"People are more stressful than they are enjoyable." People need to understand this. When I was going through a hard time at work (this was on a cruise ship), my boss said I needed to go to the bar after work instead of going back to my cabin and playing on my laptop alone. For me, going to the noisy, crowded bar was just more stress and I needed that time alone to wind down.
God this describes my life SO incredibly well. I never considered that I could be autistic, I never thought that I wasn't, per se, it just didn't occur to me. Since recently discovering that I am, indeed, autistic, I can't believe I never considered it before. The social development issues, the selective mutism as a kid, living on the edge of the social interactions and never knowing what to say to yet people to accept me, the sensory issues, the resistance to change. Now I know, I'm not defective, I'm not an alien in human skin, I'm not disordered, I'm simply autistic.
I’m 52 n still don’t have a formal diagnosis. My nephew is diagnosed autistic and I’m quietly confident that both my parents were. Finding Sarah was a revelation to me. Without knowing it she tells my life story. I keep on keeping on to the best of my masking abilities. But, can’t thank Sarah enough for opening my eyes and allowing me to feel less ‘wrong’ and ‘alone’. Only wish I could find more videos of her talks. Thank you from the centre of my heart Ms. Hendrix - you have literally saved my life ❤
I know this video is intended for women. But as a man I relate to all of this so much it's mind boggling. I was never picked out as autistic, and just now when I'm almost 40 I've figured it out thanks to videos like this. Been waiting for an appointment for diagnosis, and very excited/nervous that's it's finally coming next week.
Incredible speaker, spot on. I am a clinician working with Acorn Autism Specialists near Colchester. We meet many many women who have been misdiagnosed with various mental health conditions, and for many years have felt there was something wrong with them, they don't fit in anywhere, or don't belong. I am so proud to be working with such experienced clinicians who are well aware of the traits Sarah mentions, and has experienced. We spot them Sarah!!!
I'm 49, met my current husband 10 years ago and I still say sorry to him at times for 'not being normal'. He loves me, knows who and what I am and doesn't care but still......
Breed recognition feels like 'coming out!' thank you. at 54 years old and every male in my family diagnosed- its like jumping in the pool with the boys now!
I have to listen to this in short segments in order to allow myself to process all the revelations. If only I had known these things when I was a kid! Better late than never. Thanks!
Thank you Sarah. I am a weirdo. I am an autist. But didn’t understand why. I was in trouble for different reasons and situations. But since my childhooddriend told my that I am autistic. I was tested. And from that moment I am following people that give me answers to all my confusions. So now I am 58 and I am accepting that I am different than my sisters. And that I am that for a reason. It’s called autism.❤❤❤❤
I just received my diagnosis on Thursday! I’m so relieved I finally have answers as to why I’ve always felt so different to everyone else. They were the people who recommended I watch this and a couple of your other videos.
My second time watching this. This is the video that made me realize I am autistic. Have my evaluation next week. I'm 49, and I feel like my life is finally starting.
Thank you for sharing! I was diagnosed through neuropsychology testing as high functioning autism at age 44....i live in Montana, however, and there isn't a lot of opportunities for dealing with this and in the past I was diagnosed with OCD and Major depression.
I was counting well into the hundreds and reading at 2 years old. My Dad said that I was out of diapers before I was a year old. I could not stand the starched and pleated dresses he put on me. At 3.5 years old my grandmother brought me to a psychiatrist because I only drew with a black crayon, didn’t talk to other people other than she and my Dad. I lined up my stuffed animals and didn’t sleep much. He said I was depressed. Evidently I also scored 132 on the I.Q. test. I could write with both hands at the same time, backwards, and upside down. I hid behind something everywhere I went. My Dad expected me to be perfect at everything and to naturally know what to do at all times. Teachers yelled at me and made fun of me along with the other children. I always wanted to be someone other than me. My most favorite times were climbing trees and reading in them. I made my apartment in my closet even though I had a whole room to myself. I have never fit in until I became a Truck Driver! Then due to health problems I told my boss that I would have to quit driving and he made me a Ticket Girl at our dirt pit. Except for the days when there are more than 20 Drivers coming in, I have the most perfect job for me. I keep track of each load that each Driver gets and I keep all of the Operators (heavy equipment) hours. I figure up how many total yards of product each truck got. For the triaxles it’s 16 yards per load and the quad-axles get 18 yards. Then the tractor-trailers get 20 yards. Then I total them all up. I was diagnosed when I was 54.5 years old and now I’m 61.5 years old. But I’ve known that I’m an Aspie for longer. I just wish someone had discovered this when I was a child. Then I wouldn’t have felt so stupid all those years.
