Welcome To The Autistic Community

Welcome to the Autistic community! You might have a few questions- this video should help you start answering a few of them. (Note this is a re-upload- we updated some information from the original.)
You should also check out our Welcome To The Autistic Community books! autisticadvocacy.org/book/welc...
Learn more about ASAN at our website: autisticadvocacy.org/
Learn about Autism Acceptance at our Autism Acceptance Month site- and remember Acceptance is all year long! www.autismacceptancemonth.com/
We use Identity-first language. Here's why: autisticadvocacy.org/home/abou...
Video produced by:
Maia Ledesma // Writer, Director, Animator: vimeo.com/thatmaia
Greg Lehner // Graphic Designer: / gregorylehner
Holly Davis // Animator: silverautumn.com
Narration by Ianthe Dempsey
Music:
"Rollin at 5" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Montauk Point" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
“Ukulele” by Bensound (bensound.com)
“Buddy” by Bensound (bensound.com)
“Little Idea” by Bensound (bensound.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
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Find ASAN on social media:
Facebook: / autisticadvocacy
Twitter: / autselfadvocacy
Tumblr: / autisticadvocacy
Google +: plus.google.com/b/10485375322...
LinkedIn: / autistic-self-advocacy...
Pinterest: / asanadvo
Instagram: / autisticselfadvocacy
Help us caption & translate this video!
amara.org/v/VCMh/

[@bellavitarox7442]

Thank you for this video. I found out I'm autistic almost two years ago. This video made me cry - even though I already knew most of what was in it. I hope that I can one day make autistic friends. It would be so nice to be around other people like me. Appreciate this video! :D

[@TrueMathSquare]

Same here.

[@LushiaKyobi]

I love this! It describes autism perfectly in a positive way.

[@funny.gon-12]

stemming is like breathing after awhile your uncomfortable than it becomes harder over time but when you do it eases you and just move on from it and forgetting it happen 5 seconds later to start the process again .

[@autismvoicesusa808]

This is lovely! It explains Autism in a positive way and says that we all have a bright future.

[@emmarose4234]

Hello again! Just want to let you know that I LOVE YOU GUYS AT ASAN SOOOOOOO MUCH!

[@emmarose4234]

I'm having horrible memories of reading inspiration porn (especially of the "hooray for this non-Autistic person for helping this Autistic person be homecoming king/win a game/blah blah blah, and we won't even ask the Autistic person how they felt about it" variety) and "WAAAAAH MY CHILD HAS THE AUTISMZ!!! MY DREAMS ARE DESTROOOOOOYED!!!" cryfests from paaaaarents. Any ideas on how to get this garbage out of my mind?

[@emmarose4234]

Blake The Communist, I do not hate all parents of Autistic kids. I just hate it when Autistic children are bashed by parents who only love imaginary allistic versions of their kids.

[@funny.gon-12]

the fuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[@avery1349]

As a late, self-diagnosed autistic, who has a sister diagnosed through the systematic ABA pipeline, I've acquired a vast experience of these events, and of many other varieties, and I would personally say my answer to my own self need for consolation on this topic comes from the fact that the topic is currently prevalent, it is not something in which we can forget. The autistic population is marginalized in such a way that equates it to that of the BIPOC community, the LGBT+ community, etc. And the groundwork for what to do when given these feelings and struggles in our position is to fight for the acceptance of who we are, and to fight for the rights that allow us to live equally.

[@yureaurice6844]

@@emmarose4234 hey Emma can I be friends with you.

[@CM-uh7io]

