Seeing the things that everyone missed. Missing the things that everyone saw. My foreman has me double-check him after he inspects our work because he knows I'll see stuff he missed even if I miss stuff he saw. He knows I'm 'different' in a lot of ways.
my 15.6 million high score in mobile tetris when none of my friends can pass the 500k mark edit: attention span is the main thing here for me lol. used to be so obsessed w minecraft, more than any of my friends. after everyone would stop playing on a world, id be there for a other 6 months
I'm literally teaching myself to pick up on subtle social cues in cinema and IRL. When I can actually predict the "unexpected social thing" in a movie/TV show, I actually get a bit proud lol
@@NickWrightDataYT Excellent! And so you should get a bit proud - it's a gift! I have been able to read body language and emotions ever since I was small and yet in many situations still cannot figure out the right response. I chew over what I should have said or what I should say for days. I would do well as a psychic mute 😂
As someone in his mid 30s, I've had several 'intense' interests over the years: Pencil boxes, fountain pens, calculators, bicycles, motorcycles, guns, computers, smartphones, video games. My interest in motorcycles in particular bordered on obsession but now, I don't care about them anymore. I mean, I still love them and check them out from time to time. But I don't lose my sleep whenever Ducati announces a brand new Monster or Hypermotard, for example.
Look this is the strength of autism I have as well. We see how life is the way it is, social structures can make us more stupid and hateful towards others sometimes.
I related to it in that I, a high school teacher, relate to students as people rather than as students. Each is an individual. I like some, dislike others, treat them all professionally. It was a drawback in my career that I didn't want to spend my off time volunteering with teenagers.
A lot of parents seem to have an obsession bordering on delusion centered around having a "normal" child. When a person's natural inborn traits are treated as a problem to be corrected instead of just how they are it's pretty reasonable to expect that many would walk away from their childhood traumatized.
@@cameronnaylor4046 … no it can’t. sometimes childhood trauma can make autistic traits more obvious, but not cause them. we have no idea what ‘causes autism’ but we do know it’s biological not psychological. it’s a different neurotype, a structural brain difference.
Our son was severely autistic. He had several other issues . He was brilliant and had mechanical abilities. He did college-level math & science at 14. But had trouble dressing and using eating utensils. He died a month before his sixteenth Birthday. We miss him every day.
@@DeadNotSleeping789 Thank you, He was the sunshine of our lives. We had him late. I was 36 and we'd been told that because of my health issues, I'd never have a child. Despite his many challenges, he smiled and laughed all of the time. He was born in 1996. Back then most people had no idea about how to treat those with autism. We attended several conferences and then went home and just loved him.He never realized that he was any different than any other child.
Agreed. How about the feeling of when you don't have a pen nor paper with you, you find you have a jillion things going through your mind you want to write about. Then when you get the chance to write stuff down, you get writers block. Happens to me at least twice a week.
About 75% of these apply to me and yet my psychologists/therapists keep telling me I can't be autistic because I "maintain eye contact" and "am very good at empathy". 💀 The joys of being an undiagnosed woman!
One of the things that therapists don't tend to take into account with adults is that they've learned and mastered (some) masking skills throughout their lifetimes already. Most of the research is done on minors and they just tend to forget that these children grow up into adults too. I had a therapist tell me that I wasn't on the spectrum, so I decided to show up to my next appointment and completely unmasked (or unmask what I was knowledgable of). Her perception of me afterwards had changed. My best friend is 32 and she was finally diagnosed last year after many therapists.
I'm a minor, but I live in a small town, so the doctors kinda suck. I asked abt getting a diagnosis but they said it was unlikely since it's more common in boys and if I did it was "very mild" and said I was "high-funcioning"
I started my learning journey back around 2014 maybe, I can't remember. But I went to the state mental health center and ended up getting in a fight with the in-take "specialist". She said (very haughtily) that there is no way I could have ASD because she works with autistic (boys) every single day and I don't have the traits. I mentioned that women display differently, and Tony Atwood's research, and the internet research I had done, including books, etc. And she practically sneered at me and thought I was utterly ridiculous with my "little internet research." The most she would give me is social anxiety and general anxiety disorders. I was trying to get support to get through college. She hated me. She ended up sending me to some guy who was really creepy and only spent four sessions with him before he creeped me out so much I couldn't bring myself to go back. Not to mention those four sessions were mostly spent on him and "his practice" and all the bureaucracy crap. I finally did at least get a letter for my college to help with the anxiety. They told me I just need social skills training. We both know that's just the tip of the ice berg. I went to those free classes and that instructor also didn't like me. He invited the whole class back except me. 🙄 Life long experiences of rejection, hate, misunderstandings, no support, being taken advantage of, abuse, and the list goes on. I'm the ultimate loner and have had to figure everything out myself. I hope you fare better and find the support you need. It has at least gotten better in that respect since 2014! But here where I am it is an easy $3000 to go through the process of getting diagnosed. That doesn't mean they will actually diagnose you. So more exploitation. I gave up on getting diagnosed.
I agree, I have autism but I don't want to go through the run around again, I was misdiagnosed when I was younger and don't want to put up with it again.
I used to do this when I would be reprimanded or had some sort of a teaching moment with an authority figure and, regrettably, it used to put my mom in some pretty frustrating situations. I would literally freeze and sit there like a statue for hours sometimes, just thinking of all the ways that I might hope to convey what I was thinking/feeling and always ended up convincing myself I’d only ultimately be invalidated and unheard. I might be wrong, but I think it came from the juxtaposition of extreme social anxiety and a need/desire for structure and rules to follow, almost in an algorithmic sense.
I hate this. People think I’m annoying or being dependent and difficult, but I’ve tried everything and am so exhausted by all the thought and agony that goes into important and even ANY conversations. Very codependent on others doing the plannjng and negotiations and interviews and letters to businesses for me. Because the time and energy invested by me yields minimal results. I hate this and wish there were a way to figure out how to live like others- even if 30 years of wasted life has passed by. I want a healthy life
@@visionvixxen I'm 67 and still go through the whole process as you explained and sorry to say, it hasn't gotten any easier. I'm finally lucky enough to be able to manage it all by withdrawing from the world. Good luck to you. I feel for you.
And (at least in my expericence) then the real interaction plays out very differently as imagined. And quite thinking about social interactions is like self entertainment for me. Which usually incluedes a lot of repitition.
I always think I'm exaggerating when I say I might have autism, but then I watch this, and there's not even a way for me to deny it because it's too accurate 😭
I think a lot of non-autistic people have these traits to. But you can do the RAADS-R test if you want to get a better view on wheter you're autistic or not.
@@voiceofstem I found an online RAADS-R test. My son is autistic but I didn't think I was until I started noticing things he does I also do. I took the test and it said a score above 65 is likely autistic. I got a 197/240. eeeee....
A friend once told me that I get really upset over things that most people don't care about, and I don't care about things that most people get upset over.
Diagnosed at 49 and videos like this make me feel simultaneously joyful that I have found my people and sad/angry that I spent DECADES trying to cram myself into a socially acceptable box. 😢
I'm in my 40s and suspect I'm borderline autistic. I think I wasn't diagnosed cos I went to a rubbish school, did well academically and also I'm female and girls are less likely to get a diagnosis. Out of his list of 63 traits, 44 of them apply to me. The last one in particular "how can someone so clever be so stupid" doesn't just apply to me but also my brother and dad.
At my last job, I worked primarily with a team of autistic people. It helped me figure out that I'm autistic because of how seamless but bizarre our group behavior was. Once no customers were around, we'd be mimicking each other, making noises back and forth, dancing/gesturing at random, and putting on the same playlists most nights. Other nights, we'd be working in complete silence and it wouldn't feel awkward because it's just what we all needed. It was a pretty special experience.
So funny, i just started down the Autism rabbit hole today the last day of Autism awareness month, ive been watching these videos for hours now and im convinced and i got probably 53 out of the 63. Thanks for the great video! Edit: 52 out of 63, so close!!
I don't know if I'm over- or underestimating my signs of autism. I think I want to convince myself that I'm autistic and then, I'm more sceptical with the signs and I don't know what's true. If I'm being autistic or just an lazy introvert.
Same, in fact, I enjoyed it so much so that I toggled the looping feature and now listening to this on repeat (in order to jot them all down and analyze which ones I have).
The more of these videos I watch, the more depressed I get seeing how many of these things apply to me. I’ve suspected that I’m on the spectrum for at least two decades now. Sometimes I think I should get tested, and then the next day I feel like it’s just an exercise in futility. 53 years old and I’m basically afraid of people, socializing, and pretty much my own shadow. It’s funny but I just got to the part where you mention “super sensitive hearing” and right now I am sitting in a coffee shop with a high pitched hum that makes me want to hit my head on the table.
Wasn't diagnosed as Autistic until I was over 40, now I'm pushing 80 and have learned how to "cover up" the weirdness, but I look back at my high school days and my 20's and 30's, and I see it clearly! By 50 I was doing quite well passing as "normal". Today only my closest friends recognize my true self, and most of them are secret Autistics of a Certain Age, too!
I had to cover up severe Autism throughout childhood with varying degrees of success, but I can say covering is not healthy and is killing me. It's resulted in nervous system problems and a poor immune system, it's a lot of energy and fuel going into disguise instead of acceptance. Bring out more of the I don't give a shyte what people think and be yourself...it's not worth the health toll!!!
I am a 32 year old man and recently got diagnosed with Autism and PTSD and they want to further investigate to see if I have other conditions I might need help with. I am overwhelmed and also relieved about it. Been struggling my entire life and still am. I actually feel everything has gotten harder to cope with as I got older, might be because I have been on my own in all this until now but I so hope I get to the point where you are at one day. Thank you for sharing, it gives me hope I'll pull through too one day ❤
Best of luck to you, you're a living proof for all those dolts of parents who think "it'll go away with age" and "my kid just needs more social exposure or maybe scout/church camps". No it _absolutely_ won't. And forced social exposure and these "camps" will only accelerate the mental breakdown. One needs to recognize crucial signs, pre-school if at all possible, and get proper diagnosis and treatment plans asap. This will literally make or break a life. And there are more and more of us every day, no wonder child/teen suicide rates are getting sky-high, especially in third-world countries. I got my proper diagnosis way too late (brain damage+ hormonal and autoimmune issues that require lifetime prescription medication) and will no longer be the same person, so I can personally attest to sheer importance of proper, timely diagnosis. I'm 27, btw, got diagnosed at 24, total hell started happening at 18 in my life, so 6 years without knowing what the hell is going on with me and things getting progressively worse all that time. Also sincerely hope you will avoid Alzheimer's, given your age. That is another level of hell I wouldn't wish on anybody, and, sadly, quite prevalent in my family, still dreading the day I will exhibit my first symptoms. I would rather just have somebody I trust k*ll me when that happens.
List in case if you'd like to take time to think of each one (also I thank this channel for those interesting facts, kinda cleared things out about myself) : 1. Wearing bright colors 2. Hating phone calls 3. Not realizing you're hungry/thirsty 4. Not replying to text messages 5. Hate wearing socks/seams 6. Having atypical humor 7. Telling the truth 8. Out of sync in groups 9. Aversion or obsession with popular culture 10. Overplanning everything 11. Low sense of gender 12. Always feeling tired 13. Don't like being told what to do 14. Teaching yourself to read 15. Comfort in repetition & routine 16. Struggling with crowds 17. Seeing people as people 18. Sensitive hearing 19. High pain tolerance 20. Over apologizing 21. Not caring what people think 22. Good at something useless 23. Being sarcastic 24. Prefers face to face communication 25. Struggling to find gap in group conversation 26. Constant background anxiety 27. Being overly empathic 28. Relating to animals more 29. Avoiding trying new things 30. Eating the same food 31. Finding inappropriate things funny 32. Not liking to be touched 33. Tendency to notice small details 34. Hating fluorescent & down lights 35. Always wanting to understand why 36. Enjoying repetition 37. Thinking in pictures 38. Having a flat affect 39. Prefers pacing than sitting 40. Imitating other people 41. Having a favorite thing 42. Getting excited and interrupting people 43. Thinking previous social interactions 44. Seeing patterns in everything 45. Either having a good and bad memory 46. Prefers non verbal communication 47. Hating brushing of teeth 48. Having a monotone voice 49. Difficulty identifying emotions 50. Getting overwhelmed by many tasks 51. Watching the same TV series/movies 52. Awkward in groups 53. Thinking outside the box 54. Having unique brilliant ideas 55. Struggling to read between lines 56. Preferring written communication 57. Two speed productivity 58. Compartmentalizing life experiences 59. Comfortable being alone 60. Happy with few material comforts 61. Always finishing what you started 62. Scripting conversation 63. "How can someone be clever and stupid ?"
Well this may make it easier for me to stress myself out going over everything without having to watch the video 18 times to make sure I heard everything right the first 17 times. I've decided, It's not going to be easier for me because now I'm already starting to wonder if you changed something in the list to fuck with me. And now I'm going to have to write down this list and watch the video again to confirm your list is accurate. Or I won't and I will be thinking about it for at least a week knowing it doesn't matter anyway
You're extending an invitation to a social event - either IRL or Zoom - whilst those are the things I detest the most. When it's time to put out the wheelie bin and I see one of my neighbours is outside, I wait until they're gone before going outside.
I am undiagnosed. I cry every time I watch these videos. I can't easily describe why I cry, except that it's a mixed jumble of emotions, the release of which is cathartic.
I would have written a reply precisely as you did with the same words and cadence. The wiring schematic of the autistic brain has capacitors for extra storage in some areas, released through specialized filters we create.
I think it's the OCD aspect constantly eating away at your mind and shoving self directed hate into whatever cracks it can find whenever an issue caused by autism arises. That coupled with often intense isolation, ongoing stress(I think we hold mental stress in our bodies longer naturally) from multiple (put off due to avoidance problems) and small moments of connection provide intense and immense relief. At least in my personal experience. Hope you feel better
I think it’s because of the feeling of “belonging” these videos give me. Because I’ve always been “other than” or “different” or “special” but here, I’m clearly part of the group. It’s the joy of thinking they might finally say, “you’re one of us, you belong here in this group.”
Got 57 of 63. When I was going through PTSD and depression therapy, my therapist (who specializes in ASD/ADHD subjects) acknowledged the high likelihood that I may be autistic. But, at 54 years old, her question was "what would you get out of a formal diagnosis?" So, I remain undiagnosed (officially), but this is the single unifying explanation for very literally every issue I've had in my life. Ever.
Wait same!! like idk what the focus is on “why do you want a label” or “why do you NEED the diagnosis” like gurl idk maybe because I feel off in situation and socially and I feel that an ASD diagnosis (if that if what it is) would be liberating almost . But alas, ill have to wait until I can find someone to take me seriously.
My therapist asked me that question too and I had no idea what to say. Like idk man I'm just almost certain I have it and I want a professional to confirm. Is that so bad? And then my med doctor said he thought testing was unnecessary because it was just another label that wouldn't change anything. Kinda felt really awful when he said that tbh
@@feather314 yeah like i think having a label might make it easier to get support? But still, why does it matter why, if youre very sure you have it? I feel like professionals should be helping ugg
“How can someone so clever be so stupid?” hit me like a truck. This has been said to me quite a few times throughout my life. I related to the majority of these, but that last one… oof…
In new situations, I often miss the "obvious" interpretation of what to do, and am often paralyzed by any ambiguity. The fear of doing it "wrong" and the shame and embarrassment that follow makes everything worse.
@@averylouise1024 The first time I was behind the wheel, on the road, the instructor told me to "stop" (probably an intersection coming up) so I hit the brakes then and there. I stopped, right? Then I heard breaks screeching behind me, followed by the driver pulling up along side me and shouting "IDIOT!!!"
for me it was "how can someone so clever be unemployed" I heard that a lot after my depression diagnose and therapy that were the reason for the unemployment. The biggest part that is left from my depression (other than the occational slope of depressive feelings) is a pretty strong stress disorder with tendencies to anxiety/panic attacks. Getting employed like this is almost impossible for me.
@@jenniferbourne1053 in new things people laugh at me or/and being impatient and aggressive treating me like stupid person, because im feeling that kind of paralysis, but soon enough when i get the 'thing' im often became even more efficient than them. honestly sometimes i hate people:(
-Always wanting to understand why. I can't 'just follow orders' without knowing the context. -I'm in some ways intelligent, in other ways completely stupid. 'I like pacing instead of sitting. -Having a Good and very bad memory at the same time: I seem to remember things no one else remembers, but forget things other people can remember. - I used to have a very monotone voice during my teenage years, but I've learned to make it less monotone as I got older. -getting overwhelmed by too many tasks at once. -seeing patterns in everything. I want to add something: -Not understanding 'taboos', or things you ought not to talk about. My interests have always gone to 'things I shouldn't be interested in'. Following previous statement I also never understood why some people don't like to talk about death.... to me it's just something that happens to all of us, in various ways. I'm still failing to see death as a bad thing. Often I want to share different philosophical ideas about death... but no one is interested.. 😂
My daughter was just diagnosed with ASD and I always felt she was special. She talked super early, understood grammar and how to use it without any explanation. Now she is 6 and one of her favorite things to do is write poetry. She tippy toes since she was 2, and now I know that’s because of her Autism. She hates strong food smells and even tells me ketchup smells weird to her. She has a hard time with eye contact with strangers, and can’t put herself in other peoples shoes. Everything is either a fact or not. Which also affects the way she plays, there is no role playing or pretending. We do dance competitions, tag, legos. I can’t wait to see what a wonderful adult she turns into. ❤❤
I have a kid who was diagnosed “aspie” back in 2005 (I’m also autistic). We really can take those pet interests and run with them. When he was little, he was working on making a vaccine to cure all the world’s diseases. Now he’s a physician’s assistant. Just give her the space and support to be herself and she’ll be able to do whatever she wants.
Thank you for being such an understanding mother. I was raised back before children (especially girls) were routinely diagnosed and if they were- training involved forcing them to act atypical until it broke them down to a mere shell and a mask. My mother was my rock, I could give her a single look and she'd talk for me. She also yelled back at several teachers who tried to label or punish me for not acting 'right'. The reason I am able to slip into society and live my life without predjudice or trauma is because she was willing to go to war for me when everyone else wanted throw me into the trenches instead.
