The Connectivity Theory of Autism

[@Not_that_Brian_Jones]

"I see that I'm hurt before I can feel it." Oh, I totally get this. I'll like close my hand in the door or something, and I'll have a chance to think to myself, "Oh, this is gonna suck!"

[@sarahwarnock2707]

Same! Sometimes it's a few seconds delay, and I'm like "just come on and hurt already..... ouch finally!"😂

[@dragonscald1]

YES

[@jbr84tx]

I can relate to this. I've had some serious cuts and don't know how bad until I see LOTS OF BLOOD. THEN I start feeling the pain. BTW I'm not autistic (not diagnosed, at least).

[@allie54774]

Yes! A few weeks ago I was asleep on the sofa & my partner brought me tea, tripped over a toy & spilt it all over me. I became kind of partially aware as it happened and was aware of the tea on me & had a moment in my brain to be like....oh shit here we go. Then felt the burns and started screaming 😅. Luckily I was only scalded, not badly burned!

[@floweryomi5351]

The fact that autistics tend to have less synaptic pruning and therefore more synapses and The fact that ADHDers have understimulated brains i bet would make for a fascinating study of the comorbidity of the two

[@garethbaus5471]

The comorbidity of the two is extremely high, but people who are diagnosed with ASD are less likely to be helped by ADHD medications if they are diagnosed with ADHD.

[@floweryomi5351]

@@garethbaus5471 oh wow. That is good to know

[@Redmage913]

Not always. I respond well to Concerta as an AuDHD’er.

[@Kristallator]

​@@Redmage913 I wonder what specific chemical differences are the reason for the disparity in medication effectiveness. Like seriously, I've tried Ritalin, dex, straterra and I'm on concerta now and none of them do shit. Well, at least the stimulants wake me up and help me sleep through the night better

[@TheBesilas]

I got both and no it doesn't work like that at least for me you get the worst of both

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

Forward head posture (often due to neck and upper back hyper-mobility/joint instability) partially restricts the blood and oxygen supply to the head increasing brain fog, anxiety AND puts the body in a fight or flight sympathetic state even when there is no danger, it also lowers vagal tone (vagus nerve is responsible for rest and digest, AND makes us open to socialising and feeling comfortable and safe around other people). Autistic and ADHD people have been found to have lower vagal tone than neurotypicals. Lower vagal tone also sets the stage for increased inflammation and reduced levels of healing - hence why chronic pain is a common comorbidity.

[@vanessaries3991]

Oh my gosh! This explains so much for me. Thank you so very much for sharing this. 🤯💕

[@Kagomai15]

And that's why good posture becoming a "class thing" was the wooorst shift. I rebelled against good posture so hard as a kid but omg has it screwed up my body in unexpected waays 😅 Thanks for the reminder that I need to streeetch before I go to bed

[@derrickrr5516]

Both my daughter and my son have autism and ADHD. My daughter also has bipolar 1. She fits your description. She has hyper mobility, anterior pelvic tilt and forward head posture. She’s the most emotionally dysregulated person I’ve ever known. Her life has been rough, despite all my efforts. Her future doesn’t have a good outlook. I won’t be around forever. I don’t like to think about what it might be like for her after I’m gone.

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

@@derrickrr5516 hi, there are things you can do to help. Like getting physical therapy to help her neck posture/curve and strengthen her neck muscles which can help put her into a more parasympathetic state and increase her vagal tone. Also taking supplements like high dose curcumin/turmeric and magnesium to lower stress hormones and decrease mast cell activation in response to stress. Mast cell activation contributes to inflammation AND hyper mobility since mast cells release compounds which break down connective tissue. Also make sure she is hydrated and drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day (this will increase blood pressure to the brain and lower the compensatory noradrenaline release. These things have greatly helped me and others with AuDHD.

[@Laezar1]

AuDHD and dyspraxic here and I feel the "having to consciously think actions" so much. My body feels like I'm piloting it more than I'm living through it, I feel so disconnected from it at times (might be why I'm agender too), it's like piloting an exosuit with input lag and random interference in the controls.

[@jaspersmith2501]

Oh my god the agender thing makes so much sense 😮

[@juhel5531]

I'm autistic too but almost nymphomaniac levels of horny instead lol. I even describe my internal experience as piloting a mech with input lag but since I did combat sports, I realized EVERYONE has input lag, they just don't process it. Normies have a strong instinct towards getting to mediocre and stop improving once it's no longer instinctive but us autists have always functioned in this conscious manner so we can just eventually catch up and leave them in the dust. Also, sexual intercourse is an autonomous response and one of the few times I've actually felt "normal." There is barely any masking in intercourse, just be yourself unrepentantly and enjoy it. It's weird.

[@Laezar1]

@@juhel5531 I'm very much on the "stop once I stop improving" side, but that's probably the ADHD part lol I get super engaged in new activities but once I lose the dopamine hit of improving, learning new things etc it's hard for me to stay interested (on the other hand I tend to bounce from hyperfixation to hyperfixation so I have a pretty eclectic skillset of things I'm competent at). Also not 100% sure why you brought up your sex drive since I didn't mention that so in case that's the reason I just want to point out that agender and asexual are entirely different things. Now that's still an interesting topic though cause I'm like, really weird with sex, as in, I'm really slutty with pretty wild kinks when I'm talking through text with someone, but I'm pretty much ace as soon as my actual body is involved. I love sex on a theoretical level but not on practical one lol, bodies are too weird and senses too overwhelmed when near someone, like, even handholding is overwhelming for me (but I'm totally fine having the weirdest eldritch sex through text lmao). I don't really have a cohesive concluding thought so, uh, have a nice day! =p

[@juhel5531]

@@Laezar1 I brought up sex drive cuz screw societal conventions and it's a super sensation driven thing but is so formulaic when you try to dissect it but also the magic of how good it feels doesn't go away with thorough dissection. When I know someone better, I can pick a different topic but in casual convo, it's hard to figure out a topic that gets as strong a reaction. I was never given an opportunity to practice social interaction before I had a sex drive because my identity as the absolute low social status weirdo got cemented in every social setting. The only people that were willing to give me social interaction were women that I was dating. So seggs, flirting and banter holds a special place in my heart for socializing me.