Some advice for my fellow autistic students in high school and college: When you're in high school, it's a good idea to take at least a couple APs. Take them with the intention of excelling, study, and aim for a 4 or a 5. I also recommend taking both the SAT and ACT (unless your colleges don't require/recommend them, which is increasingly common amidst the COVID-19 pandemic). There's really no downside to taking the ACT multiple times because you can select the your best individual ACT score out if several scores to include in your college applications. You can't select your top SAT score out of multiple score without your colleges seeing your lower scores as well, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this for the SAT. Be sure to study for the SAT and ACT before taking them, similarly to how you would study for APs. Speaking of APs, I generally taking several, but I recommend against using than to transfer AP credits to college in any area in which you're majoring (or minoring) in, especially if you're majoring (or minoring) in a STEM field. Even college-level high school STEM classes aren't as high quality as STEM classes actually in college. When you're applying to college, it's not recommended to mention that you have autism in your essays or anywhere else in your application. It's illegal to deny someone admission because they have a "disability" but it still happens more frequently than anyone would like to admit. When you're applying to college, do apply to as many scholarships as you're eligible (you'll need them, especially if you live in the United States like I do), and apply for the Honors college in any large state university you're applying to. It offers a smaller and sometimes more intensive academic setting, and it looks good on resumes. Once you're in college, take academics seriously and try to join at least one high-quality extracurricular (Greek life doesn't count). Also, seriously consider getting a campus job, keeping in mind that it's about both gaining an income and experience relivant to your future career. Register with the student accessibility services early in your freshman year or before your freshman year, in order to get the accommodations that could put you on more equal group to neurotypical students. Remember that society was designed for neurotypical people, and the point of accomodations is to put you at less of a disadvantage. Registering can also make it easier for the other people on the spectrum who are also going to your college, and for the ones who will go to college after you. You'll probably need to act as your own self-advocate even though you shouldn't have to. Still, keep a lookout for allies and try to connect with other people with autism. You can support each other. Through college, enjoy yourself and make good choices. Take academics seriously and be mindful of your health. Keep your future in mind and be prepared for grad school/career applications after you graduate college. Be responsible and be yourself. You can do this! 🙂

[@Yotrek]

Getting diagnosed (via a psychologist and genomic sequencing by Nebula) saved my life. If you are struggling in life, get a diagnosis. Then do it whatever it takes to learn to love yourself again. You are apart of a long line of autistics that moved humanity forward. Hidden inside you is also an idea that can change the world, and make it a better place. Do whatever it takes to create an environment that is safe and secure for you, to focus on a special interest. Only then will you be able to make, create, build, and manifest into reality that which does not exist yet.

[@briana.caldwell763]

BACKNE

[@Mysterious_Ace]

I am proud to say I am autistic, and am so glad to learn that it is not my fault and that I am not broken or useless.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Serious fun-fact one should know: Hbomberguy recently madde the Autism-Community very proud. He made a long, long Essay about it and got much Praise.

[@Mysterious_Ace]

@@loturzelrestaurant ooh interesting. I'll look him up.

[@briana.caldwell763]

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. Hold it!

[@Mysterious_Ace]

@@briana.caldwell763 it’s…a disability…that people are born with-

[@autisticzuko2750]

The way I explain my sensory overload is like this (which anyone can use too!): "Think of the Earth's atmosphere, it helps keep out the harmful rays of the sun and to lower their effects. Like the sun, most people have a sort of "atmosphere" around their brain that helps organize the world around them; alarms, the smell of garbage, people talking, florescent lights, cars, the wind, leaves, etc. It helps to put certain sensory input into the "background" and the more important stuff in the "foreground". People with sensory processing disorder though sometimes don't have these, or they do but there are holes in their sensory input atmosphere. All sounds, sights, things they hear, and smells get put in the foreground. Imagine hearing the siren of an ambulance outside while your mom is talking to your grandpa, one of them is holding the trash, and the sunlight is peaking into the house in the window opposite of you. The siren sounds like it's in your home and it's like your family is screaming, the trash fills your nose and the sun seems to be blinding you. None of these things seem to bother the people around you, only you. That's what it's like. Like all sounds, sights, smells, and the things you hear are being organized as important and they're all in the forefront, nothing but white noise in the background. That's how sensory processing disorder is like.

[@autisticzuko2750]

Also, the 1/68 statistic is muuch lower in my school (small gene pool of a town) we only have about 800 students but I can count on three hands the amount of autistic people there are in my school. Statistically, there should only be about 12 but there are around 30+ autistic kids in my school and some who I think are autistic but not yet diagnosed.

[@semja]

pretty good description.

[@CM-uh7io]

That's a good description!

[@CM-uh7io]

@@autisticzuko2750 I'm willing to bet that the actual prevalence is significantly over 2% of the population, given that a lot of adults go through life passing as neurotypical (which could effect estimations, especially from a sociological perspective) and how a lot of people of all ages are undiagnosed, especially people who aren't as visibly autistic and who are higher functioning. The prevalence in your town still is interesting, regardless.