- "and can’t put herself in other peoples shoes." - I can understand that, as a six year old human being, she's much much too big to fit inside anyone's shoes! 🙃🤣
Final count: 50. When you played "enjoying repetition" twice, I thought mentally 'please do it three times' and you did and it made my brain so unbelievably satisfied. I've never considered myself autistic but I've noticed recently that 5 of my closest friends have high functioning autism and decided to look into it. Watching this felt like you were describing parts of my life that so many people never notice but are so persistent in my day to day. I am two spirit. I was discussing with my friend who power dynamics are useless and how we wished all people were considered just as such. I write notes to my closest of friends even though we can all text because I prefer my thoughts to be organized and PERFECT in perception. I will spend days thinking about how a conversation went and what I should have said instead to the point of acting it out repeatedly. I can't stand facetime therapy sessions or online class. I have considered myself nearly empathic for years yet cannot never fully flesh out the complexities of my own emotions that are so conflicting and together that sometimes they seem different personalities. Ah alas, I speak too much about myself. I enjoyed this video, it gave me much to consider. Thank you for taking the time to make it.
I feel like I have adult ADHD and high functioning autism if that makes sense. 😅 Same I feel like my thoughts to be organized and PERFECT but idk about in perception but at the same time I do feel like it need to be in perception but other time I just don't care cuz I'm used to feeling misunderstood. I't good that you're deciding to look into high functioning autism and figured out that you might have it, too and it's also good that you're two spirited. Same - I will spend days thinking about how a conversation went and what I should have said instead to the point of acting it out repeatedly, too, but other times I won't cuz I'll be too busy daydreaming. I can't stand face time therapy sessions or online class but other times I can cuz I don't like going outside for appointments but at the same time I don't really care cuz it's just an appointment and I'll get it done with it, but also I love going to store and buying stuff that I want and need. Kinda the same but I'm empathic, too, but other time over empathic if that makes sense of just in-between. Sometime I don't know how to express my own emotions or just express than as normal and other times just keep them bottled up. but those are about me. :) 49/63 I have considered myself nearly empathic for years yet cannot never fully flesh out the complexities of my own emotions that are so conflicting and together that sometimes they seem different personalities. Kinda confused on what you mean they seem different personalities. And when you said this "When you played "enjoying repetition" twice, I thought mentally 'please do it three times' and you did and it made my brain so unbelievably satisfied." I sound like a just right trait which OCD people have which I kinda have but don't have OCD. But I do hate repetition and other time don't if they do it right :) Well I hope you had fun reading and you might be wondering why does it all depend. I don't know but that's just how I am.
The "either too much or too little" meshes very well with something I've been thinking - it's the polarisation of various traits that can indicate autism. What we have trouble with is the middle ground. This is where some of the tests (and general thinking) go wrong, I think. They tend to assign high achievement in certain traits as NT and deficits as ND, rather than recognising that both poles are indicators and add up to a pattern.
Когда я в 5 классе поняла, что мои усилия не приводят к отличному результату в школе, я перестала делать что либо по учёбе вплоть до 9 класса. Когда в 1 классе мне сказали, что я слишком весёлая и активная, чтобы со мной было комфортно дружить, я замкнулась до такой степени, что не знала имён одноклассников, боялась менять что либо в одежде, и так же, до 9 класса носила одну и ту же причёску, чтобы ни в коем случае не показаться "слишком активной". Считается за черту античности? У меня нет диагноза, я хз :р
i’m 18, and i’ve never been diagnosed with autism, nor have i ever considered that i was, even when i dated someone who had autism, who was diagnosed very young. I got 54 out of 63 on this, and more recently, since i started college, i have noticed that these traits become more and more prevalent in my day to day life. I don’t understand any of this and i’ve tried to do research but it’s really hard because it is, as you said, very hard to describe it as a whole.
I never considered myself autistic, but I decided to watch this on a whim and I said yes to 46 of these. Some actually ruin my life (like being unable to reply to a message, even if it's super important, and the more time passes, the heavier it weighs on me, but it also gets harder to do, to the point where I can feel shaking in my chest whenever I think about it).
Additionally, it is important to remember that autism manifests itself in highly individualized ways. As a mother of two young boys on the autism spectrum, I have witnessed firsthand how vastly different their experiences can be. One of my sons enjoys a hug here and there, while the other prefers to keep his distance. One expresses himself through his drawings, while the other finds solace in music. Interestingly, they both communicate with each other using vocal stims. Furthermore, they share a mutual dislike for spring and summer seasons due to their aversion to bugs, finding comfort only in the fall and winter seasons. Through these experiences, we have come to understand the importance of adapting to their unique needs, as their future well-being depends on it. It is my sincere hope that society continues to embrace with acceptance and support for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. I applaud your efforts in bringing autism to the forefront of conversation and raising awareness about the significance of inclusion.
Same for me. Both of my sweet boys are autistic yet so different in many ways lol. One loves touch and has physical stims like flapping and flicking the other doesn't ever want to be touched and all his stims are vocal 😂
Have you ever asked your musical son, to make music based on your other sons drawings? Definitely worth a try, because some of the best music of our era was caused by this exact set up. For example most Shpongle songs are written that way, Raj an autistic artist draws all sorts of interesting things, and then Simon makes music depending on what those pictures make him feel. Honestly, Shpongle for me, is one of the highest pinnacles of music, but yes it is subjective opinion.
Well it is called a Spectrum for a reason...I personally like to see it as starbursts, others can follow your exact lines, but then boom, off in a completely different direction.
This comment made me so happy. I personally believe that there aren't enough parents to autistics that think like this. What I mean by that is being able to separate them as individuals, understanding their different ways of thinking, and different needs. Thank YOU for wanting to be apart of the conversation!!
Almost all of these resonated with me, other than wearing bright colors. I prefer black, muted colors, and also darker jewel tones. I hate seams and tight hems, so I always wear loose clothing with long sleeves and pants or long skirts. I only wear natural fibers and somehow wool doesn't bother me one bit. Another one that I can almost never do is finish something quickly. I am a perfectionist in my crafts, therefore nothing gets finished. 😢
I'm totally with you! Only a few didn't resonate much with me, but the bright color one was the only one I find I'm the complete opposite. Always preferred black, gray, or at most dark blue or brown. And sensitivity to the feeling of clothes and seams has always been a HUGE thing for me. My mom tells me that even as early as 2 years old, I'd refuse to put on shoes or leave the house until I had the seam on the toe of my socks JUST RIGHT so I couldn't feel it haha.
@@anyagetman8596 A rose colored shirt? Or an actual picture of a screaming rose on a shirt? And do you have it hidden under the black and grey for a reason?
@@anyagetman8596 I have been deeply fascinated for years by the idea of hidden symbols or messages or beautiful seams in clothing. I never associated it with autism before this minute. I love knowing you are out there in the world wearing a hugely emotive rose underneath. My name is Ayla Rose btw. Similar to your name and...roses. (mine hidden away behind my first name! Lol)
57 of the 63 mentioned traits. I wasn't diagnosed as on the spectrum until I was 45. Growing up, I was labeled 'quiet, weird, shy, introverted, and too smart' by family and friends. When I was finally diagnosed, it all made sense to me.
I am, as of yet, undiagnosed. But my son, who is just like I was as a child only with a bit more anxiety, is diagnosed. I, too, was the "introverted, exceptionally smart, and different" kid. Now that I have become more aware of what autism is, things make more sense here too.
@@nathanh6439 I gave your comment a like(me pointing this out won't make a difference if more people do though,for now at least you know who did, if you wonder or care about that). I don't want my like to be mistaken for someone else's either in this comment section and for my like to paint a more likeable picture of someone else for it and give you a false sense of things, I guess you could say. All this really doesn't matter in the long scheme of things though suffice to say...lmao. A factual courtesy has been delivered,also you go with that comment 👍Hoorah
the brushing of the teeth thing really resonated with me. IDK why such a simple everyday task is so hard and so forgotten for me and I hate doing as well
My aversion to brushing the teeth I thought was due to a hypersensitive gag reflex, where anything kept in the mouth would start me gagging. So dentists, Drs' tongue depressors or holding a pencil/pen in the mouth, etc etc was a real problem for me.
Self care is difficult as well. I do just the basics. Do others feel too lazy to do anything with their hair except quickly brush it and the less the easier. Maybe a quick clip or barrette, but it's too time consuming to do more.
I ruined my teeth due to what I thought was laziness. I don't like doing basic hygiene really, tho thankfully I was given the "no body odor" gene. If I bathe every other day I won't stink, but even that I find hard to do. When getting my hair cut all I say is "just shorten it, vert short." I don't like too many luxuries, I'm convinced all the luxury I need is my phone and a powerbank. I don't smoke, no drugs, and I barely drink. (I only drank on my birthday last year) I should be low-maintenance. But I find it so hard to be an adult. My relatives's favorite way of communicating is hints and reading between the lines... It's so frustrating when they won't just tell me, but they get mad at me and call me dumb when I don't understand what they want. Why is life so hard man.
Bro I have been depressed for a long time, but after taking shrooms few months ago, l feel much happier and highly motivated and my ADHD gone , lost a ton of anxiousness and had a few epiphanies about how I should live my life. I decided to buy an ounce for backup, but haven’t yet felt the need to take any more since then.
For me number 17 'seeing people as people' really resonates with me. I talk to everyone (regardless of age, background etc) in the same way as if they are my best friend. I didn't realize that people neurotypical people avoid people of different social classes. That seems like discrimination. Someone social class says nothing about their character. Which is why I don't see any issue with engaging with people of different classes. I might go so far as to say that the whole 'social class' thing is BS.
I think this trait is kind of BS anyways. It's not autistic so much as human. It's the people who follow these social classes with such meticulousness that have something wrong with them.
wait i also do this holy shit. like i dont care who you are, if i strike up a convo with you somehow i will literally talk to you like im your friend lol. and i also dont get how ppl can be so.... judgemental about others with nothing to base it on. like fr. my brother who is in special ed classes n stuff literally sometimes judges other people... who are in the same sorta group as him. i dont understand it
Yeah, I snorted and said « How else am I supposed to see them? » I can barely keep up with the nod now, ok, now I have to look at you, shit, I missed what he just said stuff without also having to keep track of your country of origin or what you grandfather does for a living.
@@FlanaFuguenot a decease bro but a syndrome but I agree that I think/thought that's just the right way of seeing people, y’know, as people? Human and worthy because that is basic human rights(?)
51/63 (Late-diagnosed in my 40s) There were a few more in the list I had when younger but not now - such as fear of trying new things. I'm more willing and have an easier time now I know I'm autistic, know my needs, accommodate them and work with them rather than against them. It's opened life up a lot more.
i also had some when younger and they were kind of beaten out of me. the one i miss the most is not caring what other people think of me, that one sounds so helpful at this point in my life. i hope i can regain it.
I was late diagnosed as well. I feel like so many of the typical things, Ive spent so long masking and adapting that Its almost natural now. Most people that don’t know a lot about autism, would never know. Even my neuropsychologist that diagnosed me, had a bit of trouble at first.
About to go through Dx process I scored 50 plus I always round down as some screeners ill do with doing that to avoid any likely misreads. All end up higher than expected, its quite considerable. I think knowing for sure will be a lot I am failing masking its starting to be way too much strain for added things aka life on fire
@@heedmydemands I would say me too, but I don't know how to measure "good" in sudokus. It is my default activity when I am in the waiting room for an appointment, and also my last pre-sleep activity to help quiet down my mind :D
@@Nami-dq3ox well I have them in the newspaper sometimes and I was laughing about it one day that they give u the answer, I was boggled that someone would need to b told the answers. I mean it's not that I can figure it out every time sometimes I get stuck but if I fill it in I would never question whether I had it right, u only write a number when u know it's correct. I told my husband this and he thought I was nutty lol. I do them in pen but I do admit that I have ended up crossing them out in disgust when I realized I'd made a mistake
@@heedmydemands I do my sudokus in pen too! I have a book of 100 "difficult sudokus" and if I make a mistake and have to cross out the entire thing, I enter the original sudoku into an app called "Sudoku Pad" (from a TH-cam channel called "Cracking the Cryptic") and start again. I don't understand why the answers are given either- it's either correct or it isn't.
A big one for me is I prefer to have face to face conversations so I can see reactions and people can (hopefully) understand me better when they see mine. I never knew that was a symptom. There are SOOO many though. Omg! Another huge one for me is my memory for dates, times, basically anything to do with numbers. I SWEAR, I remember birthdays of childhood friends who I have not spoken to in decades - some as far back as grade school and I’m pushing 50 now. It actually creeps me the hell out! Lol There were are so many more though. Scripting conversations. Even after the conversation happened! Exactly what I do. God, this is gonna be fun! Haha…I’m not really sure about that, actually. 🤨 I love your channel though. It’s hard to explain but it’s better than all of the others I’ve seen. Keep up the great job! 👍
It was my parents who convinced me I wasn't autistic. For years I took medication for mental health conditions I never had! The behavioural issues as an adult meant I was in trouble with the law all the time, so it truly can destroy lives. Your videos are a fantastic way of raising awareness. When I understood how I felt it became easier to predict and cope with. I am still a very lonely, but completely healthy autistic adult, and take no medication at all. My anxiety is limited to crowded or noisy environments, whereas before it would intrude into everything. Thank you! If there are any people here who this sounds familiar to, and you'd like some advice, I'm always looking for friends...
My parents kept me shielded from mental health for a long time and just assumed I was an anxious child who would grow out of my neurotic tendencies. I am 26 now and I am not diagnosed with autism but it makes so much sense if it were to be true. How have you managed your anxieties day to day? I am suspecting I have a PDA profile so anxieties come from demands even like if I decide I want to watch a show to make a TH-cam video on it suddenly I'm terrified to watch the show amd my brain turns to static when I try to start.
Can I be a bit provocative? There is an often quoted truism that goes - "if you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person". However, in my decades of experience, we are really all the same in non-clinical terms, an extreme personality type. So much of my life has been text book autistic, mostly without me being aware of it. Also the experiences of other autistic people so resonate with me it's almost unbelievable. Does anyone else "feel" this to be the case?
I met with the autistic community in my area for the very first time. And I recognized them bevor entering the building. Just standing at the traffic lights in a certain kind auf manner... And it felt like "coming home to a long lost kind of family"
@@loreleyvomfelsen9542 how did u find depression support group? Did u feel very anxious about the social part? I did a group thing that was about self compassion and it was in person, also it was all women and I'm a woman so that could b y it felt better, also the woman in charge I really liked, she wasn't very dominant, very sweet person. Now I'm in a virtual therapy thing which is a group for anxiety and depression and I find it really hard socially. There's often time to share and no one wants to so I feel I have to just to keep things moving and make the therapist feel like things r working smoothly. Sometimes I don't really understand what's expected and I think maybe I take too much time when I share or like idk, like I didn't say the right thing
I don't have the experience to say whether we are that alike with eachother yet and I'm also not 100% sure I'm autistic but it is amazing how u can feel like certain people understand u. I identify a lot with different autistic creators on youtube
17. really hit me. I work in a grocery store and we're expected to "look out for suspicious people" or just not help them. A man had come over and asked for some food, I handed it to him like nothing was wrong and noticed he had nose drippings so I offered a napkin. My coworker told me later how creeped out she was in seeing him and why I helped him. Or when I helped someone to the bathroom cause there's a code on the door, and another coworker asked why I allowed him in the bathroom. I'm clearly not cut out for this.
Same. I think it's just the world we live in is devoid of community and we are forced to put people into boxes and judge them accordingly. It feels heartless
Thank you for letting people use the bathroom. I don't like shoplifters at my retail job but at the same time everyone deserves the dignity to use a toilet.
I do not understand what was wrong with either of those situations. Man has a cold but can't get some food? Someone needs the restroom? You'd better let them in because the alternative is a big mess on the floor.
Eating the same thing again and again. That is so me, I take it as me being indecisive so I just go for the same food until I'm tired of it. Also watching the same tv shows or movies. This is so true. It's comforting even though ive watched them enough to remember the lines by heart
Relating to animals more than people = YES! I relate to this one so much. I have always loved dogs more than other animals and animals more than people. I've been told that I'm cold and heartless, because I "wasn't upset enough" at my grandmother's funeral.
same i didn't shed a tear at my great grandma's funeral but when the neighbor's cat died i was bawling i can read animal expression and body language, but not human
Of the 5 funerals for family/friends, the only one that upset me was the one for my best friend. Every pet death though has sent me into months long depression.
a lot of this video speaks to me, especially the memory part. I can remember every detail about one specific unimportant day 5 years ago but not the things i just learned a week ago
Same. I can memorize and recount the most useless/unimportant information from years ago but I cannot for the life of me remember anything I don't learn.
EVERY single one of these calls me out 😭 especially the "always having to ask why" one, i always get into arguments because i keep needing to know why or i "keep asking too many questions" and even after realizing i'm autistic i still never understood why me trying to understand something is always an annoyance to people
Same, we never grow out of the but why stage. I have learnt parenting Autistics the frustration is in people not knowing the answers and wanting you to do the research, and sometimes because to survive in the world many people settle for not knowing but miss that desire to ask why...and we live in a world that discourages people to ask why and expect us just to mindlessly go with the crowd...and we don't like to be told what to do😊
It also challenges people to look at themselves and why they just accept things..and many just want to conform and not stand out, so we make them uncomfortable because we often dig till we find truth.
When I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia, my doctor told me to surround myself with people with fibromyalgia. I didn't do it, but turned out to be a great advice. I will hang out more with my autistic friends. Thank you
Just got diagnosed this January. Your channel has helped me enormously over the last few months. I counted about 46 traits that I definitely have. I find it so comforting to know that there are so many other people who experience the world in similar ways.
55 out of 63, so yes, this all seems a bit familiar. I didn't expect dressing in bright colors to be on the list. I love neutrals and soothing colors. Most bright colors are overstimulating for me.
