@shmokeyjoints Thanks for sharing the testimonial, I thought I was alone in that case. I'm sorry to hear. Shame that parents put so much expectation on children and can't accept them for what they are. I'm sure the path for you will lead to interesting discoveries
I'm a mother of an autistic child, and I have ADHD. This is the best video I've ever watched describing how it feels to live with autism. Thanks for telling your story, and thanks for your strength. You are a gift to us all. ❤
My differences don't make me broken. Other people tried to break me because of my differences. They tried to shave off my corners to make me fit in the round hole. They hit me because they could.
I am 45 male from Soth Carolina. I was just diagnosed 8 months ago. My life has change so much for the better. I now have a way to understand and deal with it.
@@syedraza216 : It would be informative if you can report back to update us on your experience practicing law. I suspect you will find autism an advantage in some respects, and a liability in others.
I had a similar experience as she did with home office during the pandemic. the job still was difficult for me because I had to do lots of phone calls, but working in a lower-noise environment and not having to spontaneously react to the chatter of my co-workers made me a lot more efficient and less stressed. When I had to go work on site again I realised even stronger how much effort it took to do my job compared to doing it at home where all these distractions and stressors weren't present. really wish society would learn from the pandemic, that when the work is doable in home office setting, there should be free choice for the employee if their presence isn't *actually* important (like for important meetings direct work with clients/patients).
💯 I couldn’t agree more! Enforcing office working for every employee is creating barriers to disabled/ND employees. Not only does this negatively impact employees, but also employers are losing out on a huge talent pool.
@@katieforbesautisticflair Luckily, with technology and the pandemic, working from home has now become an option for many and ultimately will disprove that autism is not a disorder but rather a different way of thinking and doing which can excel in certain conditions like working form home.
I am not autistic, nor are my kids. But I have this strong belief that autism is NOT a disorder. It’s ONLY being different. AND since ALL human beings are different, this shouldn’t be a problem at all ! More power to you! ♥️
@@katieforbesautisticflairwell, autism is a disorder because it needs to be accommodated and is even considered a disability by the ada (Americans with disabilities act). The difference between a disorder and a difference is that a difference needs to be embraced and nothing more. While that is true, autism still needs to be accommodated no matter what support needs they have or where they fall on the spectrum. Saying autism is a difference is sugarcoating and even ignoring the struggles that come with it. It’s harmful the to community.
Tell that to all the individuals with profound autism as well as their families and support networks who don't know what to do to help their loved ones. I would know it's clearly a disability because I was one of the support workers facing this hardship first hand (I was lucky at least, 1) I was paid for my time and 2) I got to go home at the end of the day)
@@lowelljohnson744 You mean like me who has to care for a little brother with chronic autism and has autism myself. I wouldn’t change him for the world. He’s the best. Obviously people should be accommodated. But that goes for everyone and their issues. My grandmother was a special ed teacher, and i never looked at them as in need of fixing. Simply a different person. After all In my mind people who don't have autism seem like the strange ones. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. My little brother may not be very social or talk much but he can list almost every ocean animal and dinosaur species you can think of. Were all different.
I gotta say, just like Katie, I was worried about my autism at first, but then I learned along the way that it wasn’t a curse. It was a gift. And I’ve been given so many good gifts with autism, like a good memory, the ability to deal with my stress, Work harder and follow my passion for filmmaking.
I have seen many Ted Talks but this one connects to me in more ways than I can count. Thank you so much for this talk. This will really get an very important message across.
@@katieforbesautisticflair Thank you so much for speaking out it really makes me a 20 year old diagnosed at a young age feel so much better about mysel Really appreciate it well done
As a fellow ASD'er - I can relate. I completely agree - I think Autism has lots of benefits. I wouldn't change anything except for the bullying & not getting a diagnosis until 47.
Thank you so much for sharing! You are awesome! I am an SLP and have several family members with different degrees of Autism. I am writing a Tedx Talk right now about how important it is for the rest of the world to take responsibility for understanding and being compassionate to the unique and marvelous aspects of individuals with Autism. You are an inspiration. I love how you love yourself and can champion the wonderfulness that is you! Good on you! Good on discovering and overcoming. I hope your video goes viral! Miss DB:)
My thoughts exactly. Autism is a difference not a disorder. I told my dad this same thing the other day when we were watching a TV show called 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' which is about a woman with Autism. In the show someone was defining Autism as a disorder. To me, it seems so obvious that it isn't a disorder yet society still sees it as one. We are in the dark ages of understanding it.
