As an RBT I've worked with dozens of autistic children. I never ask or expect any of them to look me in the eye. It's true that many autistic people find direct eye contact aversive, but many others will look straight into my eyes and sustain their gaze for an extended period of time. Some even will approach me and get a couple of inches from my face while staring into my eyes. My response is to meet them where they are and reciprocate their attention in the way they prefer. Every person is unique and there are no traits that are universal.
I sat and listened to a couple at church (they run the school part) tell me they expect someone to look them in the eye when they talk with them. I handed them a list of ASD traits. Suggested they share those with the rest of the staff. This church is very ASD unfriendly. Most are.
I look in the eye but not all the time…it’s my comfort level with the conversation. I have gone to church all my life and finally found one that I feel at home in. I wear plugs in my ears when need to and teach children ages 0-8. It’s really about learning to advocate for ourselves. Yes, it can be hard but people at church are everyday people too so we shouldn’t take anything out on them more than anyone else. Because every person is unique with unique things that have happened and unique ways they perceive life. But nothing has happened that has not happened before.
My son has taught himself to look past people. So, while it looks like he is looking you in the eyes, he is actually looking past you. He is an undiagnosed Aspie, I have a few of them lol.
Please, everyone, remember not everyone is from the same country and may use terms or pronounce words a little differently. I have no problem understanding his meaning. Thank you for this content. - parent of autistic adhd child.
I'm 53 and I'm just finding out who I am, and why life has been such a rollercoaster. I can almost identify with all of the traits you have described. I am self diagnosing while I wait on the List to get seen. And your content is really helping, thank you
This is my third time typing this response. "Thank you" TH-cam ads that reset the comments. Grrrrrrrr. 63, and diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. Since then, have self-Dxed autism. I identify with everything in this video with the exception of toe walking. Maybe I did it when I was younger and got trained or shamed out of it? I DO walk leaning forward, which has caused musculoskeletal issues. As for roller-coaster life? Oh yeah. I've taken this time since Dx to try to dig deep to find my "real self." It's happening, but Oh so many bumps along the way, including running over the corpses of friendships and family relationships I've come to see as toxic and gas-lighty. But I am choosing NEW ones that not just accept but celebrate me. I'm almost to the point of no longer grieving some very important life-long friendships I left behind because they had gotten to the point of mostly causing pain. Best of luck to you! (And yes, channels like this are a Godsend! If you think you might have ADHD - one of the channels that has helped me tremendously with tools and education is How To ADHD.)
My jaw dropped. But it's for exactly the cited reason - they are different experiences and fulfill different needs. This seems so utterly reasonable to me that I am suspicious. 😂
Mid 50s here. Found out I'm ASC Level 1 and ADHD in 2023 at age 52. Dan, I truly appreciate that you speak slower now. And thank you for the great content. And for the rest here having a hissy fit about the words Dan uses, not every country on the planet uses Autistic Spectrum Level 1, 2, and 3. Not every culture and age group is aware of so much information. I was explaining to an 80 year old relative what I have and I had to use the word "Aspergers," and they understood what I was sharing. So can we please get past what is not ear candy and offensive to you, but at times it's the only way for others to understand. Sometimes we just have to use certain words.
"If you all have 3 different drinks on the table, it's not cuz you're weird it's cuz you're on the spectrum - we all in this together" wow thanks buddy! You just saved me a lot of money for a professional eval! Thank you so much =D
I am 81 and am. just learning I have Asbergers Syndrome...always wondered why I was so weird..I also have ADD which I discovered 30 years ago..sad to wait all those years to find out what was wrong 😢
I'm not on the spectrum, but I have 3 family members and a friend who are. The labels they have been given by health care system in US are slightly different than those mentioned. Low function autism adult Cousin Jay: diagnosed as a baby, unable to live independently or hold a job, about a 3-year old vocabulary, major memory issues, cannot solve problems, constantly stems. High-functioning autism sister Dee: good job and obsessively responible, no friends, mono-tone, can't handle eye contact, routine obsessed, never thinks she's wrong, a can't-let-go-of-resentments bulldog, obsessed about cats and her 2 support dogs. High-functioning Aspbergers Father: Brilliant problem solver, obsessive about responsibility, routine, and being right; can't-let-go-of-resentments bulldog, socially inept. Savant guy at the train station: can't live independently, encyclopedic genius mind about trains and railroad history, cannot solve problems, socially inappropropriate. Just sharing my experience.
Your father sounds like my boyfriend of 4 months. So much of his behavior makes sense now. I can see how some aspects of the affliction aid him to be a brilliant engineer. But I also see self harm (biting fingers), and abnormal but harmless desires. I love him. I'm encouraging and supporting him in opening up to me. Is this possible? How do you deal with a high function autistic?
Oh I’m glad someone else sees the flickering lights! I cannot look at lighted Christmas trees that use the led lights! I see them vibrating!!! I thought it was just me!❤
It's definitely gotten worse with the increase of LED light usage. I suspect most of the flickering comes from a lack of proper capacitors to smooth out fluctuations in current after converting from AC to DC.
I laughed out loud at the drink situation 😂😂looking at my tea and mango rubicon 😂😂😊thank you for this. And I'm 48 but when I tell people they think I'm lying and much younger 😂❤
My daughter has tip toe walked since a toddler. She is diagnosed as ASD and has sensory processing issues. Finally after 7 years she explained it is the texture of carpet on her feet she can't abide although some carpets (expensive plush ones) she finds ok. Also hates metallic sounds and squeaky cutlery so we use Bamboo.
1:30 Making eye contact feels like a stare-down. 9:48 I'm 59 now and awaiting a formal diagnosis of what I am 95% certain I have. This is an odd one, alright. Until I started getting "salt mixed in with the pepper", people routinely guessed me to be 10 years younger than I was. The white hair changed all that. Now my years being out in the sun makes sure I won't look young again. 10:35 I sucked my thumb in school. I still chew on my tongue. 12:30 Your video flickers.