Wow, Sarah. This is the first time I've seen you. Pretty amazing. I wonder if you know how much you help people? Thanks. Would be nice to have access to the slidedeck so I don't have to pause the video and write things down. Can/will you post it for us?
Most of this isn't even female ASD-specific. I'm a late-diagnosed HF ASD male and the situations Ms. Hendrickx has presented throughout are like a sushi menu of life experiences where I've checked off 85% of the line items, and most of the remaining 15% are just because I'm not biologically female.
Hello, AANE or Sarah Hendrickx I'm an adult 35yr old female with dyslexia. Sorry about grammar error. I maybe on autism spectrum and during research in pass week a question poped into my head concerning my wife. Is it possable for adult female, who diagnose with BPD, PTSD and self-diagnose DID could be some what mislabeled? In reality they are also on the autism spectrum. she has watched few video on autism with me in the pass, but lately her reaction is "I go throught that too. Isn't normal. I don't get how that autism" attitude. This had lead to the point were I can't even say thing about me maybe being on the autism spectrum in front of her. She refuse think of me having ASD until I get a professionally tested and therapist for it. Saldy, I may not be able get tested until late Fall to Winter 2022. I know I shouldn't self-diagnose my wife and I, but I very curious if possible if either of us fit into the spectrum. If so, can anyone recommend video for her. FYI, She hates reading. Thank you for reading & replys, KcK
Thanks for your comment! Someone at AANE would be happy to help you. Please visit our Contact Us page to make an appointment: www.aane.org/about-us/contact-us/
this is one of the best videos about autisme in females I've ever found. it really resonated with me so much, it made me cry.
me too...
"People are more stressful than they are enjoyable."
People need to understand this. When I was going through a hard time at work (this was on a cruise ship), my boss said I needed to go to the bar after work instead of going back to my cabin and playing on my laptop alone. For me, going to the noisy, crowded bar was just more stress and I needed that time alone to wind down.
God this describes my life SO incredibly well. I never considered that I could be autistic, I never thought that I wasn't, per se, it just didn't occur to me. Since recently discovering that I am, indeed, autistic, I can't believe I never considered it before. The social development issues, the selective mutism as a kid, living on the edge of the social interactions and never knowing what to say to yet people to accept me, the sensory issues, the resistance to change. Now I know, I'm not defective, I'm not an alien in human skin, I'm not disordered, I'm simply autistic.
I’m 52 n still don’t have a formal diagnosis. My nephew is diagnosed autistic and I’m quietly confident that both my parents were. Finding Sarah was a revelation to me. Without knowing it she tells my life story. I keep on keeping on to the best of my masking abilities. But, can’t thank Sarah enough for opening my eyes and allowing me to feel less ‘wrong’ and ‘alone’. Only wish I could find more videos of her talks. Thank you from the centre of my heart Ms. Hendrix - you have literally saved my life ❤
Thanks for this. I am currently undiagnosed , but bells going ping with lots of what your talking about❤😊
Sarah Hendrickx is an absolutely energetic, engaging, and informative speaker. I love watching her videos.
I know this video is intended for women. But as a man I relate to all of this so much it's mind boggling. I was never picked out as autistic, and just now when I'm almost 40 I've figured it out thanks to videos like this. Been waiting for an appointment for diagnosis, and very excited/nervous that's it's finally coming next week.
Incredible speaker, spot on. I am a clinician working with Acorn Autism Specialists near Colchester. We meet many many women who have been misdiagnosed with various mental health conditions, and for many years have felt there was something wrong with them, they don't fit in anywhere, or don't belong. I am so proud to be working with such experienced clinicians who are well aware of the traits Sarah mentions, and has experienced. We spot them Sarah!!!
I'm 49, met my current husband 10 years ago and I still say sorry to him at times for 'not being normal'. He loves me, knows who and what I am and doesn't care but still......
Exactly like you Sarah - did PhD in math in
I was also misdiagnosed once with borderline personality and then with bipolar disorder. Thank you so much for this video.
This woman is amazing.
I read her book in one evening! It was so good! A strong voice and advocate for women with autism.
It's tough to be a porcupine on a planet of balloon animals.
She's a wonderful speaker 😍 enjoyed this very much.
"I need to spend time away from people in order to be able to be with people."
That's me.
Breed recognition feels like 'coming out!' thank you. at 54 years old and every male in my family diagnosed- its like jumping in the pool with the boys now!
Interesting, amusing, well-delivered. I am not alone.
I have to listen to this in short segments in order to allow myself to process all the revelations. If only I had known these things when I was a kid! Better late than never. Thanks!
I identify with much of this even though I'm a male with ASD. I wonder how much overlaps with gender.