I got 44 out of 63 and have long suspected that I'm borderline autistic. I mostly wear neutral colours as well. I relate to a lot of issues he mentions on this channel
Me too, i hate wearing bright colors. It's very overwhelming. I like to use black, gray, white etc. It's what makes me comfortable. But people criticize me for that sadly
for me I have preferences for certain textures of clothing, if it's to smooth or to rough I tend to steer clear. I will admit to not liking neon colors, I prefer darker/warm colors XD
Like he said, for many of these the opposite traits apply as well. We tend to be at the extremes of a lot of things, like sensory seeking and sensory avoidance both being characteristics of autism, so some of us like the brightest colors we can find and others can't stand them.
1. Hating phone calls 2. Always feeling out if sync in groups 3. Obsession over popular culture 4. Tired all the time 5. Not like being told what to do 6. Seeing people as people and not caring about social class or expectations 7. Good at something useless 8. Prefer face to face communication to avoid misunderstanding (irl. Especially when having friend issues) 9. Struggling to find a gap in group conversation 10. Being overly empathic 11. Finding inappropriate things funny 12. Always wanting to understand why 13. Thinking in pictures 14. Prefer pacing up and down instead of sitting still 15. Getting excited and interrupting ppl 16. Thinking over previous social interactions over n over again 17. Either having good memory (bout some things) or bad memory (with everything else) 18. Hating teeth brushing 19. Overwhelmed by to many tasks 20. Watching same movie/TV series 21. Awkward in groups 22. Thinking outside the box 23. having unique brilliant ideas 24. two speed productivity 25. Always finishing what u start even if you should stop 26. Scripting conversation 27. Clever but stupid ...about a quarter of traits.
Interesting about hating teeth brushing! I do, but do it meticulously every night. Lots of others apply but I never, ever connected this with anything but a peculiarity of my own.
Oof. Did not expect to have 50 out of the 63 mentioned. It became clear a couple days ago that there's a very high chance I am, plus I have a sister already diagnosed with autism. Been watching several videos now and these are just cementing the suspicions
I am 54 years old and have recently been diagnosed Autistic/ADHD. It's not a subject that I have paid any attention to over the years but am having a great time researching now. It's actually a wonderful feeling to find out that someone has already written a manual for what I have always thought were my own personal quirks and shortcomings. This channel is really helping me to 'find myself' in a very simple and understandable way (your'e not an oddball if there are a billion more people like you). This video in particular was like watching all of my lottery numbers coming in one after the other - thank you so much Paul for the reassurance and understanding you are sharing, it means a lot.
I'm 46 and kind of realizing there is a pretty good chance I'm autistic. I've been considering the possibility I might be for probably the last 15 years. I asked my mom about it the other day. She said describe autism, so I did. She was like yep, that makes sense. I would say I probably stood out more as a child but I understand my "quirks" better as an adult.
Today my insecurities hit again and made me question if I'm "autistic enough to actually call myself autistic" even though I'm actually diagnosed (I've been diagnosed at the age of 29 which is why I still have doubts sometimes). Then I watched this video and counted all the points on your list that match me, realize what I'm doing and realized "Yep, I'm definitely autistic!" My result: 51 out of 63 traits.
My result IS 56 Out of 63 undiagnosed, am kinda Unsure whatever I am Reading to much into IT or misreading the criteria somehow cause I think ai am good at masking and Fake way more competancy then I got
@asterross Same here. My parents already had a suspicion ever since I was a child, but I never got a proper diagnosis. My friends would often say I behave autistic and I'd always be in denial and say something stupid like "I'm not autistic, I'm just not trying hard enough!" Then, one day, the psychiatrist gave me the assessment paper and basically told me, "You tried your hardest, but you can't change the fact that you're autistic."
I think I got about 57 😆 that’s a great list. I like hearing these kind of descriptions rather than the text book ones - it’s the sometimes subtle aspects of our daily lives that are unmistakeable ND when you put it all together
44, but have had more in various stages of life. Ex: hating phone calls. I used to get so much anxiety even making an appointment, but I made myself do it and now it doesn’t bother me at all. The trying new things. I had a lot of anxiety around that one too, but made myself do/try new things, realized I was good at most things, so now I really enjoy it! The eating the same thing. I did this for YEARS, but it was mostly a way to keep my weight under control. Probably need to revisit that one, lol.
I laughed so hard watching this! My boyfriend started calling me Literal Lucy a few years ago, makes us both laugh. Another joke we have is that I don't like going 'anywhere the general public gathers'. My non-verbals are epic. My mind goes way too fast for my words to catch up, exhausts me to try to put my thoughts into words. I frequently default to non-verbals to finish my sentences--something I never knew until he started teasing me about it. Can't lie or even spin the truth to save my life and I go crazy when others lie. These are only a few of my behaviors that I'm discovering at the age of 57 are signs of autism (he has no idea, just a keen observer). Anyway, AWESOME VIDEO, thank you!! 🐥
Hey Paul. Thanks to your channel I finally decided to get my diagnosis professionally. I'm 25 and for as long as I can remember I always felt different, not being able to socialise, not understanding other people's humour and always adapting myself to my surroundings so I wouldn't feel "the black sheep", even thought it gave me major anxiety and panic attacks... Thanks to you and the content in your channel I decided to schedule an appointment with a psychologist so I can finally put all my doubts to rest concerning my Asperger.
45 traits out of the 63. Good list: clear and concise. I generally struggle with stuff like this, because the descriptions tend to be ambiguous and I hate giving yes/no replies when I don't feel absolutely certain about what I'm responding to. I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in February 2022, at age 46.
I had my autism misdiagnosed as ADD when I was younger, and only started noticing my sensitivity to things as an adult. It's very frustrating not being able to get a proper diagnosis, especially when people don't "believe" you despite it becoming a near certainty
Around 40 of these apply to me. I've been suspecting that I'm autistic, so this video helps with researching it. I've never been diagnosed, so I'm not gonna assume that I am. I want to get a second opinion from a diagnosed autistic friend before I talk to my parents about getting diagnosed. I have a Google Doc of autism symptoms I have, ways I stim, and a few autism memes I relate to that I'm using to keep track of why I might be autistic.
I would add another one, feeling awkward when someone takes a picture of you, not being able to smile naturally or what facial expression to use, body position. I like my pictures when I don’t know I’m being photographed but I feel strange and awkward when someone wants to take my picture, I feel unworthy, unattractive, pretentious etc
i don't smile for pictures and I've been told a couple of times that strangers seeing me in a ic have asked if I'm Polish ... I guess they don't smile much :-) (irony is I comminicate in emojis online)
My daughter smiles the exact moment we put down the camera :D But sometimes when she's climbing or sitting in a tree, she forgets anything around her and we can catch her wonderful smile.
Pictures and any kind of posing/putting on airs is beyond mortifying for me. Sometimes I see autistic people on social media doing the whole song and dance and it's completely bewildering.
I'm interested to know how a diagnosis late in life is of any benefit . I'm 62 , i've had my life , i had a job for 38 yrs , married with 3 children , had a mortgage , have 7 grand children have taken retirement ............and a lot of those examples apply to me . I don't consider myself as being disadvantaged because of certain traits in my behaviour , people , family are used to my odd sense of humour , my wife has always accepted i don't like being touched , i'm not a touchy feely man , just 2 things that are ME . I wont be pigeon holed because it's seen as being fashionable or as an excuse for the way i am ............I'M ME , if somebody doesn't like it .....TOUGH !!
@@roystone9932 I think it’s early days but the most helpful thing has been the way “it fits”- finally I have an explanation for the repeating struggles I have had all my life. I am being careful of who I tell and the last thing I want is for people to think it’s all I talk about. However, having the validation of a professional diagnosis it gives the assurance I haven’t just convinced myself I’m autistic, which then means friends and family as less doubting… because as far as they are concerned, I am successful in life but just have ‘bumps in the road’ - they don’t see the inner turmoil
I am 72 years old and this video describes me in so many ways. I am just comforted to know I am not alone. I am so sensitive to others that I’ve always thought of myself as empathic. Lately I have to schedule less and less contact with people because I just can’t cope. No one would believe this because people think of me as friendly and outgoing. When I’m with people something takes over and I’m focused on the other person listening,empathizing,encouraging. I have learned to be able to talk to anyone, especially if they seem uncomfortable or troubled. But later I pay an awful price. I won’t be seeking out a group of people similar to myself because that would be even more stressful; but I thank you for your work and videos. I am just going to appreciate who I am and try to take better care of myself. Who would have thought? Autism is something I would have never dreamed of; but it make’s perfect sense now. I think this will give me some peace.
I wish you all the best. Actually happy to read that you, as a 72 year old, find comfort in this video & the posibility that you might have found your answer. Never forget, you're never alone 🫶🏻
A lot of this applies to me. I like patterns, which causes me to think logically, and that has actually helped me in areas such as taking standardized tests such as the ACT test. I got a perfect 36 on it in 30 minutes without having studied and only taking it once.
Planning conversations in advance, two speed productivity, preferring written conversation, someone so clever being so (SO) stupid, (very, very)comfortable being alone (and only being alone) - all of these are so relatable for me. In total, I counted around 45 traits which matched me 😶
I'm a private teacher and I seem to attract many autistic students, with whom I connect in various surprising ways! Thank you for this precious information!!!
I was diagnosed with Asperger’s at 52. Suddenly everything made sense and I see it as a gift except that maintaining romantic relationships have always been short lived. Mostly I prefer to be alone 90% of the time.
I'm not diagnosed with autism, but I am diagnosed with ADHD combined, anxiety and depression and I find that I can relate to a lot of the symptoms people with autism tend to experience. For example, all the social anxiety and the forgetfulness and interrupting people when excited and having a very bad sense of humor. I've been trying to get tested for autism, but with my other diagnoses I've found it hard to convince my doctors that I should get tested at all because most of my symptoms can be chalked down to what I'm already diagnosed with. But as of right now I'm not diagnosed, so I'm not going to say I'm autistic. But I am going to say that I can relate.
Same, diagnosed with adhd-c and anxiety (and on an antidepressant) and I related to at least 40 of these 63 things. I don’t think an official autism diagnosis would help me right now, but it’s really interesting and comforting finding things relatable
wait you have adhd and anxiety and your doctors don't think there's a possibility of asd?? wtf? its fairly common for people with asd to also have adhd, ocd, and/or anxiety
As some others have said, I’m undiagnosed, but my son is on the spectrum. That has forced me to look in the mirror and question myself. My mom has told me that when I was younger she always used to say about me, “how can someone so booksmart have no common sense?” 😂
Same here......my son is diagnosed as autistic and through his early intervention programme and therapies....I saw similar behaviours from my own childhood.....
I was diagnosed just a month ago (at 42) after a psych eval. I found it all very fascinating. Something I found out about, and was alluded to in the video with a couple of the items, is I have something called Demand Avoidance. If I'm not already inclined to do a thing, it is nearly impossible to get me to do that thing by telling me I "have" to do it. It explains so very much about how I operated at school and how I operate at work. Also why I will never watch a movie/show or listen to a song or band (unless I already had an interest in it) if someone tells me I have to watch/listen to it. Even if they mean well.
I'm autistic, currently 19, but have been diagnosed ever since I was a toddler. This is an aspect of life that I've had countless issues with. I have things I enjoy doing, but I will not do it if I don't feel motivated towards it. Works the other way too, I'll act on a whim when something peaks my interest, even if it's something I normally wouldn't care to do. Growing up in confused my parents, as I'd get aggravated when tasked with something that the day before I had zero issues with; it was something they always struggled to understand
Does the demand avoidance affect what you find funny as well? Whenever someone tells me that i just have to watch something hilarious I find that it's never funny to me. It's like my sense of humor evaporates as soon as they approach me with it and I just do an uncomfortable fake laugh to get it over with.
63/63 Well, good thing I'm finishing up the process of getting my diagnosis haha. Thank you Paul, your videos were so informative and important in my life since a year ago, in order to reach this point. For the first time in my life, I don't feel so alone and alien to almost everyone, I no longer have to hide myself, nor beat myself up for not reaching certain "standards" or not being able to fit in. Love and stay strong everyone❤
I'm not diagnosed with autism and stuff, but a lot from this video implies to me, so I'll point out some of my additional observations that might be related. 1. I enjoy watching how mechanisms and vehicles, you know, just operate, do their job. Any time there is a truck passing by or a train it will immediately catch my attention and I would be admiring it in very details, listening to it, watching how wheels are spinning etc like a little kid, although I'm a grown ass adult. I'm also inclined to to enjoy such videos on TH-cam with different machinery, just looking at it. Feels a bit childish and weird but I require it for some reason.
I was wondering if I had ADHD, but after this video, I might want to get tested for both. And, also, I LOVE finding out how things work as well :D I find it so relaxing/interesting to see how pieces are made, what components make something move, or how something is assembled. The “why” is just as important to me as the “what”.
SAME It's like super interesting to unassemble things just to see how it is put together and how random things work. I find it relaxing and fun:D @@MakoTheFish
Your video really hit home. I don't think I am ready to experience a group seeing, but I will have a better relationship with my seven year old granddaughter who is diagnosed autistic and was non- verbal. She has ASL, which I learned with her and this summer began to speak some words as she signs. I think I probably have or have had at least 40 of these traits, I have lived long and work on myself allot. With that being said, the trait that resonated the most was early language and reading young. I could read before preschool, I remember teaching myself. I remember having conversations with a relative that passed when I was 3. I thought that meant I couldn't be autistic. Then I started really thinking about the possibility that I am autistic sans regression. I may not have the courage too explore this right at the moment, but this long comment has a simple purpose. I wanted you to understand why I am grateful to you. Thank you very much,, your video will truly help me to understand and support my grandbaby.
I got 52. I was diagnosed last year. It was one of your videos that started me on the path to finding this out about myself. I already knew I am ADHD (diagnosed @23,) but many of my experiences ran contrary to the many people I have met and known that were adhd. Discovering @41 that I am autistic as well actually gave explanation to most of the differences. You talking about your experiences and relating them to the diagnostic criteria is what started this journey for me, and I want to say thank you. Hearing a sane person describe so many of my experiences instead of the usual "you have to be making that up / exaggerating," "nobody thinks / feels like that," "you're just too [fill in blank]" really means so much. Again, thank you.
You are the reason I discovered my autism at age 45. Thank you. My life is completely berserk at the moment, thinking of everything that's happened in my life and now knowing the reason why. You have made more difference in my life than anyone before because of your videos. I really appreciate what you do, I'm sure you don't hear it enough so I'll say it again. You have made more difference in my life than anyone before because of your videos. Now I have a starting point to work from. Thank you again.
I already know what it's like to hang around a lot of autistic people. We were all artists and my closest friends had very autistic traits. I think art and music attracts neurodiverse folk, because, like myself, they can fit in somewhat. I always felt, even with a lot of friends hanging around, that I was too weird for the weirdos. I have two friends now, and at times I feel a sense of despair, not as bad as I did when I socialized. The thing I did to mask my sense of being an outsider is to drink heavily. Not so people thought I was a lush, but just enough to maintain a buzz so I could numb myself and "be pleasant". I partied a lot and had fun, danced to avoid a lot of conversation, but I didn't really find many close ties. Not ever. I have this habit of giving out tmi. It has always made people uncomfortable. And if I did engage in conversation with my friends I was seen as insufferable because I talked too much. I don't let a person get a word in. I have gotten to the point where I have to say fuckem all. I hate being treated like a creep. I'm 68 now and my therapist insists that I can change. I don't think I can. I cannot fit in and it is what every human seems to want whenever I have contact with them. The song Symphony of Life. That is what it feels like
This is true (the part about art and music attracting neurodivergent people). I've always been really interested in art and music, it's really fun for me. I think what i like a lot about it is that it has rules on certain conditions which is usually really easy to follow, but generally is very open to whatever you want to do with it, so there isn't necessarily a wrong way to make art or music. A lot of things that have very specific and complicated rules can be overwhelming, but with art and music, especially when self taught, it can make it a lot more of an enjoyable thing to navigate because there's not much pressure of 'doing it right'. I didn't actually know anything about autism until late last year and after hyper-fixating on research on it for a few days i learned a lot and noticed patterns in all of my friends as well as myself. For me, art and music is a place for me to fit in when i feel I don't belong anywhere else. It's always provided comfort for me.
Sorry but this is just plain incorrect. While you get people like Eminem (yes he's aspergers/autistic if you didn't know), generally speaking it's STEM fields and journalism that attract autistic people, not the arts.
@@RassionellMaddman well that's what's typically shown in media, but that's not exactly the case. While there definitely are neurodivergent people who are really into science and math and whatnot, you'd be surprised to learn how many are into the arts or entertainment medias as well. I know quite a few people with autism and adhd and almost all of them are interested in exclusively art or music. Except for my best friend who likes computer science, but she also likes art and music as well :]
I've lived for a long time thinking all of these traits were normal things everybody did until I realized that I have entirely surrounded myself with artists and outliers, most of whom are definitely on the spectrum, for decades. Of course it's all normal to me. When I get outside that, around 9-5 "polite society," I feel like I just feel to earth from another planet where I have no clue what's going on.
i heavily related to 50 of these (and was the complete opposite of the rest of them). a lot of people don't think i'm autistic because i learned to speak, read, and write super early (and as a kid i was categorized as "highly gifted") but what a lot of people is that often autism and "giftedness" go hand-in-hand. it also doesn't help that i spend a large portion of my childhood and teen years heavily masking (as i had been taught there was a "correct" way to behave) and so people didn't really notice my stimming, weird sense of humor, or lack of understanding of social situations. add that to the fact that a lot of my experiences with autism are internal, like my anxiety, sensory issues, or scripting conversations, and i'm still undiagnosed
I counted 48/63, and the one that stood out to me as something I absolutely not do is the bright colors thing. I prefer darker colors, and watching bright colors is just too much stimuli for hypersensitivity.