I’m almost 40 too, and people routinely think I’m 25.. it’s the weirdest thing. Do you know if there’s any research on this? Also, do you know about autism and strobe lights? These used to phase me out as a kid (even as an adult), and they tested me for epilepsy but I tested negative. Lastly, it’s a well made video. It really helps explain to my wife what I experience. Here’s an idea for a future video. You should do one on autism + idioms. My wife spent an hour asking me what I think various idioms mean, and I realized I’d gotten them wrong for decades. She found it humorous!
I have read several times that people who are neurodivergent are more likely to have hypermobility tendencies and vice versa. The connective tissue is affected in these people and the skin therefore appears younger. Physically you feel much older but look younger😅
You've been quiet. Hopefully everything is fine & you're off on a wonderful holiday. If not, this is a reminder that we are here for you & care about you very much.
@TheAspieWorld So glad to hear that! Also glad you're taking some "me" time. You've really earned it. You're one of the hardest working youtubers ever. So much so that I've often worried you'd burn out from overwork. Still sending you a hug tho!
I’m 53, and I finally started the process of getting evaluated. I vibe with everything, except I walk more on my heels sometimes and then sometimes on my toes…
My daughter is autistic, diagnosed as an adult. As a small child she had to touch a silky label to her lips and chew. I replaced the label on her special teddy so many times. Luckily I found a ribbon that had the same texture and feel. Thank you for explaining why she did this
I have always experienced that light flicker thing for as long as I can remember. It use to drive me nuts because nobody could see it but me, most times. It's real!
I'm a tiptoe walker, but for me I don't think it's a stim, its more a sensory processing thing. If I put my heals down at times it feels like the impact rattles through my whole body.
I didn't know walking on tiptoes was actually an autism thing. I am diagnosed with autism and I do like to walk on tiptoes. My major sensitivities are light and sound. My sensitivity to the flicker from lighting makes it extremely difficult for me to find agreeable employment. I had found some lighting to be so bad that I am physically in pain in seconds. Some modern LED lighting is much worse than fluorescent. With LED lighting it's not that LEDs are used as a light source that causes the problem, it's the electronics that drive the LEDs that cause the LEDs to flicker and strobe. With a high quality driver, LEDs can exhibit zero flicker because the power supplied to the LED is absolutely smooth.
I'm a tip toe walker, and I wear really comfortable rubber wedge heels at work. They give me the same bounce and sensory feedback, while also giving me the illusion of normality 😆.
Eye contact ✔️ Sensory processing ✔️ Restricted routine ✔️ Monotone talking X Social Issues ✔️ Drinks ✔️ Overtalkng ✔️ ✔️ Tip toe walking X Younger look* ✔️ Oral stim ✔️ ✔️ Light flicker ✔️ Haha, always an eye-opening experience. * I'm 41 and have been carded the last 3 times I went for drinks with friends. I'm the only one who gets carded.
Ha! I’m in my 60s and people are often surprised at my age. Even my doctor! I’m in a musical theatre group for people 55+. One woman looked at me the first day and asked if I was old enough. She was only half joking. I also “over explain” and turn chatting into story time. I’m also very good at acting and it saves me because the stories are usually really funny and people don’t notice the talking too much 😬 My son toe walks. It’s subtle with him but he even admits it now 😂 There’s also hyper mobile joints. Son can bend his thumb backwards to his forearm. I have it too but not as much as him. For me it caused bunions when I was way too young to have them (orthopaedic surgeon diagnosed it). And I have arthritis now because of it.
@@TessaCokerSorry. I’m 3 years younger. Last January I fell twice (one ice and once stairs). The stair fall caused me to have two broken ankles. One a slightly displaced spiral brake and the other just a bone chip. Everything seemed to heel fine but as soon as the cast came off huge amounts of pain. And now my knees ache and one feels like a hammer hits it a couple of times a day. The cause of the pain is undetermined so far. Could be the arthritis I’m full of from the hyper mobile joints. I hate to think what my son will go through as he ages.
Oh, I absolutely am called out, staring at my 3 different drinks sat on the desk in front of me 😂 but already in acceptance that I'm on the spectrum. Hoping to get a private diagnosis so I can get the help and support for my ASD and understanding from other professionals who are the opposite of ND friendly (unfortunately)
46 year old American Grandma here, and yes, to almost all of these. 😂 Diagnosed Asperger's 2 weeks ago, likely also ADHD (but not formally diagnosed). I definitely don't look my age. I always have at least 2 drinks going.
Wow!! ♡That last one especially♡ I'm 45, mother of 7, and a gma, BUT I still look 18!! I was carded 3 years ago when buying a long lighter for candles at the dollar store. 😂 People always, always, always say, "No way! You can't be that old." 😂😂😂
I do tip toe walk but only when I'm tired and up stairs. I found out that I do this after moving in with a foster family who called it out, asking why I walked on my toes after dinner. Edit: I'm light sensitive and that light flickering affects me a lot. (To the point that I can't go into some stores because of it, and have to pull the curtains to relax my eyes.) I sometimes am able to 'catch' that a light is about to go out soon by the time between the flickering. (So sorry if this doesn't make much sense, I've been doom scrolling for too long. Gotta go to bed.) Great video btw. .😊😊
I just looked over at my bedside table…. there is a Gatorade, a Powerade, and a cup of coffee. 😂 All 3 are in active rotation for being drank. I would literally drink every meal if I had the energy and motivation required to make smoothies. It would also be pretty expensive. I’m 39 and look like I’m still in my twenties and I see the flickering! ❤
Made me laugh when you brought up the more than one drink on the go. I looked down at my flat Gatorade and my squirt soda. I have an aversion to water that I have to force myself to be an adult about, but when I can't Gatorade, it is.
👍🏻 I haven't been diagnosed yet. I thought I was the only one with more that one drink. My son tip toes, lol I love him. They all look so young and I've gotten compliments (which made me feel uncomfortable) that I look younger than my age.