[@Laezar1]

@@juhel5531 Yeah that's fine, it was the "instead" that threw me off since it implied it was a response to something I said and I didn't mention my sex drive so I wanted to make sure there was no confusion ^^

[@pengruiqio]

This is much more relatable than monotropism, I feel like I neurologically cannot let go of things. The hate for change is the feeling of having to hold on to an extra set of complicated but useless information which makes me angry

[@alexba1ley]

What is the difference between what you're describing and monotropism? /gen

[@GoingtoHecq]

I think monotropism is just a description of symptoms but is not good for any explanations.

[@milamila1123]

​@@alexba1leyNot OP, but monotropism is a theory of neurodivergence (not just autism), which describes how ND people tend to only be able to focus on/do ONE thing, aka "monotropic mind". I might have explained it badly, but honestly, this is a yt comment :)

[@CatalogK9]

I don't remember why, but I was thinking about the "lack" of neural pruning and the wear and tear thing yesterday, and how it's like the "Smart AIs" in Halo (like Cortana), who has an operational lifespan of 7 years before they "think themselves to death" and go through a deterioration called Rampancy that's very much like the emotionally unstable phases of dementia, because they can't prune their neural networks the way humans can.

[@Thisoddity]

I thought i was the only one to query this 😮😂

[@PasqualItizzz]

Long while ago (before audhd, thinking about brains etc) I thought something similar, that AI would always 'blackpill' because it has no capacity for denial. Blocking things out is kinda essential in a hostile world if you want reasonably efficient operation, too many IFs kill actions.

[@Catlily5]

If AI is modeled on the human brain it might learn denial.​@@PasqualItizzz

[@VermisTerrae]

I can't believe how much I learned about myself in under 33 minutes

[@nightingale2424]

lol right

[@coreycox2345]

@@nightingale2424 I have ADD and may or may not be autistic. I definitely have some traits, but maybe they overlap. Your lol resonates.

[@esotere]

And my family! My mind is blown rn!

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank goodness another human being who understands autism and who clearly explains it, your edits were noticed. Good job paige layle. ☮

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

Connective tissue disorders and hypermobility are SUPER common amongst neurodivergents, especially afab AuDHDers. Many people have said that ASD/ND people (especially women) often look very young for their age, that could potentially be due to the abnormalities in collagen and connective tissue which can result in increased elastin to compensate, giving that youthful skin look. A mother with Ehlers Danlos syndrome has the same chance of giving birth to an autistic child as a mother with an autism diagnosis! Also, surprise surprise, connective tissue is very abundant in the brain...

[@TheDoodlingFlowerGirl]

The collagen thing is so cool! I always assumed it was because autistic people make less facial expressions, therefore less wear and tear on the muscles.

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

@@TheDoodlingFlowerGirl I did too until I found out about this! Plus, there are AuDHDers who overuse their facial muscles and expressions as a form of compensation and masking, who also still look super young and lack facial wrinkles

[@TheDoodlingFlowerGirl]

@@sacrilegiousboi978 That's so cool! I'd always wondered how the super expressive AuDHDers looked younger as well, now it makes perfect sense! Thanks for sharing!

[@withyoctopus]

And I thought it was because of that plus that we don't go outside and never go into the sun. No weather, no weathering.

[@kawag6356]

Very true! AuDHD, dyspraxia, hyper mobility, so is my daughter

[@QueenofPutrescence]

This! All of this! This video shows why we need autists to study autism and allistics just sit and listen. 💜 thank you, Paige, for all you do! I wish you would be president of worldwide autism studies! I'd vote for you! 💜💜💜

[@concerninghobbits5536]

This is the first time I've seen her channel come up but the other channel I watch a lot she's studied psychology and autism is like her special interest so I agree having autistic people actually studying it and giving not only the facts they find but also their personal understanding since they've lived it, it's so nice.

[@kawag6356]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@kawag6356]

@@concerninghobbits5536I love it ❤️❤️

[@Catlily5]

​@@concerninghobbits5536What is the other channel that you watch?

[@tangofaebatelli1237]

Love this so much! Wanna add some information - brains are a special interest of mine, and I especially love the work of Iain Mcgilchrist for this topic of hemispheres. So the theory of the analytical left & emotional right has been thoroughly debunked. Mcgilchrist has a really strong replacement theory though. He talks about how they both *do* all the things, but what’s different is *how* they each attend to the world. Information is presenced to the right and re-presented to the left (and cognition is a lot of back & forth). The right takes things in holistically, all together. The left takes things in discretely, in severed pieces. The left is more “zoomed in”, optimistic, focused on manipulating the environment. The right is more “zoomed out”, pessimistic, focused on receiving the gestalt of the environment. Emotionally, sadness involves more right hemisphere activation, whereas anger shows farrrrrr more left (lots of emotions didn’t display a preference). Super fascinating! And understanding the biology has really helped with self-reflection & self-growth stuff. Instead of fighting these two perspectives, I’ve learned how to mutually respect them.

[@calimorales9880]

That sounds just like sensing vs intitive in mbti personality theories! (Tho don't use 16p, use litterally anything else)

[@j.b.4340]

Thanks for the heads-up on POTS, and yes…I do. I’ll just add it to my ever growing list of issues, which I can’t address. (Weird one: I’ve had high blood pressure since my teens, and no doctor ever cared to discover why)

[@CheekieCharlie]

Get a blood count, my blood pressure is really low, and apparently i have thrombocytopenia and my platlets are apparently bigger and i have fewer so i just have less blood to get through, you could have kind of the opposite problem

[@Fuzz82]

I also always had a high blood pressure since my teens. And sometimes it was mentioned, and said it might be a problem at a later age. But no care for what caused it. Now I am 41 and now they did sound the alarm and put me on (heavy) medication. And they barely lower my blood pressure. To me it feels it actually got worse with a cardiologist telling me: "do this, do that, don't do that." I was also never remotely fat untill just a few years ago. And now for the first time they tell me to lose weight. It seems my blood works are totally fine. It really is as if high blood pressure is just part of me.