@@Kradch1 oh same. i'm pretty sure my family thinks i wear a lot of black bc i'm goth or emo or something, when in reality it's just that colors are exhausting to look at
well, I was full of imposter syndrome bc I have an appointment this weekend to finally get a diagnosis, but now I got 55 out of 63 so 😅 feeling much better now😂
61/63 I have ADHD and anxiety. The only two I didn't at least partially relate with was telling the truth even when you shouldn't (usually I lie to not hurt someone's feelings) and always finishing what you started (I have to really really love it). I definitely related with 3 the most: 63-How could someone be so smart yet so stupid? Im above grade level by at least 2 grades in every subject, yet sometimes I forget how old I am. Or cut my hair by myself... 56-preferring written communication. Yesss! I love writing stories so much and whenever I do something hard I write it out first 36-enjoying repetition. I loved when you repeated that clip and I laughed so hard. I especially love whiteboards and other things where you write it and then erase and rewrite it. My mom always says there's no way I'm autistic, but this video basically proves my point. In books or videos about autistic people, I relate soooo much. I feel like I could basically be that person. I'm going to keep pressuring my mom to get me tested for autism.
I'd recommend you check it out! There's a huge amount of people with ADHD who are also autistic - it's estimated that up to 80% of autistic people are ADHD too. Realising I was autistic was life changing. My mum didn't think I was autistic at first either, but it's so important to go with what is right for you. It is a lot of effort, but I would recommend that every time you see a trait in yourself, write it down. Or compile a playlist of videos or creators that you relate to. Soon, you'll have so much evidence it's hard to argue with! Also look into autism in the developmental stages. If you bring that to the assessment process, they pretty much have to assess you! Wishing you all the best in your endeavours!
Man, that last one is so relatable. It seems like it's the only thing people around me can say to me. Telling me I'm so smart, and they don't understand when I act stupid sometimes.
My son was diagnosed with being on the spectrum many, many years ago, and the more I've learned about autism, the more I've thought I see it in myself. I tallied these traits as you went through them and 53 of them resonated with me, some very strongly. I know that at 66 years old I've never been comfortable with people, always felt out of sync, and struggled with so much that seems to come easily to others, although I'm quite intelligent and am singled out for handling things (usually organizational or in a leadership role) that others have difficulty with. I wish autism had had the recognition it does now back in my developmental years when I felt so very awkward and alone. Thank goodness people on the spectrum don't have to feel isolated anymore.
exactly, and just because most people have preconceived opinions on what 'autism looks like' its very hard to communicate world views with them or opinions and sometimes dont even believe you have autism because you have learnt to 'mask' it so well 'masking' - the term for adapting in social situations. i struggle to make my parents understand my perspective after avoiding the conversation for so many years but they insist on blaming external things and feeling heartbroken as they think im in a deep pit, but in reality they dont see it in a positive light as i do, they just thought i was always happy, but in reality ive discovered the addictive personality type i have been given, managed to quit smoking after smoking occasionally for 2/3 years as ive not been able to be open with parents they just dont understand, and i feel like its impossible to unmask as they think im 'sad'. XD
doesnt help the communist escape era they lived through and the fact 'mental health' in their eyes is non existent and if its brought up you are considered victimiser or simply 'retarded' rather than different.
That 'all or nothing' point stood out to me. I've been functioning like that, knowing I was like that for years. A lot of these traits matched up with my own practices or perceptions. I'm finding others who 'get it' in recent years, thank goodness! And it's great to have a friend group who at least tries to understand. Thanks for sharing this!
for me, “all or nothing” is all at work, nothing at home lmao. home is where i lay in bed all day watching one of my comfort shows for the idk how many times and eating noodles every day in my stitch tracksuit that i wear every day. Asocial and unbothered by people work is where i deal with customers, appear social and charismatic and am super productive. For reference, i work at a hotel not sure if i am autistic, ADHD, both or neither, but i relate to many traits lol
I got 45/63 - What spoke to me most was rehearsing conversations in my mind before having them, and thinking about what I could have said after conversations. Meanwhile, preferring non verbal communication because I can perfect what I want to say before saying it…
Probably my strongest one too. It's so second-nature to me now that it's weird to me that neurotypicals don't do it (but they seem to draw from a universal source of scripts). It takes me 15 minutes to make a 1 minute phone call because I have to create a script first. I also have imaginary conversations in my head all day so I am prepared for almost anything that could come up in conversation. On Mondays I have to remember that people are going to ask me about my weekend and I need to come up with something that is interesting enough to pacify them, but not so much that they'll ask follow-up questions (because lately my honest answer would be something like "I transcribed my primary school reports into a spreadsheet")
Isn't that just a sign of social anxiety though? Or to some degree (at least thinking about better things you could have said after the conversation is already over) even something almost everybody experiences?
ive never been diagnosed with autism, but ive been starting to believe i have it, and seeing that i relate to so many of these (almost all of them), has made me realize even more that i might have it. thank you for this video.
As an autistic person myself I kept nodding at practically all of these, and I’m confident in saying this is my personality and it makes me who I am and it makes me a truly unique individual.
42/63 spot on, maybe a few more with slight differences in nuances. For example the first one with the clothing I'm the opposite, never wearing bright colors, therefor I didn't count it in. My favorite backpack is neon green though, but its not clothing and it's comfortable even when full and heavy and has good extra pockets so I can easily find certain stuff in certain pockets when needed.
My adult daughter told me suddenly that she believes she's autistic, I didn't believe her, picturing behavior like rocking, non verbal etc. She's one of the smartest and most creative people I know. That being said, after watching this, I realized I had basically 90% of these traits! I also am very creative, love my own company, hate crowds and am awkward around people (especially large family groups) see patterns in everything and think outside the box, not being very good in school I grew up ending up in accounting and I love numbers! Pretty sure most of the people at work are as well, I would think "they are a little "off" but seemed normal. Very eye opening! I'm 100% sure my 95 year old Mother is as well. She's obsessed with order, knows how many knives,forks spoons we have, if I take a glass downstairs, she immediately knows it's missing, is ruled by "order" and regimes, down to eating the same thing every day for breakfast and lunch, can't cook without a recipe and more! Of course she could also be obsessive/compulsive or just extremely organized!
Hi friend, very cool to read this. My own parents are balking at my having brought this up, and yet, I can imagine a world in which my own father comes here and leaves a post just like yours. So, thanks for being open-minded. Hopefully it has helped you in some way. As for your mother's very exacting behavior autistic vs. obsessive compulsive, generally the difference is the reason behind the behavior. If she is keeping such tight tabs on things because she believes negative things will happen in the future otherwise, then that leans more OCD. The compulsion to keep order is effectively treating the obsessive worry over future negative events. However, if the obsessive-looking orderliness is just really about efficiency or something else, we are back in the realm of ASD being more likely. Anyway, hope that helps in some way, I'm just someone who takes a serious interest in these things and enjoys sharing a little bit of information with internet strangers while pacing around in my kitchen. Hahaha. Totally on brand! 😂
This channel keeps feeling more and more like a warm safespace, and I really enjoy how you go about validating differences. I, for one, am so easily impressed by people and not at all at the same time. I see them as people, and that's that. If you are passionate about nature or know a lot of facts about something, I find that so deeply fascinating. But social status, money and titles don't mean anything to me:')
Well, but I think most autistics got like 40 of these so the thing about this checklist is about the amount and how much these impact our lives. Take the "can't read between lines" thing, it's so hard for me it constantly caused me trouble on my job
I agree. I think autism is a form of more complex introversion as I have lots of these traits and so does my son with Aspergers. I think that psychopathy or narcissism could be an extreme form of extroversion. Just an opinion.
Eh, ASD, as well as other neurological or psychological conditions, is defined by as in how many traits do you exhibit, as well as how much these traits affect you/other people. In this topic, 16 is not significant out of a list of 62
52/63, and self diagnosed (I've done research for a year). I have ADHD (professionally diagnosed), which just amps the possibility of autism. I have sensory issues, go nonverbal when confronted, forget a lot of things, etc. I also have signs of D.I.D (again, research for a year) which could explain the memory. I plan to get diagnosed for both once I'm over 18 so my parents don't bug me about it:3
The brushing your teeth one was so specific but it is so true for me. I hate brushing my teeth. The taste of the very spicy mint toothpaste, the hard bristles brushing against my gums, the gagging, and the excess wetness dribbling down my cheeks. Its the worst. Although I have found a way to make brushing more pleasant: salt flavoured toothpastes are amazing, those new soft extreme fine bristle brushes are so good, and playing music really distracts me from the gagging and the weird tactile feeling of the water on my face.
As someone who also struggled with avoidance that came from a lot of the sensory stuff for brushing my teeth (in addition to an ADHD struggle to remember to do it), the way I conquered both was adopting the routine of brushing my teeth in the shower. There was an adjustment to using hot water, but it both made the brushing part of the daily hygiene routine, and got me past the foaming, drooling, mess-making issues, while the full-body sensory overload of the shower's water dwarfed the bristle-and-toothpaste stuff enough to let me get it done at least once a day.
oranurse toothpaste changed my life. It's got no flavour, it doesn't foam. I don't use it every single day (even though it's totally affordable enough that I could) because a gentle mint toothpaste usually solves that sensory issue enough, but on days where I'm particularly tired or otherwise overwhelmed having the much lower sensory experience can make the difference between brushing my teeth or not.
Exactly! Too much going on, and the feeling is just aggravating. Especially with very sensitive teeth and cold water + mint toothpaste makes it a struggle. I've learned to use warm water now, and also swapped away from spin brushes
One more thing i wanted to mention - yes, I used to re-watch the same shows (the office) and movies over and over again, but that went away after I started on my antidepressant... so for me it was a comfort thing that was more depression related. Unless it's specifically a symptom of an autistic depression with the repetition meaning comfort. Anyway - i thought I'll share in case some is stuck on that re-watch cycle - definitely check on your mood 💚💛🧡
well, it's usually a comfort thing, so if you already feel more comfortable then you may not feel the same need for sameness in experience in some things
I read/listen to the same book trilogy over and over again. It's my emotional support and I definitely do it more when I'm stressed out. Now I don't go to a daily job and I need to do this a lot less.
48/63 I'm not diagnosed, still doing a lot of research, only just recently started suspecting that I am autistic about 2 weeks ago when I watched one of your videos purely out of curiosity. It's crazy all the things this video is making me think about, like my absolute refusal to learn to read growing up, until my mom made a point of getting me hooked on a series of kids books and then stopped reading to me so that I had to read them myself. Correcting my teacher's math mistakes while struggling really hard to learn the ABC's/phonics. Reading at or above college level when I started high school, and wanting to take extra advanced math classes but being held back because I was behind in most all of my other classes. Literally having to completely deprive myself of the joy of reading for fun because I was incapable of getting anything else done until I finished whatever book or series I was into at the time.
I'm diagnosed ADHD but have been wondering about ASD. You just described my life experience to a T, except I struggled with basic math (dyscalculia) and was advanced in language arts. The part about how you learned to read is uncanny. My mom read me the first 2 Harry Potter books and the rest was history. Thank you for sharing, I feel validated on a level I didn't think was possible.
@@timmyjean4377 Really? I never hear that from anyone🤯now I feel a little more validated too. Thank you. I have suspected that I have ADHD for a long time, but I've never been diagnosed for that either, and the stories of autistic people's experiences that I relate to the most are usually from people who are autistic and have ADHD.
@@timmyjean4377 As yet undiagnosed for ASD, but I've been thinking about my past a lot, and remembered how in elementary school I got hooked on the Harry Potter series. I'd never read another book like it (middle-grade fiction), and just couldn't bear to have it end. I was in the middle of my 4th consecutive reading of the series when my teacher and school librarian intervened. 😊
58 out of 63 I have yet to be diagnosed with anything, and I am fairly certain I have something that is yet to be diagnosed, I suspect it may be Aspergers, because a lot of the physical, mental, and behavioral things in that are very very relatable, even my mom thinks I may have a bit of aspergers, and she has always been very set on telling me there isn't anything wrong with me whenever I would talk about my mental health, so for her to say that was a bit of a relief because that means she's starting to believe me more and starting to pick up on the things I've brought up.
Being really good at things other people find hard - and really bad at things other people find easy …
Seeing the things that everyone missed. Missing the things that everyone saw. My foreman has me double-check him after he inspects our work because he knows I'll see stuff he missed even if I miss stuff he saw. He knows I'm 'different' in a lot of ways.
Yeah I have a real difficulty with sense of direction
@@heedmydemands
Me too 💯😊
my 15.6 million high score in mobile tetris when none of my friends can pass the 500k mark
edit: attention span is the main thing here for me lol. used to be so obsessed w minecraft, more than any of my friends. after everyone would stop playing on a world, id be there for a other 6 months
Yes!😊
My favourite description of an autistic trait is "I miss what others catch, but I catch what others miss"
So true for me.
I'm literally teaching myself to pick up on subtle social cues in cinema and IRL. When I can actually predict the "unexpected social thing" in a movie/TV show, I actually get a bit proud lol
@@NickWrightDataYT Excellent! And so you should get a bit proud - it's a gift!
I have been able to read body language and emotions ever since I was small and yet in many situations still cannot figure out the right response. I chew over what I should have said or what I should say for days. I would do well as a psychic mute 😂
Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see- Oscar Wilde, I believe.
@@stevevitka7442 Oo, I like it, Steve - I haven't heard that one!
I am in a special category "I miss what others catch, AND I miss what others miss". So I am twice as talented.
"How could someone so clever be so stupid?" I felt that 😂
For sure, im considered smart but Im also such an airhead
Yeah I even think this about myself some, pretty sure others do too
Right?? Haha
My parents used to ask me that all the time!
So did I. The things that come out of my mouth do not align with the things I actually do.
I can add one more to the list : being obsessed with interests and suddenly not caring
That's adhd. Not autism. But then again adhd is probably a form of autism.
@@ebossnz6838adhd is not a form of autism but people with autism have around a 50% chance of having adhd which is why the symptoms overlap a lot.
@@ebossnz6838it’s not a form of autism, it’s a form of neurodivergence
I think he's explained a load of normal things. This guy is a fraud.
As someone in his mid 30s, I've had several 'intense' interests over the years: Pencil boxes, fountain pens, calculators, bicycles, motorcycles, guns, computers, smartphones, video games.
My interest in motorcycles in particular bordered on obsession but now, I don't care about them anymore.
I mean, I still love them and check them out from time to time. But I don't lose my sleep whenever Ducati announces a brand new Monster or Hypermotard, for example.
“Seeing people as people” is one I personally relate to. I’ve always thought that racism and such things were stupid, because we’re all human beings.
Look this is the strength of autism I have as well. We see how life is the way it is, social structures can make us more stupid and hateful towards others sometimes.
I related to it in that I, a high school teacher, relate to students as people rather than as students. Each is an individual. I like some, dislike others, treat them all professionally. It was a drawback in my career that I didn't want to spend my off time volunteering with teenagers.
@Amina90982 what the
@@apocalypseofplushIt is a spam bot and I've reported it as such. I would encourage others to do the same.
@@adamlane6453 Yeah, figured.
I think it’s important to note that a lot of these things can be caused by trauma or be signs of Childhood PTSD
there's some great vids on this channel regarding trauma and autism
A lot of parents seem to have an obsession bordering on delusion centered around having a "normal" child. When a person's natural inborn traits are treated as a problem to be corrected instead of just how they are it's pretty reasonable to expect that many would walk away from their childhood traumatized.
A well, I have autism and childhood PTSD so yeah
it's important to note that autism can be caused by trauma and PTSD
@@cameronnaylor4046 … no it can’t. sometimes childhood trauma can make autistic traits more obvious, but not cause them. we have no idea what ‘causes autism’ but we do know it’s biological not psychological. it’s a different neurotype, a structural brain difference.
Our son was severely autistic. He had several other issues . He was brilliant and had mechanical abilities. He did college-level math & science at 14. But had trouble dressing and using eating utensils. He died a month before his sixteenth Birthday. We miss him every day.
I'm so sorry. It sounds like you saw him for him, so I can only imagine he knew you truly loved him.
@@DeadNotSleeping789 Thank you, He was the sunshine of our lives. We had him late. I was 36 and we'd been told that because of my health issues, I'd never have a child. Despite his many challenges, he smiled and laughed all of the time. He was born in 1996. Back then most people had no idea about how to treat those with autism. We attended several conferences and then went home and just loved him.He never realized that he was any different than any other child.
🕯❤
Sincere condolences.
@@karlabanks4908 thank you. I won't lie, it's a pain I carry with me. It gets a bit easier to carry as time passes but never goes away.
Hate phone calls, thrive on written communication where I have the time to think about what I am going to say and a proper way to say it.
I thought this was typical 🤔
Do you obsess in written communication so much that you reread your texts even after you've sent them?
@@NobaahD I absolutely do.
Agreed. How about the feeling of when you don't have a pen nor paper with you, you find you have a jillion things going through your mind you want to write about. Then when you get the chance to write stuff down, you get writers block. Happens to me at least twice a week.
Phone calls, with a few exceptions, are awful!!!!
About 75% of these apply to me and yet my psychologists/therapists keep telling me I can't be autistic because I "maintain eye contact" and "am very good at empathy". 💀 The joys of being an undiagnosed woman!
One of the things that therapists don't tend to take into account with adults is that they've learned and mastered (some) masking skills throughout their lifetimes already. Most of the research is done on minors and they just tend to forget that these children grow up into adults too. I had a therapist tell me that I wasn't on the spectrum, so I decided to show up to my next appointment and completely unmasked (or unmask what I was knowledgable of). Her perception of me afterwards had changed. My best friend is 32 and she was finally diagnosed last year after many therapists.
Girls mask. They should know this!
I'm a minor, but I live in a small town, so the doctors kinda suck. I asked abt getting a diagnosis but they said it was unlikely since it's more common in boys and if I did it was "very mild" and said I was "high-funcioning"
I started my learning journey back around 2014 maybe, I can't remember. But I went to the state mental health center and ended up getting in a fight with the in-take "specialist". She said (very haughtily) that there is no way I could have ASD because she works with autistic (boys) every single day and I don't have the traits. I mentioned that women display differently, and Tony Atwood's research, and the internet research I had done, including books, etc. And she practically sneered at me and thought I was utterly ridiculous with my "little internet research." The most she would give me is social anxiety and general anxiety disorders. I was trying to get support to get through college. She hated me.