I've never related to someone more. Thank you for all you do :)
Thank you Sarah. I am a weirdo. I am an autist. But didn’t understand why. I was in trouble for different reasons and situations. But since my childhooddriend told my that I am autistic. I was tested. And from that moment I am following people that give me answers to all my confusions. So now I am 58 and I am accepting that I am different than my sisters. And that I am that for a reason. It’s called autism.❤❤❤❤
I just received my diagnosis on Thursday! I’m so relieved I finally have answers as to why I’ve always felt so different to everyone else. They were the people who recommended I watch this and a couple of your other videos.
@sarah hendrickx is litterally my hero. It's like she's speaking from MY throat.
Sarah - I think you might be my new Spirit Animal!
My second time watching this. This is the video that made me realize I am autistic. Have my evaluation next week. I'm 49, and I feel like my life is finally starting.
Excellent speech, very informative and entertaining. D.A., NYC
OMG 17:50 been there. Hurts like the Dickens! And I also have RSD - Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. Absolutely crushing.
Thank you ever so much for this amazing presentation and all the best to you!!
Thank you for sharing! I was diagnosed through neuropsychology testing as high functioning autism at age 44....i live in Montana, however, and there isn't a lot of opportunities for dealing with this and in the past I was diagnosed with OCD and Major depression.
This was absolutely great. Thank you so very much.
I can't believe how relatable this is.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Sarah - you have such a beautiful brain x
I was counting well into the hundreds and reading at 2 years old.
My Dad said that I was out of diapers before I was a year old.
I could not stand the starched and pleated dresses he put on me.
At 3.5 years old my grandmother brought me to a psychiatrist because I only drew with a black crayon, didn’t talk to other people other than she and my Dad. I lined up my stuffed animals and didn’t sleep much.
He said I was depressed. Evidently I also scored 132 on the I.Q. test.
I could write with both hands at the same time, backwards, and upside down.
I hid behind something everywhere I went.
My Dad expected me to be perfect at everything and to naturally know what to do at all times.
Teachers yelled at me and made fun of me along with the other children.
I always wanted to be someone other than me.
My most favorite times were climbing trees and reading in them.
I made my apartment in my closet even though I had a whole room to myself.
I have never fit in until I became a Truck Driver!
Then due to health problems I told my boss that I would have to quit driving and he made me a Ticket Girl at our dirt pit.
Except for the days when there are more than 20 Drivers coming in, I have the most perfect job for me.
I keep track of each load that each Driver gets and I keep all of the Operators (heavy equipment) hours.
I figure up how many total yards of product each truck got. For the triaxles it’s 16 yards per load and the quad-axles get 18 yards. Then the tractor-trailers get 20 yards.
Then I total them all up.
I was diagnosed when I was 54.5 years old and now I’m 61.5 years old. But I’ve known that I’m an Aspie for longer.
I just wish someone had discovered this when I was a child. Then I wouldn’t have felt so stupid all those years.
Ps with the nhs it took me 5 months to get a diagnosis as a women :)
Lol...I imagine myself in a cactus suit when I’m feeling ‘spikey’.
THIS! This video is life changing. Thank you SO SO MUCH ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Wow, Sarah. This is the first time I've seen you. Pretty amazing. I wonder if you know how much you help people? Thanks.
Would be nice to have access to the slidedeck so I don't have to pause the video and write things down. Can/will you post it for us?
this women is amazing - I was transfixed
Excellent thank you. You remind me so much of the wonderful Victoria Wood.
Most of this isn't even female ASD-specific. I'm a late-diagnosed HF ASD male and the situations Ms. Hendrickx has presented throughout are like a sushi menu of life experiences where I've checked off 85% of the line items, and most of the remaining 15% are just because I'm not biologically female.
the awareness of friendship levels... god yeah
Good
Hello, AANE or Sarah Hendrickx
I'm an adult 35yr old female with dyslexia. Sorry about grammar error.
I maybe on autism spectrum and during research in pass week a question poped into my head concerning my wife. Is it possable for adult female, who diagnose with BPD, PTSD and self-diagnose DID could be some what mislabeled? In reality they are also on the autism spectrum. she has watched few video on autism with me in the pass, but lately her reaction is "I go throught that too. Isn't normal. I don't get how that autism" attitude. This had lead to the point were I can't even say thing about me maybe being on the autism spectrum in front of her. She refuse think of me having ASD until I get a professionally tested and therapist for it. Saldy, I may not be able get tested until late Fall to Winter 2022. I know I shouldn't self-diagnose my wife and I, but I very curious if possible if either of us fit into the spectrum. If so, can anyone recommend video for her. FYI, She hates reading.
Thank you for reading & replys,
KcK
Thanks for your comment! Someone at AANE would be happy to help you. Please visit our Contact Us page to make an appointment: www.aane.org/about-us/contact-us/