[@carole5648]

none care to discover why for me either, just 'take this pill'

[@Catlily5]

Hyperadrenergic POTS comes with high blood pressure.

[@milamila1123]

I, as well as my mother, have had the opposite problem - low blood pressure. I'm sleepy all the time. 😢

[@philurbaniak1811]

Autism 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 Chronic Pain

[@AllegraPersephone]

I have a hand coming out of my head 😮🤝😂 Me too.

[@chrismaxwell1624]

In me my chronic pain has all been caused by autism and all of it has been fixable mostly. Autism causes due to poor posture, how I stim, and being clumsy. Example, grinding my teeth when sensory input gets too much gave me chronic TMJ. My odd ways of sitting in my chair caused me to significantly twist my rib cage due to weakness is some muscle and greater strength in others all due holding weird positions in a chair long periods of time. That caused me all kind of chronic pain. Fixed both but the rib cage to 6 years of physio to return my skeletal system to it's proper position.

[@milamila1123]

​@@chrismaxwell1624I've been in pain since at least 16 years old. Yoga has helped me so much. Now, my joints/muscles hurt only sometimes, but my back is in tip-top condition.

[@spacebar9733]

☺️ so fun !!!

[@Feminazi1dc]

Autism 🤝 constant suicidal thoughts bc fck this

[@NatalieNox600]

I know people disagree, but autism is a form of evolution as it has a genetic component. It might not be the most beneficial, but it has been persistent which suggests it isn't too detrimental. Our brains are have too deep folds which allows them to connect easier. It allows our brains to literally connect in ways that normal people cannot experience.

[@ron1836]

If it's a form of evolution is has come about mostly only do to the societal structures, and technologies which have come forth ever increasingly in the last 150 years or so. Also likely in a way reacting towards chemical, radiological, radio wave, micro wave........ Pollution. It may be part of the cause as well the reaction our genetics have in order to branch out in such a suddenly foreign environment. To create vastly unique and differing people to then go through the process of survival of the fittest.. to figure out just what in the hell traits will be necessary to survive and then thrive in this world now. Making things much more difficult than ever known before in history as well is the rate of change of this alien environment. This is maybe why many with even severe autism with trouble functioning in basic day to day life tasks are some of the most capable with computers...? Such a crazy crazy time to be alive. And if our species makes it through the next few hundred years. This time we are alive in now, and even things like this comment on KZbin will be studied by historians. My genetics will not be passed on. And my family tree ends with me. So apparently I do not carry strong enough or capable enough genes that any female considers are suitable to allow another generation to stem from. Kinda makes me feel shitty... But it is what it is. Funny too cause on paper I have almost everything that is supposed to be desired.

[@NatalieNox600]

​@@ron1836 it is interesting. A lot of us have health issues which can be a problem. Wonder if we'll get better treatments for the genetic issues that often come with it. Some kind of better long term fixes for seizures that some of us get. And my dude you got to get out there. Sometimes got to work on yourself a bit too, but I'm sure you could find someone. Met my wife online insulting Republicans. I was scrawny and a bit of cringe neckbeard. Not full blown mind you, but a bit of white knight chivalry nonsense. Married had kids, and now I'm trans and reproduced / have family. Got to relax into relationships too. We tend to jump full in. Don't lie about who you are, but don't spill everything. I'd honestly look for a neurodivergent partner. We get along better with eachother. My wife is my best friend. Didn't intend a relationship. We literally just talked on Facebook and happened to have a friend in common who was actually the girl I was crushing on / a bit obsessed with at the time. She was actually my wife's maid of honor.

[@jonathan9798]

Nothing is a "form of evolution " . Evolution is a law of nature of how genes are transported and selected in living things and humans observed these laws and have it the name evolution. It's like we observed apples fall from trees and then we observed more and called it gravity. So if you referring to the scientific concept of evolution it is not logical to use the word that way

[@jonathan9798]

It would make sense that also autistic phenotypes underlying the laws of evolution it would logically be correct but still not contentwise.

[@jonathan9798]

And thirdly Evolutionary theory has long evolved past the survival of the fittest game

[@leekestner1554]

That is why ringing phones and beepers are so maddening. I feel like they are inside my body and I must make them stop.

[@leekestner1554]

If it continues I get frantic and if I can't turn them off I have smashed items.

[@shinyfruitbat8024]

This. This is also why I hate parties. If it's loud enough and there's a bass blaring, the vibrations from it drive me into a panic. It's like my whole body is stuck in an earthquake, like all control over myself was taken away. It's literally the worst and I CANNOT handle it and need to leave. Massive overload.

[@ziggytheduke]

the rage I instantly feel when someone's phone beeps loudly when we're on a CARE FARM. And CONTINUES to beep.

[@LaPrincipessaNuova]

Every time you mentioned the book, I looked over at my book shelf trying to figure out where I put it when it arrived the other day, and then at the end I rolled over in bed and the book is sitting on the table next to my bed already. 🙃

[@VermisTerrae]

Holy shit, is THAT why I'm so extremely sensitive to substances?? Any time I smoke weed it's only ever a pinch. If I actually packed a bowl I would be completely unfunctional and hallucinating. That's happened before when I ate too many gummies (20 mg total THC), lmao.

[@missoats8731]

I'm extremely sensitive to caffeine, which also seems to be a thing amongst autistics. Never tried weed, but now I now to be very cautious...

[@Catlily5]

​@@missoats8731 I don't seem to respond to caffeine that much. Autistic people tend to go to extremes.