She ended up sending me to some guy who was really creepy and only spent four sessions with him before he creeped me out so much I couldn't bring myself to go back. Not to mention those four sessions were mostly spent on him and "his practice" and all the bureaucracy crap. I finally did at least get a letter for my college to help with the anxiety. They told me I just need social skills training. We both know that's just the tip of the ice berg. I went to those free classes and that instructor also didn't like me. He invited the whole class back except me. 🙄 Life long experiences of rejection, hate, misunderstandings, no support, being taken advantage of, abuse, and the list goes on. I'm the ultimate loner and have had to figure everything out myself. I hope you fare better and find the support you need. It has at least gotten better in that respect since 2014! But here where I am it is an easy $3000 to go through the process of getting diagnosed. That doesn't mean they will actually diagnose you. So more exploitation. I gave up on getting diagnosed.
I agree, I have autism but I don't want to go through the run around again, I was misdiagnosed when I was younger and don't want to put up with it again.
Going over and over social interactions *before* they happen. It is like a movie playing in my head.
I used to do this when I would be reprimanded or had some sort of a teaching moment with an authority figure and, regrettably, it used to put my mom in some pretty frustrating situations.
I would literally freeze and sit there like a statue for hours sometimes, just thinking of all the ways that I might hope to convey what I was thinking/feeling and always ended up convincing myself I’d only ultimately be invalidated and unheard.
I might be wrong, but I think it came from the juxtaposition of extreme social anxiety and a need/desire for structure and rules to follow, almost in an algorithmic sense.
I hate this. People think I’m annoying or being dependent and difficult, but I’ve tried everything and am so exhausted by all the thought and agony that goes into important and even ANY conversations.
Very codependent on others doing the plannjng and negotiations and interviews and letters to businesses for me.
Because the time and energy invested by me yields minimal results.
I hate this and wish there were a way to figure out how to live like others- even if 30 years of wasted life has passed by.
I want a healthy life
@@visionvixxen I'm 67 and still go through the whole process as you explained and sorry to say, it hasn't gotten any easier. I'm finally lucky enough to be able to manage it all by withdrawing from the world. Good luck to you. I feel for you.
And then the same thing after they take place.
And (at least in my expericence) then the real interaction plays out very differently as imagined. And quite thinking about social interactions is like self entertainment for me. Which usually incluedes a lot of repitition.
I always think I'm exaggerating when I say I might have autism, but then I watch this, and there's not even a way for me to deny it because it's too accurate 😭
I think a lot of non-autistic people have these traits to. But you can do the RAADS-R test if you want to get a better view on wheter you're autistic or not.
This video honestly really helped me come to terms with my diagnosis. Because _literally every single one_ has been a _life-defining_ trait for me
@@voiceofstem u tryna tell me people can have all autism traits and not be austistic? 😭
@@lolitscly yes. You could have ADHD and sensory processing disorder (SPD). A lot of what he lists are neurodivergent traits, not specifically autism.
@@voiceofstem I found an online RAADS-R test. My son is autistic but I didn't think I was until I started noticing things he does I also do. I took the test and it said a score above 65 is likely autistic. I got a 197/240. eeeee....
thank you so much for not spending 5 minutes on each trait giving an overly detailed explanation!😭
A friend once told me that I get really upset over things that most people don't care about, and I don't care about things that most people get upset over.
Felt
@micahrobbins8353 So where are my peeps?
Sometimes... I get the same way.
Thats a good one
I can relate
Diagnosed at 49 and videos like this make me feel simultaneously joyful that I have found my people and sad/angry that I spent DECADES trying to cram myself into a socially acceptable box. 😢
I was diagnosed at 45. I totally relate to what you say.
Diagnosed at 40. If only I had known, I would have been a lot easier in myself.
Highly suspicious at 57
I'm in my 40s and suspect I'm borderline autistic. I think I wasn't diagnosed cos I went to a rubbish school, did well academically and also I'm female and girls are less likely to get a diagnosis. Out of his list of 63 traits, 44 of them apply to me. The last one in particular "how can someone so clever be so stupid" doesn't just apply to me but also my brother and dad.
I don't have an official diagnosis but I suspect I have asperger's. Thankfully I am 22 now and relatively young.
At my last job, I worked primarily with a team of autistic people. It helped me figure out that I'm autistic because of how seamless but bizarre our group behavior was. Once no customers were around, we'd be mimicking each other, making noises back and forth, dancing/gesturing at random, and putting on the same playlists most nights. Other nights, we'd be working in complete silence and it wouldn't feel awkward because it's just what we all needed. It was a pretty special experience.
If only we could have these safe spaces everywhere! Happiness rates would skyrocket
I'd love to be in a situation where people were "making noises back and forth."
Oh shi- _{Does everything listed in friendgroup.}_
No, you are not autistic.
@@yadda333and you'd know this how?
So funny, i just started down the Autism rabbit hole today the last day of Autism awareness month, ive been watching these videos for hours now and im convinced and i got probably 53 out of the 63. Thanks for the great video! Edit: 52 out of 63, so close!!
I got 48, close
I mean 49
I don't know if I'm over- or underestimating my signs of autism. I think I want to convince myself that I'm autistic and then, I'm more sceptical with the signs and I don't know what's true. If I'm being autistic or just an lazy introvert.
Laughed so hard at the repetition joke. I wish it wasn't so hard to get a diagnoctic as an adult in France.
Same, in fact, I enjoyed it so much so that I toggled the looping feature and now listening to this on repeat (in order to jot them all down and analyze which ones I have).
The more of these videos I watch, the more depressed I get seeing how many of these things apply to me. I’ve suspected that I’m on the spectrum for at least two decades now. Sometimes I think I should get tested, and then the next day I feel like it’s just an exercise in futility. 53 years old and I’m basically afraid of people, socializing, and pretty much my own shadow.
It’s funny but I just got to the part where you mention “super sensitive hearing” and right now I am sitting in a coffee shop with a high pitched hum that makes me want to hit my head on the table.
He didn't mention a terrible sense of humour he just mentioned deadpan sarcasm.
@@ianrobertpountain8621 And laughing at inappropriate things/jokes
@@chloe2264 Me I think I'm quite good at deadpan sarcasm.
Wasn't diagnosed as Autistic until I was over 40, now I'm pushing 80 and have learned how to "cover up" the weirdness, but I look back at my high school days and my 20's and 30's, and I see it clearly! By 50 I was doing quite well passing as "normal". Today only my closest friends recognize my true self, and most of them are secret Autistics of a Certain Age, too!
I had to cover up severe Autism throughout childhood with varying degrees of success, but I can say covering is not healthy and is killing me. It's resulted in nervous system problems and a poor immune system, it's a lot of energy and fuel going into disguise instead of acceptance. Bring out more of the I don't give a shyte what people think and be yourself...it's not worth the health toll!!!
I feel u frances. You have a admirer here, 70 yr old messed up woman. But loving life. Think of how many there are of us? lots
I am a 32 year old man and recently got diagnosed with Autism and PTSD and they want to further investigate to see if I have other conditions I might need help with. I am overwhelmed and also relieved about it. Been struggling my entire life and still am.
I actually feel everything has gotten harder to cope with as I got older, might be because I have been on my own in all this until now but I so hope I get to the point where you are at one day.
Thank you for sharing, it gives me hope I'll pull through too one day ❤
i let my weirdness ring out, heck with othersl
Best of luck to you, you're a living proof for all those dolts of parents who think "it'll go away with age" and "my kid just needs more social exposure or maybe scout/church camps". No it _absolutely_ won't. And forced social exposure and these "camps" will only accelerate the mental breakdown. One needs to recognize crucial signs, pre-school if at all possible, and get proper diagnosis and treatment plans asap. This will literally make or break a life. And there are more and more of us every day, no wonder child/teen suicide rates are getting sky-high, especially in third-world countries. I got my proper diagnosis way too late (brain damage+ hormonal and autoimmune issues that require lifetime prescription medication) and will no longer be the same person, so I can personally attest to sheer importance of proper, timely diagnosis. I'm 27, btw, got diagnosed at 24, total hell started happening at 18 in my life, so 6 years without knowing what the hell is going on with me and things getting progressively worse all that time. Also sincerely hope you will avoid Alzheimer's, given your age. That is another level of hell I wouldn't wish on anybody, and, sadly, quite prevalent in my family, still dreading the day I will exhibit my first symptoms. I would rather just have somebody I trust k*ll me when that happens.
List in case if you'd like to take time to think of each one (also I thank this channel for those interesting facts, kinda cleared things out about myself) :
1. Wearing bright colors
2. Hating phone calls
3. Not realizing you're hungry/thirsty
4. Not replying to text messages
5. Hate wearing socks/seams
6. Having atypical humor
7. Telling the truth
8. Out of sync in groups
9. Aversion or obsession with popular culture
10. Overplanning everything
11. Low sense of gender
12. Always feeling tired
13. Don't like being told what to do
14. Teaching yourself to read
15. Comfort in repetition & routine
16. Struggling with crowds
17. Seeing people as people
18. Sensitive hearing
19. High pain tolerance
20. Over apologizing
21. Not caring what people think
22. Good at something useless
23. Being sarcastic
24. Prefers face to face communication
25. Struggling to find gap in group conversation
26. Constant background anxiety
27. Being overly empathic
28. Relating to animals more
29. Avoiding trying new things
30. Eating the same food
31. Finding inappropriate things funny
32. Not liking to be touched
33. Tendency to notice small details
34. Hating fluorescent & down lights
35. Always wanting to understand why
36. Enjoying repetition
37. Thinking in pictures
38. Having a flat affect
39. Prefers pacing than sitting
40. Imitating other people
41. Having a favorite thing
42. Getting excited and interrupting people
43. Thinking previous social interactions
44. Seeing patterns in everything
45. Either having a good and bad memory
46. Prefers non verbal communication
47. Hating brushing of teeth
48. Having a monotone voice
49. Difficulty identifying emotions
50. Getting overwhelmed by many tasks
51. Watching the same TV series/movies
52. Awkward in groups
53. Thinking outside the box
54. Having unique brilliant ideas
55. Struggling to read between lines
56. Preferring written communication
57. Two speed productivity
58. Compartmentalizing life experiences
59. Comfortable being alone
60. Happy with few material comforts
61. Always finishing what you started
62. Scripting conversation
63. "How can someone be clever and stupid ?"
Well this may make it easier for me to stress myself out going over everything without having to watch the video 18 times to make sure I heard everything right the first 17 times.
I've decided, It's not going to be easier for me because now I'm already starting to wonder if you changed something in the list to fuck with me. And now I'm going to have to write down this list and watch the video again to confirm your list is accurate. Or I won't and I will be thinking about it for at least a week knowing it doesn't matter anyway
THANK-YOU!
@@tonycardone990 don't worry, i went over it too, that's nothing that sounds unfamiliar after watching the video, so they didn't change anything
i could NOT focus my time in reading all of those
64. Needing to list everything
You're extending an invitation to a social event - either IRL or Zoom - whilst those are the things I detest the most.
When it's time to put out the wheelie bin and I see one of my neighbours is outside, I wait until they're gone before going outside.
I am undiagnosed. I cry every time I watch these videos. I can't easily describe why I cry, except that it's a mixed jumble of emotions, the release of which is cathartic.
I would have written a reply precisely as you did with the same words and cadence. The wiring schematic of the autistic brain has capacitors for extra storage in some areas, released through specialized filters we create.
I think it's the OCD aspect constantly eating away at your mind and shoving self directed hate into whatever cracks it can find whenever an issue caused by autism arises. That coupled with often intense isolation, ongoing stress(I think we hold mental stress in our bodies longer naturally) from multiple (put off due to avoidance problems) and small moments of connection provide intense and immense relief. At least in my personal experience. Hope you feel better
It's comforting for some reason. I don't exactly know why but I listen to this type of content regularly
I think it’s because of the feeling of “belonging” these videos give me. Because I’ve always been “other than” or “different” or “special” but here, I’m clearly part of the group. It’s the joy of thinking they might finally say, “you’re one of us, you belong here in this group.”
Because feeling understood is one of the best feeling, and because we feel so deeply ^^ Cry of happiness and relief.
Got 57 of 63. When I was going through PTSD and depression therapy, my therapist (who specializes in ASD/ADHD subjects) acknowledged the high likelihood that I may be autistic. But, at 54 years old, her question was "what would you get out of a formal diagnosis?" So, I remain undiagnosed (officially), but this is the single unifying explanation for very literally every issue I've had in my life. Ever.
Wait same!! like idk what the focus is on “why do you want a label” or “why do you NEED the diagnosis” like gurl idk maybe because I feel off in situation and socially and I feel that an ASD diagnosis (if that if what it is) would be liberating almost . But alas, ill have to wait until I can find someone to take me seriously.
What do you get out of a diagnosis? My entire life made sense! At last! Ffs, that is a person with zero empathy or understanding.
My therapist asked me that question too and I had no idea what to say. Like idk man I'm just almost certain I have it and I want a professional to confirm. Is that so bad? And then my med doctor said he thought testing was unnecessary because it was just another label that wouldn't change anything. Kinda felt really awful when he said that tbh
@@feather314 yeah like i think having a label might make it easier to get support? But still, why does it matter why, if youre very sure you have it? I feel like professionals should be helping ugg
My number is almost as high as yours of the 63.
“How can someone so clever be so stupid?” hit me like a truck. This has been said to me quite a few times throughout my life. I related to the majority of these, but that last one… oof…
In new situations, I often miss the "obvious" interpretation of what to do, and am often paralyzed by any ambiguity. The fear of doing it "wrong" and the shame and embarrassment that follow makes everything worse.
@@jenniferbourne1053 SAME!! Learning to drive was a huge struggle for me because of that.
@@averylouise1024 The first time I was behind the wheel, on the road, the instructor told me to "stop" (probably an intersection coming up) so I hit the brakes then and there. I stopped, right? Then I heard breaks screeching behind me, followed by the driver pulling up along side me and shouting "IDIOT!!!"
for me it was "how can someone so clever be unemployed"
I heard that a lot after my depression diagnose and therapy that were the reason for the unemployment. The biggest part that is left from my depression (other than the occational slope of depressive feelings) is a pretty strong stress disorder with tendencies to anxiety/panic attacks. Getting employed like this is almost impossible for me.
@@jenniferbourne1053 in new things people laugh at me or/and being impatient and aggressive treating me like stupid person, because im feeling that kind of paralysis, but soon enough when i get the 'thing' im often became even more efficient than them.
honestly sometimes i hate people:(
-Always wanting to understand why. I can't 'just follow orders' without knowing the context.
-I'm in some ways intelligent, in other ways completely stupid.
'I like pacing instead of sitting.
-Having a Good and very bad memory at the same time: I seem to remember things no one else remembers, but forget things other people can remember.
- I used to have a very monotone voice during my teenage years, but I've learned to make it less monotone as I got older.
-getting overwhelmed by too many tasks at once.
-seeing patterns in everything.
I want to add something:
-Not understanding 'taboos', or things you ought not to talk about. My interests have always gone to 'things I shouldn't be interested in'.
Following previous statement I also never understood why some people don't like to talk about death.... to me it's just something that happens to all of us, in various ways. I'm still failing to see death as a bad thing. Often I want to share different philosophical ideas about death... but no one is interested.. 😂
My daughter was just diagnosed with ASD and I always felt she was special. She talked super early, understood grammar and how to use it without any explanation. Now she is 6 and one of her favorite things to do is write poetry. She tippy toes since she was 2, and now I know that’s because of her Autism. She hates strong food smells and even tells me ketchup smells weird to her. She has a hard time with eye contact with strangers, and can’t put herself in other peoples shoes. Everything is either a fact or not. Which also affects the way she plays, there is no role playing or pretending. We do dance competitions, tag, legos. I can’t wait to see what a wonderful adult she turns into. ❤❤
I have a kid who was diagnosed “aspie” back in 2005 (I’m also autistic). We really can take those pet interests and run with them. When he was little, he was working on making a vaccine to cure all the world’s diseases. Now he’s a physician’s assistant. Just give her the space and support to be herself and she’ll be able to do whatever she wants.
All 4 of my kids hit the list and my oldest, 7, sounds alot like yours, add in extreme struggles with seams and extreme hearing though lol
@Riley Druley socks and clothing for my daughter. A grain of sand in her shoe would stop her too.
Thank you for being such an understanding mother.
I was raised back before children (especially girls) were routinely diagnosed and if they were- training involved forcing them to act atypical until it broke them down to a mere shell and a mask.
My mother was my rock, I could give her a single look and she'd talk for me. She also yelled back at several teachers who tried to label or punish me for not acting 'right'.
The reason I am able to slip into society and live my life without predjudice or trauma is because she was willing to go to war for me when everyone else wanted throw me into the trenches instead.
- "and can’t put herself in other peoples shoes." - I can understand that, as a six year old human being, she's much much too big to fit inside anyone's shoes! 🙃🤣
Final count: 50. When you played "enjoying repetition" twice, I thought mentally 'please do it three times' and you did and it made my brain so unbelievably satisfied. I've never considered myself autistic but I've noticed recently that 5 of my closest friends have high functioning autism and decided to look into it. Watching this felt like you were describing parts of my life that so many people never notice but are so persistent in my day to day. I am two spirit. I was discussing with my friend who power dynamics are useless and how we wished all people were considered just as such. I write notes to my closest of friends even though we can all text because I prefer my thoughts to be organized and PERFECT in perception. I will spend days thinking about how a conversation went and what I should have said instead to the point of acting it out repeatedly. I can't stand facetime therapy sessions or online class. I have considered myself nearly empathic for years yet cannot never fully flesh out the complexities of my own emotions that are so conflicting and together that sometimes they seem different personalities. Ah alas, I speak too much about myself. I enjoyed this video, it gave me much to consider. Thank you for taking the time to make it.
Did you notice point 15?
