Neurodiversity - the key that unlocked my world | Elisabeth Wiklander | TEDxGöteborg

What do you think about, when you hear the word, “autism”? No diagnostic manual can truly explain the multifaceted experience of autism. It’s a neurological difference with a vast spectrum of representation within its population. It can come with remarkable gifts and skills as well as devastating traits. Autism does not necessarily equal disability and thankfully today, we have a word, that challenges this negative terminology. Neurodiversity. In her talk, Elisabeth communicates how it is to be autistic yet lead an independent and successful everyday life.
Born and raised in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere in Sweden, Elisabeth Wiklander moved to Amsterdam to study and work before she acquired a highly competitive position at the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She is no stranger to trying new things and reaching for her dreams. Besides being passionate about nature, rock climbing and playing cello, Elisabeth is autistic and was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when she was 28 years old. Until then, she had no explanations for her sometimes different thoughts and behaviour.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@FrankFradella]

"If we need a cure for anything, it's not for autism. It's for ignorance and intolerance." Brilliantly put. Thank you for this.

[@mamividaloca7234]

Right!? She did great, I was disappointed no one was screaming and hollering when she said that. Lol

[@francoisleveille409]

I can agree with that. However, I can't stand people saying it's not a handicap. This results in many autistic people not getting the help they need, being denied critical services and ending up homeless, in jail or in psychiatric institutions. No, I do not consider ABA as any help.

[@philsaspiezone]

Precisely

[@TJ-kk5zf]

deep kanner's autism is horrible and crippling

[@Byronic19134]

What if you are low functioning without a support system?

[@Chirpy-eo8jq]

"I could change the way I acted, but I cannot change the way I am." Something I've been feeling for years. It's wonderful to know I'm not alone.

[@steve-os5oc]

must be wonderful to be who we are and be accepted even liked by others

[@alysfreeman11]

I’m 60, imagine being identified so late in life...relief yes but grief over so much lost time, trauma compounded it....due to misunderstandings from parents...friends what’s that?

[@sonnyday6210]

I was 54 and no one I know has ever heard about it till I told them.

[@lingolding9530]

same 64yrs old - just 'realised due to reading about it due to my Grandaughter's label

[@natefrom828]

My dad and I talked last night and it turns out that we both have recently come to the realization that both of us have many of the traits of autism. He is 71 and I am 37. I'm going to look into testing. Maybe I can get some tools for dealing with people rather than relying soley on my coping mechanisms.

[@rachelhardy3381]

I was 64.

[@terryadamson8447]

Hi Alys. I feel your pain. I am fifty four and was diagnosed four years ago. I experience the grief over the life I could have led, the friendships I could have had. But I refuse to believe that it's too late. Pretty soon I am going to take steps to come out to the world as autistic. To me, it feels like a scab I have to rip off in order for any healing to take place. I have never been at ease with myself. I have never fitted in. Perhaps if I can find my true self after all these years I can find some peace? Perhaps?

[@caffeinated4671]

"Just act normal and pretend you don't have autism, cos it's weird lol" -Neurotypicals, giving me advice. It's like people with Autism havdn't already been told that forever?

[@moOnB0w]

Yeah, I mean what IS normal anyway? To me, I'm always acting "normal". Everybody else acts irrationally to things that don't seem important. If being "normal" is getting upset about things that are only a construct of your collective society's imagination (like politics or money), then I don't want to be normal!!

[@chelseaday1495]

This.

[@MyASDJourney]

This is the age of Autism. This is the turning point where we embrace our selves and our community and be true to ourselves as autistic people.

[@Aiken47]

Society: Just act yourself Also society: no not like that!

[@AliciaGuitar]

Yes, I am 40 years old and if I could "act normal" without wanting to kill myself I would already be doing it. If I haven't figured it out by now, I am not going to. Get over it NTs!

[@ladibyrd]

Great video. I'm 31 and only realised I'm on the spectrum this year. I hand flap and rock back and forth when things get too loud but I am very intune with my environment. I've developed empathy that freaks people out, because it's a survival thing; I don't read faces - I read energy (yes this sound way out but it's true) - I sometimes hear what people think and I just feel the world around me. I'm a musician and artist and love science.

[@kodycox6780]

wow thank you for writing this, i feel very similar about my empathy and i also used to hand flap now i rock and i am glad i am not alone :) also i am a musician and artist who loves science too!

[@jessicaferrari3987]

We would have loooooong lovely conversations and not feeling any struggle to connect and comprehend... Totally resonating.

[@jim-tx6yi]

@@jessicaferrari3987 empathy, energy... I feel you.

[@summers7206]

I hear u girlfriend 🙌 I feel its ruined my life! Im learning now tho and i will make it one day

[@cloeyneville-oracleseoldou3628]

I read energy as well not people, it works for me.

[@shannonkringen]

we need to cure judgements yes. not autism but people judging each other for being different.

[@pumamountainlion7777]

Shannon Kringen What kind pf different is autism a good or bad difference because if it was a good difference I suppose we wouldn't have to label the mind as autistic put rather have it be just part of an individual not a diagnosis.

[@tanja9085]

Gosh why do you spend so much energy to write endless negative comments about autism here on KZbin? Being autistic can be fricking annoying. But many autistics are happy with their life and don't want to change anything. It’s not you're place to judge about autism and autistics. Autism is not just bad, it has quite good sides too. And yes, Shannon is right, if there was less judgements and more acceptance autism would be much less of a problem.

[@perliva]

Shannon Kringen Good luck with that, princess of lala land.

[@pumamountainlion7777]

perliva Autism is all bad it is an affliction read the DSM.

[@tanja9085]

the DSM just says in what parts we're diffrent, but not why, or if it's good or bad. And what do you think will judgment change? do you think it makes us less autistic? do you think my sensory issues would go away then? as long as there is no official cure it doesnt matter if it's good or bad, just to make life easier for autistics

[@bunstructors8591]

I'm 28 and I recently started to suspect that I'm neurodivergent. Watching this video.. I had to pause multiple times just to cry it out. I relate so much to her experience. All my pain and struggles, they come back to my mind - and now I know there is a reason. There is an explanation.

[@shannahighsmith1179]

Me too. Go do it

[@PriscillaAvila]

Me too … 😢 a lot of crying here

[@Julianm29]

I just had the same experience. I'm also 28 and recently started to suspect I'm autistic. Here I am, crying due how related I feel to her personal story. I wish I could have people around me to talk about this things, but now she inspires me to find support and work in myself.

[@Song-Girl-Still-Singing]

💓

[@elizabethbennet4791]

when you realize you have this "condition"- you realize that there isnt something "wrong" or "bad" with you but just different- and different in a very specific way, and that others out there share that specific difference. It provides you a LIFELINE with OTHERS.