[@necelticsox]

Lately, I've been showing this to people who have just been diagnosed, in the process of getting diagnosed, or think they might be autistic.

[@TqueenInfinity]

Thanks for doing that! Someone like you directed me to this video and it's awesome there are people trying to help, especially sending information like this!

[@necelticsox]

@@TqueenInfinity Welcome!

[@m-pc5334]

Now I feel like doing this too

[@limdingwen]

Thank you for welcoming me to the spectrum!

[@thrasherali-ns2842]

Working hard to spread awareness on the fact autistic people and other people under disability protection are actually often paid less than min wage and are not protected in this way yet. Working to get that changed. 🤗 hugs.

[@slevinchannel7589]

Plz show solidarity! I found a person giving a giant middlefinger; literally making a whole video; to mock people who ask for more consideration towards mental-health-awareness. Can you chime-in with just the word "Giant Middlefinger"?

[@CM-uh7io]

Nothing About Us Without Us!

[@avi8or20]

I have yet to be diagnosed officially but I think i'm definitely autistic and so do other people I know. Is it okay if I tell people that I am? Do you have to be diagnosed to be able to call yourself autistic?

[@Morta1337y]

Gay people don't need permission to come out of the closet, why should you?

[@Sonic12Lexi]

@@Morta1337y don’t need to

[@Angel-.dust.887]

As an autistic person, Yes!! Ofc! And if you end up not being autistic, thats ok! You can tell thwm its a small misunderstandung!

[@Ramzula36]

Great video, thank you!!

[@CM-uh7io]

Being H.O.P.E.F.U.L. is very good advice! Excellent video, ASAN!

[@haleyhowell7889]

Thank you, little blob person, for straightening the picture.

[@slainedale8032]

You guys are way better and way more respectful than Autism Speaks.

[@liminalgamer935]

This video saves me whenever I'm feeling bad. Thank you for making it

[@ForYou-ub6uc]

Do u have instagram?

[@Q.Anderson]

I'm proud to be autistic! Nothing About Us, Without Us! ♾️

[@ForYou-ub6uc]

Do u have instagram

[@Angel-.dust.887]

I know im late but YEAH!

[@kamkaml]

thank you

[@chickenpea111]

Thank you so much for this video. Is there a UK equivalent does anyone know? Thank you xxx

[@MxCartney_Lou]

Love you guys!

[@rachelclark981]

I wish you were in my country! 😢

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Serious fun-fact one should know: Hbomberguy recently madde the Autism-Community very proud. He made a long, long Essay about it and got much Praise.

[@digitalmixedbag]

Thank you people

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Serious fun-fact one should know: Hbomberguy recently madde the Autism-Community very proud. He made a long, long Essay about it and got much Praise.

[@digitalmixedbag]

@@loturzelrestaurant 👍

[@allosaurustime]

What a great video :) I love ASAN

[@oofihavenousernameideas2451]

I love having autism, and I love this video :)

[@ganondorfchampin]

I didn't notice any differences between this and the original.

[@fred-youtube]

probably a reupload so more see it

[@lanitagrice7644]

Non-speaking is not necessarily non-verbal. This post is non-speaking, but it is not non-verbal.

[@joyeeverett6196]

I am a newly dxed autistic. Struggling to accept myself.

[@reeveharper6061]

Try to ignore the stigma syrrounding the diagnosis and focus on the fact that you have finally found the reason for your difficulties and are able to gain access to support now?

[@joyeeverett6196]

@@reeveharper6061 I am trying

[@reeveharper6061]

@@joyeeverett6196 that's good! I was just trying to be helpful I guess. Is your family ok with it? Cause that can really make things hard. I'm autistic but I can't get a diagnosis. I really hope you're doing ok and good luck!🍀

[@joyeeverett6196]

@@reeveharper6061 my family is supportive

[@kittuete]

wana play mincratpf

[@joshuak6968]

No.

[@connormitochondria355]

Nah, I'm more of a Chess person. Have fun though! :-)

[@m-pc5334]

Is the offer still up

[@rayahlol]

sure !! :)

[@stonksmoment]

Yes please I like playing it