My mom told me that I chewed on my teddy bear at age two. I don’t remember the bear’s loss of 90% himself, but retained what ended up just a swath of fabric which my mom kept clean and washed, just as she had handled the bear. I DO remember rubbing that piece in my hand as I sucked my thumb - mostly because I remember the tactile necessity of this piece, and it had a smell which was part of this snapshot of memory! Too cool. Now, it makes sense!
I can look somebody in their eyes for some time if I know them well and trust them. Hate bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, rough clothing, slimy foods.
i can relate to a lot of this. I don't like keeping eye contact for long, if i do, I'm very comfortable with that person. I had social anxiety all my life. But since i started growing obsessed with researching human behavior, a lot of it's gone now (i'd recommend doing research on the topic to anyone with autism. Very useful). Have even less social anxiety when i have my dog with me. I used to have a very monotone voice until i started paying attention to my tone (think singing helped out a lot too). I'm also 29, 30 in march. I get people telling me i still look in my early 20s. Guess one of the upsides to autism.
Up to my 40’s I looked younger. I always have more than one drink, I chew my lips and rub my thumb nails, I don’t want to look at an yone’s soul, noise loud and/or sudden annoys me, (my own chewing does too), sameness/safety, monotone voice, resting bitch face, social ( jumping in some random conversation w/ no intro), I don’t tip toe. Minor lightning changes, and supersonic hearing are just some of my unique characteristics
I don't tip toe walk, but when I have to speak to someone in any confrontational sense, I bunch my toes in my shoes almost painfully the entire time I'm speaking. I have to focus on relaxing my feet but cannot until I'm completely done with my point. Chances are I've debated to death whether to speak up at all, so when I determine I should say something contrary, I noticed that my feet a in a knot the whole time. I also looked up and saw my water and mixed drink when he mentioned it and thought about every time I order coffee and ice water when I dine out...brother...lol!
I have never liked ice cream, I have always said the flavour and texture is good but the temperature is vile. I also won't eat fridge food, I like room temperature food. Never had an incline that it was my Asperger's
I was asked by my coworker the other week “are you walking on your toes? lol” and I thought she was messing with me lol for the a while i’ve been walking very manually
Beer to the left of me, Coffee to the right Here I am. I have been wondering more and more if I have lived all my life as a high functioning autistic person who has never been diagnosed. I just seem to think and act divergently from most. Example: I discovered the Bronte Sisters over 50 years ago. Since then I still seek everything I can get my hands on about these sisters. If we went to the Bronte Parsonage Museum, I'd be either the perfect guide, or the one from hell, describing everything that happened in each room. When news of a possible photograph turned up, I was beside myself with euphoria for days. Same with any other passionate subject of research. Example: I've always had difficulty with swallowing fish and mushrooms. Example: I loathe turning on any lights when it's dark, especially early predawn mornings. It feels like lasers piercing through my eyes. There are others, but as I approach my mid 60s with a face that looks in my 50s and a body in my 40s, where do I go to see if this is true without needing to take out a loan?
Eye contact: Agree Restricted routine: Agree Sensetivity to Lights/Sounds/Smells:....Agree. People here are mentioning they look much younger because of Asp/Autism?.....Very interesting!, i didnt know that. I Agree!
when i walk, i tip-toe walk and lunge forward, which gives me a large gate. if i step on uneven surfaces, i have to step on something that feels the same with the other foot or else it bothers me. i think that's why i walk that way. less contact with the floor, and fewer steps. it also makes me faster than people expect me to be when i'm just walking casually, and i like the feeling of the spring and sway of my feet.
Oh gosh I didn't even know the multiple drinks was an autism thing!! I ALWAYS have at least 2 different drinks with me, but mostly I have 3, my coffee, my diet Pepsi, and water lol. It drives my mom nuts.
First thereapist i saw kept asking me where the mouse was in his office because i didn't make eye contact i've learned to mask that now. My mom taped my mouth shut when i came home from kindergarten and wanted to talk about everything i learned
Omg yes to all except the toe walking but I do like to have soft socks or no socks bc I constantly wiggle my toes is that a thing? Bc that means or does that mean in your opinion, that I have or could have Asperger’s or whatever I’m like brand new…the lights flicker for me sometimes when I go to tropical areas in Australia for holidays for a couple of days my eyelids actually flicker from the intense sunlight as well. I don’t know if anyone else suffers from this because everybody thinks that’s really strange about me nobody else seems to have flickering eyelids
i have aspergers syndrome but does anyone have any idea why i have these traits: i get very very very invested in my special interests, it almost becomes my whole personality, but once i learn all there is to know, i drop it and move on im usually really reserved but after getting to know someone i get extremely energetic and yap about anything even if its personal as if I've known them for years everything i do is considered weird or rude but i really dont mean to I regret things right after i do it
I've been so conditioned to etiquette that I no longer do a lot of the things that would draw unwelcome attention Like having two drinks together Walking on the balls of my feet is something I've only recently started doing again I used to do it a lot as a child
I tend to do the drink thing in the morning. Ill have a rather large mug of coffee and a 16oz glass of water(im from the US). When I go out to a restaurant, Ill have a glass of water along with whatever Im drinking, like a pint of beer. Then be mystified why you cant stay away from the toilet!
There's always a cup of coffee, plain ice water, and flavored water on my desk. Sometimes I also add a sparkling flavored water or juice. 😄 People are shocked when I tell them my age. I'm often made to do different tasks because I'm the "youngest" in the group. I usually laugh and say no I'm not, because I'm sometimes older than everyone in the group, including the one making the request. 😅
I feel like i fall on the other end of some of the things mentioned. I guess i fall under the more hyposensitivity.. you hear so much about Hypersensitivity which makes alot of us on the other end almost feel imposter syndrome because the large majority youtube videos, reddit subs etc are targetted towards what "typically" is Autism. I know it's a spectrum but so it's hard to understand our brothers and sisters on the Hypersensitivity side. Does anyone agree/disagree?
Australia doesn't use the term "Asperger's" anymore. Asperger did atrocities to anyone on the spectrum. It is Autism Spectrum Disorder and have 3 levels being how well interacting with neurotypical people.