[@Iamlynie1]

Absolutely brilliant, I myself being diagnosed only last year at age 64. I see the autism as a gift ☺️

[@ladystardust2008]

So do I 💖

[@sharonjensen3016]

A gift? I wish. I just see it as something I have to live with. No other choice.

[@Iamlynie1]

@@sharonjensen3016 thats such a shame you see it that way, 2 years on from my diagnosis and I am happy to learn more and more about my true self.

[@dicesectiongamedesigns8594]

@@sharonjensen3016 when were you diagnosed? I was diagnosed as a toddler (1980/1990) and I theorize that the shame around being autistic is more to do with the lack of support back then. I feel like there has been an explosion of autistic content creators and that only through hearing about autism by autistic people have I started my journey to embrace it.

[@MrCityforest]

"I'm still autistic, but I love it" Wish I could say the same. And I'm hoping the day will come when I can feel like that.

[@danielmoore4024]

VincentRegios, I've researched Autism for over 20 years now, both inside the brain and how autistic people live a life in a world unsuitable for us. I look at it this way, due to my research I learnt there's so much those of us Autistic can do that non-autistic people will never be capable of because of the neurological differences. As she said her mind is blessed with gifts, all of our minds are. Autism gives advantages as well as disadvantages, just like neurotypical people have advantages as well as difficulties (traits), just there's fewer of us Autistic. This makes me view Autism as part of "The Human-Ability Spectrum", neurotypical people need our help and support as well. Everything that makes Autism labelled as "disability" can be reflected on neurotypical people. As an example, we're viewed as disabled because we find it difficult to understand nonautistic people, that can be reflected as nonautistic people are disabled because they find it difficult to understand autistic people. Everything reflects back on to them, the better way to view it is nonautistic people are "enabled", not "able", just about all the suffering autistic people experience is caused by; 1) NT's fear of what they don't understand. 2) NT's designing unsuitable environments. 3) NT's making a division creating an autistic vs nonautistic perception. Just about all suffering stems from how people learn to fear what they don't understand.

[@chrisgates8891]

@@danielmoore4024 I love what you posted here. If I could give you a heart I would. This is my thinking entirely and I love the 'Human-Ability Spectrum', this is the way that I see the Spectrum. I see it as a circle of colours that are more intense in the centre and paler out to the edge, and that we're all on it, every single one of us, but we have different points plotted around the spectrum, so where I might be dark blue for something, someone else might be a paler blue and they might be a more intense yellow, I might be a pale yellow.

[@puscifer99]

I have recently had an official diagnosis, I really needed to hear this story. Thank you for sharing.

[@horsemumbler1]

Research the cognitive functions. Research "Extroverted feeling," and "Fe 7th" / "Fe PoLR." Study the cognitive stack: 1234 5468

[@hannahberkelouw3338]

Thank you so much. I tell my love, I love the differences between us. Sometimes it is a struggle but his Autism is part of him and part of what I admire in him.

[@danielmoore4024]

@@hannahberkelouw3338 I love being Autistic even with my difficulties, as Elizabeth shared she realised her mind is blessed with gifts, I could recognise my gifts as well as traits. I would love it if the world could overcome it's fear of differences so all these gifts Autistic children and adults have can be accepted.

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

As someone with Autism its really nice watching theses types of videos where someone has it and is doing well. It would be really nice for me to go and do talks like she is doing and going to schools to share my experiences in life and what daily living is for myself. Of course I have a lot to learn about myself but I feel this urge coming out that I want to speak up about it.

[@EonsOfReflection]

listen to your calling and honour your intuition. Explore this urge you're getting and try and find out what's fueling it. the world needs us to give it what we have to offer, but before that, we need to gain clarity of what it is that we have to offer, can offer and want to offer >:D

[@kayjay-kreations]

Same

[@lg4571]

THERAPY. She is there because she did her job.

[@carrieestridge7583]

While i appreciate a whole lot about what the speaker said, one thing bothers me a lot... So... May i ask... What about things like the horrible meltdowns...does this speaker have them? Is she fine with having them? My 10 yr old son has them a lot...i don't think he or anyone will every be thankful for the horrible meltdowns. How can you act like that's great and like you don't want THAT to change? That's part of autism, isn't it? I do think autism certainly needs to be UNDERSTOOD more for the benefit of those who have it. It is a difference in the way the brain works...i don't think the brain is supposed to work that way. Certainly we should accept people who have this difference in their brain, but not act like it's all great any more than you would act that way about a person whose legs don't work so they can't walk. Ya a paralyzed person is as valuable of a person as any person and deserve all the love and respect anyone else does, but that doesn't mean we should go around saying that being paralyzed is great and acting like not walking is just another form of "normal". Autistic people are beautiful and precious, but autism isn't "normal" biology, in the sense that it isn't optimal "health"! It's a defect in the body, like paralization is. Am i wrong? What are y'alls thoughts?

[@TammiMorrison]

Start on social media, tiktok

[@gislertom]

This is me! This is MY story too... I recently discovered ASD and ALL the pieces fell into place.. This is the first time in 59 years I feel real hope.. to find and be the real ME..

[@juliedockman8748]

I went though the very same experience at a few months ago at 58! It feels so liberating! My emotions are like a title wave,such as grief,resentment for all the times I have been bullied, and a sigh of relief, all at the same time!

[@juliadixon4810]

Hi, Tom. Was dxed last October at 54. I'd suspected as much for 5 years. Everything about my life made sudden sense, but I still think it sucks, and definitely explains why I have issues w religion.

[@incogb6696]

@@juliadixon4810 hi Julia, what does it have to do with religion? I've been suspecting I have aspergers but will get diagnosed soon.

[@kellyreilan]

gislertom I’m 56, and I was wondering at what age were you diagnosed? I’m starting to think I’m somewhere on that spectrum as well. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@MyASDJourney]

@@juliadixon4810 I did not get a notification of your post. Its been over 2.5 years now since my diagnosis - It has not been an easy journey - but it has been a necessary one for me. I'm also ADHD/Dyslexic, likely CPTSD and so on... I'm finally facing everything I avoided or denied all my life. I just got out of a year of sort of giving up and letting go of everything. Now I'm rebuilding as a phoenix... I'm finally going the right direction and doing it as the REAL Tom with all my challenges and gifts. I hope this last year has been better for you. We're all so different, but we are all healing. Believing in a higher power or a life-force is not the same as religion. You've been shown a way to a better self. Follow that path with faith in yourself and your direction and you will find a better quality of life. You can contact me if you want to share more. I wish you peace and happiness.

[@stringjamgirl]

I’m happier with a diagnosis, but I’ve found that when I tell people at work, they don’t believe I’m on the spectrum because they only see one type of autism. It doesn’t stop them from being annoyed by my antisocial behavior or inability to read social cues, or my problems with facial recognition. It does help though for me to know why I am the way I am and find peace with it.