I feel like I have adult ADHD and high functioning autism if that makes sense. 😅 Same I feel like my thoughts to be organized and PERFECT but idk about in perception but at the same time I do feel like it need to be in perception but other time I just don't care cuz I'm used to feeling misunderstood. I't good that you're deciding to look into high functioning autism and figured out that you might have it, too and it's also good that you're two spirited. Same - I will spend days thinking about how a conversation went and what I should have said instead to the point of acting it out repeatedly, too, but other times I won't cuz I'll be too busy daydreaming. I can't stand face time therapy sessions or online class but other times I can cuz I don't like going outside for appointments but at the same time I don't really care cuz it's just an appointment and I'll get it done with it, but also I love going to store and buying stuff that I want and need.
Kinda the same but I'm empathic, too, but other time over empathic if that makes sense of just in-between. Sometime I don't know how to express my own emotions or just express than as normal and other times just keep them bottled up. but those are about me. :) 49/63
I have considered myself nearly empathic for years yet cannot never fully flesh out the complexities of my own emotions that are so conflicting and together that sometimes they seem different personalities. Kinda confused on what you mean they seem different personalities. And when you said this "When you played "enjoying repetition" twice, I thought mentally 'please do it three times' and you did and it made my brain so unbelievably satisfied." I sound like a just right trait which OCD people have which I kinda have but don't have OCD. But I do hate repetition and other time don't if they do it right :)
Well I hope you had fun reading and you might be wondering why does it all depend. I don't know but that's just how I am.
You also need to read the book "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" by Tony Atwood.
I can tell that you are very intricate with what you try to say judging from the big paragraph.
(I'm a diagnosed Aspie speaking btw)
😂😂😂😂 omg I thought I was the only one.
The "either too much or too little" meshes very well with something I've been thinking - it's the polarisation of various traits that can indicate autism. What we have trouble with is the middle ground. This is where some of the tests (and general thinking) go wrong, I think. They tend to assign high achievement in certain traits as NT and deficits as ND, rather than recognising that both poles are indicators and add up to a pattern.
Когда я в 5 классе поняла, что мои усилия не приводят к отличному результату в школе, я перестала делать что либо по учёбе вплоть до 9 класса. Когда в 1 классе мне сказали, что я слишком весёлая и активная, чтобы со мной было комфортно дружить, я замкнулась до такой степени, что не знала имён одноклассников, боялась менять что либо в одежде, и так же, до 9 класса носила одну и ту же причёску, чтобы ни в коем случае не показаться "слишком активной". Считается за черту античности? У меня нет диагноза, я хз :р
Yes! This!!!
i’m 18, and i’ve never been diagnosed with autism, nor have i ever considered that i was, even when i dated someone who had autism, who was diagnosed very young. I got 54 out of 63 on this, and more recently, since i started college, i have noticed that these traits become more and more prevalent in my day to day life. I don’t understand any of this and i’ve tried to do research but it’s really hard because it is, as you said, very hard to describe it as a whole.
I never considered myself autistic, but I decided to watch this on a whim and I said yes to 46 of these. Some actually ruin my life (like being unable to reply to a message, even if it's super important, and the more time passes, the heavier it weighs on me, but it also gets harder to do, to the point where I can feel shaking in my chest whenever I think about it).
I said yes to 62 of these.
Dang it, I'm not diagnosed but somehow I got 42 out of 63.
i got 45
Yea said yes to 50 but also just watched this on a whim and had never really thought about this possibility
That's funny considering there's only 63 haha.
Additionally, it is important to remember that autism manifests itself in highly individualized ways. As a mother of two young boys on the autism spectrum, I have witnessed firsthand how vastly different their experiences can be. One of my sons enjoys a hug here and there, while the other prefers to keep his distance. One expresses himself through his drawings, while the other finds solace in music. Interestingly, they both communicate with each other using vocal stims. Furthermore, they share a mutual dislike for spring and summer seasons due to their aversion to bugs, finding comfort only in the fall and winter seasons. Through these experiences, we have come to understand the importance of adapting to their unique needs, as their future well-being depends on it. It is my sincere hope that society continues to embrace with acceptance and support for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. I applaud your efforts in bringing autism to the forefront of conversation and raising awareness about the significance of inclusion.
I have two boys one with Autism and the other don't my son with autism likes to hug but my other son doesn't like to hug.
Same for me. Both of my sweet boys are autistic yet so different in many ways lol. One loves touch and has physical stims like flapping and flicking the other doesn't ever want to be touched and all his stims are vocal 😂
Have you ever asked your musical son, to make music based on your other sons drawings?
Definitely worth a try, because some of the best music of our era was caused by this exact set up.
For example most Shpongle songs are written that way, Raj an autistic artist draws all sorts of interesting things, and then Simon makes music depending on what those pictures make him feel.
Honestly, Shpongle for me, is one of the highest pinnacles of music, but yes it is subjective opinion.
Well it is called a Spectrum for a reason...I personally like to see it as starbursts, others can follow your exact lines, but then boom, off in a completely different direction.
This comment made me so happy. I personally believe that there aren't enough parents to autistics that think like this. What I mean by that is being able to separate them as individuals, understanding their different ways of thinking, and different needs. Thank YOU for wanting to be apart of the conversation!!
Almost all of these resonated with me, other than wearing bright colors. I prefer black, muted colors, and also darker jewel tones.
I hate seams and tight hems, so I always wear loose clothing with long sleeves and pants or long skirts. I only wear natural fibers and somehow wool doesn't bother me one bit.
Another one that I can almost never do is finish something quickly. I am a perfectionist in my crafts, therefore nothing gets finished. 😢
I'm totally with you! Only a few didn't resonate much with me, but the bright color one was the only one I find I'm the complete opposite. Always preferred black, gray, or at most dark blue or brown. And sensitivity to the feeling of clothes and seams has always been a HUGE thing for me. My mom tells me that even as early as 2 years old, I'd refuse to put on shoes or leave the house until I had the seam on the toe of my socks JUST RIGHT so I couldn't feel it haha.
I wear a lot of black and grey with a bright screaming rose on a shirt hidden under.
@@anyagetman8596 A rose colored shirt? Or an actual picture of a screaming rose on a shirt? And do you have it hidden under the black and grey for a reason?
@@sheikyerbouti39 huge red rose on screaming yellow background. No sleeves, so has to be under something w sleeves.
@@anyagetman8596 I have been deeply fascinated for years by the idea of hidden symbols or messages or beautiful seams in clothing. I never associated it with autism before this minute. I love knowing you are out there in the world wearing a hugely emotive rose underneath. My name is Ayla Rose btw. Similar to your name and...roses. (mine hidden away behind my first name! Lol)
Have you been observing my life for the past 60 years??? Incredible.
57 of the 63 mentioned traits. I wasn't diagnosed as on the spectrum until I was 45. Growing up, I was labeled 'quiet, weird, shy, introverted, and too smart' by family and friends. When I was finally diagnosed, it all made sense to me.
I am, as of yet, undiagnosed. But my son, who is just like I was as a child only with a bit more anxiety, is diagnosed. I, too, was the "introverted, exceptionally smart, and different" kid. Now that I have become more aware of what autism is, things make more sense here too.
“Too smart” lol 😂😂😂😂
What a dumb thing for anyone to say. “Exceptionally smart”, now that’s better!
@@AMcDub0708 And yet, the majority of people think of us as "too smart". That says something about society, doesn't it?
@@nathanh6439 I gave your comment a like(me pointing this out won't make a difference if more people do though,for now at least you know who did, if you wonder or care about that). I don't want my like to be mistaken for someone else's either in this comment section and for my like to paint a more likeable picture of someone else for it and give you a false sense of things, I guess you could say.
All this really doesn't matter in the long scheme of things though suffice to say...lmao.
A factual courtesy has been delivered,also you go with that comment 👍Hoorah
@@nekonebula5260 Thank you! (That first thumbs up is from me too, btw.)
The repetition joke is the first thing that’s made me genuinely crack a smile all day. Thank you ❤️
I laughed way harder than I should at that one.
It was super comforting
My poor wife (yes I have one!) has to sit through me sharing and rewinding clips I find funny. Bless her soul!
It made me laugh too.
the brushing of the teeth thing really resonated with me. IDK why such a simple everyday task is so hard and so forgotten for me and I hate doing as well
I never forget or anything. But two things I hate doing is brushing my teeth and taking a dump.
My aversion to brushing the teeth I thought was due to a hypersensitive gag reflex, where anything kept in the mouth would start me gagging. So dentists, Drs' tongue depressors or holding a pencil/pen in the mouth, etc etc was a real problem for me.
@@lindaferguson2640 SAME and I have different flavours of toothpaste to help me gag less
Self care is difficult as well. I do just the basics. Do others feel too lazy to do anything with their hair except quickly brush it and the less the easier. Maybe a quick clip or barrette, but it's too time consuming to do more.
I ruined my teeth due to what I thought was laziness. I don't like doing basic hygiene really, tho thankfully I was given the "no body odor" gene. If I bathe every other day I won't stink, but even that I find hard to do. When getting my hair cut all I say is "just shorten it, vert short." I don't like too many luxuries, I'm convinced all the luxury I need is my phone and a powerbank. I don't smoke, no drugs, and I barely drink. (I only drank on my birthday last year) I should be low-maintenance. But I find it so hard to be an adult. My relatives's favorite way of communicating is hints and reading between the lines... It's so frustrating when they won't just tell me, but they get mad at me and call me dumb when I don't understand what they want. Why is life so hard man.
Bro I have been depressed for a long time, but after taking shrooms few months ago, l feel much happier and highly motivated and my ADHD gone , lost a ton of anxiousness and had a few epiphanies about how I should live my life. I decided to buy an ounce for backup, but haven’t yet felt the need to take any more since then.
Hello Can he be reached on IG?
Despite the recent research on psychedelics,,there’s no realistic timeline for when,, or if, psychedelic will be approved by FDA..
Doc.brenttt helped me discover alot about psychedelics,healed me of my bipolar disorder & alcohol addiction.
Oh , no ! Not those d@mned mushrooms again!
WTF are these replies??
For me number 17 'seeing people as people' really resonates with me. I talk to everyone (regardless of age, background etc) in the same way as if they are my best friend. I didn't realize that people neurotypical people avoid people of different social classes. That seems like discrimination. Someone social class says nothing about their character. Which is why I don't see any issue with engaging with people of different classes. I might go so far as to say that the whole 'social class' thing is BS.
I think this trait is kind of BS anyways. It's not autistic so much as human. It's the people who follow these social classes with such meticulousness that have something wrong with them.
wait i also do this holy shit. like i dont care who you are, if i strike up a convo with you somehow i will literally talk to you like im your friend lol. and i also dont get how ppl can be so.... judgemental about others with nothing to base it on. like fr. my brother who is in special ed classes n stuff literally sometimes judges other people... who are in the same sorta group as him. i dont understand it
Registering this as symptoms of a condition or disease is a sign of how fucked up the world is, in my opinion.
Yeah, I snorted and said « How else am I supposed to see them? » I can barely keep up with the nod now, ok, now I have to look at you, shit, I missed what he just said stuff without also having to keep track of your country of origin or what you grandfather does for a living.
@@FlanaFuguenot a decease bro but a syndrome but I agree that I think/thought that's just the right way of seeing people, y’know, as people? Human and worthy because that is basic human rights(?)
51/63 (Late-diagnosed in my 40s)
There were a few more in the list I had when younger but not now - such as fear of trying new things. I'm more willing and have an easier time now I know I'm autistic, know my needs, accommodate them and work with them rather than against them. It's opened life up a lot more.
Copy and paste your comment for me. 33, undiagnosed, and looking into a diagnosis now.
i also had some when younger and they were kind of beaten out of me. the one i miss the most is not caring what other people think of me, that one sounds so helpful at this point in my life. i hope i can regain it.
52/63 too. Also late-diagnosed
I was late diagnosed as well. I feel like so many of the typical things, Ive spent so long masking and adapting that Its almost natural now. Most people that don’t know a lot about autism, would never know. Even my neuropsychologist that diagnosed me, had a bit of trouble at first.
About to go through Dx process I scored 50 plus I always round down as some screeners ill do with doing that to avoid any likely misreads. All end up higher than expected, its quite considerable. I think knowing for sure will be a lot I am failing masking its starting to be way too much strain for added things aka life on fire
“Being really good at something that is completely useless” 😅 love it
I'm good at sudokus
@@heedmydemands I would say me too, but I don't know how to measure "good" in sudokus. It is my default activity when I am in the waiting room for an appointment, and also my last pre-sleep activity to help quiet down my mind :D
@@Nami-dq3ox well I have them in the newspaper sometimes and I was laughing about it one day that they give u the answer, I was boggled that someone would need to b told the answers. I mean it's not that I can figure it out every time sometimes I get stuck but if I fill it in I would never question whether I had it right, u only write a number when u know it's correct. I told my husband this and he thought I was nutty lol. I do them in pen but I do admit that I have ended up crossing them out in disgust when I realized I'd made a mistake
@@heedmydemands I do my sudokus in pen too! I have a book of 100 "difficult sudokus" and if I make a mistake and have to cross out the entire thing, I enter the original sudoku into an app called "Sudoku Pad" (from a TH-cam channel called "Cracking the Cryptic") and start again. I don't understand why the answers are given either- it's either correct or it isn't.
so cool, you have 63 likes on your comment.
A big one for me is I prefer to have face to face conversations so I can see reactions and people can (hopefully) understand me better when they see mine.
I never knew that was a symptom.
There are SOOO many though. Omg!
Another huge one for me is my memory for dates, times, basically anything to do with numbers. I SWEAR, I remember birthdays of childhood friends who I have not spoken to in decades - some as far back as grade school and I’m pushing 50 now. It actually creeps me the hell out! Lol
There were are so many more though.
Scripting conversations. Even after the conversation happened! Exactly what I do.
God, this is gonna be fun! Haha…I’m not really sure about that, actually. 🤨
I love your channel though. It’s hard to explain but it’s better than all of the others I’ve seen. Keep up the great job! 👍
Face to face is also helpful with people with accents, if I can lip read them as well it helps with the auditory processing
It was my parents who convinced me I wasn't autistic. For years I took medication for mental health conditions I never had! The behavioural issues as an adult meant I was in trouble with the law all the time, so it truly can destroy lives.
Your videos are a fantastic way of raising awareness. When I understood how I felt it became easier to predict and cope with. I am still a very lonely, but completely healthy autistic adult, and take no medication at all. My anxiety is limited to crowded or noisy environments, whereas before it would intrude into everything. Thank you!
If there are any people here who this sounds familiar to, and you'd like some advice, I'm always looking for friends...
Same here did the whole gambit of mental health cycle and spat out otherside.
Happy to be friends😊
I would love to be your friend.
My parents kept me shielded from mental health for a long time and just assumed I was an anxious child who would grow out of my neurotic tendencies. I am 26 now and I am not diagnosed with autism but it makes so much sense if it were to be true. How have you managed your anxieties day to day? I am suspecting I have a PDA profile so anxieties come from demands even like if I decide I want to watch a show to make a TH-cam video on it suddenly I'm terrified to watch the show amd my brain turns to static when I try to start.
Hello, new friend!!
Can I be a bit provocative? There is an often quoted truism that goes - "if you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person". However, in my decades of experience, we are really all the same in non-clinical terms, an extreme personality type. So much of my life has been text book autistic, mostly without me being aware of it. Also the experiences of other autistic people so resonate with me it's almost unbelievable. Does anyone else "feel" this to be the case?
I met with the autistic community in my area for the very first time. And I recognized them bevor entering the building. Just standing at the traffic lights in a certain kind auf manner...
And it felt like "coming home to a long lost kind of family"
@@loreleyvomfelsen9542 No just me then! I love my tribe and understanding them helps me understand myself. Best wishes Peter
@@peteracton2246 Thank you so much. I learned more in that one meeting than in one year of depression support group...
Best wishes for you too. 🌸
@@loreleyvomfelsen9542 how did u find depression support group? Did u feel very anxious about the social part? I did a group thing that was about self compassion and it was in person, also it was all women and I'm a woman so that could b y it felt better, also the woman in charge I really liked, she wasn't very dominant, very sweet person. Now I'm in a virtual therapy thing which is a group for anxiety and depression and I find it really hard socially. There's often time to share and no one wants to so I feel I have to just to keep things moving and make the therapist feel like things r working smoothly. Sometimes I don't really understand what's expected and I think maybe I take too much time when I share or like idk, like I didn't say the right thing
I don't have the experience to say whether we are that alike with eachother yet and I'm also not 100% sure I'm autistic but it is amazing how u can feel like certain people understand u. I identify a lot with different autistic creators on youtube
17. really hit me. I work in a grocery store and we're expected to "look out for suspicious people" or just not help them. A man had come over and asked for some food, I handed it to him like nothing was wrong and noticed he had nose drippings so I offered a napkin. My coworker told me later how creeped out she was in seeing him and why I helped him. Or when I helped someone to the bathroom cause there's a code on the door, and another coworker asked why I allowed him in the bathroom. I'm clearly not cut out for this.
Same. I think it's just the world we live in is devoid of community and we are forced to put people into boxes and judge them accordingly. It feels heartless
"Why'd you let him in the bathroom?!" "So he can use it, duh. That's what a bathroom is for."
Thank you for letting people use the bathroom. I don't like shoplifters at my retail job but at the same time everyone deserves the dignity to use a toilet.
No, no, that’s called being kind and non-judgemental and it’s a beautiful trait! Please never change!
I do not understand what was wrong with either of those situations. Man has a cold but can't get some food? Someone needs the restroom? You'd better let them in because the alternative is a big mess on the floor.
Eating the same thing again and again. That is so me, I take it as me being indecisive so I just go for the same food until I'm tired of it. Also watching the same tv shows or movies. This is so true. It's comforting even though ive watched them enough to remember the lines by heart
Relating to animals more than people = YES! I relate to this one so much. I have always loved dogs more than other animals and animals more than people. I've been told that I'm cold and heartless, because I "wasn't upset enough" at my grandmother's funeral.
Same, but with my cats. Didn't even shed a tear at my grandma's death, but was "over the top" upset when my cat passed
Relate to trees and plants.
same
i didn't shed a tear at my great grandma's funeral
but when the neighbor's cat died i was bawling
i can read animal expression and body language, but not human
@@ravenmeyer3740 sammmeeeeeeeeee
Of the 5 funerals for family/friends, the only one that upset me was the one for my best friend.