Great to hear my talk resonated with you ☺️ I delivered this talk to start a conversation around autism language and I’ve loved reading about so many different POVs.
A disorder needs to be accommodated. Autism needs to be accommodated. While autism does need to be embraced, that still doesn’t mean it’s just a difference. Differences need to be embraced and nothing more. Autism disables everyone on the spectrum. Autism is considered a disability by the ADA (Americans with disabilities act) and almost all autistic people use that label to describe themselves or their autism.
I actually agree with you now. You are right. My opinion has changed since I wrote that. I am more informed about the subject. There is a reason it is considered a disability in the DSM. @@winterwithawhyknudsen5166
@@winterwithawhyknudsen5166 it became a disorder in the first place because neurotypical themselves decided that they are the baseline and the whole society should be formed around how they see it fit in their eyes (which is a very self-centred approach). We wouldn’t be facing such a hard time, if every difference was accepted in the first place and things were shaped keeping it in mind. We are not asking for much, we are just rightfully asking for something that was ours to begin with.
Hey Katie, my son who is 4 has already received a diagnosis at what is a very young age, he has multiple profound challenges including AS(D). We are working hard to support his needs with lots of love and a calm and safe environment. Your talk was a great inspiration to our family, from a fellow Scot thanks again for sharing your experiences with the world and good on you for being so brave and standing on the stage.
@@stephenbrown8018thank you for sharing your heartwarming story. Your son is truly fortunate to have such a supportive and caring dad by his side. I hope you’re all getting the support you need.
I understand her struggles as a fellow autistic person. However as she says she achieved more than what most autistic people achieve but at a high price. I felt exactly the same during lockdown when society became less conventional. Although there are still stereotypes about autistic people such as being gifted and very detail oriented which actually only applies to about 0.2% of autistic people according to research results from the Australian government. These qualities manifest in different ways for most autistics such as carrying out very extensive researches instead of memorizing information by heart like a computer. Also many of us do not get married or settle down. I have also been suicidal. I have no prospects, job, relationships or friends. I am recovering from depression and am receiving disability benefits.
Those who focus on the medical model of disability would perhaps agree with you, whereas my views align with the social model. In my eyes, in most circumstances, it's not my autism that disable me, inaccessible environments do.
@sevendemons5445 it goes deeper than that. I work in aged care in Australia. It runs on a medical model, which means residents' physical needs for shelter, medication, food and cleanliness are given priority over any other needs a person may have.
Being left handed was also a disorder or a disease, I don't remember well, up until 1960. Definitions changes, language changes, time changes. I'm also autist, probably you know that the words we use to describe something takes more value to us than to Neurotypical people. A condition? Yes. A disorder and disability? It sounds as if we were the problem and we are not.
Katie, you're amazing. Indeed, you should be celebrated for your unique and strong abilities. It is a good thing we have many different kinds of people around. Let's celebrate the range of things we can accomplish together, as long as we all live TOGETHER and respect one another. We're looking into if my daughter is on the spectrum. Your story made me cry and helps to see this situation and journey as something more positive. I totally agree with you! I'm still scared of how the world will treat her and we still have a long way to go. It's hard to hear how difficult life can be, I see it in her already. From a young age. I hope I can help and support her to be as successful as you are. Thank you very much for sharing.
I went through the same, growing up. Hiding in toilet during recess time and scared of group projects. Then reading all these books "how to make friends " "how to talk to everyone" .... and learning from TV programme. Then I made friends, found love, and felt like "everything is fake". The insecurity never went away until I tried to kill myself and didn't die. After that I started telling everyone "I'm weird and I'm autistic". Now I finally feel like I'm having all the real things I want in life. Thank you so much for your speech, it's good to know someone else experienced the same and so glad you are living!
You at least found some friends😸😸 my parents gave me those kinda books as a birthday present when I was an adolescent, and I remember good enough that I read the books back and forth, then was trying to imply that knowledge in the real life, and it seemed like it weirded people out even more. Almost everyone thought I was a weirdo anyway
Me as well.Ine I was in middle school playing with bugs looking for 4 leaf clovers had to stop , I wld go to the library anywhere I cld hide due to lack of friends and social skills. Safest time of my life.