[@user-uj3yq9lx7g]

Stringjamgirl, you put into words what for me is a hard-to-communicate problem: yes, people at work have been disbelieving that I have autism (with one even telling me--what you have, that's not autism) but then, yes, what I have difficulty with because of my autism seems hard to forgive. What may be worse, others seem surprised when I can't tolerate certain noises, as just one example, even though we've had the conversation multiple times...and the "anti-social" surprise you mention I've experienced as well. But I truly am hopeful that in three or five years people will be more open-minded and aware of what those who are neurodiverse are handling on a daily basis, and all will be more understanding of each other.

[@chrisgates8891]

I've had the 'Why can't you be more normal?', the one I heard the other day was 'oh, you're good at Maths and Science then' and my favourite one was 'You don't look Autistic.' I've watched a lot of these video's on my journey through my Autism and they all say the same thing. We don't suffer with Autism, we suffer with societies perception of Autism. We all need to keep pushing and banging that drum and saying, yes we have difficulties, but so does everyone on this planet, but we are neurodiverse, not neurobroken and one day we will be accepted, it will just take time. I always liken it to Rock'n'Roll. In the 40's there was the big bands playing music that was safe and accepted by society, then all of the sudden the likes of Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley came along with this fast paced music, with their energetic stage presence and hip thrusting and society went 'Oh my God!', 20 years later, the Beatles, The Stones and The Who were doing the same thing, it was shocking society, Punk did it in the 70's, but now we look back on that music and it is accepted in society. If we keep pushing and making noise, then one day all forms of diversity will become the norm.

[@Song-Girl-Still-Singing]

People in the work place should be required to take a course about neurodiversity and how to be inclusive, understanding, and kind.

[@Byronic19134]

@@Song-Girl-Still-Singing As a retail manager no they should not we barely have time to get people to take courses on how to safely dispose of greese. Those teachings need to happen at home and we as managers have to be aware of all of it, and that is why I am trying to get into Human Relations which is becoming the most important field in management.

[@filipeflower]

@@Byronic19134 That's your opinion. My job says otherwise.

[@Yes_this_is_my_cat]

"I'm good at out of the box thinking, because I'm often not even aware there is a box." I forgot who said this

[@strawbarry7834]

Neuroscience is really just at its infancy. And it's not only going to radically change humanity, but show us what it really means to be a human. And these discoveries will dwarf anything that has come before them. Exciting times ahead.

[@epifanioesquivel5457]

You are amazing you have open my eyes in a very small village in Mexico now I understand my difference with most people. Thank you. I am 37 years old and I have lived this long very hard but I am still here I am autistic.

[@velvetindigonight]

Adrian I wish you well on your journey. I'm 61 and have recently found out that I am on the Spectrum also. Relief. So much information for us here on You Tube. Were not alone. Good Luck. Enjoy H

[@annasfakianaki7979]

At the end she does that little pause before saying thank you which is usually done in the end of classical music performances before the applause to enjoy the quietness after the musical experience.

[@MsJaytee1975]

Neurodiversity is not the opposite or a challenge to seeing autism as a disability. I am autistic, I am disabled, I believe in the ethos of Neurodiversity. People who say autism isn't a disability don't understand disability. It's not just that autism itself can be disabling, but that an inaccessible society disables us too. And honestly I've never heard someone say autism isn't a disability without sounding like they think disability is a terrible thing and disabled people are to be pitied.

[@tattabridge]

Surely it needn't be a disability, and we should adapt access to education and work to ensure it is not a disablement? Not all disabilities are visible is a favourite shirt logo in respect of ASC, but each of us views disability differently.

[@MsJaytee1975]

Philip tattsbridge If we have to adapt access then it is a disability. The condition itself is only part of what makes someone disabled, an inaccessible society disables them to a much greater degree. And even in a fully accessible society, my neurodivergent brain is a disability.

[@booboobunny5655]

Jill Rattray Adapting is not a "disability", it's how society evolves to accept people's differences and diversity. Like how society adapts to different races and cultures. That's completely normal. Real disabilities are if a person cannot function at all regardless.

[@netehangel9365]

[@magdalenawiszniewska2825]

It makes life harder cause world is prepared for neurtypicals A high functioning Autist (so above 70iq and talking) who have cope mechanism for whatever happens on own spectrum would have a better life than a lot of average people who also need to cope with own difficulties, not talking about adhd like me and famous cases of autism+adhd which is usually one big life chaos..

[@ruonthespectrum9540]

I'm a 59 year old male and discovered I am on the spectrum this month 1/2/18. What Elizabeth says on this video is so accurate and articulate. Knowing I'm on the spectrum has given me the tool to understand who I am and how I can understand my differences. It has been a life long struggle. Now, for the first time a fog has lifted that obscured understanding these struggles in almost every facet of my life. If you are not on the spectrum, it may not be fully possible to understand this or how it completely changes your life once you discover who you really are. Thank you Elizabeth Wiklander for stating this so well...

[@deborahlee8135]

@@ferminromerodetorres 59 isnt the "last stage. Dx gives you strength.

[@loricrane5315]

The silence is definating to me, yet shows how many of us feel this.

[@ashleyabbuhl6261]

"I can change the way I act, but I can't change who I am"

[@marynordseth2788]

Many thanks, Elizabeth. As an elder person exploring my place on the autism spectrum, self-expression has been my most important focus for many years. I appreciate your ability to tell your story. So very well done.

[@bexx7192]

I think she is brilliant. Very clear.

[@sciencetroll3208]

I'm Autistic. She is. David Bowie was. We are not all mute and antisocial. Have a nice day.

[@sciencetroll3208]

" David Bowie was a druggie since teenage years, he was so not Autistic " In that one sentence you have shown how little you understand about us. What's your problem, David J, do you hate yourself, and therefor us, or is it that you can't face up to the fact that the ' High functioning ' bit in the diagnosis actually means what it says, and that the psychologists have no problem with diagnosing someone both as Autistic and high functioning. ? Show me the Autistic traits ? I'm not going to watch the whole vid again to pick them out for you. Show them to yourself. Listen to the bit about how she felt she was given a different rulebook at birth than everyone else. I mean, you said it yourself, something about how she sounds as if she's dictating; that's a well known Autistic trait. Then respect her, as someone who has battled and won over the drawbacks we all face . . . . then realize that if she can, you can.

[@1967davidfitness]

Boys and men also mask their Autism ..be it undiagnosed or diagnosed, same problems exist for males as well as females. Stop being so feminist!

[@mikeyo1234]

She earns quite enough in world famous orchestras I presume. People don't earn much from TEDx talks. So not really easy money.

[@elisabethwiklander]

David J I earnt no money doing this ted talk. In fact I lost several hundred pounds as I had to take work off in the middle of a big European tour my orchestra did at the time, plus buy flight tickets to Gothenburg. And for the record, nothing about doing this ted talk was easy.

[@NeurodivergentRebel]

I related to this very deeply.