Every pet death though has sent me into months long depression.
a lot of this video speaks to me, especially the memory part. I can remember every detail about one specific unimportant day 5 years ago but not the things i just learned a week ago
Same. I can memorize and recount the most useless/unimportant information from years ago but I cannot for the life of me remember anything I don't learn.
EVERY single one of these calls me out 😭 especially the "always having to ask why" one, i always get into arguments because i keep needing to know why or i "keep asking too many questions" and even after realizing i'm autistic i still never understood why me trying to understand something is always an annoyance to people
same, it pisses me off how people could ignore reasons for things.
I feel you. I've experienced the same thing. I hate not knowing the reasons for things. Drives me nuts.
Same, we never grow out of the but why stage. I have learnt parenting Autistics the frustration is in people not knowing the answers and wanting you to do the research, and sometimes because to survive in the world many people settle for not knowing but miss that desire to ask why...and we live in a world that discourages people to ask why and expect us just to mindlessly go with the crowd...and we don't like to be told what to do😊
It also challenges people to look at themselves and why they just accept things..and many just want to conform and not stand out, so we make them uncomfortable because we often dig till we find truth.
Same! I'm also baffled at how people DON'T ask why. I'm thinking, how can you not have any questions?! 😂
When I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia, my doctor told me to surround myself with people with fibromyalgia. I didn't do it, but turned out to be a great advice. I will hang out more with my autistic friends. Thank you
Just got diagnosed this January. Your channel has helped me enormously over the last few months. I counted about 46 traits that I definitely have. I find it so comforting to know that there are so many other people who experience the world in similar ways.
55 out of 63, so yes, this all seems a bit familiar. I didn't expect dressing in bright colors to be on the list. I love neutrals and soothing colors. Most bright colors are overstimulating for me.
I got 44 out of 63 and have long suspected that I'm borderline autistic. I mostly wear neutral colours as well. I relate to a lot of issues he mentions on this channel
I am on the spectrum as well, but have a disdain for wearing colours. I adore my all black wears...
Me too, i hate wearing bright colors. It's very overwhelming. I like to use black, gray, white etc. It's what makes me comfortable. But people criticize me for that sadly
for me I have preferences for certain textures of clothing, if it's to smooth or to rough I tend to steer clear. I will admit to not liking neon colors, I prefer darker/warm colors XD
Like he said, for many of these the opposite traits apply as well. We tend to be at the extremes of a lot of things, like sensory seeking and sensory avoidance both being characteristics of autism, so some of us like the brightest colors we can find and others can't stand them.
1. Hating phone calls
2. Always feeling out if sync in groups
3. Obsession over popular culture
4. Tired all the time
5. Not like being told what to do
6. Seeing people as people and not caring about social class or expectations
7. Good at something useless
8. Prefer face to face communication to avoid misunderstanding (irl. Especially when having friend issues)
9. Struggling to find a gap in group conversation
10. Being overly empathic
11. Finding inappropriate things funny
12. Always wanting to understand why
13. Thinking in pictures
14. Prefer pacing up and down instead of sitting still
15. Getting excited and interrupting ppl
16. Thinking over previous social interactions over n over again
17. Either having good memory (bout some things) or bad memory (with everything else)
18. Hating teeth brushing
19. Overwhelmed by to many tasks
20. Watching same movie/TV series
21. Awkward in groups
22. Thinking outside the box
23. having unique brilliant ideas
24. two speed productivity
25. Always finishing what u start even if you should stop
26. Scripting conversation
27. Clever but stupid
...about a quarter of traits.
Actually, 27/63 is way more than a third.
About 43%, so almost half.
I have about half these.
after reading these, i present you the 64th trait:
64. just existing
Interesting about hating teeth brushing! I do, but do it meticulously every night. Lots of others apply but I never, ever connected this with anything but a peculiarity of my own.
Oof. Did not expect to have 50 out of the 63 mentioned.
It became clear a couple days ago that there's a very high chance I am, plus I have a sister already diagnosed with autism.
Been watching several videos now and these are just cementing the suspicions
I am 54 years old and have recently been diagnosed Autistic/ADHD. It's not a subject that I have paid any attention to over the years but am having a great time researching now. It's actually a wonderful feeling to find out that someone has already written a manual for what I have always thought were my own personal quirks and shortcomings. This channel is really helping me to 'find myself' in a very simple and understandable way (your'e not an oddball if there are a billion more people like you). This video in particular was like watching all of my lottery numbers coming in one after the other - thank you so much Paul for the reassurance and understanding you are sharing, it means a lot.
I'm 46 and kind of realizing there is a pretty good chance I'm autistic. I've been considering the possibility I might be for probably the last 15 years. I asked my mom about it the other day. She said describe autism, so I did. She was like yep, that makes sense. I would say I probably stood out more as a child but I understand my "quirks" better as an adult.
Today my insecurities hit again and made me question if I'm "autistic enough to actually call myself autistic" even though I'm actually diagnosed (I've been diagnosed at the age of 29 which is why I still have doubts sometimes). Then I watched this video and counted all the points on your list that match me, realize what I'm doing and realized "Yep, I'm definitely autistic!"
My result: 51 out of 63 traits.
Very close to mine. 49/63. Not diagnosed but I heavily suspect it
I had 44
I had 53 but I'm not diagnosed, just suspected
My result IS 56 Out of 63 undiagnosed, am kinda Unsure whatever I am Reading to much into IT or misreading the criteria somehow cause I think ai am good at masking and Fake way more competancy then I got
@asterross Same here. My parents already had a suspicion ever since I was a child, but I never got a proper diagnosis. My friends would often say I behave autistic and I'd always be in denial and say something stupid like "I'm not autistic, I'm just not trying hard enough!"
Then, one day, the psychiatrist gave me the assessment paper and basically told me, "You tried your hardest, but you can't change the fact that you're autistic."
I think I got about 57 😆 that’s a great list. I like hearing these kind of descriptions rather than the text book ones - it’s the sometimes subtle aspects of our daily lives that are unmistakeable ND when you put it all together
44, but have had more in various stages of life. Ex: hating phone calls. I used to get so much anxiety even making an appointment, but I made myself do it and now it doesn’t bother me at all. The trying new things. I had a lot of anxiety around that one too, but made myself do/try new things, realized I was good at most things, so now I really enjoy it! The eating the same thing. I did this for YEARS, but it was mostly a way to keep my weight under control. Probably need to revisit that one, lol.
I laughed so hard watching this! My boyfriend started calling me Literal Lucy a few years ago, makes us both laugh. Another joke we have is that I don't like going 'anywhere the general public gathers'. My non-verbals are epic. My mind goes way too fast for my words to catch up, exhausts me to try to put my thoughts into words. I frequently default to non-verbals to finish my sentences--something I never knew until he started teasing me about it. Can't lie or even spin the truth to save my life and I go crazy when others lie. These are only a few of my behaviors that I'm discovering at the age of 57 are signs of autism (he has no idea, just a keen observer). Anyway, AWESOME VIDEO, thank you!! 🐥
Oh my god I can relate sooo much to "My mind goes way too fast for my words to catch up." Even worse with typing.
wait a minute! I had an idea you were describing me, but when you said you are also 57... Aren't you a Gemini, by occasion?
Hey Paul. Thanks to your channel I finally decided to get my diagnosis professionally. I'm 25 and for as long as I can remember I always felt different, not being able to socialise, not understanding other people's humour and always adapting myself to my surroundings so I wouldn't feel "the black sheep", even thought it gave me major anxiety and panic attacks... Thanks to you and the content in your channel I decided to schedule an appointment with a psychologist so I can finally put all my doubts to rest concerning my Asperger.
45 traits out of the 63. Good list: clear and concise. I generally struggle with stuff like this, because the descriptions tend to be ambiguous and I hate giving yes/no replies when I don't feel absolutely certain about what I'm responding to. I was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in February 2022, at age 46.
I got 33/63 what would that mean
I had my autism misdiagnosed as ADD when I was younger, and only started noticing my sensitivity to things as an adult. It's very frustrating not being able to get a proper diagnosis, especially when people don't "believe" you despite it becoming a near certainty
Omg I have 44 and honestly Im gettin scared that I might be on the spectrum too
Around 40 of these apply to me. I've been suspecting that I'm autistic, so this video helps with researching it. I've never been diagnosed, so I'm not gonna assume that I am. I want to get a second opinion from a diagnosed autistic friend before I talk to my parents about getting diagnosed. I have a Google Doc of autism symptoms I have, ways I stim, and a few autism memes I relate to that I'm using to keep track of why I might be autistic.
I would add another one, feeling awkward when someone takes a picture of you, not being able to smile naturally or what facial expression to use, body position. I like my pictures when I don’t know I’m being photographed but I feel strange and awkward when someone wants to take my picture, I feel unworthy, unattractive, pretentious etc
i don't smile for pictures and I've been told a couple of times that strangers seeing me in a ic have asked if I'm Polish ... I guess they don't smile much :-) (irony is I comminicate in emojis online)
Exactly, when I try smiling for a picture, it turns out looking like Sheldon Cooper's smile from Big Bang Theory 💀
My daughter smiles the exact moment we put down the camera :D But sometimes when she's climbing or sitting in a tree, she forgets anything around her and we can catch her wonderful smile.
I don’t know yet if I’m autistic or not (I relate to majority of everything I see about autism) but that is so relatable!
Pictures and any kind of posing/putting on airs is beyond mortifying for me. Sometimes I see autistic people on social media doing the whole song and dance and it's completely bewildering.
Just got diagnosed and you were a huge reason why Paul- thank you so much for all you do!
I'm interested to know how a diagnosis late in life is of any benefit . I'm 62 , i've had my life , i had a job for 38 yrs , married with 3 children , had a mortgage , have 7 grand children have taken retirement ............and a lot of those examples apply to me . I don't consider myself as being disadvantaged because of certain traits in my behaviour , people , family are used to my odd sense of humour , my wife has always accepted i don't like being touched , i'm not a touchy feely man , just 2 things that are ME . I wont be pigeon holed because it's seen as being fashionable or as an excuse for the way i am ............I'M ME , if somebody doesn't like it .....TOUGH !!
@@roystone9932 I think it’s early days but the most helpful thing has been the way “it fits”- finally I have an explanation for the repeating struggles I have had all my life.
I am being careful of who I tell and the last thing I want is for people to think it’s all I talk about. However, having the validation of a professional diagnosis it gives the assurance I haven’t just convinced myself I’m autistic, which then means friends and family as less doubting… because as far as they are concerned, I am successful in life but just have ‘bumps in the road’ - they don’t see the inner turmoil
I am 72 years old and this video describes me in so many ways. I am just comforted to know I am not alone. I am so sensitive to others that I’ve always thought of myself as empathic. Lately I have to schedule less and less contact with people because I just can’t cope. No one would believe this because people think of me as friendly and outgoing. When I’m with people something takes over and I’m focused on the other person listening,empathizing,encouraging. I have learned to be able to talk to anyone, especially if they seem uncomfortable or troubled. But later I pay an awful price. I won’t be seeking out a group of people similar to myself because that would be even more stressful; but I thank you for your work and videos. I am just going to appreciate who I am and try to take better care of myself. Who would have thought? Autism is something I would have never dreamed of; but it make’s perfect sense now. I think this will give me some peace.
I wish you all the best. Actually happy to read that you, as a 72 year old, find comfort in this video & the posibility that you might have found your answer.
Never forget, you're never alone 🫶🏻
A lot of this applies to me. I like patterns, which causes me to think logically, and that has actually helped me in areas such as taking standardized tests such as the ACT test. I got a perfect 36 on it in 30 minutes without having studied and only taking it once.
Planning conversations in advance, two speed productivity, preferring written conversation, someone so clever being so (SO) stupid, (very, very)comfortable being alone (and only being alone) - all of these are so relatable for me. In total, I counted around 45 traits which matched me 😶
So I'm not the only one who had to stop and count! 😂 I got 55-58 depending on if you count things I "got over"
I'm a private teacher and I seem to attract many autistic students, with whom I connect in various surprising ways! Thank you for this precious information!!!
I was diagnosed with Asperger’s at 52. Suddenly everything made sense and I see it as a gift except that maintaining romantic relationships have always been short lived. Mostly I prefer to be alone 90% of the time.
OMG me too, I'm twenty something but romantic relationships feel too much of hassle for me and I want to be alone which drives them crazy
Never been assessed or diagnosed but I just identified with 43 of the 63 traits.
I’m diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD and it’s fun to watch these type of videos and I always end up learning more about myself afterwards.
Same here. I was I diagnosed with both at age 51.
I'm not diagnosed with autism, but I am diagnosed with ADHD combined, anxiety and depression and I find that I can relate to a lot of the symptoms people with autism tend to experience. For example, all the social anxiety and the forgetfulness and interrupting people when excited and having a very bad sense of humor. I've been trying to get tested for autism, but with my other diagnoses I've found it hard to convince my doctors that I should get tested at all because most of my symptoms can be chalked down to what I'm already diagnosed with. But as of right now I'm not diagnosed, so I'm not going to say I'm autistic. But I am going to say that I can relate.
Same, diagnosed with adhd-c and anxiety (and on an antidepressant) and I related to at least 40 of these 63 things. I don’t think an official autism diagnosis would help me right now, but it’s really interesting and comforting finding things relatable
I also got diagnosed adhd and feel like the traits that are mentioned seem very familiar, 42/63.
I alwayas play back conversations and plan for the future, i am also always anxious, would like to test myself
47 out of 63 do I pass as autistic
wait you have adhd and anxiety and your doctors don't think there's a possibility of asd?? wtf? its fairly common for people with asd to also have adhd, ocd, and/or anxiety
As some others have said, I’m undiagnosed, but my son is on the spectrum. That has forced me to look in the mirror and question myself. My mom has told me that when I was younger she always used to say about me, “how can someone so booksmart have no common sense?” 😂
Ah my mother says that to me a lot
Same here......my son is diagnosed as autistic and through his early intervention programme and therapies....I saw similar behaviours from my own childhood.....
Me too. I have a child (now an adult) who was diagnosed with being on the spectrum. We have similar traits, and I think I am also.
ah yes-
my booksmarts are like that of the teacher in front of me
but i can't even think to put blankets on my bed, i just end up freezing
Many of these can also be ADHD. I’m diagnosed ADHD and my son is Autistic. I think we all have traits of both in my family 😊
53 out of 63, my parents just don't care enough to notice. My brother's slightly autistic and they always use it as an excuse to compare me to
I was diagnosed just a month ago (at 42) after a psych eval. I found it all very fascinating. Something I found out about, and was alluded to in the video with a couple of the items, is I have something called Demand Avoidance. If I'm not already inclined to do a thing, it is nearly impossible to get me to do that thing by telling me I "have" to do it. It explains so very much about how I operated at school and how I operate at work. Also why I will never watch a movie/show or listen to a song or band (unless I already had an interest in it) if someone tells me I have to watch/listen to it. Even if they mean well.
At least you won't listen to "Egal" by Michael Wendler, which would be a waste of your precious time. :)
A lot of people, like me, being diagnosed in their early 40’s.
I'm autistic, currently 19, but have been diagnosed ever since I was a toddler. This is an aspect of life that I've had countless issues with. I have things I enjoy doing, but I will not do it if I don't feel motivated towards it.
Works the other way too, I'll act on a whim when something peaks my interest, even if it's something I normally wouldn't care to do.
Growing up in confused my parents, as I'd get aggravated when tasked with something that the day before I had zero issues with; it was something they always struggled to understand
Some of these fall under the introvert category. Which I definitely am.
Does the demand avoidance affect what you find funny as well? Whenever someone tells me that i just have to watch something hilarious I find that it's never funny to me. It's like my sense of humor evaporates as soon as they approach me with it and I just do an uncomfortable fake laugh to get it over with.
63/63 Well, good thing I'm finishing up the process of getting my diagnosis haha. Thank you Paul, your videos were so informative and important in my life since a year ago, in order to reach this point. For the first time in my life, I don't feel so alone and alien to almost everyone, I no longer have to hide myself, nor beat myself up for not reaching certain "standards" or not being able to fit in. Love and stay strong everyone❤
I'm not diagnosed with autism and stuff, but a lot from this video implies to me, so I'll point out some of my additional observations that might be related.
1. I enjoy watching how mechanisms and vehicles, you know, just operate, do their job. Any time there is a truck passing by or a train it will immediately catch my attention and I would be admiring it in very details, listening to it, watching how wheels are spinning etc like a little kid, although I'm a grown ass adult. I'm also inclined to to enjoy such videos on TH-cam with different machinery, just looking at it. Feels a bit childish and weird but I require it for some reason.
I was wondering if I had ADHD, but after this video, I might want to get tested for both. And, also, I LOVE finding out how things work as well :D I find it so relaxing/interesting to see how pieces are made, what components make something move, or how something is assembled. The “why” is just as important to me as the “what”.
I LOVE just looking at things too. Nice to know I'm not the only one
@@MakoTheFishthat's just human curiosity.
SAME It's like super interesting to unassemble things just to see how it is put together and how random things work. I find it relaxing and fun:D
@@MakoTheFish
@@sleepyl0ser I've done this since I was young. But I was never very good at actually working things out. Definately Embarressing.
Your video really hit home. I don't think I am ready to experience a group seeing, but I will have a better relationship with my seven year old granddaughter who is diagnosed autistic and was non- verbal. She has ASL, which I learned with her and this summer began to speak some words as she signs. I think I probably have or have had at least 40 of these traits, I have lived long and work on myself allot. With that being said, the trait that resonated the most was early language and reading young. I could read before preschool, I remember teaching myself. I remember having conversations with a relative that passed when I was 3. I thought that meant I couldn't be autistic. Then I started really thinking about the possibility that I am autistic sans regression. I may not have the courage too explore this right at the moment, but this long comment has a simple purpose. I wanted you to understand why I am grateful to you. Thank you very much,, your video will truly help me to understand and support my grandbaby.
