the fact that Autism Speaks is bad where I did research so thank you for sharing this.

[@dammitoliver6282]

i relate to this video so much i also kinda want to have a reason for things i do or have issues doing i appreciate you talking so freely about this, sometimes you say something and i'm just like "oh... i do that" ps your jacket is amazing

[@breahnicole3787]

I have Autism and hugs from my teachers and family that I don't really know and from friends that are not really close to me I get very uncomfortable 😔

[@Ry-yz1vr]

Hi Ashton...I was recently diagnosed with being on the autism spectrum. Watching this video I’ve realized that things I didn’t even realize I did were most likely the reason for my diagnosis. Seeing this made me feel a lot better, a lot more normal. Thank you

[@ez6025]

i found you because i was looking for stim toys i could make myself to help establish replacement behavior. what i’m trying to say is, i think you have more than a few subscribers on the spectrum (or not nuerotypical) and you’re okay my dude. i really appreciate you talking about this, though. you’re wonderful and it’s okay.

[@martinsenior2458]

I really liked the ice cream bar analogy it was awesome. P.s I love your videos

[@acetraineraster5171]

"If you made it this far, *wow* you are dedicated" Yeah because mental health and autism specifically is an obsession of mine (I don't wanna call it a special interest since I'm not diagnosed w/ Autism, but I think it's likely that I do)

[@moony2703]

Connecting more: I came across something once that described autistic people as connecting so deeply, too deeply, that they would shut down to emotionally protect themselves. Which really really clicked with me since I tend to swing between highly empathetic and connecting deeply to the point it would take over my life at times to disconnected and shallow connections. Where as I wanted to find this sort of happy medium because closing yourself can also be painful but it tends to just swing between those two extremes so finding middle ground is difficult. Sayings: yes this! \o/ I don’t think I’ve ever really come across someone say this before but I have been struggling to figure out a way to describe this because ‘no I’m not just stagnant in my understanding of the English language I can grow and learn what things mean I just need things explained to me.’ And I said that in far longer terms before so I like the way you cut the explanation down helps me rethink how to word it in an easy to understand way. :) Friends, older or younger. :) I found it so, so, so weird when I learned the ages of some online friends and realised they were around my age because I’d never really had that before. Granted online you tend to find niches so it becomes less weird to find friends you age with similar interests then in real life. Also the whole teenager thing, I never got that. So it may be slightly easier now I’m older to find people with similar interests. Although offline I still don’t connect with people my age that well, at all. I basically just white wash everyone with the expectation that our interests are different and I don’t feel comfortable with them. I have to have a sort of semi safe place to start rambling about my interests or talk about my hobbies because ‘rambling is bad’ and ‘FanFiction, books, environment (until recently) etc is sort of frowned upon as a general topic of casual conversation outside of the right people and even then they have to be interested in the same books etc. Basically my interests and the typical gender appropriate interests never matched up so unless I have the internet to get past the ‘socially acceptable things to talk about’ and jumped straight into a niche of people who shared common interests. Even then I typically navigate towards people who feel ‘experienced’ so they still feel older even if that might not necessarily be the case since you often don’t know online until you know them long enough for them to tell you or they display their age (which I’ve noticed is a thing in some places.) Can’t deal with being yelled at, I actually haven’t heard that one. That’s an interesting trait to be aware of. Reminds me of someone. Dedicated. XD :D With the diagnosis, (although you may have gotten diagnosed by now…) Maybe send them a copy of this video or make a video like it and see if they will be willing to watch it, if talking to someone in person that you don’t know is hard for you? I know personally that settings where you are the entire focus of someone, particularly in a formal setting, can be hard because you start second guessing how you move and look and speak and what is okay to talk about etc. and will you make the cut and it’s all new and just discomforting etc. So maybe sending a video like this would help? Or just help get you past that first hurdle of telling them about things so now you can talk about what you talked about earlier? I got diagnosed years ago and I don’t really remember anything that happened so… I think my parents may have done most of the talking. Also it’s likely a different country so not sure how things work your end but maybe you could ask or ask someone to ask for you if asking is too discomforting. I know I have seen people recommending adults getting diagnosed focus on earlier memories and issues before they learned to mask and compensate so well as they got older. Since autistic people don’t so much grow out of being autistic so much as learn how to hide it better or adapt their life style over time. So maybe not relevant so much to someone who is younger but perhaps consider talking about things that effected you growing up as well as talking about the now. Or there is like a heap of people out there who write/talk about this who you should check out since they may be more familiar with the process.

[@connectthecutslogan3]

I'm 18, almost 19 and I'm currently under process of assessment for autism. I have a brother diagnosed and 2 other siblings on their way to a diagnosis

[@AL-di1fo]

Thank you for making a really comprehensive video about autism and also your jacket and buttons are rad as heck. Please keep making videos and I hope you have a wonderful day.