[@leo-rp1ps]

im the opposite. gotta love having a family history of addiction 😍

[@Zeengkd]

Too much sugar can get me high

[@Catlily5]

@@Zeengkd Sugar is a drug.

[@theedgeofoblivious]

I've been going to a physical therapist and they've given me a bunch of exercises to do daily. It's had a positive effect on my posture.

[@IsuiGtz]

Could you please give us the names of the exercises? maybe I can look them up here on KZbin.

[@FunereusAegolius]

​@@IsuiGtz It may depend somewhat on your current posture - what do you need.

[@FunereusAegolius]

And not all will have clear names.

[@kylie4568]

This is crazy. I don't know if I have POTS, but my blood pressure is crazy low like yours, about 90 over 55/60. I never knew that was connected to my autism as well.

[@heedmydemands]

Love your stuff, you rock. I also live in Canada, yay samers. Wow I am a dork lol. I'm pretty sure I'm autistic, been obsessed with learning about autism for a year and a half at this point, no sign of stopping. I've been learning about mental health stuff like my whole life, special interest. ❤

[@screenfiendnz]

You had me at "I don't care" lol. Great infodump!

[@danebowman6097]

K, to be honest this is the first video of yours I've watched and I was gonna watch a few more before subscribing but the ditty at the end had me.

[@VanessaDayleRaeWaggoner]

I had a psychogenic seizure that I self diagnosed since the ER gave me no diagnosis and my husband has synesthesia. We both have adhd and autism but his IQ is higher even though we are both in the gifted levels. I also have anxiety ocd and histrionic PD whereas he has NPD borderline.

[@blu_heron]

I love learning, thanks Paige! I'm allistic but I'm a sensitive gal and I've been doing neurokinetic massage for a couple years now and it has drastically changed my awareness of my body and how patterns form pain. I highly recommend learning about that modality.

[@coltkm2455]

Ooo

[@jenhewitt6165]

Omg I’m finding out so many things that happened as a kid (when I didn’t know) that make sense when you said about feeling another person’s injury. I was around 7/8 in primary school and somebody fell in front of me and I fully felt it and for like half an hour I was trying not to pass out as if it was me who had fallen and injured myself 🤯

[@Sarcasmarkus]

Mirror neurons & empathy

[@kaye_dee_did]

That will only happen to me if I see the injury. If I hear it, or it happens behind me, I don't feel it. 😂

[@I_have_no_name-j2x]

Yes, I've always felt as though I'm an alien. "Autism Is My Species"--Ragnarr Greywolfe

[@sierragolding9945]

Paigeeee! I absolutely love how well you explain everything. It just makes the most sense.

[@jrshaffer87]

I LOVED your book! Cried my flippin' eyes out! I have handed it off to my sisters to read now.

[@mandarinadreux9572]

Everything you said, I resonate with so much! Especially the way you criticised how autism is talked about in a certain portion of the medical field. Language is power and if something is pathologised the people who have it are stigmatised. Autism is not a disease and it's not a disorder in the way that it was caused by "healthy" tissue somehow becoming "degenerate". This is what the word implies. Autism is a neurodivergence. And I love the explanation you gave : there are simply more neurons and synapses in the brain because they don't get pruned as vigorously. And everything that follows is a result of that. I've been arguing kinda for fun what the "symptoms" of extreme allistic brains would be (like extreme efficiency, no space for deviation, a certain coldness and superficiality, noise etc etc) just in order to prove a point : diagnoses are dependant on your perspective of what is considered "normal". We are pathologised because allistic is considered "the norm". You're so right, we don't deserve it. You're a lovely fun person. Thank you for the video! ❤ Ah btw i have AuDHD i'm pretty sure 😊 also synaesthesia with letters, numbers and sounds (mostly nusic but also voices and certain ambiances), also the thing where you can feel certain sounds in your body (like especially motor noises always feel like my brain is being electrocuted), and the thing with feeling other people's emotions like my own which often makes it hard to discern which emotions are mine and which are other people's and of course makes it hard to just exist in a space with many people. I love people though, but can only take them in small doses and need long recovery times

[@espes531]

Have lots of hope about dementia.. a lot of my fam is on the spectrum and are bright, sharp people into old age.. i imagine the correlation may have more to do with the relative likelihood (over many decades) that people with autism may have smaller support systems, may have eaten fewer nutrients, may have had less mental health support.. all of that. This is improving for the community thanks to people like you though ❤

[@letsdomath1750]

Yep, and stress. Make sure you prioritize sleep and rest.

[@dmn4747]

My thoughts too! It may be more a correlation rather than causation. ND people are more likely to abuse substances, struggle with healthy eating patterns, sleep properly, etc.

[@Zebo262]

Hey Paige, loved you talking about HSD/hEDS. Apparently with those things, there's a tendency to rely on the muscles in the front of your body more than the back, hence (in part) the posture. Mines the same. Also, you can have a tendency to support yourself using your bones and joints more than your muscles, as you're supposed to. Head muscles, chin, neck, chest muscles, shoulders, back, pelvis, hips etc. dental issues, foot problems. And a lot of people with HSD/hEDS end up being dancers (knowingly and unknowingly), I imagine because it seems as though they have a natural ability for it.... Oh and also contortionists 😂 among other things! Some awesome helpful peoples - - Dr Jessica Eccles - Jeannie De Bon - Tracey Rodriguez Subluxing ribs, ouch! I just wanted to add something about HSD/hEDS. I know you've mentioned this makes people more wrinkly a couple times...... But because of the collagen being extra stretchy in the skin, most people with HSD/hEDS, actually look younger than they really are. They tend to experience less wrinkles (^_^) and have really soft velvety skin. And there's an artist you might like if you don't already know him. He studied anatomy in a more physical role, and was a medical illustrator for a time, then taught anatomy. Alex Grey. Thought you might enjoy his work. His art work is amazing! (Massive Tool fan, he did art work for them as well), you might even like some of their music videos. Maynard has an incredible voice 💙💙💙 in all 3 of his bands. Also, meat suit....... You're sooooo a supernatural fan 😂😂😂 Thank you for all your totally immense content, and being the awesome human you are. Thank you for everything you share 💙

[@mkindle]

WOW, this is now one of my favorite videos about autism on KZbin! Thank you for this Everest of info!! SO. MUCH. INFO! I learned a lot! And as you said it: autistic people LOVE to understand!! I have INDEED subscribed! ❤

[@j.b.4340]

Thank you Paige. Autism is a physical difference, in addition to the psychosocial differences. I’ve begun devouring the with work of Simon Baron-Cohen. I read a lot of the published medical journals, and they are loaded with information. I like the work done by the Dutch researchers, like Sophie Van Rijn. However…I actually prefer, and it’s so much easier, listening to your takes on our condition. 🙂 Thank you.