I got 52. I was diagnosed last year. It was one of your videos that started me on the path to finding this out about myself. I already knew I am ADHD (diagnosed @23,) but many of my experiences ran contrary to the many people I have met and known that were adhd. Discovering @41 that I am autistic as well actually gave explanation to most of the differences. You talking about your experiences and relating them to the diagnostic criteria is what started this journey for me, and I want to say thank you. Hearing a sane person describe so many of my experiences instead of the usual "you have to be making that up / exaggerating," "nobody thinks / feels like that," "you're just too [fill in blank]" really means so much. Again, thank you.
You are the reason I discovered my autism at age 45. Thank you. My life is completely berserk at the moment, thinking of everything that's happened in my life and now knowing the reason why. You have made more difference in my life than anyone before because of your videos. I really appreciate what you do, I'm sure you don't hear it enough so I'll say it again. You have made more difference in my life than anyone before because of your videos. Now I have a starting point to work from. Thank you again.
I already know what it's like to hang around a lot of autistic people. We were all artists and my closest friends had very autistic traits. I think art and music attracts neurodiverse folk, because, like myself, they can fit in somewhat. I always felt, even with a lot of friends hanging around, that I was too weird for the weirdos. I have two friends now, and at times I feel a sense of despair, not as bad as I did when I socialized. The thing I did to mask my sense of being an outsider is to drink heavily. Not so people thought I was a lush, but just enough to maintain a buzz so I could numb myself and "be pleasant". I partied a lot and had fun, danced to avoid a lot of conversation, but I didn't really find many close ties. Not ever. I have this habit of giving out tmi. It has always made people uncomfortable. And if I did engage in conversation with my friends I was seen as insufferable because I talked too much. I don't let a person get a word in. I have gotten to the point where I have to say fuckem all. I hate being treated like a creep. I'm 68 now and my therapist insists that I can change. I don't think I can. I cannot fit in and it is what every human seems to want whenever I have contact with them. The song Symphony of Life. That is what it feels like
This is true (the part about art and music attracting neurodivergent people). I've always been really interested in art and music, it's really fun for me. I think what i like a lot about it is that it has rules on certain conditions which is usually really easy to follow, but generally is very open to whatever you want to do with it, so there isn't necessarily a wrong way to make art or music. A lot of things that have very specific and complicated rules can be overwhelming, but with art and music, especially when self taught, it can make it a lot more of an enjoyable thing to navigate because there's not much pressure of 'doing it right'. I didn't actually know anything about autism until late last year and after hyper-fixating on research on it for a few days i learned a lot and noticed patterns in all of my friends as well as myself. For me, art and music is a place for me to fit in when i feel I don't belong anywhere else. It's always provided comfort for me.
@@scribblesbysilly I also like art and music lol
Sorry but this is just plain incorrect. While you get people like Eminem (yes he's aspergers/autistic if you didn't know), generally speaking it's STEM fields and journalism that attract autistic people, not the arts.
@@RassionellMaddman well that's what's typically shown in media, but that's not exactly the case. While there definitely are neurodivergent people who are really into science and math and whatnot, you'd be surprised to learn how many are into the arts or entertainment medias as well. I know quite a few people with autism and adhd and almost all of them are interested in exclusively art or music. Except for my best friend who likes computer science, but she also likes art and music as well :]
I've lived for a long time thinking all of these traits were normal things everybody did until I realized that I have entirely surrounded myself with artists and outliers, most of whom are definitely on the spectrum, for decades. Of course it's all normal to me. When I get outside that, around 9-5 "polite society," I feel like I just feel to earth from another planet where I have no clue what's going on.
2:49 ok i love your sense of humor dude
i heavily related to 50 of these (and was the complete opposite of the rest of them). a lot of people don't think i'm autistic because i learned to speak, read, and write super early (and as a kid i was categorized as "highly gifted") but what a lot of people is that often autism and "giftedness" go hand-in-hand.
it also doesn't help that i spend a large portion of my childhood and teen years heavily masking (as i had been taught there was a "correct" way to behave) and so people didn't really notice my stimming, weird sense of humor, or lack of understanding of social situations. add that to the fact that a lot of my experiences with autism are internal, like my anxiety, sensory issues, or scripting conversations, and i'm still undiagnosed
56/63 I'm level 2 and 39 female
I counted 48/63, and the one that stood out to me as something I absolutely not do is the bright colors thing. I prefer darker colors, and watching bright colors is just too much stimuli for hypersensitivity.
@@Kradch1 oh same. i'm pretty sure my family thinks i wear a lot of black bc i'm goth or emo or something, when in reality it's just that colors are exhausting to look at
well, I was full of imposter syndrome bc I have an appointment this weekend to finally get a diagnosis, but now I got 55 out of 63 so 😅 feeling much better now😂
Yay
61/63
I have ADHD and anxiety. The only two I didn't at least partially relate with was telling the truth even when you shouldn't (usually I lie to not hurt someone's feelings) and always finishing what you started (I have to really really love it). I definitely related with 3 the most:
63-How could someone be so smart yet so stupid? Im above grade level by at least 2 grades in every subject, yet sometimes I forget how old I am. Or cut my hair by myself...
56-preferring written communication. Yesss! I love writing stories so much and whenever I do something hard I write it out first
36-enjoying repetition. I loved when you repeated that clip and I laughed so hard. I especially love whiteboards and other things where you write it and then erase and rewrite it.
My mom always says there's no way I'm autistic, but this video basically proves my point. In books or videos about autistic people, I relate soooo much. I feel like I could basically be that person. I'm going to keep pressuring my mom to get me tested for autism.
I'd recommend you check it out! There's a huge amount of people with ADHD who are also autistic - it's estimated that up to 80% of autistic people are ADHD too. Realising I was autistic was life changing. My mum didn't think I was autistic at first either, but it's so important to go with what is right for you. It is a lot of effort, but I would recommend that every time you see a trait in yourself, write it down. Or compile a playlist of videos or creators that you relate to. Soon, you'll have so much evidence it's hard to argue with! Also look into autism in the developmental stages. If you bring that to the assessment process, they pretty much have to assess you! Wishing you all the best in your endeavours!
Man, that last one is so relatable. It seems like it's the only thing people around me can say to me. Telling me I'm so smart, and they don't understand when I act stupid sometimes.
I was officially diagnosed last week at 61
My son was diagnosed with being on the spectrum many, many years ago, and the more I've learned about autism, the more I've thought I see it in myself. I tallied these traits as you went through them and 53 of them resonated with me, some very strongly. I know that at 66 years old I've never been comfortable with people, always felt out of sync, and struggled with so much that seems to come easily to others, although I'm quite intelligent and am singled out for handling things (usually organizational or in a leadership role) that others have difficulty with. I wish autism had had the recognition it does now back in my developmental years when I felt so very awkward and alone. Thank goodness people on the spectrum don't have to feel isolated anymore.
exactly, and just because most people have preconceived opinions on what 'autism looks like' its very hard to communicate world views with them or opinions and sometimes dont even believe you have autism because you have learnt to 'mask' it so well 'masking' - the term for adapting in social situations. i struggle to make my parents understand my perspective after avoiding the conversation for so many years but they insist on blaming external things and feeling heartbroken as they think im in a deep pit, but in reality they dont see it in a positive light as i do, they just thought i was always happy, but in reality ive discovered the addictive personality type i have been given, managed to quit smoking after smoking occasionally for 2/3 years as ive not been able to be open with parents they just dont understand, and i feel like its impossible to unmask as they think im 'sad'. XD
doesnt help the communist escape era they lived through and the fact 'mental health' in their eyes is non existent and if its brought up you are considered victimiser or simply 'retarded' rather than different.
That 'all or nothing' point stood out to me. I've been functioning like that, knowing I was like that for years. A lot of these traits matched up with my own practices or perceptions. I'm finding others who 'get it' in recent years, thank goodness! And it's great to have a friend group who at least tries to understand. Thanks for sharing this!
Loads of normal people have that, this man is selling a product.
for me, “all or nothing” is all at work, nothing at home lmao. home is where i lay in bed all day watching one of my comfort shows for the idk how many times and eating noodles every day in my stitch tracksuit that i wear every day. Asocial and unbothered by people
work is where i deal with customers, appear social and charismatic and am super productive. For reference, i work at a hotel
not sure if i am autistic, ADHD, both or neither, but i relate to many traits lol
4:27 I'm autistic with adhd and I can relate to many of these traits, but this one is totally the other way around for me 🐎
I got 45/63 - What spoke to me most was rehearsing conversations in my mind before having them, and thinking about what I could have said after conversations. Meanwhile, preferring non verbal communication because I can perfect what I want to say before saying it…
Probably my strongest one too. It's so second-nature to me now that it's weird to me that neurotypicals don't do it (but they seem to draw from a universal source of scripts). It takes me 15 minutes to make a 1 minute phone call because I have to create a script first. I also have imaginary conversations in my head all day so I am prepared for almost anything that could come up in conversation. On Mondays I have to remember that people are going to ask me about my weekend and I need to come up with something that is interesting enough to pacify them, but not so much that they'll ask follow-up questions (because lately my honest answer would be something like "I transcribed my primary school reports into a spreadsheet")
Hey 45 buddy!
There were also a few others where I was like "eh kinda", and some of the yeses were more like OMG YESSSS.
@@lucyj8204 I can relate- I scored 44
Isn't that just a sign of social anxiety though? Or to some degree (at least thinking about better things you could have said after the conversation is already over) even something almost everybody experiences?
ive never been diagnosed with autism, but ive been starting to believe i have it, and seeing that i relate to so many of these (almost all of them), has made me realize even more that i might have it. thank you for this video.
It’s bunkum, why do people believe this stuff. He’s selling a product!
@@AnitaDilwhat product?? mental illness? 💀💀💀 Let people have their own thoughts weirdo
@@averagetwink. lmao i think i got a free sample of that product
@@averagetwink. Lmfao
As an autistic person myself I kept nodding at practically all of these, and I’m confident in saying this is my personality and it makes me who I am and it makes me a truly unique individual.
I am also that exact same unique and one of a kind individual lol
Yeah only 7 die Not aply to me notably the bright colors, dont Like them, especially Not in me, to much input
Everybody is unique.
42/63 spot on, maybe a few more with slight differences in nuances. For example the first one with the clothing I'm the opposite, never wearing bright colors, therefor I didn't count it in. My favorite backpack is neon green though, but its not clothing and it's comfortable even when full and heavy and has good extra pockets so I can easily find certain stuff in certain pockets when needed.
My adult daughter told me suddenly that she believes she's autistic, I didn't believe her, picturing behavior like rocking, non verbal etc. She's one of the smartest and most creative people I know. That being said, after watching this, I realized I had basically 90% of these traits! I also am very creative, love my own company, hate crowds and am awkward around people (especially large family groups) see patterns in everything and think outside the box, not being very good in school I grew up ending up in accounting and I love numbers! Pretty sure most of the people at work are as well, I would think "they are a little "off" but seemed normal. Very eye opening! I'm 100% sure my 95 year old Mother is as well. She's obsessed with order, knows how many knives,forks spoons we have, if I take a glass downstairs, she immediately knows it's missing, is ruled by "order" and regimes, down to eating the same thing every day for breakfast and lunch, can't cook without a recipe and more! Of course she could also be obsessive/compulsive or just extremely organized!
Hi friend, very cool to read this. My own parents are balking at my having brought this up, and yet, I can imagine a world in which my own father comes here and leaves a post just like yours.
So, thanks for being open-minded. Hopefully it has helped you in some way.
As for your mother's very exacting behavior autistic vs. obsessive compulsive, generally the difference is the reason behind the behavior. If she is keeping such tight tabs on things because she believes negative things will happen in the future otherwise, then that leans more OCD. The compulsion to keep order is effectively treating the obsessive worry over future negative events. However, if the obsessive-looking orderliness is just really about efficiency or something else, we are back in the realm of ASD being more likely.
Anyway, hope that helps in some way, I'm just someone who takes a serious interest in these things and enjoys sharing a little bit of information with internet strangers while pacing around in my kitchen. Hahaha. Totally on brand! 😂
At least she not a rocking non verbal
This channel keeps feeling more and more like a warm safespace, and I really enjoy how you go about validating differences. I, for one, am so easily impressed by people and not at all at the same time. I see them as people, and that's that. If you are passionate about nature or know a lot of facts about something, I find that so deeply fascinating. But social status, money and titles don't mean anything to me:')
Yes! Same. I would never have survived corporate America or any other patriarchal structure
I care about social/career status and money. I need a high status job to feel successful
@@unicorntomboy9736 Which is also completely valid. The extreme differences 'from the norm' are just so interesting to look at and discuss:')
A lot of these things also pertain to introverts, not just autistic people. I got 16 of these and most pertain to being an introvert.
There is a bit of overlap, definitely. Also with other disorders.
Well, but I think most autistics got like 40 of these so the thing about this checklist is about the amount and how much these impact our lives. Take the "can't read between lines" thing, it's so hard for me it constantly caused me trouble on my job
I agree. I think autism is a form of more complex introversion as I have lots of these traits and so does my son with Aspergers. I think that psychopathy or narcissism could be an extreme form of extroversion. Just an opinion.
Eh, ASD, as well as other neurological or psychological conditions, is defined by as in how many traits do you exhibit, as well as how much these traits affect you/other people. In this topic, 16 is not significant out of a list of 62
16 isn't a lot, that's why there 63 traits
52/63, and self diagnosed (I've done research for a year). I have ADHD (professionally diagnosed), which just amps the possibility of autism. I have sensory issues, go nonverbal when confronted, forget a lot of things, etc. I also have signs of D.I.D (again, research for a year) which could explain the memory. I plan to get diagnosed for both once I'm over 18 so my parents don't bug me about it:3
The brushing your teeth one was so specific but it is so true for me. I hate brushing my teeth. The taste of the very spicy mint toothpaste, the hard bristles brushing against my gums, the gagging, and the excess wetness dribbling down my cheeks. Its the worst. Although I have found a way to make brushing more pleasant: salt flavoured toothpastes are amazing, those new soft extreme fine bristle brushes are so good, and playing music really distracts me from the gagging and the weird tactile feeling of the water on my face.
i also hate it😭😭😭😭🤮🤮
As someone who also struggled with avoidance that came from a lot of the sensory stuff for brushing my teeth (in addition to an ADHD struggle to remember to do it), the way I conquered both was adopting the routine of brushing my teeth in the shower. There was an adjustment to using hot water, but it both made the brushing part of the daily hygiene routine, and got me past the foaming, drooling, mess-making issues, while the full-body sensory overload of the shower's water dwarfed the bristle-and-toothpaste stuff enough to let me get it done at least once a day.
oranurse toothpaste changed my life. It's got no flavour, it doesn't foam. I don't use it every single day (even though it's totally affordable enough that I could) because a gentle mint toothpaste usually solves that sensory issue enough, but on days where I'm particularly tired or otherwise overwhelmed having the much lower sensory experience can make the difference between brushing my teeth or not.
Exactly! Too much going on, and the feeling is just aggravating. Especially with very sensitive teeth and cold water + mint toothpaste makes it a struggle. I've learned to use warm water now, and also swapped away from spin brushes
I too find salty toothpaste easier to handle 😊
One more thing i wanted to mention - yes, I used to re-watch the same shows (the office) and movies over and over again, but that went away after I started on my antidepressant... so for me it was a comfort thing that was more depression related. Unless it's specifically a symptom of an autistic depression with the repetition meaning comfort.
Anyway - i thought I'll share in case some is stuck on that re-watch cycle - definitely check on your mood 💚💛🧡
well, it's usually a comfort thing, so if you already feel more comfortable then you may not feel the same need for sameness in experience in some things
Yeah it was more of a phase I went through in middle school and high school. I gradually stopped doing that as I got older.
It's kind of like "Annie Hall," where Alvy keeps dragging Annie to see the "The Sorrow and the Pity."
I read/listen to the same book trilogy over and over again. It's my emotional support and I definitely do it more when I'm stressed out. Now I don't go to a daily job and I need to do this a lot less.
48/63 I'm not diagnosed, still doing a lot of research, only just recently started suspecting that I am autistic about 2 weeks ago when I watched one of your videos purely out of curiosity.
It's crazy all the things this video is making me think about, like my absolute refusal to learn to read growing up, until my mom made a point of getting me hooked on a series of kids books and then stopped reading to me so that I had to read them myself. Correcting my teacher's math mistakes while struggling really hard to learn the ABC's/phonics. Reading at or above college level when I started high school, and wanting to take extra advanced math classes but being held back because I was behind in most all of my other classes. Literally having to completely deprive myself of the joy of reading for fun because I was incapable of getting anything else done until I finished whatever book or series I was into at the time.
I'm diagnosed ADHD but have been wondering about ASD. You just described my life experience to a T, except I struggled with basic math (dyscalculia) and was advanced in language arts. The part about how you learned to read is uncanny. My mom read me the first 2 Harry Potter books and the rest was history. Thank you for sharing, I feel validated on a level I didn't think was possible.
@@timmyjean4377 Really? I never hear that from anyone🤯now I feel a little more validated too. Thank you. I have suspected that I have ADHD for a long time, but I've never been diagnosed for that either, and the stories of autistic people's experiences that I relate to the most are usually from people who are autistic and have ADHD.
@@timmyjean4377 As yet undiagnosed for ASD, but I've been thinking about my past a lot, and remembered how in elementary school I got hooked on the Harry Potter series. I'd never read another book like it (middle-grade fiction), and just couldn't bear to have it end. I was in the middle of my 4th consecutive reading of the series when my teacher and school librarian intervened. 😊
@@Dimple_5 Male 🤷♂️
@@Dimple_5 It's the thought that counts!
58 out of 63
I have yet to be diagnosed with anything, and I am fairly certain I have something that is yet to be diagnosed, I suspect it may be Aspergers, because a lot of the physical, mental, and behavioral things in that are very very relatable, even my mom thinks I may have a bit of aspergers, and she has always been very set on telling me there isn't anything wrong with me whenever I would talk about my mental health, so for her to say that was a bit of a relief because that means she's starting to believe me more and starting to pick up on the things I've brought up.