Im watching this while im drinking my coffee out of my favorite mug and my cold water out of my favorite cup with a straw 😂 im the only person at work that comes in with 2 different drinks from home 🤣🤣
My husband likes to wear a bright LED headlamp. Fine while he looks directly at what he is doing but then he moves around and faces me to say something and can’t understand why it drives me crazy. I get headaches from it.
Strip lights on trains are the worst for the flicker™️ always wondered why others couldn’t see it, the pulses all travel along the tube, down one side and back up the parallel light tube. I get called a douche cos I have to wear sunglasses all the time (I really don’t get why people get so rude about me needing them), even if they’re just on my head ready in case of flicker or glare or ✨BRIGHTNESS ✨ or migraine.
I think the younger look thing miiight could be from using facial expressions less often. There aren't as many laugh and frown lines as soon as expressive people. I'm not really sure at all, though.
👍 one coffee one diet coke and one liquid IV. I have always walked on my toes. I've always looked younger. This pic was taken when I was 39. I am always told I'm at least 10 yrs younger. I'm a chewy. Gum ends of my hair. My cheeks side of my tongue gum. I have several of the common as well. As for the bonus, yes the light fickers. No one oversees it just me.oh and I have not been diagnosed I have no way of knowing how. I'm 44 now. All this explains alot but I could be wrong.
LOL I have 2-3 drinks always lol coffee and water and many times also juice or soda 😆 I totally tip toe walk - I hate shoes Inwear flip flops all heat unless it’s snowing or pouring rain lol
For years I've taken three cups of water to bed every night why I don't know this is interesting but years ago I had OCD still do abit so I wonder if things like three drinks is OCD related as well as autism. I've been told when I was in my twenties that people were surprised when I said my age one time a bus driver said to me half fare bus fare I said I'm in my twenties he said I thought you were about 15. When on holiday at a holiday camp id carry my birth certificate with me as nr and mum would be stopped going into night club as it was over 18s only so when I said I'm 26 they said never. It could cause big issues when I was a carer for mum I found doctors etc wouldn't take me seriously as a carer for mum till I told them my age and how I had caring qualifications through a college then thed listen. Even now people don't think I'm 51. I don't know that it's a symptom unique to autism as my mum never looked her age though I do wonder now if mum had autistic traits so who knows
I am fairly new here. I don't usually comment as I have Parkinsons which makes writing and typing very very hard, it is now effecting my speech yay me! I do a LOT of back spacing! I am a now single Mum of 4, the youngest was diagnosed at 2. She had other problems which meant she saw a paediatrician often. She was non verbal until she was almost 6 years old and she also has Sensory Auditory Processing Disorder, OMFG that is hell! She hears me speak when I haven't, {and argues with me that I have!}, she has said I am speaking another language when I know only English fluently, this one SUCKS! She has other issues unrelated to Autism. I also have 2 grandchildren { Third, a boy being born tomorrow 13th November 2024!} they have been diagonosed with ASD, my grandson with ADD and his sister with active ADHD. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with ASD and inactive ADHD, There is a story about this but this is long enough! And yes I talk a LOT!
Hi, Dan. At 8:43 regarding tiptoe walking, that part reminded me of this video by another autistic TH-camr, th-cam.com/video/JFW8E2Df1Wk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=3TncSuQrenyB9OPK. He explains about why he walks on his tiptoes.
I was laughing cos my wee lassy always has 2 drinks. Usually her bottle of water and a wee cup of tea/hot chocolate. Sometimes it's a bottle of water n a glass of fruit juice. There are times when she has 3. So this was really funny. She also looks really young for her age. She's almost 17 n alot of ppl don't even realise she's a teenager.
Fellow ASPIE Here ! So true ! Coffee with water and usually some soda ;0) ! Hey if you ever Bi Curious :0) ! This Rainbow Dragon Aspie Can Hug ya Fellow Aspie Good ;)) ! Love ya !
As an RBT I've worked with dozens of autistic children. I never ask or expect any of them to look me in the eye. It's true that many autistic people find direct eye contact aversive, but many others will look straight into my eyes and sustain their gaze for an extended period of time. Some even will approach me and get a couple of inches from my face while staring into my eyes. My response is to meet them where they are and reciprocate their attention in the way they prefer. Every person is unique and there are no traits that are universal.
I sat and listened to a couple at church (they run the school part) tell me they expect someone to look them in the eye when they talk with them. I handed them a list of ASD traits. Suggested they share those with the rest of the staff. This church is very ASD unfriendly. Most are.
I look in the eye but not all the time…it’s my comfort level with the conversation. I have gone to church all my life and finally found one that I feel at home in. I wear plugs in my ears when need to and teach children ages 0-8. It’s really about learning to advocate for ourselves. Yes, it can be hard but people at church are everyday people too so we shouldn’t take anything out on them more than anyone else. Because every person is unique with unique things that have happened and unique ways they perceive life. But nothing has happened that has not happened before.
My son has taught himself to look past people. So, while it looks like he is looking you in the eyes, he is actually looking past you. He is an undiagnosed Aspie, I have a few of them lol.
Please, everyone, remember not everyone is from the same country and may use terms or pronounce words a little differently. I have no problem understanding his meaning. Thank you for this content. - parent of autistic adhd child.
I'm 53 and I'm just finding out who I am, and why life has been such a rollercoaster. I can almost identify with all of the traits you have described. I am self diagnosing while I wait on the List to get seen. And your content is really helping, thank you
This is my third time typing this response. "Thank you" TH-cam ads that reset the comments. Grrrrrrrr.
63, and diagnosed with ADHD two years ago. Since then, have self-Dxed autism. I identify with everything in this video with the exception of toe walking. Maybe I did it when I was younger and got trained or shamed out of it? I DO walk leaning forward, which has caused musculoskeletal issues.
As for roller-coaster life? Oh yeah. I've taken this time since Dx to try to dig deep to find my "real self." It's happening, but Oh so many bumps along the way, including running over the corpses of friendships and family relationships I've come to see as toxic and gas-lighty.