I'm watching this while eating breakfast in a Hotel during a mandatory work trip to a different state. The experience at the beginning of the pandemic of working remotely (in an environment I could control) was SO eye opening. In many ways, shut down was the most comfortable I've ever been. Having that ripped away when the neurotypical world reasserted itself has been it's own sort of trauma. In some ways, I was better off not having a taste of a world that was designed for me.
I know what you mean! I was a lot less anxious and rarely experience burnout when the country was locked down. I made lots of meaningful connections online and felt almost relieved not having to see people face-to-face.
I agree that acceptance is the key when dealing with autism. That being said, this does not stop it from being a disorder. I have changed my environment a lot that is including my work environment. The result is i can work 28 hours a week and be relatively stable on a mental level. In other words just by accepting and changing the environment i cannot even earn a full time salary. This is not my fault and not the fault of my employer, in fact we have no one to blame. I cannot expect to be paid a full time salary without being capable to do a full-time job. Accepting my autism helped to cope better but in the end it did not fix the problem at all. In fact if i could get rid of my autism i would do it without any hesitation.
I just watched it, thank you very much for this talk; Thank you also for sharing a little of your experience. I worked at a college, I studied at a university; and those were very difficult years for me. I was only diagnosed with autism last year, or in 2023; Thank you very much also for saying directly, or indirectly, that the problem is not us, but the environment around us.
I am proud of who I am. The big thing is how I can fit who I am into this world with the least amount of troubles possible. I know my weaknesses. But I also know my strengths. It’s just that this world doesn’t focus on my strengths nearly as much as my weaknesses. I want to find places and people that do the opposite.
We are where your parents were, planning how to accommodate our daughter in adulthood and fearing about what happens to her when we are no longer around. Videos like this give me hope that she can live a more independent life and remind us that we shouldn’t assume her abilities or underestimate her. just because she struggles to engage in life at 15 doesn’t mean she won’t learn to thrive at 25.
I'm currently in the process of being diagnosed with autism and I have been told that some of the sounds that I hear in my everyday life that are specific to my job as a staff nurse in operating theatres and where I work can only be heard by people who are on the spectrum, which means for the last year I have basically been the only person who can hear these sounds because neurotypical people automatically tune them out. I also find it quite overwhelming when the environment is too busy there's too much equipment and too many people have different conversations around me for me to focus on what I am doing. Sometimes the busy-ness is necessary, sometimes it's caused by people who haven't listened and given me things that I don't need which makes it more stressful because I am suddenly responsible for things that I shouldn't have in the first place and it will take me longer to count them when I need to. I sometimes find it difficult to work in other theatres where the walls are bright white particularly when the rooms lights are up all the way. But it's not all doom and gloom, I have an amazing fiancé who was diagnosed with ASD as a child and he knows what I am going through right now and has been an amazing support to me over the last nearly five and a half years. He's my rock and I am glad that I have someone who gets me.
100% agree. I didn’t know I was autistic because it was always cast in a negative way, and I wouldn’t have imagined my strengths in music and pattern thinking would be considered a disorder. The most interesting part is about how working from home helped you thrive! I’ve had a similar experience teaching music lessons from home. Thank you for spreading this message 🙏 Cheers!
cpirtle, I've studied autism for nearly 25 years, autism became my as the diagnostic criteria would say "restricted and repetitive behaviours". If you have any questions, just ask me. One piece of advice I'd like you to know, use your son's interest as an educational tool. Like to learn language read a book about his interest with him or watch a show about it. An autistic person's interest activates brain regions to do with language and communication, his interest will be a great help to learning things.
While I understand why the presenter would say that autism isn’t a disorder it actually just undermines the crippling effects of autism that my daughter has suffered alongside with its affects on mental health and anxiety.
I understand where you're coming from. Although I say I don't see autism as a disorder, that doesn't mean I don't describe it as a disability. My main point was autism wasn't the cause of my poor mental health and the challenges I faced on a daily basis - exclusion, ignorance and unwillingness to accommodate me ultimately led to this. I feel like autism doesn't *always* disable me, rather the environments I live, learn and work in does.
There are two different _kinds_ of disabilities. •Objective disabilities -- such as paralyzed limbs or anterograde amnesia -- are those that of themselves impose limitations on the person experiencing them. •Social disabilities, on the other hand, are externally imposed, arising not from the disabled person, but from other people's reaction to him or her. Autism does not cripple. Social exclusion often does.
@@ismailabdelirada9073"Higher functioning" autism (and I put that in quotation marks because I don't want to be too non PC) may just be a societal disability as you put it. What about autistic people who have very high needs like not having any grasp of their mother tongue? Is that not would be defined as objectively disabled?