[@TheFpskiller]

lol

[@bobca2]

Thank you...thank you...thank you. Your words on this topic are the best that I have heard. Like most Aspies, I suffered early & often for "being different". Unlike many, I have found my niche several times in life, being a creative problem solver, successfully solving technical & organizational change challenges. Much of my success has come to me from my "differences", & my belief that all problems are solvable. I have even received praise for solving "impossible problems" from clients & colleagues. You mention "outside the box" thinking, & that ability has been part of my success toolbox. At this point though, I firmly believe that "There is No Box".

[@myth-termoth1621]

Please write us a book on how you found this niche? Its taken me 55 years to find my second niche (mechanical engineering tutor) after having quite a sucessfull (but financially unsustainable) career as a sound engineer.

[@cosmicbug6264]

Bob Carlston yesyesyes!!!!!! great words!!!!!

[@SirNancelot]

Amazing, yes, please write a book! 🙏

[@BBsLIFE]

Please take the time and listen to Ms. Elisabeth Wiklander as if you were blind, she has been misunderstood through her younger years due to her beauty and characteristics, showing a high percent of positive energy. Far beyond most individuals her intelligence is knowledgeable and prestige, ready to create the next best thing. Talent is known among these individuals of her standard and quality. I wish her the best in every aspect of life, with peace and happiness! God Bless.

[@millahilla1921]

This is just like my story. My life began in 31 years age, when i finally found my autism. How hard life felt before it. How happy and "blessed" i feel now. I'm gathering courage to out myself in my social media.

[@tomricta5123]

You rock, see it is a secret talent 😏

[@spoopypoopy3843]

When she talked about curiosity and support flooding in, it made me cry. I'm at that point (talking to everyone about it) right now, and it makes me so happy to think of the friends I have finally found, after two decades of solitude. I am accepted now, and finally learned to accept myself with my flaws.

[@maxxsideburn]

It's funny how the little thing she mentions, like emotions coming and going so quickly, can make me cry in an instant 😭

[@MyASDJourney]

I found this video shortly after I discovered I was autistic too and was later diagnosed to confirm this... It is still one of the best presentations I've seen in the last 15 months of learning about myself and autism. I come back from time to time because I reminds me of that time after discovery. The shock and wonder... am I really autistic? I could relate so strongly to what she said and still do. I will always be grateful for what you've done here Elizabeth… Thank you!

[@roxannacamden]

Autism is happening more often then we realize, parents often hide their child if they have Autism, its not right a child with Autism should be around people so the world can learn more bout their child who has Autism. I really encourage more people like speaker to speak up about theirresults on where to get help like she did.

[@TheAmma007]

I love this. Too many times I've been hurt by what people say.. and I've learned to never get close to anyone because they will all eventually say;.. wow you are weird..and walk away

[@chelseaday1495]

Elisabeth, I started crying immediately when I heard you were a musician. I am an opera singer, finishing up my master's right now. Life in the classical world can be like a competition of who is the most neurotypical, if you will. I often feel I am held to a much higher standard of what it is to be a woman, professional, and just a human being in general. Your talk gave me a huge amount of relief, as I know I'm not alone. You give me so much hope.

[@peterkearney31]

Life is a competition of who is most neurotypical.

[@jennifercampbell6282]

This woman should be our Prime Minister....I want to live in her society.

[@soulz2003]

This is one of the best speeches from an aspie on the stereotypes of autism. Brilliant!!!

[@amymerritt6812]

I am beyond lucky and blessed to have a family that has always been supportive of my weird

[@nancyanderson5310]

In the 1980s I first read about autism and I can still feel the relief. I understood in my own bones this condition. In 1991 i was working as a live in housekeeper for a psychologist and I dared to tell her I was autistic. She rejected that instantly. “You are too bright to be autistic”. So I kept silent for another 20 years. I am now 85 and hearing all these talks is absolute heaven. What has kept me going is an experience I had at age eleven. My personal challenges combined with an alcoholic father, a bipolar mother, a dangerously mentally sister who regularly tried to kill me had worn me down. I began to say over and over “I want to die”. A Voice came into my being and said with total authority “say it once more and you’ve got it”. I totally believed what I heard. I received it as a great gift. I could die ANY TIME I WANTED TO. Other spiritual gifts kept me going over the years, but that one is still my joy. Yet it would be so wonderful to be understood. But all human beings feel that way, when you think about it. “Just say I tried to love somebody” said Dr. king. Yeah, that’ll do.

[@winkulgames6656]

"Why must we wear a one size fits all just because it fits most people" the way she put everything I feel but can't express into words, just amazing.

[@TheHonest50s]

I wish all this was my case now. My family still refuses to aknowledge my diagnose at 44 (I fell through the cracks in the 70s), even though I am a texbook presentation. I'm invalidated and so are my challenges, I'm invisible to most people here in my country. I have no relationship, still raising a daughter alone divorced. In my country I have no hope to remarrying is now clear to me being how I am. The only positive things of now knowing I am autistic are I at least now understand myself, being autistic has enabled me to have an amazing job because of how I process information and have found a nice online community but other than that I am alone. A year ago when I was diagnosed I posted here that this is how I felt too and I wanted all to go like it did for her, guess it was just wishful thinking. I will keep writing about the experience and hoping at least someone will benefit from my experiences.

[@horsemumbler1]

Research the Cognitive Functions Research "Extroverted feeling," and "Fe 7th" / "Fe PoLR." Study the cognitive stack: 1234 5468

[@Living_Connectedness]

“My whole life and my experiences started to make sense” - I’m 36 and only this year diagnosed with Aspergers, and this is exactly how it felt!

[@telemon2918]

I just casually perused these 416 comments and am now going to add my own. At 49, I am only in my first full month of awareness (that I am autistic.) I echo the sentiments of many of the late-diagnosed adults that have already spoken up here. I am grateful for what I now know about myself. I am grateful for the active autistic online community. Every day that passes I feel more and more myself. A fog has lifted. It is liberating to pursue a life of authenticity and self-expression. I read somewhere that the Maori word for autism is "existing in their own space and time." I feel this way around the ducks and geese at the public golf course. I have started doing daily meditations at the edge of the lake. I am grateful for my autistic journey, and am taking every opportunity to spread awareness, with a newfound resolve to love and accept myself.

[@NJacana]

Me too, at 74.

[@laurenmarzlock3419]

I'm also a woman diangosed with Aspergers. It not easy what we go thru, Even now I'm still trying to get myself indepent at 37 years old. Being that we are very high functioning that can also be a disadvantage too because other people don't bother that we have some type of disabilty.

[@Lucky86_]

Preach! I'm 31 trying to do the same. The annoying thing is that being quite good at hiding my awkwardness and effort it takes to act 'normal' leads people to believe it's not an issue anymore.

[@brendabradshaw6596]

Truth. There is no autism "look" and we are good at "passing" for not autistic.