But I am choosing NEW ones that not just accept but celebrate me. I'm almost to the point of no longer grieving some very important life-long friendships I left behind because they had gotten to the point of mostly causing pain.
Best of luck to you! (And yes, channels like this are a Godsend! If you think you might have ADHD - one of the channels that has helped me tremendously with tools and education is How To ADHD.)
Omg, In the morning,til mid afternoon, I have hot coffee AND an iced drink ! Didn't realize this was a hidden trait. Thanks for sharing this .
My jaw dropped. But it's for exactly the cited reason - they are different experiences and fulfill different needs. This seems so utterly reasonable to me that I am suspicious. 😂
Mid 50s here. Found out I'm ASC Level 1 and ADHD in 2023 at age 52. Dan, I truly appreciate that you speak slower now. And thank you for the great content.
And for the rest here having a hissy fit about the words Dan uses, not every country on the planet uses Autistic Spectrum Level 1, 2, and 3. Not every culture and age group is aware of so much information. I was explaining to an 80 year old relative what I have and I had to use the word "Aspergers," and they understood what I was sharing. So can we please get past what is not ear candy and offensive to you, but at times it's the only way for others to understand. Sometimes we just have to use certain words.
"If you all have 3 different drinks on the table, it's not cuz you're weird it's cuz you're on the spectrum - we all in this together" wow thanks buddy! You just saved me a lot of money for a professional eval! Thank you so much =D
I am 81 and am. just learning I have Asbergers Syndrome...always wondered why I was so weird..I also have ADD which I discovered 30 years ago..sad to wait all those years to find out what was wrong 😢
Dan is the best one on TH-cam. He's as good as it gets. Love watching what you teach. I'm an aspy as well. Love ya. 💎
Amen. ❤
I'm not on the spectrum, but I have 3 family members and a friend who are. The labels they have been given by health care system in US are slightly different than those mentioned.
Low function autism adult Cousin Jay: diagnosed as a baby, unable to live independently or hold a job, about a 3-year old vocabulary, major memory issues, cannot solve problems, constantly stems.
High-functioning autism sister Dee: good job and obsessively responible, no friends, mono-tone, can't handle eye contact, routine obsessed, never thinks she's wrong, a can't-let-go-of-resentments bulldog, obsessed about cats and her 2 support dogs.
High-functioning Aspbergers Father: Brilliant problem solver, obsessive about responsibility, routine, and being right; can't-let-go-of-resentments bulldog, socially inept.
Savant guy at the train station: can't live independently, encyclopedic genius mind about trains and railroad history, cannot solve problems, socially inappropropriate.
Just sharing my experience.
It can be a very different experience for everyone for sure.
Your father sounds like my boyfriend of 4 months. So much of his behavior makes sense now. I can see how some aspects of the affliction aid him to be a brilliant engineer. But I also see self harm (biting fingers), and abnormal but harmless desires. I love him. I'm encouraging and supporting him in opening up to me. Is this possible? How do you deal with a high function autistic?
Oh I’m glad someone else sees the flickering lights! I cannot look at lighted Christmas trees that use the led lights! I see them vibrating!!! I thought it was just me!❤
Same.
Especially the blue ones 😳
My issue is more with the refresh rate on computer screens; if it's too low I feel nauseated because of the flicker/vibration
It's definitely gotten worse with the increase of LED light usage. I suspect most of the flickering comes from a lack of proper capacitors to smooth out fluctuations in current after converting from AC to DC.
Especialy when now everything has LED lights. The real tiny bulps many years ago where even nice to look at.
I laughed out loud at the drink situation 😂😂looking at my tea and mango rubicon 😂😂😊thank you for this. And I'm 48 but when I tell people they think I'm lying and much younger 😂❤
all of the above... sipping multiple drinks at once all day ever day... I did not know anyone else did that one!
I always joke that I'm afraid of becoming dehydrated!
My daughter has tip toe walked since a toddler. She is diagnosed as ASD and has sensory processing issues. Finally after 7 years she explained it is the texture of carpet on her feet she can't abide although some carpets (expensive plush ones) she finds ok. Also hates metallic sounds and squeaky cutlery so we use Bamboo.
1:30 Making eye contact feels like a stare-down. 9:48 I'm 59 now and awaiting a formal diagnosis of what I am 95% certain I have. This is an odd one, alright. Until I started getting "salt mixed in with the pepper", people routinely guessed me to be 10 years younger than I was. The white hair changed all that. Now my years being out in the sun makes sure I won't look young again. 10:35 I sucked my thumb in school. I still chew on my tongue. 12:30 Your video flickers.
I’m almost 40 too, and people routinely think I’m 25.. it’s the weirdest thing.
Do you know if there’s any research on this?
Also, do you know about autism and strobe lights? These used to phase me out as a kid (even as an adult), and they tested me for epilepsy but I tested negative.
Lastly, it’s a well made video. It really helps explain to my wife what I experience.
Here’s an idea for a future video. You should do one on autism + idioms. My wife spent an hour asking me what I think various idioms mean, and I realized I’d gotten them wrong for decades. She found it humorous!
A person should guess my age ......he thought I had passessed 25......im passed 40!!!
@ Pretty crazy right? I don’t think any of us are complaining about it.
I have read several times that people who are neurodivergent are more likely to have hypermobility tendencies and vice versa. The connective tissue is affected in these people and the skin therefore appears younger. Physically you feel much older but look younger😅
@@littleowl7007Don't tell the beauty industry. It'll start a fight between the beauty and pharma industries over autism.
Now I can explain to everyone why I order 2 or 3 drinks at once 🤣 I’m so relieved to have seen this video❤️
Ahhhh 😂 you got me!!! I always carry my 40 oz Crystal light water bottle, my protein shake, my thermos of coffee and/or an energy drink
You've been quiet. Hopefully everything is fine & you're off on a wonderful holiday. If not, this is a reminder that we are here for you & care about you very much.