@@lowelljohnson744 : That is a valid point. Nonverbal autism is a different matter. (I tend to think it may be misleading to classify it and what we used to call "Asperger's syndrome" under the same umbrella.)
I hate that Autism is called a disorder. It takes empowerment away from individuals who are on the spectrum. My son has Autism and I will NEVER refer to it as a disorder. He's just a beautiful, unique mind. It's just wired in a different way from mine. I wouldn't change him for anything, and I hope he feels the same way as he grows.
Thank you for your presentation. I'm totally using the video to try to make life easier for everyone. I have spatial gifts. It's not okay for me to use my gifts whenever I feel threatened.
Im on my healing journey, I’m an INFJ and HSP, which says we can be neurodiverse. I thought I just had dyslexia comprehension. Now more and more I think I have autism. I’m going to get tested. Thank you Katie for sharing.
I was diagnosed with autism when I was 20, and my report says that I’m “unemployable” and that I wouldn’t understand the dating world, but that’s not true about me.
@@katieforbesautisticflair That is so true. I have been misunderstood and mistreated a lot as an autistic person and people can be so rude and not even realize it
Katie, I know this is a long time since this was posted, but I had to say how brave you are. Thank you for sharing your experiences because its very helpful 🙏 I'm 61 and undiagnosed, but highly suspect that I'm autistic. I'm going to try to find you on Insta, etc and follow you. Thanks again 😊
@@katieforbesautisticflair In my area there's a farm run by autistic persons. They grow vegetables, make goat's milk soap, and sell those and other products at local markets. They also volunteer at a local soup kitchen whole learning skills which they can take to jobs elsewhere.
Aside from the "just a little bit autistic" one - as I was considered the 'normal' kid in the family and no one knew I struggled with ADHD and autism, the rest of that is spot on for my life.
We should make more environments where people are more free to be themselves autistically where they have a great time within their snozzlin rooms and not be overstimulated by the outside world. It's a great way to minimize noise and to make everything seem less dramatic and to view people who are often considered "invisible" in a much better light. Making rooms quieter and allowing more space for others to work makes a lot of logical sense.
I am a high-functioning Aspie. When I turned 50 I decided to stop play-acting and to just celebrate my autistic self. It has been quite hilarious but mostly wonderful. 😎
If we refrain from telling the non-autistic people around us just how weird we think they are behaving, we also have the right to expect them to accept us the way we are.
I've said this before only autism people truly understand it and can explain it, people that are not tend to shame it with out realising they're shaming the person and not treating people normal just because they have autism and they don't even realise they do it
It was so confusing without a diagnosis growing up, because other kids just KNEW. They might not have known it was autism, but kids are so observant and know when something's different. All I wanted as a kid was to be understood and fit in. It's taken a long time to come to accept that it's probably never going to happen. Even my neurotypical father doesn't seem to want to even begin to try and understand me and would rather place the "blame" entirely on me instead of working with me towards a better relationship.
Autism is a disorder. A difference is something that people embrace. A disorder is something that people accommodate because autism disables everyone on the spectrum.
@@katieforbesautisticflair it shouldn’t be controversial. It has to be diagnosed. Medically. It is a medical disorder. Doesn’t mean that it’s a bad thing. Most autistic people can’t talk (wether it’s forever or for certain amounts of time). We can’t socialize. Some even have poor motor skills. We need to be accommodated and that’s just facts. I’m not saying opinions. This isn’t a debate. Autism is a disability and that’s final- an autistic person
@greengreengreen5132 there’s a good amount of autistics that will say they love it for intense interests and how they process music and emotions (making them more creative) but it really comes down to the person if “their” autism is good or bad
As an autistic person with a loving family and a great relationship with my autism, It makes me incredibly sad you’d think of me that way. Autistic people only “suffer” because non autistics refuse to adapt or accommodate their needs. Your words are very hurtful.
@@TomGhoulerie Just stating a general opinion, as everyone is doing on here. People are always going to have different opinions to you. Why would you expect the world to adapt to or accommodate YOUR needs? The world does not revolve around autistic people's selfishness. You're only confirming that my opinion is correct - autism is a problem.