[@dinezthompson9832]

Lauren Marzlock: Education is key. Meanwhile, you have a nice life, brave one.

[@mbt9700]

Very frustrating, as the reaction u get is that it must all be in my head because I look SO NORMAL!!! 🤮

[@happyaspiemom]

I 've always felt different and I've have struggled so hard to understand why until I found out , 8 months ago , at 45 years old , I had A.S ! It was a real shock ( because of the bad - and false- image of autism ) but also such a relief ! I have reread my life under this new understanding and after feeling angry ( for the huge amount of suffering that no one in my family ever took care of ) , and sad , I 've felt light , so light for the first time of my life . Struggle was over I could be my own self at last ! Knowing that I am an autistic person got me out of the disconfort zone I had been for ever . I 'm having a renaissance ! I live a life that-s good for me , when my kids are at school ( I don't have a job) I do what I want , I do my research , I read , I do yoga , meditation ( by the way great to help you to communicate and feel your needs). I feel strong ( aspies really are ) and proud of myself for my resilience . Elisabeth is a great and positive exemple of autism ! Aspies have a lot to give to the world ! My 3 kids have disorders ( one is aspie the 2 others have adhd ) and I create educational strategies to help them live a most happy life ! I have a FB page Severine Maman Hyper/Tsa . My project is to help people with disorders ( especially kids ) , I will be a coach in 1 or 2 years . Aspie people have so many gifts to give to the world !

[@cheryltyler9412]

Your courage to call out social “norms” is admirable. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, ideas and your unique story.

[@danielmoore4024]

Cheryl Tyler, I'm glad I don't fit the social norm where I live. I've listened to and read so much produced by autistic people. After doing so I perceive that autistic people are just like the guardians of authenticity, I love having Asperger's because it gives me the strength and determination to stand alone when around unrighteous behaviour.

[@fuckviri]

I've always been open about my diagnosis. It still doesn't really help. People still get annoyed at me when I have a meltdown or a sensory overload, when I can't do things they except me to do. People just dont accept you

[@Ellenweiss1]

OH my......this was so amazing. "Every human being is a resource"....."should what is neurologically accepted be determined by the majority, should human value be determined by the majority" I'm 61 and have not found resources for my neuro-diversity. It's really wrong......so wrong. I'd like to reach out to Elisabeth Wiklander.....I struggle so much as a creative person. And my neuro-diversity issues affect my health.....even more at this point in my life. It's amazing how much of a struggle it can be to just get along in this world for some of us.

[@suigenris]

I love these, but... I'd love for someone to give a talk about WHAT they did to bring themselves back from the fringes of society. What the day by day, the first step was and the 15th... Because for someone like me who at 37 only found out 2 weeks ago he was Adhd, and 5 days ago that he's on the spectrum the mountain of enlightenment is desirable but, where does one start rebuilding a ship lost at sea with no port which to dock?

[@manyBlessings2all]

~Keep watching videos, reading books, join online forums, facebook groups.. now you DO have ports and harbours.. I just got diagnosed last year (aged 48) & it takes a bit of time to digest and to find your new "tribe" .. keep reaching out too.. we all can help each other :))

[@jsummer979]

46 here. same boat.

[@velvetindigonight]

Hey it's early days for you, give yourself a break this is going to take time it's a process. Everything in this feed is good advice. I'll share my story with you. I'm just getting my head round the fact that I'm on the Spectrum also. And what do I feel? I feel relief! I'm 61 and have always felt different on so many levels to neurotypicals/ordinary people. My life has had all the challenges most women on the spectrum struggle with. Life has been hard. The things that support my identity are my interests ....... the natural world, environmentalism, the study and working with and for 'natural processes' of healing the Earth, friendship, activism, psychology, shamanism, love of animals and wanting to make a difference in the word are the foundations of my life not family and parenting too complex for me or gossip, shopping, and accquiring. Before my recent realization that I am on the spectrum (I am in the process of being diagnosed) I had come to terms with the fact I was not typical that I was an 'Outlander' and that was OK in fact to be honest I'm quite proud of it. When I look round normal does not seem very alluring! . And that's OK and to be honest I don't wish to be like most people..... I do not like the label Autism Spectrum Disorder this is not a Disorder this is a differrentness. I prefer Autistic Spectrum Variants. So lets be honest no one is going to cure us though we can learn to adapt and understand to a degree always knowing we are different. But knowing why I am different is sich a relief it's not because of something I'm doing wrong eg to much sugar, lack of self discipline, not enough sleep, lack of meditation etc., Finding ones interest and work? Look to what you enjoyed in your mid teens and return to those. Why not join a group for late diagnosed adults or set one up yourself? I'm thinking of doing this. I wish to meet more people like me. Give yourself a break and take your time. Also a good routine, eight hours sleep, exercise, healthy lifestyle, cutting down drugs and alchohol, strategies to cope with the overwelm, these all support wellbeing obviously the opposite detracts. I like to be alone and not lonely. Time on my own is calming and healing for me. Managing my work and taking breaks through the day a bit like a Microsoft employee! I enjoy people but prefer the company of men as they are simpler to understand!!!... Living with someone even a life partner does not work for me, I need my own space when I try to live with someone it never works for me it's best that I keep my own home etc., though I guess if we had a large large house and he could have the west wing and I could have the east wing then that might work! One day at a time and remember that brain scans actually shows our brains develop differently and faster, we are different but there are substantial numbers of us and society is begining to acknowledge us. Friendship? People in general are always most comfortable with those who are most like them and share similar experiences. Go find them and I wish you a good life and I hope my sharing has been of help? Alas there is no 'How to' book but perhaps you could keep a diary and maybe share your journey someday? Enjoy. H

[@TimHardsVicente]

@@velvetindigonight Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm just 4 months into my journey of learning how I am, after 40+ years of living a mystery. I like what you wrote. I hope you've been able to meet other Aspies - I joined a local social group and found it enlightening to be around others with different behaviours but this common understanding. Best wishes to you.

[@Mirandorl]

To OP, its been a year since you posted, can you share any steps you found to be helpful? I am finding the same, that actual advice / things to do seems very vague and just the same things over and over.