[@artemisXsidecross]

Thank you for the mention of Simon Baron-Cohen, could you write more about Sophie Van Rijn? 👍☮

[@karenholmes6565]

Baron-Cohen is the one with the gendered brain theory, right? I don't buy female brains and male brains. Before puberty we are mostly the same.

[@IsuiGtz]

Yeah what about them tell us more so we won't go blind for further research c:

[@StillthatguyJake]

Thank you so much! You really are a good teacher! You hit the nail on the head with so many things! I admire your passionate desire to share these things with us! THANK YOU

[@fae1525]

I can’t explain how happy the explanation of things makes me. I enjoy being in school and learning things, so the fact that this feels just like being in a lesson, but it’s so much more engaging because it’s about something I chose to learn about, and that evokes so much happiness in my brain.

[@AmandaJames-wp4uc]

Oh whaw!! I love this huge picture you are giving!! I love hearing about cells & the brain & autism! & Genetics. Somehow I accidentally clicked on your video & now I have to come back & rewatch to take it all in. This is fascinating listening to you- you get to the interesting points … all the pruning in brains & lack of pruning in autistic brains … Makes me love my brain & other Autistic & neurodivergence brains more. So fascinating 💗🥰 I wonder the look of these bushy synapses in comparison to trauma … as you say developing and neglect affect the development… I think this is correct genetically you may be predisposed to conditions (many)…. And in some incredible way brains develop a certain way hence fast learning or slower learning due to neuro pathways. I guess it’s all a bit like a malleable Stretchy growing tree of links, sculpting how we think & do things.

[@melissabeingmelissa]

I’m terrified about getting dementia 😓😓😓 I have autism, adhd, dissociative identity, c-ptsd, BPD, and OCD. I’m queer. Disabled. I suspect I have POTS. I suffer from chronic loneliness(which has the same effect on the body as smoking cigarettes). I’m only 30 and am already afraid of my risk getting a heart attack or stroke in the future and now I have to be concerned about dementia? 😮‍💨 🥺 I’m doing my best…..going to slow down and care for myself every day and recover as much as I can and live presently to hope to decrease my suffering, and hopefully change my fate. I feel myself dying, from all the stress I’m under constantly and I don’t have a support circle. If anyone else is reading this and also scared for themselves, you are not alone in that. Grateful for videos like this that educate and raise awareness so we can take the steps we need and ask for the support we deserve

[@CSFLprincess]

That sounds like a lot, I'm sorry you have to go through all that. I don't have anything useful to say but I do wish you the healing you're so bravely seeking and all the help there is 💖

[@dejaponder]

So sorry ur going through all that I’m autistic and have fibromyalgia and severe anxiety and I can barely function. I can’t imagine . Stay strong 🩷🫶🏽

[@IsuiGtz]

I just lack the BPD but I do wonder how much my OCD compensates for that if it were a competition. My OCD is S-tier god level legendary rarity. Truly and absolutely debilitating. Also, we have dementia and Parkinson registered in the family as causes of death. As well as other autistic individuals like me. All from my mother's side. The correlation is real. Speaking of loneliness, I don't have one single friend to talk to. If someone here is into Halo or Fortnite please let me know if you want to play together 🤷 weird to say I know but, it would be worse if I didn't try.

[@sayusayme7729]

Learning how to breathe helped me a bit with catastrophic anxiety, struggled with future worrying too.

[@sherlogic1256]

⁠@@IsuiGtzhey, I’m a gamer & idk much about fortnight & halo I havent touched in years. But I am into Minecraft & wondered if that’s something you’ve played because I have played on the Rendog server. So while we might not have similar gaming interests, that would be a good community to go into at any age and play. Rendog is one of the hermitcraft server streamers and he has a team that runs a public server for anyone over 14 I believe. Kid safe, the mods don’t play around. If that’s not interesting, do look into multiplayer games that build community. RuneScape, Wow, Puzzle Pirates, Wizard101 are just the ones I have built friendships in.

[@kyleanderson6829]

The dementia thing isn’t how it works. It’s been shown continually using your brain especially to solve puzzles or engage in mentally stimulating activities it fights against the degradation of the brain. Likely since it keeps your synapses connected and strong. So “overworking” the brain is probably a benefit to you.

[@letsdomath1750]

Nah, that's bunk in practice. My dad and other people I know who developed diagnosed Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia were bilingual, physically and socially active, solved crossword puzzles, played Sudoku, read books 700 page books, etc. They all still experienced memory loss, declined, and passed away. Why? My conjecture is that their lives were chaotically stressful managing businesses, dealing with toxic interpersonal dynamics regularly, getting into constant arguments, using maladaptive coping mechanisms, surgery complications, etc. Even with somewhat adequate diets and supplements, they were not optimizing for healthy sleep, emotional regulation, and stress management. Rest and relaxation are fundamental for the proper functioning and renewal of the nervous system.

[@Zeengkd]

What about with epileptic autistics who have been advised not to overwork or stress the brain?

[@kyleanderson6829]

@@Zeengkd they fucked

[@kyleanderson6829]

@@letsdomath1750 there are always exceptions. Your one anecdote doesn’t completely refute other evidence.