[@laurajamie4209]

Oh my god. That thing about processing words and sentences I completely relate to! I didn't know it was a thing at all. I've had many hearing tests and I've always been fine. Then I finally got sent to a special place and they didn't know what it was at all. I just got diagnosed with 'auditory processing problems'. This is an incredibly interesting video

[@Charlie.M.Green1905]

this makes so much sense to me... almost everything in this video I see in myself.. I'm almost 25 and still suck my thumb, its my safety net, along with a ring I never take off.. the eye contact thing also hits home in a big way, my therapist has been trying to get me to look her in the eyes for a year and I cant look at her at all, unless she is looking the otherway..

[@jetsamflotsam4133]

Damn, this sounds like me 😮 I'm getting tested for adhd and stuff tho which is kinda similar in ways so maybe I just have that. But I did score high on an online autism test so idk.

[@idkprettygay6156]

I've almost gotten my autism diagnose, they've said everything's leading to that conclusion and my sister also has autism and ADHD and so does my other siblings too. So I'm quite familiar with what it can be like to live with. It's difficult, I don't really show my difficulties at for example school and around friends so it can be hard for people to understand my struggles, and I also struggle a bit with mental health, which doesn't really help. Atm I'm only diagnosed with OCD, and I related to a lot of the things you said and sometimes the sensory thingy (don't remember what it was called) can be so rough and I suddenly can't stand having a person closer than half a meter, sometimes further from me. Sometimes I can't even stand another person in the room I'm in. Really enjoyed the video and you say some great things and I love you and your channel, have a nice day/night😊

[@coleharischristopoulou3398]

I have not been diagnosed with autism but I have been looking on it for quite a while and I just feel like all the points you made on the video just suddenly clicked on my head I relate so much with all you just said and I just wanna say that I thank you for making yhis

[@axejones933]

This has nothing to do with the video but love that MCR Flag in the back round.

[@neevearm7935]

I’m autistic and I do this ting with my hands shaking them in the way when you would say maybe and people always comment on it so I stopped and started biting my lip. Don’t tell people to stop stimming it can be harmful and it’s hard to control what we do thank you

[@lucasfinch6675]

Ahhhh dude this is so rad! I'm currently going through the process for an autism diagnosis but have been self-diagnosed for ages now & there's a few things you mentioned that I also do and didn't even realise were autism things! It's also great to see trans people talking about autism cause I don't see enough videos by trans people about it, just keep doing what you're doing! Also you're super handsome and I love your look! :D

[@jackriver8385]

Wow, I've done so much research on my autism but you still manage to touch on things that make me go "wait, that's an autism thing?" Great video and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about autism!

[@zoesommer6710]

1.) omfg this video helped so much 2.) I made a list of all the things you mentioned as symptoms in this video and I literally do all of them. all. of. them. 3.) I'm definitely bringing this up to my therapist next time I see her thank you

[@kidonaplanet4583]

Woah.. this video is beginning to make me question myself. Also, I do echolalia a lot. Like *a lot*. Now I know what that's called! Just thinking of the word got me repeating the sound of the CH (or just a K sound I guess) after the E. There's honestly so many different things that you mentioned that apply to me. Also, I just took the same test you took and got a 36... welp!

[@JadeDRail]

I thought I had ADHD, no one believed me, I got diagnosed. I thought I was Bipolar, everyone said I wasn't, and I officially got diagnosed. Now I think I''m autistic, and guess what? No one will fucking listen to me. IDK maybe at this point, people should start listening to me when I say I think I have something.

[@scully3758]

I have sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and social anixety, also i am ftm . But my disabilities are co and co with autism so i seem autistic

[@alexutley2436]

I have Asperger's which is a form of autism and I am fabulous but I hate it when you tell people and they give you pitty

[@wndrmslm]

I relate to so much that you talk about! I have autism and it's nice to hear that someone is going trough the same kind of things. I don't know anyone of my age who gets what I feel, I do recognise a lot of things in my little brother (who is 10 years younger and also has autism) and my dad says he understand and also feels it (but from what he explains, I don't think he does) so it's nice to know that I am not alone and that someone else does understand me and goes trough the same things. I also learnt some new thing that I didn't know were connected to autism, so thank you so much for this video!!!

[@tyfickle1960]

I'm seen as mildly artistic and my dads blames that on my identity so watching you helps a lot that you keep being you ash

[@ClosetDemon]

a lot of these I can relate to, and somethings my autistic friends say they deal with I can relate to. I know there's some sort of mental thing happening besides anxiety, depression, and dysphoria but I'm not quite sure what it is.

[@simolator]

I cry at orchestral performances. I worry about it to the point that I don't go because I'll be judged

[@katelynryker2693]

I have not be diagnosed with Autism, but I have been feeling more and more like I am. Both of my younger siblings are, and I'm pretty sure I am. I suck butt at eye contact, my empathy can go back and forth really bad, I am very repetitious, I make jokes around my friends about what's the phrase of the day, because I will verbally repeat things, and I can be a very organized person, I will organize my stuff again and again, I have a really big special interest in animation, I stim a whole bunch, and I dunno if this is an autism thing but I have a weird germ thing, I'm not a germaphobe, but certain things, I dunno, its a thing, I also collect alot of things, mostly animation things. But yeah. I feel you buddy.

[@thatoneguy345]

Same thing happened with me. Back in like 6th grade I had a friend who was autistic tell me she was almost sure I was autistic. That’s where I’ve started discovering more about it because of.