@@joyce5292I never said it was normal or easy. But it isn’t a problem. My point still stands, the suffering that autistic people face isn’t because of their autism, but of a non autistic society’s refusal to accept them/accommodate them/make life easier for them
🥳🌟always shine!☀️always change environment and circumstances if necessary, never yourself. Totally fabulous, just the way you are!!🥰your teachers didn't understand that's sad😪 always believe anything is possible 🤩 most people struggle they are just not as honest as you. Kindness and understanding changes lives💝💛
I disagree. Autism and ADHD have huge impacts on my life. It is not just a difference it is a disorder. It impacts the way I function, my memory, my attention span and so on which causes issues in my life. A difference would be something milder that doesn’t have as much of a massive impact on daily living.
autism is not a learning disability but can come with learning disabilities and even physical disabilities. its not something to be cured but something to be embraced and included into our society. its like a tiger and a lion are both cats, just different species. same with neurotypical and neurodivergency. still human, just a different type. nothing wrong with that and doesnt mean you are broken
I am 65. My grandson is autistic. We diagnosed his condition to be autism only by exploring internet. But during this exploration I found myself to be autistic and having ADHD. Had I known this fact earlier in my life,my life would have been different. During all these years I kept on wondering why am I so wierd and not confirming to the standards set by the society. I feel my life wasted and now I can do nothing at this age. My grandson is now undergoing therapy and I have advised my son never to leave it half way. Because he gets frustrated sometimes.
Thank you for opening up about this. Discovering you're autistic can be both a relief and source of reflection on the past. Sometimes I wish I had made the effort to understand my autistic identity sooner, but from speaking to people of all ages in the autistic community I've realised it's never too late to embrace your true self. Self discovering is a lifelong journey and I believe you still have the ability to explore new sources of joy and fulfilment at every point in life. All the best to you and your grandson.
While I can relate to some of her experiences I think it is really important to keep in mind that autism is a vast spectrum and autists might have other marginalizations as well. Not all of us are high masking, low support needs, white and middle/upper class.
@froginthemoss Sure. But I still think many people such as myself differ between disorder and disability. I consider myself disabled (because I am not capable of some skills considered normal) but I wouldn't say I have a disorder. Disorder sounds to me like I am a broken object, disability feels more human to me.
@@willyghost2213 According to research autism is not a disorder at all, especially as scientists can't even define 'normal'. Normality is an ideology, claims based on ideology is illegitimate science, there's no such thing as a normal human, it's a statistical fiction and utopian fantasy by Francis Galton. Physiology, genetics, neurology, sociology, and psychology all show the environment is responsible for the biological issues in brain development. When an organism is in any unsuitable environment development is delayed, including brain development. Put the organism in a suitable environment and development enhances. Genes answer to their environment, which means genetic expressions including phenotypes are because of the environment.
@@willyghost2213 According to research autism is not a disorder at all, especially as scientists can't even define 'normal'. Normality is an ideology, claims based on ideology is illegitimate science, there's no such thing as a normal human, it's a statistical fiction and utopian fantasy by Francis Galton. Physiology, genetics, neurology, sociology, and psychology all show the environment is responsible for the biological issues in brain development. When an organism is in any unsuitable environment development is delayed, including brain development. Put the organism in a suitable environment and development enhances. Genes answer to their environment, which means genetic expressions including phenotypes are because of the environment.
38 years here. Unfortunately everyone close to me doesn't believe or can't accept it. My symptoms are worse because I'm embracing it. I'm okay with it, but I think it's so much worse because I'm alone. Seriously only one person wished me happy bday. Finally it all makes sense, but too late for me. I have to end this soon. My life is fragmented. You know the Robin Williams quote I'm sure.
Are you ok? I completely understand what it's like to feel so overwhelmed the only option is to end it but please hold on. Everything is transient and you have a unique gift to bring to this world that no-one else can. Reach out. Find your tribe, they're out there or online if "out there's" too much. You matter. You are worthy and deserving of a happy life. Focus on the glimmers. Somebody wished you a happy birthday, there's one right there. I'm wishing you a belated happy birthday which means it's lasted longer, and I'm sending wishes for a bright, happy and healthy future for you better than anything you've ever known. You're not alone. You're also incredibly brave and strong to be so vulnerable. Keep on keeping on 💫🌈
It’s dangerous when you try to fix autism. People under this autism spectrum have this unique mind and the world is too usual for such an amazing ability.