[@letsdomath1750]

@@kyleanderson6829 It was multiple people I knew and know personally from several countries, so most definitely not a single anecdote. You can check other accounts online with people talking about their parents who were lawyers and doctors and professors who knew multiple languages. This is not new information, and you may be holding onto articles and videos quoting pop science when the actual studies most likely conclude that further research is needed, as is typically the case. Again, mentally-stimulating activities are great to do at any age, but they will not undo the damage of massive stress and inflammation. Other practices, techniques, and lifestyle changes will help with that.

[@wildflower1397]

Try cleaning the intake filter on your a/c. Ours was clogged and a good vacuum off made it work so much better! :)

[@annica2732]

This video convinced me to subscribe, thank you so much for this! I’m only recently starting to suspect I have ASD and with every video I watch, I see more and more falling into place. I have struggled with EDS and joint issues all my life. I have always had a high resting heart rate and low blood pressure. My posture with my neck has always looked exactly like yours. And the mouth breathing thing! I was made fun of as a child because I always had my mouth open with my tongue slightly out. I had to work on being conscious of keeping my mouth shut and breathing through my nose. Seriously, I have never felt so seen in my life. Please keep up the amazing content!

[@nanaisloved2736]

My mind is literally RACING watching this, it makes so much sense!!! With the connective tissue etc, I've always had knee issues and joint pains, and trouble with using my muscles and not my joints, so I started Bodybuilding 2 years ago, but I'm training so hard that now I'm worried it might cause damage to my brain as well😢 especially with that dementia thing, I'm scaredddd

[@sarahcouture24]

Wow you're very smart. This has been a very informative video. I feel like I understand autism a little better now. Helps Makes sense of my life. Thank you for this.

[@Scottnoyb]

0:20 I LOVE your enthusiasm!!!

[@user-kv8nx9oj5v]

You are a fantastic science educator! Your excitement for the science-y bits is contagious, and I love the jellyfish blob in the meatsuit visual! I already knew I was wearing a meatsuit, and also that metaphorically I’m just a little creature on the inside. So this fits well!

[@theblackhole05]

Omgg I see your shorts I didn't realize you had a KZbin channel this has brought me so much joy

[@rowanjoy419]

I just come to realize am autistic, and is funny because my favorite subject in school was biology, and even tho psychology wasn't good because of the teacher, I like it as well. I told my sister no long ago that I was thinking that I should study criminology, is technically someone who analyze the psychology of serial killers that are currently active and by that help to make a profile for who are they looking for. I went to funeral, and I was analyzing the corpse in my head, my mom didn't even want to see it, she told me it scary her, I told her that something was wear about the eyes, they were close but they look like if the have been removed, my mother then told me you should have been a mortician. Now that you say that anatomy is very interesting, am starting to think if may interest on this topics has something to do with my autism.

This video was so helpful, thanks! In my collection of diagnostics I also have Lipedema, wich is another connective tissue disorder (yay). One of the most frustrating aspects of all of this is doctors not understanding how all of it is connected, and not seeing how my body could react differently. Hope someday they get better at it!

[@omniphore4913]

This video just clarified SO MUCH for me, holy shit. Shoulder assymetry, over-engaging certain muscles (I have massive traps and shoulders for no reason at all). This might be this year's favorite video. Thank you so so much!!!

[@aven_snow]

I love all this sciencey stuff! Keep doing more of these please ❤️

[@isaakleillhikar8311]

Its wrong. She’s quoting from a book saying « but everyone feels this way » and is talking about a theory that’s been proposed, but concluded wrong. That book was possibly saying it was bogus but she just wanted to make the video.

[@TomsOnUK]

You are really good at educating people

[@WhoAmI2YouNow]

Hey I just started my psychology study, and the beginning of this video explains exactly what is in the first two chapters!❤

[@LeeCarlson]

I have been subscribed and do like your content. Between you and Jessica McCabe (How to ADHD), I've learned a lot that helps me address what goes on with my family members (many of them).

[@nostalji93]

I think one big reason why many scientific papers are written with the pespective of "cureing autism" is due to funding. If there is medical relevance and a potential drug or therapy to sell there is also funding. Sadly basic research doesn't nearly get as much funding.

[@Ghoulbum]

OMG! I relate to soo much you are talking about in this video, especially some of the stuff you are talking about you deal with. Every time I go to the doctor I'll sit in the waiting room for like 20 minutes to over half an hour and then go in to get my blood pressure and heart rate measured and almost every time they are like it's too high and I have to wait in the room for like 5 or 10 minutes or they think somethings wrong with the equipment. Like, without fail, even at the dentist when they take it. I don't get worried or excited at the dentist or doctors, I'm usually the most relaxed there, especially in the dentist chairs. I have to struggle to stay awake because it's a freaking comfy chair and reminds me of being in a tattoo parlor, which is extremely relaxing for me.

[@kawag6356]

Same!!

[@NFSMAN50]

Another wonderful video Paige!!! Very informative and helpful!!!

[@RanDom-bk8tt]

Great video! From organization to delivery. 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 thanks for sharing

[@kalyasaify]

paige you're really one of only few ppl who understands autism, who really really understands it. I'm getting so tired of all those ppl full of cluster b isssues like simon baron cohen or other brainless individuals who know NOTHING about us. thx for existing you little genius, I appreciate you like crazy ❤️

[@devilsolution9781]

Why is it that aload of autistic people dont seem autistic on the internet? Do you behave different in person?

[@kawag6356]

Agree!

[@Feminazi1dc]

I’m sorry what? 💀💀💀😭😭😭 sooo passive aggressive to cluster B people but ok

[@derrickrr5516]

@@Feminazi1dcDo you have Borderline or Histrionic? I figure if you have narcissism or ASPD you’d almost certainly have lashed out in return.