[@mamamoonwolf9198]

There is no normal, there never was in truth. Normal is different everywhere you go. There is only neurodiversity and thank you so much for this talk! This neurodiversity is the salvation of our world if we will just see it as such! We ARE the ones we've been waiting for! The greater the diversity that is put into solving a challenge... the greater the opportunity for amazing resolutions! If we could learn to speak in one voice what we truly want the end result to be, we could get there! I believe it's time to step out of survival mode and find our thrive throttle. I seek a world in which we are all accepted for our differences and appreciated for the diversity that we bring to the whole. I believe that world will only be created upon a foundation of love, acceptance, understanding, compassion, passion, peace, Joy and the knowledge that we are ALL connected. I'm not talking about a little all that leaves anything excluded. I am so deeply grateful for all the videos that are available that give me proof that we are changing. We are the power that will make the difference! Choice is how we use that power. It's time for love and acceptance to be the final words. I feel like this was a perfect description in so many ways of the life I have lived for well over half a century and a journey that has led me to understand that self-love is a gift you give to the world and it is the key to unlocking our capabilities. I believe autism offers us these beautiful, sweet glimpses of the superhuman capabilities that we have within us. The chaos we live in today is the perfect culture medium for growing new ways of being. Thank you so much for sharing with us you're amazing gifts and your beautiful way of being! You are such a perfect example of our way forward and I am deeply grateful for your courage in undertaking this journey... 🙏

[@stellamarisgallardo487]

"a cure for ignorance and intolerance" I loved it! Thank you for sharing

[@BernardKiprop]

My first reaction when I hear autism / autistic is "i'm definitely no" then I go ahead and struggle and unravel with living through what it looks like being one. THANK YOU for this. I got help but always learning of other people's experiences helps. Before getting help my philosophy was always 'ignore all emotions; it's ok you're a weirdo'. Nowadays I embrace not being like others, and strive to understand my and others' emotions as much as I can

[@jackellock7113]

I think a lot of these people become more stable and grounded in a more natural environment away from the pollution of cities.

[@kenopsiamusic]

i can definitely attest to this. i grew up in the country my whole life and i think it made it easier for me to manage my sensory issues. once i moved to the city i started to really notice how much the sounds and smells overwhelmed me. before i moved, i was a delivery driver and one of the spots i delivered to was right under train tracks in brooklyn. the train had a horn that was so piecing and long that it sent me into a berzerk mode. it was like for a couple seconds i completely lost control over mind and body. im still not officially diagnosed but this was one of the first signs to me that i was probably on the spectrum. i'd always had an aversion to loud sounds since i was a kid but i'd taught myself to tough it out. moving to the city completely tore those walls down.

[@carolinemcgreal2382]

I was and still am bullied by some people and i was call mad, thank you Elisabeth for sharing your testimony.

[@alexoshea6389]

oh gosh, well said. Such a quiet audience I was cheering and clapping her on at home :') so brave sharing experiences.

[@CosmosGamingChannel]

I love this. You just have to be careful with generalizations. Autism is a spectrum, and those towards the lower end can be very severe. I work with individuals with low functioning autism, and let me tel you, it isn’t anything to desire or just accept as it is. Self-injurious behavior, aggression, no communication skills, no independence or basic daily functioning skills... People with autism should not be judged or discriminated against. But just like with NTs, they are not perfect and should always strive to better themselves.

[@Tribolumins]

Could it not be that the aggression and self-harm come from frustration at not being able to communicate or be enabled to have more freedom? Perhaps it is how severely autistic people are treated that should not be accepted as good enough, rather than their behaviour, which may be a reaction to an environment not designed for them

[@CosmosGamingChannel]

@@Tribolumins In some regards, yes. I just find it condescending when people say people with ASD are fine the way they are. Everyone has things they can improve. I’ve also given dozens of clients the ability to communicate and advocate for theirs needs. PECs 🤘

[@DillonColtMusic]

I'm an aspie myself. I can relate very deeply to this. You are amazing Elizabeth. Thank you for being you. You inspire me as both an aspie and an aspiring musician. Oh yeah... and you are gorgeous. 😁😎🎶

[@tobystevens9183]

It is a nice story, but even with a diagnosis in hand, many folks with this condition will get abused and ridiculed by people upon attempting to share the news, like I did 27 years ago. It wasn't called autism at that time If you looked and acted somewhat normal at arm's length...even the term "aspergers" was relatively new at that time and misunderstood by most, including doctors and psychologists. Most of us got shoved into rhe psychiatric system, but were treated for all the wrong things: depression, bi polar, etc, etc, etc... The good news is there have been advances in understanding autism in recent years, and a flood of people with autism getting into research and sharing testimony. These new and newly discovered revelations helped me "come out", if you will. For the first time in my life I understand myself and am not ashamed of who I am (where has God been through all this?! I digress). So many cruel people over the years have forced me to live with labels that don't fit and only greatly hurt and humiliate.

[@Selambehere]

Wow, what a great, inspiring speech. I agree with the speeker, we need to make the world a safe place to be our authentic selves for all on this planet.

[@loolizzyloo]

omg...this speaker made me tear up...my child is very similar to what the speaker went through...I hope people listen and change their intolerance in accepting people for who they are and what they are ! People need to become informed !!

[@leesa67]

Thank you Elisabeth...you are making a wonderful difference...yes, ignorance is the word for the world to overcome!

[@syleenadawn2038]

Love this!!!! I also just want to mention though too, Disability isn't a bad word

[@digitaltrix]

Thank you for this. I decided to share it in my social media after reading much of what I’ve experienced but tried to understand by myself. There will always be polarizations in situations that stem from a lack of understanding and so enlightenment of self and others is the only good fight worth fighting. Ultimately your love must be bigger than your fears

[@magdalenawiszniewska2825]

There is a ted with girl who was diagnosed at 35. Helped me understand the spectrum, low and high functioning etc. Im definitely neurodifferent and while no amateur like me cam confirm i also feel im surrounded by people on spectrum a lot

[@neurotectura]

Thank you for talking openly.

[@gorgeousgarcia29]

This video makes me happy. I’ve been diagnosed with high functioning autism as well. I have weird traits that people seem to find weird like constantly touching my face & withdrawing myself from groups- even small groups. I was diagnosed a few years ago but I haven’t had the courage to tell my husband. I think he truly wants to know how to help me but I don’t have the description words to tell him how I feel.

[@guyshahar]

Beautiful story and such an important conclusion about the suffering in our lives not being a result of the autism but a result of the lack of understanding of it!!!

[@ruth6833]

How elegantly put...we need more people like this lady to take the platform and lead us forward into a kinder more fruitful and rewarding world

[@einaskbadri2262]

How comes we don’t hear from Aspergers’ that are not gifted? I would like to hear the story of someone like me.

[@mlwilliams7959]

That's a term NT's use to describe a skill you have that they don't and are not really looking to have.

[@Catlily5]

I think society likes hearing inspirational stories more than stories of someone like me who has a lot of disabilities but hasn't overcome them. I don't know your story. But we still matter.

[@UnicornUniverse333]

I agree!!! Im disabled, im 36 living with my parents, im not astounding at memorization nor academia, i just want help and nonjudgment!

[@ladyconan]

Please please please!!! Subtitles in many languages!!! This is by far the best tedx talk I’ve watched on autism, we need to be able to share it with the world!!!

[@kellyreilan]

I can relate to most of what you’re saying. I’m 56 years old, and I’ve never been diagnosed. I think it’s time to get tested because of this video. Thank you for giving me a better understanding of myself, and for giving me hope! 💕😊

[@TheHonest50s]

OMGS this is exactly how I felt when I was finally diagnosed at 44. At last it all made sense and understood so much. Amazing lecture, thank you for helping others inderstand us and our mind.