Yes maybe for people with former “ Asperger’s” it is a neurodiversity, but for people with moderate and severe autism- and if combined with an intellectually disability- it is not a difference , it is a disability and a tragedy for the parents/ caregivers let’s face it . There are quite a lot of TH-cam bloggers who have autism and advocate / educate, but they are all mostly have Asperger’s, they are high functioning and very intelligent. But they only represent a quite small very mildly affected portion of people with autism 😢 I have a son on the spectrum
Exactly. Of course everyone should be loved, accepted and cherished as they are but when your child is still non-verbal, violent, and in diapers at 18 years old with severe daily headaches and stomach aches, it's downright cruel to deny them medical research and assistance. This entire "just accept them as they are" campaign ignores these poor suffering souls that truly need help. They are part of the ASD family too and people need to stop sweeping them under the rug.
You completely put my feelings in to words. My son is autistic and only just starting to use simple language aged 5 1/2. We had to fight so hard for his diagnosis just to get him the education he deserves. The spectrum is so vast and people one the moderate to more severe end can’t advocate for themselves. I find it quite hard hearing it’s not a disability, it’s a difference. Not being able to speak feels like a disability to me.
I never said autism isn’t a disability, I said I don’t view autism as a disorder - something that needs to be ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’. I want all autistic people to get the help and support they deserve, but I don’t think changing the autistic person is the answer, changing society’s view and attitude towards autism is. My views align with the social model of disability.
Asperger is simply the surname of a German Doctor who brought autism into public consciousness in the 1940's, there's no such thing as mild, moderate, and severe autism, autism isn't a disability in itself, no child is a tragedy, no YT bloggers "have autism" or "have Aspergers", there's no such thing as "high functioning", and no person is "with autism". All human beings are a part of neurodiversity but not all are neurodivergent. Autism IS a DIFFERENCE. What type? A neurological language one. The only reason why (sadly) some parents and carergivers view autistic children as a "tragedy" is because they don't understand the meaning of the behaviour being exhibited by the child and what's causing it. (Behaviour, whether desirable, undesirable, or challenging is a form of communication) The key to understanding autistic children and adults is learning the meaning of our behaviour and what causes it. Once allistic (non-autistic) people do this, they're empowered to respond to the behaviour in a way that results in more desirable behaviour being displayed. Also, it's a scientific fact that it's NOT autism that disables autistic people. Rather it's environment that does this and, because every autistic person is in a different environment, he/she will be affected and disabled to a greater or lesser degree. (This world isn't designed or set up with autistic brains in mind) However, completely natural environments are almost always good for autistic people. How do I know all of this? Because I'm autistic, have been ever since my conception, have spoken the language ever since then, (mostly through my behaviour and body-language) have studied autism extensively since my diagnosis in 2010, work with autistic children and adults, (as a Death-Prevention, Behaviour-Communication, and Heath Coach) and have completed autism neuroscience courses. Finally, you may not be aware of this but the de-humanising and deficit-focussed terminology that stems from the medical model of autism (i.e as a 'disorder') actually results in some autistic people resorting to murder and MANY to suicide. Thank you for reading.
The best way to make sure autistic people don't get the help and support they need. Autism is a difference but it IS also a handicap and people abuse them.
@@AngelaRyanXX As if doing a TED talk gives you the knowledge and competence of a psychiatrist or neurologist. A REAL one ... try Simon Baron-Cohen instead. He knows what he's talking about. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin tell lies no matter how large their reputation is.
@@ericabbott4864 Your comment acknowledges the fact there are limitations and vulnerabilities inherent to autism. Everyone knows ABA is not helping but trying to impose normalcy. At the same time, denying there is a handicap condition is also the best way for society to demand normalcy from an autistic person, it's the best excuse not to show any understanding, to deny abuse and to deny access to necessary services. This is the treacherous path on which the neurodiversity movement has evolved. It has horrible and terrifying consequences.
@@francoisleveille409 Meaningless romanticised terms like 'neurodiversity' and 'gender diversity' are part of the Pharma scam to deny research, deny etiology, deny baseline health and create dependents for life. There is nothing empowering about it.
@@AngelaRyanXX I see people like Simon Baron-Cohen doing absolutely amazing research and then parents of autistic kids and other social network warriors reject it all because 'their guts tell them they know better' !! DUH!