[@Kageoni187]

Omg, I was holding my breath when you started to talk about genes and then when you mentioned Epi genetics I legit squealed with nerdy excitement! Loving this video because neuroscience and genetics are a couple of my special interests. Holy shit, I experience that too. I remember having heard the word synesthesia but it just got filled away but your description made me look into it because I related completely to your story about it.

[@brittzimmer2352]

Liked and subscribed and only half way through! Thank you for just shooting off info that is straight to the point, my brain loves it. I feel you on the fear of dementia except mine is a fear of psychosis. The problem is being so smart and over analytical that any typical means of addressing mental health issues feels like an attempt to trick a mind that has just decided it "knows" what's going to happen.

[@CraigHoward]

Started to watch out of interest, exploring my ADHD because some spicy parts of my brain don't slot into the typical ADHD diagnosis. You covered them here, but then interestingly...I had that moment I think neurospice folk have where it's like....oh, this human. This person is different too, like me! I like them. I can connect with this person, I want to watch and listen to them. Ahah you are captivating! The part with blood tubes had me crushing a bit. Amazing video, you're so well versed in the biological side and it's fascinating how many elements are connected. I can track my own threads as well as family members across a lot of them. Subbed!

[@lidgey]

Are you sure you didn’t get the brain sides section of the video mixed up, as I was always told that left was the creative side? I could be wrong, but that’s what I have learned in the past and would make more sense, as people who are left handed tend to be working in creative industries. EDIT: I realised after posting this, that the right side of the body stimulates the left brain side & the left side the right. I know a lot of people who actively use their left hand to complete passive tasks, such as brushing teeth, to enhance their creativity. They were actively stimulating their right side of the brain. Therefore Paige did in fact state it correctly in the video, I was merely confused at first.

[@artemisXsidecross]

"...that the left brain is more verbal, analytical, and orderly than the right brain. It's sometimes called the digital brain because it's better at things like reading, writing, and computations. On the other hand, the right brain is more visual, intuitive, and creative." The main point is know there is a difference. I can often confuse calling one for the other while showing my autistic side. ☮

[@thatoneguyyouthinkshouldbe2431]

You should now that the brain controls are flipped left controls right and right controls left.

[@moxmox8058]

If you really want to understand and remember this I recommend the book My Stroke of Insight about a neuroscientist who had a stroke on the left side of her brain, and what it was like to lose that and live in the right hemisphere for a while.

[@valdkynd]

I so love the "end of the video song", when ever I hear it, it stays with me for a few hours 😅 Great video, as usual, love your approach to things, dear Paige! 🌼

[@elennapointer701]

For what it's worth, it was your video on Sia's dreadful "Music" film that started me on my road to diagnosis. You've been an inspiration and an endless source of knowledge. Thank-you.

[@ctsoundsy]

This is by far the best video I have found while working through my own self diagnoses. Down to the misophonia and comorbidity. I masked myself into a narcissistic personality that I fully believe couldve progressed much worse had i not started working through it in therapy. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@KristenNicoleYT]

Hi, I love your videos including this one. I do want to let you know that what you said about the frontal lobe finishing developing at 25 is a myth. That claim is based on a study that found that the frontal lobe is still developing at 25. But your frontal lobe actually continues to develop and change for your entire life! There is no set age at which it's done developing

[@austinbernard7767]

I appreciate the content alot , it's good to have people talk about this stuff. It's helped a lot of people and myself to hear the experiences of others and information.

[@sarahleony]

27:04 thisssssssssssss If I start thinking about veins or tendons I literally want to end my life because it freaks me out so horrifically.

[@Peertje304]

Omg i'm not alone

[@sarahleony]

@@Peertje304 never 🫂

[@Sylphadora]

Finally an explanation about why I can’t do pushups even after training almost daily specifically for it for more than a year.

[@mynamejefffffff]

22:40 i had to do physical therapy for over a year when i was 10-11 because being a mouth breather and walking on the tip of my toes fucked up my posture immensely 😭😭 i'm just glad my healthcare plan covered that

[@MsCeegee3]

I love your “subtle” book promo😜❤ Funny, I have that book too! Great minds…

[@akpopfamily907]

Wow. I am so curious about commonalities between things that Squad said and my own. I've been diagnosed with CPTSD, but honestly, I've never had a professional that i felt safe with to discuss my disassociations. My trauma started around 5. When they said the voices were like a radio, i really felt that. I've always struggled to be able to explain the voices in my head. At least, that is the only verbage that i have. It isn't audible voices or paranoia, but more like a constant stream of consciousness directing me, processing information, ..its hard to explain. I can remember bits of my past, but they are lumped around different traumas at different ages. I am currently waiting for another neuropsyc evaluation. So much has come to light since i last went. The way you discuss the relationship with your daughter, I can relate very much. im not saying i have DID. I found this very enlightening and helped me to identify new verbage to explain things that are very hard to understand. I often wonder how much one human can take, but my son is what keeps me going as well. We have a very close bond. Thank you both for sharing.

[@MRCelSynap]

This video was unbelievably relatable, and I'm a 36 year old male... holy crap xD I've only ever been diagnosed with ADHD but that was back in like '92 when I was in grade 1... I presented to my family i suspect I might be on the spectrum for ASM and they genuinely don't think so, which I'm okay with, just makes me wonder though xD

[@SJNL11279]

We need the internet to be flooded with people like you, it would be such a positive and meaningful place💛

[@zacklarez]

Recently found your channel and I adore you. Me and my girlfriend both believe we have ADHD... well, she's been diagnosed and treated and we're pretty sure I have it too since her and I are essentially the same person. Thank you for all of the information in your channel and for making it so relatable. Her and I are now coming to terms that our condition may not be limited to ADHD. People like you make this easier to live with. In any event, it has already helped me see other people that I KNOW have autism in a different light. I think you and your neurodivergent mind are brilliant and beautiful and I am overjoyed at the thought of all the unique people among the viewers with unique and special gifts. Humanity is truly better for it.