Thank you!! Yeah just took a week off x
@TheAspieWorld So glad to hear that! Also glad you're taking some "me" time. You've really earned it. You're one of the hardest working youtubers ever. So much so that I've often worried you'd burn out from overwork. Still sending you a hug tho!
I’m 53, and I finally started the process of getting evaluated.
I vibe with everything, except I walk more on my heels sometimes and then sometimes on my toes…
My daughter is autistic, diagnosed as an adult. As a small child she had to touch a silky label to her lips and chew. I replaced the label on her special teddy so many times. Luckily I found a ribbon that had the same texture and feel. Thank you for explaining why she did this
I have always experienced that light flicker thing for as long as I can remember. It use to drive me nuts because nobody could see it but me, most times. It's real!
I'm a tiptoe walker, but for me I don't think it's a stim, its more a sensory processing thing. If I put my heals down at times it feels like the impact rattles through my whole body.
I agree. I am one too.
I toe-walk. Not so much as an adult. I tend to do it when I am in a hurry or nervous.
I didn't know walking on tiptoes was actually an autism thing. I am diagnosed with autism and I do like to walk on tiptoes. My major sensitivities are light and sound. My sensitivity to the flicker from lighting makes it extremely difficult for me to find agreeable employment. I had found some lighting to be so bad that I am physically in pain in seconds.
Some modern LED lighting is much worse than fluorescent. With LED lighting it's not that LEDs are used as a light source that causes the problem, it's the electronics that drive the LEDs that cause the LEDs to flicker and strobe. With a high quality driver, LEDs can exhibit zero flicker because the power supplied to the LED is absolutely smooth.
I’m 51 and don’t look a day over 49.
But seriously, aside from the hair loss I can pass for early 40s.
I'm 53 and don't look a day over 53.😀
I'm a tip toe walker, and I wear really comfortable rubber wedge heels at work. They give me the same bounce and sensory feedback, while also giving me the illusion of normality 😆.
This made me smile 😊
Eye contact ✔️
Sensory processing ✔️
Restricted routine ✔️
Monotone talking X
Social Issues ✔️
Drinks ✔️
Overtalkng ✔️ ✔️
Tip toe walking X
Younger look* ✔️
Oral stim ✔️ ✔️
Light flicker ✔️
Haha, always an eye-opening experience.
* I'm 41 and have been carded the last 3 times I went for drinks with friends. I'm the only one who gets carded.
Ha! I’m in my 60s and people are often surprised at my age. Even my doctor! I’m in a musical theatre group for people 55+. One woman looked at me the first day and asked if I was old enough. She was only half joking. I also “over explain” and turn chatting into story time. I’m also very good at acting and it saves me because the stories are usually really funny and people don’t notice the talking too much 😬
My son toe walks. It’s subtle with him but he even admits it now 😂
There’s also hyper mobile joints. Son can bend his thumb backwards to his forearm. I have it too but not as much as him. For me it caused bunions when I was way too young to have them (orthopaedic surgeon diagnosed it). And I have arthritis now because of it.
All but hip joints trashed due to hypermobility . I am 71
@@TessaCokerSorry. I’m 3 years younger. Last January I fell twice (one ice and once stairs). The stair fall caused me to have two broken ankles. One a slightly displaced spiral brake and the other just a bone chip. Everything seemed to heel fine but as soon as the cast came off huge amounts of pain. And now my knees ache and one feels like a hammer hits it a couple of times a day. The cause of the pain is undetermined so far. Could be the arthritis I’m full of from the hyper mobile joints.
I hate to think what my son will go through as he ages.
2 drinks, chewing, flickering lights all guilty as charged 😂
Me.
8:07😅😅 me: birds, birds...their colors.. all..i almost now everything on birds hahahha
Oh, I absolutely am called out, staring at my 3 different drinks sat on the desk in front of me 😂 but already in acceptance that I'm on the spectrum. Hoping to get a private diagnosis so I can get the help and support for my ASD and understanding from other professionals who are the opposite of ND friendly (unfortunately)
I am in shock. Everthing was correct, how was it so accurate.
46 year old American Grandma here, and yes, to almost all of these. 😂 Diagnosed Asperger's 2 weeks ago, likely also ADHD (but not formally diagnosed). I definitely don't look my age. I always have at least 2 drinks going.
And I still do some of those things but I used to do more of them when I was little and people always think I am younger than I am
Wow!! ♡That last one especially♡ I'm 45, mother of 7, and a gma, BUT I still look 18!! I was carded 3 years ago when buying a long lighter for candles at the dollar store. 😂 People always, always, always say, "No way! You can't be that old." 😂😂😂
I do tip toe walk but only when I'm tired and up stairs. I found out that I do this after moving in with a foster family who called it out, asking why I walked on my toes after dinner.
Edit: I'm light sensitive and that light flickering affects me a lot. (To the point that I can't go into some stores because of it, and have to pull the curtains to relax my eyes.)
I sometimes am able to 'catch' that a light is about to go out soon by the time between the flickering.
(So sorry if this doesn't make much sense, I've been doom scrolling for too long. Gotta go to bed.)
Great video btw. .😊😊
I just looked over at my bedside table…. there is a Gatorade, a Powerade, and a cup of coffee. 😂 All 3 are in active rotation for being drank. I would literally drink every meal if I had the energy and motivation required to make smoothies. It would also be pretty expensive. I’m 39 and look like I’m still in my twenties and I see the flickering! ❤
oh my goodness I love more than one drink and I talk a lot! and tip toe walking you got me!
Made me laugh when you brought up the more than one drink on the go. I looked down at my flat Gatorade and my squirt soda. I have an aversion to water that I have to force myself to be an adult about, but when I can't Gatorade, it is.
👍🏻 I haven't been diagnosed yet. I thought I was the only one with more that one drink. My son tip toes, lol I love him. They all look so young and I've gotten compliments (which made me feel uncomfortable) that I look younger than my age.
My older brother used to get enraged (not that he exhibited it to the person doing it, but to me) for being ID'ed at age 45.