I am autistic, and I am sick of videos & individuals like this. They spent the first 2/3's of the video describing how disabling their condition is, and then the last 3rd gaslighting the audience into believing it *ISN'T* a disorder. Make your mind up. I also find it extremely galling when one of these 'high functioning' individuals with privileged backgrounds (in the context of autism: i.e loving families, spouses, friend network, etc) take it upon themselves to speak for the whole community when they start evangelising that it isn't a disorder ... they are literally advocating against the other 'high functioning' autistic individuals who find it completely disabling and require government financial assistance just to keep food in the fridge, the lights on, etc. There's a reason the spotlight is put on individuals like this, and it's *NOT* to serve the community ... it's to work against the community, particularly those who might be considered 'high functioning' - but nevertheless finding themselves much worse off than married, successful individuals like this. I am sickened.
I’m sorry my talk upset you. To be clear, I never said autism isn’t a disability, I said I don’t view autism as a disorder - something that needs to be ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’. I see disabilities and disorders as very different things. I want all autistic people to get the help and support they deserve, but I wanted to point out that changing the autistic person isn’t the answer, changing society’s view and attitude towards autism is. My views align with the social model of disability.
I can only imagine how much you’re craving to communicate with your child. Please know autistic people have their own unique ways to connecting with loved ones. It may not look like what you see on TV or with friends, but it can still be meaningful. Art and music can be helpful tools to communicate our thoughts. All the best x
People with autism are not a homogeneous group, and not all behaviors that people with autism do should be prohibited, for example, acting on your special interests (depending on the situation), self-stimulating (for example, rocking back and for, jumping around, shaking, etcetera) (depending on the situation), etcetera, should not be prohibited.
If you mean "disorder" as it throws the order of society out of it's comfort zone, then Autism could be considered a "disorder", but it's not a "disease", and it sure doesn't need a "cure". Whether "high functioning", "low functioning" or anywhere in between, it's time for us all to be treated with respect and understanding, not fear and intolerance.
It took me almost 32 years to get diagnosed, I finally love who I am and feel good enough.
LOVE this. So happy for you ❤
Got diagnosed in my 35's. No one I know accepted the diagnostic
47 for me! And it was life changing!
@shmokeyjoints Thanks for sharing the testimonial, I thought I was alone in that case. I'm sorry to hear. Shame that parents put so much expectation on children and can't accept them for what they are.
I'm sure the path for you will lead to interesting discoveries
I am autistic, and it’s who I am and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Love this 💗
Emma I have Autism too. I am a self advocate and love every second of it!
You are not autistic. You're just different from the norm. Living in a social media world.
You don't have any experience otherwise so you don't have the capacity to make that kind of decision
Me too and me neither
Fantastic talk! If our environment was improved, our “symptoms” would improve. There’s only so much an autistic person can do to cope.
I'm a mother of an autistic child, and I have ADHD. This is the best video I've ever watched describing how it feels to live with autism. Thanks for telling your story, and thanks for your strength. You are a gift to us all. ❤
Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this comment 🥹 I’m so pleased you found this helpful
My differences don't make me broken. Other people tried to break me because of my differences. They tried to shave off my corners to make me fit in the round hole. They hit me because they could.
I'm so sorry that you haven't been treated fairly. Autism was never the problem - the problem is the way we are treated because of our autism.
I love and respect your diversity ❤
I am 45 male from Soth Carolina. I was just diagnosed 8 months ago. My life has change so much for the better. I now have a way to understand and deal with it.
Love to hear this 😍 thank you for sharing
Just graduated law school and finally realized I have had autism my whole life. Went through a terribly exhausting time in law school. Whew!
Wow, I can only imagine. Thank you for sharing
And what does it feel?
@@syedraza216 : It would be informative if you can report back to update us on your experience practicing law. I suspect you will find autism an advantage in some respects, and a liability in others.
I had a similar experience as she did with home office during the pandemic. the job still was difficult for me because I had to do lots of phone calls, but working in a lower-noise environment and not having to spontaneously react to the chatter of my co-workers made me a lot more efficient and less stressed.
When I had to go work on site again I realised even stronger how much effort it took to do my job compared to doing it at home where all these distractions and stressors weren't present.
really wish society would learn from the pandemic, that when the work is doable in home office setting, there should be free choice for the employee if their presence isn't *actually* important (like for important meetings direct work with clients/patients).
💯 I couldn’t agree more! Enforcing office working for every employee is creating barriers to disabled/ND employees. Not only does this negatively impact employees, but also employers are losing out on a huge talent pool.
@@katieforbesautisticflair Luckily, with technology and the pandemic, working from home has now become an option for many and ultimately will disprove that autism is not a disorder but rather a different way of thinking and doing which can excel in certain conditions like working form home.