[@norxgirl1]

Diagnosed 3 years ago age 60. Have come to believe that the general lack of respect/acceptance/understanding of my neurodiversity from my social sphere may be based upon their subconscious fears and other unprocessed emotions/beliefs.

[@Mo.Faried]

On the other side, I was diagnosed at the age of 32, and all my problems made sense, but I was lucky to know this fact late because I never let myself stopped by the challenges the world threw at me. I am now a software engineer who is really good in what I am doing, and despite my still weak people skills, I lead teams very efficiently and try my best to make them happy and achieve their maximum potential and I was exceptionally successful in this as well for helping people find solutions out of the box for their problems. This costs me much energy but I am happy to do so. I have never considered it a disability, but a gift.

[@crazyknitter22]

Great speech. Like Elisabeth, I had to look and research because what is perceived as autism didn't really fit. The reason for is that in the beginning it was believed only boys had autism. Girls kept falling through the net because they didn't display the same traits, also we tend to be better at masking. When I realized at the age of 57 the reason why my life had been as confusing as it had been, it was a lightbulb moment. I understood I was not broken, I was just different. I can honestly say, I cried for a while.

[@IamMissPronounced]

What I need in my journey towards a diagnosis is context. I've always felt like I wasn't given the guide book to socializing and being human, and I grew up feeling like a total alien, even though I didn't ever express that. I'm 22 and on my way to an assessment and it's a long, painful journey so far.

[@highvickypie6187]

I'm also 22 and been thinking of a diagnosis. I'm scared though

[@casteli]

@@highvickypie6187 A diagnosis will be so liberating, i promise

[@SweetiePieTweety]

I ❤️ the message!!! Yes, the suffering is mostly from the lack of acceptance and understanding. Autism presents as extremes and I wish this was discussed more. Where this beautiful lady is gifted in memorization and organization making school and study a delight my children have extreme deficits in these areas due to autism processing challenges. The intellect is there, yet output function for school and the elementary tasks were/are often impossible. But meet them on their output function level and you will find the intellect is intact and demonstrable and can be tapped into to reveal gifts. Yet, access to this delve is rare. Autism. Extremes. Sometimes Simultaneously over sensitive in areas and and under sensitive in others. Extreme deficits and extreme gifts. If one only focuses on filling the gaps of the deficits or only the gifts, one might lose the end game of happiness. Without awareness (an answer and explanation) of the why things are different or challenging for the individual with Autism or other neuro diverse experiences it is such a tough journey. This identification of the why, embraced in a positive light of exploration can open new communication channels. There is always the risk though of the sharing of the why, that some relationships will become more healthy, some less. This extreme of “normal” people in the area of acceptance and rejection, validation and invalidation. Some will cheer and support your diversity, some will mock and call you a freak. So I guess extremes isn’t just Autism maybe but the human condition. “Normal” to the diverse person often present as the extremes of ignorance and an intolerance of different. She is very brave to step into the arena to educate a fearful and diverse humanity. Cheers to The Brave!

[@johnson42069]

The brain amplifier analogy is so relatable. The slightest noise coming from a mile away could disturb my workflow and make it hard to become focused again.

[@TheFpskiller]

wow what a brave woman you are! important speech.

[@Geminimessiahs]

wow. This just changed my life. thank you.

[@myworldautistic6839]

So happy for you. Unfortunately, your experience is incredibly rare. Many of us do not have the same response that you received when we disclose. For a lot of us, we get a response that is almost opposite from yours. But I am so happy for you that it went well. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It's such a beautiful story. ❤

[@YourRyeBread]

i appreciate the mix of old and new terms. i lessens the negativity i feel hearing them

[@Kosmic.Prism0]

This video made me realize I'm autistic after living on this earth for 28 years, unaware why I was different. It's been 2 years since, thank you for starting me on this journey of self-rediscovery.

[@angelanix7041]

Ignorance ruins so much. It really hurts when you get in a relationship with some one who can’t except something that really effects you and asks you to “ just be normal”. I’m not autistic that I’m aware of, and I say that not to falsely represent what I’m saying here. However I am different and I feel like most of my life I’ve been told to blend in. I hurt all over again when I remember being told things like What’s wrong with a normal compliment The air conditioning guy thought you were much older than you are. He asked what special needs school you attend Change in the stall they will make fun of you It adds up and the sum of that PROBLEM can be brutal. Instead of trying to get the people around us to act “normal” we should be embracing our differences, and actively replacing our ignorance with education and understanding.

[@jessebuckstein7682]

Incredible video and thank you for sharing your story. I accepted my psychological differences a while ago without fully understanding what they were but never have I heard someone verbalize my thought processes or related so much. Thank you and please continue to share your powerful story and beautiful message.

[@JohnDoe-pq8wx]

hi, i am 28 and currently going through the correct avenues to find out if i have been suffering in silence, so far a lot of stuff i have read i can resonate with and i am hoping this will finally help me move on in my life, sadly, i have lost a lot of love from my family as they would rather my behaviour is from taking drugs for years to mask my own emotions which are hyper sensitive .. i have learned to appear normal for years except i have never been able to change my situation, i have great deals of anxiety and depression that surrounds most social interaction... i wish everyone all the best in finding you truth

[@miffpaayear]

I’m diagnosed as an autism at age around 40 and this exactly entails my story! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@Livinginthegrayarea]

At 39… turning 40 in October will be my very first birthday, knowing I’m on the Spectrum. I’m beyond thrilled to have this entire new outlook and compassion on not just myself, but so many others I’ve known.

[@billwong6077]

well said! I also add one more thing we deserve. We deserve to be understood by our NT counterparts, especially on social media. There are some people who still don't do that... including those who have aspirations to be healthcare professionals. I almost want to say to these prospective health professionals, "If you don't make an effort to understand me, you not only are not listening to a professional peer. But, you are also not listening to those representing the neurodiverse community."

[@davidspencer1558]

Second time I have looked at your video. Your experience and my own correlate. This video has been emotional. Thanks

[@charlabolton1853]

It’s disheartening that so many don’t get diagnosed until they are elderly . That makes it clear to me that so many potentially productive people are living the majority of their lives under a self imposed cloud of social conformity. I once told a psychiatrist that I could learn to play the piano but I would never be a musician, meaning even though I could learn techniques that would pass for normal social interactions, but would never actually be or feel normal. Using the word normal should be banished from our lexicon. Because normal is an albatross that keeps one from connecting to ones full self. This talk is a gift to anyone who’ve self-judged their differences as disabilities . We are all somewhere on a neurological spectrum. Some of us aren’t in the largest part of the bell curve. Do we need to be labeled to find a fuller life?No, just accept that what you do and are is fine and good and go for the things you love most.even if you have to let go of the things others expect. In todays world there are many more opportunities to find a productive life, because there are so many ways to earn a living which don’t require a high degree of conformity and skilled social interactions. One of the upsides of technology is the potential to reinvent your life on your own terms.