My mom told me that I chewed on my teddy bear at age two. I don’t remember the bear’s loss of 90% himself, but retained what ended up just a swath of fabric which my mom kept clean and washed, just as she had handled the bear. I DO remember rubbing that piece in my hand as I sucked my thumb - mostly because I remember the tactile necessity of this piece, and it had a smell which was part of this snapshot of memory! Too cool. Now, it makes sense!
ADHD Mom of ADHD/Aspie Teen Girl, Here.
I took a look around, and I currently have 4 beverages within arms reach! 😂
I can look somebody in their eyes for some time if I know them well and trust them.
Hate bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, rough clothing, slimy foods.
OMG I used to chew on my neck line all the time as a kid! And the sleeves! LOL
I wonder if that's why someone came up with that candy necklace?
i can relate to a lot of this. I don't like keeping eye contact for long, if i do, I'm very comfortable with that person. I had social anxiety all my life. But since i started growing obsessed with researching human behavior, a lot of it's gone now (i'd recommend doing research on the topic to anyone with autism. Very useful). Have even less social anxiety when i have my dog with me.
I used to have a very monotone voice until i started paying attention to my tone (think singing helped out a lot too).
I'm also 29, 30 in march. I get people telling me i still look in my early 20s. Guess one of the upsides to autism.
Up to my 40’s I looked younger. I always have more than one drink, I chew my lips and rub my thumb nails, I don’t want to look at an yone’s soul, noise loud and/or sudden annoys me, (my own chewing does too), sameness/safety, monotone voice, resting bitch face, social ( jumping in some random conversation w/ no intro), I don’t tip toe. Minor lightning changes, and supersonic hearing are just some of my unique characteristics
I don't tip toe walk, but when I have to speak to someone in any confrontational sense, I bunch my toes in my shoes almost painfully the entire time I'm speaking. I have to focus on relaxing my feet but cannot until I'm completely done with my point. Chances are I've debated to death whether to speak up at all, so when I determine I should say something contrary, I noticed that my feet a in a knot the whole time. I also looked up and saw my water and mixed drink when he mentioned it and thought about every time I order coffee and ice water when I dine out...brother...lol!
I have never liked ice cream, I have always said the flavour and texture is good but the temperature is vile. I also won't eat fridge food, I like room temperature food. Never had an incline that it was my Asperger's
I was asked by my coworker the other week “are you walking on your toes? lol” and I thought she was messing with me lol for the a while i’ve been walking very manually
Yes, I always have 2 drinks going at once. Who knew?!😮
The drinks! Yes!
Beer to the left of me,
Coffee to the right
Here I am.
I have been wondering more and more if I have lived all my life as a high functioning autistic person who has never been diagnosed. I just seem to think and act divergently from most.
Example: I discovered the Bronte Sisters over 50 years ago. Since then I still seek everything I can get my hands on about these sisters. If we went to the Bronte Parsonage Museum, I'd be either the perfect guide, or the one from hell, describing everything that happened in each room. When news of a possible photograph turned up, I was beside myself with euphoria for days. Same with any other passionate subject of research.
Example: I've always had difficulty with swallowing fish and mushrooms.
Example: I loathe turning on any lights when it's dark, especially early predawn mornings. It feels like lasers piercing through my eyes.
There are others, but as I approach my mid 60s with a face that looks in my 50s and a body in my 40s, where do I go to see if this is true without needing to take out a loan?
Eye contact: Agree
Restricted routine: Agree
Sensetivity to Lights/Sounds/Smells:....Agree.
People here are mentioning they look much younger because of Asp/Autism?.....Very interesting!, i didnt know that. I Agree!
when i walk, i tip-toe walk and lunge forward, which gives me a large gate. if i step on uneven surfaces, i have to step on something that feels the same with the other foot or else it bothers me. i think that's why i walk that way. less contact with the floor, and fewer steps. it also makes me faster than people expect me to be when i'm just walking casually, and i like the feeling of the spring and sway of my feet.
Oh gosh I didn't even know the multiple drinks was an autism thing!! I ALWAYS have at least 2 different drinks with me, but mostly I have 3, my coffee, my diet Pepsi, and water lol. It drives my mom nuts.
You should teach about social media marketing because I want to do that too
First thereapist i saw kept asking me where the mouse was in his office because i didn't make eye contact i've learned to mask that now. My mom taped my mouth shut when i came home from kindergarten and wanted to talk about everything i learned
Omg yes to all except the toe walking but I do like to have soft socks or no socks bc I constantly wiggle my toes is that a thing? Bc that means or does that mean in your opinion, that I have or could have Asperger’s or whatever I’m like brand new…the lights flicker for me sometimes when I go to tropical areas in Australia for holidays for a couple of days my eyelids actually flicker from the intense sunlight as well. I don’t know if anyone else suffers from this because everybody thinks that’s really strange about me nobody else seems to have flickering eyelids
What about rolling the eyes up into the head?
Gosh Daniel life must be hard, you know when you cheat on your girl of almost seventeen years with another that knew about her. How horrible 😖😖
So, I was just sitting here with both a cup of coffee and a reusable bottle of room temperature water and got called out 🤣
i have aspergers syndrome but does anyone have any idea why i have these traits:
i get very very very invested in my special interests, it almost becomes my whole personality, but once i learn all there is to know, i drop it and move on
im usually really reserved but after getting to know someone i get extremely energetic and yap about anything even if its personal as if I've known them for years
everything i do is considered weird or rude but i really dont mean to
I regret things right after i do it
3 drinks that I forget to drink, tip toe walker and I talk too much.
Room temp water, hot coffee, cold fizzy water with juice 👍
I've been so conditioned to etiquette that I no longer do a lot of the things that would draw unwelcome attention
Like having two drinks together
Walking on the balls of my feet is something I've only recently started doing again
I used to do it a lot as a child
I laughed out loud about the drinks.
MASSIVELY true re chewing. 🦷
Watching this with a cup of coffee, a glass of iced tea and a cold water bottle in front of me 😂😂
I tiptoe walk too
I tend to do the drink thing in the morning. Ill have a rather large mug of coffee and a 16oz glass of water(im from the US). When I go out to a restaurant, Ill have a glass of water along with whatever Im drinking, like a pint of beer. Then be mystified why you cant stay away from the toilet!