[@xymaryai8283]

boring thing: disorder: ugh no condition: still meh set of conditions: this one sparks joy autism isn't a single thing, its an umbrella term. set, not thing.

[@ThriveOnWheels]

Thank you for all the information. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. and just was diagnosed with ADHD, and noticed that so many memories and feelings gushed out. And I was also told that many of us with EDS has autism and ADHD. I think we will always research more about the WHY. I love to make sense of things. love y!

[@CDKohmy]

This was enlightening. I have AgCC, in which I have underdeveloped white matter connecting the two hemispheres. So I likely have added branches to compensate.

[@copperweaver13]

Hi Paige, I love the video. I am 49 and self diagnosed neurodivergent. I often wonder if the dysfunction that can come with neurodivergence is rooted in disconnection from the web of life on the planet, in conjunction with overstimulation from the way humans have structured society. As I have gotten older I have the greatest peace and medicine growing plants, making compost, doing what I can to support local ecosystems. Engaging the web of life is one of the few things that makes sense to me in this crazy world.

[@EloTheCurious]

Yoooo this was super validating the watch. After discovering you like 3-4 years ago and learning more about autism presenting in high masking people, I had became more curious. 2 years ago now I got diagnosed with autism! So helpful to be able to actually get to know myself.

[@elara4955]

I have EDS and POTS, and the first time I got high it was on 1/3 of an edible. I fainted after standing up to go to the bathroom and landed on my dog gate, it snapped in half 😂😂 I don’t allow myself cannabis anymore

[@toering1998]

Speaking of your book!! I was finally able to listen to the audio version (there was a loooong wait list) and omggg it nearly brought me to tears so many times because of how relatable it felt. I’m really trying to convince my parents to read it as well because I think it would help them understand things so much better than I’ve ever been able to communicate to them. My fingers are crossed I’ll get one of them soon! 😅

[@Amgirl03]

My mind is 🤯 Great video! One of my special interests too.. learning how the body works and health and wellness especially with neurodirgency.... ❤ Thank you so much! 😊

[@DawnBoisse]

THE BODY IS SO COOL!! 😂💛 1:43

[@johnfist6220]

I enjoy Paige-san so much that I finished watching the premiere then watched the video all over again!

[@lilithium3940]

San is used as an equivalent to the English Mr or Mrs- so you should only add it to someone's last name unless you are quite personally familiar with them and it's meant as a joke

[@QueenofPutrescence]

Were they being culturally insensitive? I thought it was a cutsie way to say that Paige is our teacher, our sensei.If it's culturally inappropriate, I need to know so I don'tuse it this way. 💜@@lilithium3940

[@johnfist6220]

@@lilithium3940 OK lilithium-san!

[@johnfist6220]

@@lilithium3940 OK, lilthium-san!

[@sleepyforestdweller]

The way you speak and move from topic to topic is soooo similar to me and I could genuinely listen to you all day. ❤

[@marisa5359]

Yep. Much to relate to, especially EDS and POTS in conjunction to ASD. Definitely deal with lots of this. Thank you.

[@leslieloewen3502]

❤❤❤ can't wait to read your book! Love, love, love this and you! Brilliant descriptions and super enjoyable to listen to you! My jellyfish blob is all in!

[@AwsmNix]

I frankly don’t think adhd is an independent thing, but a group of autistic traits that are a very common presentation. Basically adhd is the new asbergers “diet” autism diagnosis. But you’re more likely to have both! I think they should be done away with and a system of brain neurotypes be used, and view allistic like Mac’s and autistics like Linux and just make programs for both modalities that run different but can achieve most of the same results when given what they need to do it.

[@VirgoMeadows]

Thank you, Paige! Your videos are fantastic!!!

[@Emma.ilyiahspjtos]

I love this video so much, thank you for explaining all of this, it explains so much, honestly! I'm glad I'm not alone with this and live in a time where we have you and these resources.

[@sarahcouture24]

Knowledge is power. You are a very powerful woman.

[@sherlogic1256]

I had to rewatch the end of the video because the end song was so adorable! And I am probably one of the people that needed a reminder that I’ve watched several videos to the point KZbin is recommending you just because you posted & I wasn’t subscribed 😅 fixed it now! 🥳

[@davedsilva]

Fascinating, entertaining and such cute delivery. 10:00 helps confirm my theory of how narcissists are created. Now I think I am partially autistic.

[@larkaiio3376]

21:56 on this topic, I experienced that learning proper posture, stress release through somatic exercising and even exercising makes body problems so much easier. We often want to outanalyse our body problems away. But no matter if ur autistic or not our body needs proper movement and stimulation, and as a person with adhd and probably autism too I find that using my body helped me sooo much. Like going back to my body, its both stimulating and grounding, and when I learn how to move my body Im both more concious and relaxed bc my muscles are less tense. I often am hyperaware of tension and body sensations and they can be overwhelming, I used to be so accustomed to the overwhelm that I didn't even think about that. But now Im so glad I know how imporatnt somatic therapy is. I would recommend every autistic person to get into somatic exercises, or whatever feels right for them, bc we can't use analytics to resolve problems in the body, we have to use the body to resolve problems in it. And as you said, we can't often change our genes but what we do matters.

[@theraggingscorpion]

SHOUT OUT TO MY BORDERLINE AUTUSTIC SIBLINGS WHO WEREN'T JUST MISDIAGNOSED AS BORDERLINE BUT REALLY ARE BOTH

[@kuolevainen]

Point of you valued. Thank you for doing what you do. You're pretty awesome.

[@elyssiacook6913]

This looks really interesting- will have to watch tomorrow though as I have to get up really early! (in UK) 🧡

[@chad6779]

This was really good and you point listeners to the notion of understanding at the bottom of it all, maybe something to do with our tendency for synapse hoarding from a young age.

[@girlwithagarden]

oh my gosh tysm for this!! you led me to research synesthesia after you mentioned it and i realized i have multiple diff types of it :00

[@allie54774]

This is a properly fascinating video btw!