[@catherinejames2734]

Probably it’s the social issues that are so challenging because of the anxiety that is always present when in groups of people. These days I am able to avoid a lot of situations but I often feel isolated because of it. Because I’m always having to work at being very focused when with people, I appear quite intense when I don’t mean to be. I work at being very articulate so I’m not constantly misunderstood. I can also surprise people with my directness, I say it as it is because I can’t see the point in being any other way. I prefer people to be very direct with me so I can understand them. So people can be exhausting and cause me extreme anxiety, then people wonder why I have to always appear to be so anxious? It does help incredibly for people to know that I have autism, then they give me a break.

[@lisaleimbach9085]

I’m very concerned that my 18 year old daughter has Autism. She didn’t fit in at school. She couldn’t relate to numbers and couldn’t figure out simple math, therefore she didn’t graduate. She can’t stand certain types of clothes and she has self harmed herself by picking skin until she has big sores that have scarred her legs up. She doesn’t have empathy and doesn’t like to be touched, hug, or say I love you. She covers all her body even in the summer with long sleeve shirts and jeans. She won’t wear tennis shoes or flip flops, only work boots or cowboy boots. She goes from being very mean and violent to very sweet and silly. School kept telling me she didn’t qualify for a IEP but flunked math every quarter. She scored a 80% on testing in the 5th grade but 80% on the 3rd grade level. She is now angry a lot and won’t work in fear of failing or fitting in. I know she is struggling with trying to figure out who she is and she has said a few times, I wish I was dead! Somebody please tell me how I could get her tested without her knowing it because she won’t do it if she knew this. She would fight me. I’m very sad that none of her teachers saw this! That I had her tested several times for an IEP, but they wouldn’t! She plays guitar beautiful and can play by ear. She has played her guitar with local bands in front of big crowds. She can build awesome things, and is good at art, but she’s suddenly losing interest in these things and seems very depressed at times. She has only a few friends and they change to a few other friends after awhile. Please, give me some advice?

[@recreate21]

It must be very difficult to see your beautiful daughter struggle... And to feel helpless at times to help. I hope you have found some resources that can help. She does seem like she could be on the spectrum .

[@yivmaiden]

Keep working with her on her strengths and try to see her neuroatypical point of view. I'm sure she has empathy - the feeling is just too intense. Get someone who is a genuine expert in female aspie to work with her. Good luck for her beautiful journey ahead!

[@goddessloretta776]

Friend asked why do you need a title or diagnoses? I said because at 35 I'm just realizing I'm some type of neurodivergent and I'm still trying to fit squares in circular holes. That's why it's important to me. It sums up so many why's and how's that puzzled me my whole life.

[@christinehallfeldt4280]

In my opinion from what i am learning mental illness is not solved by pills but rather by education. Personally i have been diagnosed with multiple diagnosis including schizophrenia, BPD, depression and anxiety. Since finding out about my personality type which no one told me to do i have discovered i have a neurodivergent mind and all my problems are centred around this very important fact about myself. The problem isnt sick people as i have been told all my life but the lack of education. We are not told about psychology or personality types or traumas or mindfulness and i am only learning this now. Society is the disease not the individual. And by no means am i recommending medical advice or any kind of advice at all. This is my personal experience only. Very helpful video and insight into something i wish someone would have told me a lot sooner 😊

[@yahowahsWords]

I am glad that I found this video. I am sixty-one and I discovered that I am autistic at age sixty. I should have been diagnosed as a child, but when I was taken to the doctors for evaluation, they found that I had severe scoliosis and did not bother checking my mind. My sister was the only one who was that I was different. She played and read to and with me in her room where it was calm. She helped me gain the confidence and security inside that helped me deal with the outside world. I was treated very poorly and even beaten on a regular basis. My story is very complicated. She used the Bible to help teach me to read. I was reading novels before first grade. However, my family did everything that they could to prevent me from advancing my education. I always did well around my sister, but she could not handle the way that I was treated and ran away when she was 13. I was eleven. A year later while living with relatives who took advantage of her, she was killed in a car accident. My time of being accepted and loved was over. I have four grownup daughters who are successful, but that statement of being accepted is still true. I learned how to mask, but I never fit in. Now that I know why my life has been the way that it is, has helped me. Like a lot of other autistic people, I have special gifts. Not just one, but several. However, I have always struggled to keep a job, even though those companies that hired me, benefitted greatly from what I contributed. Some would have been transformed and become very prosperous had they just kept me on a little longer and allowed me to finish what I was working on. There is even a multibillion-dollar corporation that exists because of the ideas and design plans that I had for the small company where I was working. After I presented the plans to the owner, which he said would never work, a month later I was fired and he sold the company for a few hundred thousand dollars using my plans. It is now a corporation that earns billions. I barely survive each month living on my disability income from my scoliosis. My mind is fine, well, not according to others, because I am autistic. I live in that glass room watching the world. Very few people have ever believed in me and given me a chance, but they were only in my life for a short time. Because of them I learned to play several musical instruments and won many competitions both with the instruments and vocally. I excelled in math and the sciences and was even accepted into Mensa. None of that was ever allowed to benefit me and improve my life. I am still being told that I need to change and alter myself so that I can fit in. I have had inventions stolen after I revealed them to others. I have since learned to keep them to myself. I have several that I know would change several industries and benefit the world, but I do not have the resources to bring them to light. I have always that the belief that no matter who anyone else was or the disabilities that they have, that I could learn something from them. So, I would try to make connections, but since I am socially inept I would have difficulty. That same courtesy was not returned to me. When I speak others do not listen. That has been my life. I hope that she is correct. I am going to let others know that I am autistic. I hope my world changes.

[@sherrym5556]

How sad and very relatable. Speaking and not being heard is exhausting and frustrating. I'm 58 and just realized I'm autistic from researching. 58...my entire life's been a lie and a struggle. I hope things get better for us and others.

[@juliovasquez8718]

I am 34 and think i have just made sense of my perspective! Like an "Ah Ha!" Moment! I even teared up because i feel like ive found myself and hopefully people who are also on the spectrum! Its soo hard to be social! Ive read peoples minds through their energy and have even been told how did you know i was going to say that! Or i knkw them to the point where they are uncomfortable! Man i need to look into this more cuz i feel itll help my mental health!

[@Idmoment]

Preach sister. Beautiful talk. Enlightening

[@renataparisotto6921]

Gratidão. Thank you. I found myself autistic a month ago. what you said touched my soul. Gratitude.

[@jjonestowne]

ooooooooooh, it's making me cry. thanks for this, it's really really good.

[@emersoncypriano7798]

Your words really was the "Key that unlocked my wourd". Thank you.