I've noticed myself walking on my toes sometimes.
7:36
i have dr pepper and milk tea rn 🙃
i never knew that was a trait smdkskdkksksjs
There's always a cup of coffee, plain ice water, and flavored water on my desk. Sometimes I also add a sparkling flavored water or juice. 😄
People are shocked when I tell them my age. I'm often made to do different tasks because I'm the "youngest" in the group. I usually laugh and say no I'm not, because I'm sometimes older than everyone in the group, including the one making the request. 😅
I feel like i fall on the other end of some of the things mentioned. I guess i fall under the more hyposensitivity.. you hear so much about Hypersensitivity which makes alot of us on the other end almost feel imposter syndrome because the large majority youtube videos, reddit subs etc are targetted towards what "typically" is Autism. I know it's a spectrum but so it's hard to understand our brothers and sisters on the Hypersensitivity side. Does anyone agree/disagree?
Australia doesn't use the term "Asperger's" anymore. Asperger did atrocities to anyone on the spectrum. It is Autism Spectrum Disorder and have 3 levels being how well interacting with neurotypical people.
Im watching this while im drinking my coffee out of my favorite mug and my cold water out of my favorite cup with a straw 😂 im the only person at work that comes in with 2 different drinks from home 🤣🤣
My name is Gianluca and I also have low support needs autism too
My husband likes to wear a bright LED headlamp. Fine while he looks directly at what he is doing but then he moves around and faces me to say something and can’t understand why it drives me crazy. I get headaches from it.
Strip lights on trains are the worst for the flicker™️ always wondered why others couldn’t see it, the pulses all travel along the tube, down one side and back up the parallel light tube. I get called a douche cos I have to wear sunglasses all the time (I really don’t get why people get so rude about me needing them), even if they’re just on my head ready in case of flicker or glare or ✨BRIGHTNESS ✨ or migraine.
People never believe my age😁
LOL my arthritis is older than I look
Mine neither they think I'm in my 20s
Wow 🤯 I might be on the spectrum
I think the younger look thing miiight could be from using facial expressions less often. There aren't as many laugh and frown lines as soon as expressive people. I'm not really sure at all, though.
Look in to Elhers Danlos Syndrome
I have been making fun of myself for my 3 drink having for a while now 😊
Im 32, but I've grown up with people thinking I'm younger. My Dad looks younger than he is too
👍 one coffee one diet coke and one liquid IV. I have always walked on my toes. I've always looked younger. This pic was taken when I was 39. I am always told I'm at least 10 yrs younger. I'm a chewy. Gum ends of my hair. My cheeks side of my tongue gum. I have several of the common as well. As for the bonus, yes the light fickers. No one oversees it just me.oh and I have not been diagnosed I have no way of knowing how. I'm 44 now. All this explains alot but I could be wrong.
LOL I have 2-3 drinks always lol coffee and water and many times also juice or soda 😆 I totally tip toe walk - I hate shoes Inwear flip flops all heat unless it’s snowing or pouring rain lol
For years I've taken three cups of water to bed every night why I don't know this is interesting but years ago I had OCD still do abit so I wonder if things like three drinks is OCD related as well as autism.
I've been told when I was in my twenties that people were surprised when I said my age one time a bus driver said to me half fare bus fare I said I'm in my twenties he said I thought you were about 15.
When on holiday at a holiday camp id carry my birth certificate with me as nr and mum would be stopped going into night club as it was over 18s only so when I said I'm 26 they said never.
It could cause big issues when I was a carer for mum I found doctors etc wouldn't take me seriously as a carer for mum till I told them my age and how I had caring qualifications through a college then thed listen.
Even now people don't think I'm 51.
I don't know that it's a symptom unique to autism as my mum never looked her age though I do wonder now if mum had autistic traits so who knows
That flicker is at Walmart and it gives me a headache 😂
You called me out😊
I am fairly new here. I don't usually comment as I have Parkinsons which makes writing and typing very very hard, it is now effecting my speech yay me! I do a LOT of back spacing!
I am a now single Mum of 4, the youngest was diagnosed at 2. She had other problems which meant she saw a paediatrician often. She was non verbal until she was almost 6 years old and she also has Sensory Auditory Processing Disorder, OMFG that is hell! She hears me speak when I haven't, {and argues with me that I have!}, she has said I am speaking another language when I know only English fluently, this one SUCKS! She has other issues unrelated to Autism. I also have 2 grandchildren { Third, a boy being born tomorrow 13th November 2024!} they have been diagonosed with ASD, my grandson with ADD and his sister with active ADHD. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with ASD and inactive ADHD, There is a story about this but this is long enough! And yes I talk a LOT!
three drinks always
Hi, Dan. At 8:43 regarding tiptoe walking, that part reminded me of this video by another autistic TH-camr, th-cam.com/video/JFW8E2Df1Wk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=3TncSuQrenyB9OPK. He explains about why he walks on his tiptoes.
I was laughing cos my wee lassy always has 2 drinks. Usually her bottle of water and a wee cup of tea/hot chocolate. Sometimes it's a bottle of water n a glass of fruit juice. There are times when she has 3. So this was really funny.
She also looks really young for her age. She's almost 17 n alot of ppl don't even realise she's a teenager.
👍 Bingo! I'm 54.
Wonderful!
I don't thing autism and ASD are the same, related maybe but not the same.
ASD stands for autism spectrum disorder, an umbrella term which includes all ranges of abilities.
You may be interested in looking up the neurological development behind it.
Autism = Autism Spectrum Disorder👀…
👍
You’re literally double my age and I always thought you were like 31
Oh no im a drink weirdo lol🤣🤣
Fellow ASPIE Here ! So true ! Coffee with water and usually some soda ;0) ! Hey if you ever Bi Curious :0) ! This Rainbow Dragon Aspie Can Hug ya Fellow Aspie Good ;)) ! Love ya !