Embrace neurodiversity! I have had the same experiences. Great speech!
Thanks so much! Great to hear my talk resonated with you.
Thank you. That was great. Humanity comes in many flavors. We should accept and celebrate that--not in a special ceremony, but every day.
Couldn't agree more. Celebrate us by accepting us for exactly who we are 🥰 thank you for your kind words
I am not autistic, nor are my kids. But I have this strong belief that autism is NOT a disorder. It’s ONLY being different. AND since ALL human beings are different, this shouldn’t be a problem at all !
More power to you! ♥️
Couldn’t agree more 🥰
@@katieforbesautisticflairwell, autism is a disorder because it needs to be accommodated and is even considered a disability by the ada (Americans with disabilities act). The difference between a disorder and a difference is that a difference needs to be embraced and nothing more. While that is true, autism still needs to be accommodated no matter what support needs they have or where they fall on the spectrum. Saying autism is a difference is sugarcoating and even ignoring the struggles that come with it. It’s harmful the to community.
Tell that to all the individuals with profound autism as well as their families and support networks who don't know what to do to help their loved ones. I would know it's clearly a disability because I was one of the support workers facing this hardship first hand (I was lucky at least, 1) I was paid for my time and 2) I got to go home at the end of the day)
@@lowelljohnson744 You mean like me who has to care for a little brother with chronic autism and has autism myself. I wouldn’t change him for the world. He’s the best. Obviously people should be accommodated. But that goes for everyone and their issues. My grandmother was a special ed teacher, and i never looked at them as in need of fixing. Simply a different person. After all In my mind people who don't have autism seem like the strange ones. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. My little brother may not be very social or talk much but he can list almost every ocean animal and dinosaur species you can think of. Were all different.
I gotta say, just like Katie, I was worried about my autism at first, but then I learned along the way that it wasn’t a curse. It was a gift. And I’ve been given so many good gifts with autism, like a good memory, the ability to deal with my stress, Work harder and follow my passion for filmmaking.
Love this! 🥹🙌🏻
I have a complete recall photographic memory of my entire life,
@@marshallgreen7815sing in front of a zookini
@@katieforbesautisticflairsing in front of a zookini
I have seen many Ted Talks but this one connects to me in more ways than I can count. Thank you so much for this talk. This will really get an very important message across.
Wow, thank you ☺I really appreciate this
@@katieforbesautisticflair Thank you so much for speaking out it really makes me a 20 year old diagnosed at a young age feel so much better about mysel Really appreciate it well done
I'm not crying, you're crying. Thank you for this beautiful speech, Katie.
🥹 thank you so much
As a fellow ASD'er - I can relate. I completely agree - I think Autism has lots of benefits. I wouldn't change anything except for the bullying & not getting a diagnosis until 47.
Completely behind you 🫶
Thank you so much for sharing! You are awesome! I am an SLP and have several family members with different degrees of Autism. I am writing a Tedx Talk right now about how important it is for the rest of the world to take responsibility for understanding and being compassionate to the unique and marvelous aspects of individuals with Autism. You are an inspiration. I love how you love yourself and can champion the wonderfulness that is you! Good on you! Good on discovering and overcoming. I hope your video goes viral! Miss DB:)
Wow, thanks so much Deborah 🥰 your comment has made my day. I now look forward to watching your talk one day!!
My thoughts exactly. Autism is a difference not a disorder. I told my dad this same thing the other day when we were watching a TV show called 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' which is about a woman with Autism. In the show someone was defining Autism as a disorder. To me, it seems so obvious that it isn't a disorder yet society still sees it as one. We are in the dark ages of understanding it.
Great to hear my talk resonated with you ☺️ I delivered this talk to start a conversation around autism language and I’ve loved reading about so many different POVs.
“We are in the dark ages of understanding this” 🏆 champion comment.
A disorder needs to be accommodated. Autism needs to be accommodated. While autism does need to be embraced, that still doesn’t mean it’s just a difference. Differences need to be embraced and nothing more. Autism disables everyone on the spectrum. Autism is considered a disability by the ADA (Americans with disabilities act) and almost all autistic people use that label to describe themselves or their autism.
I actually agree with you now. You are right. My opinion has changed since I wrote that. I am more informed about the subject. There is a reason it is considered a disability in the DSM. @@winterwithawhyknudsen5166
@@winterwithawhyknudsen5166 it became a disorder in the first place because neurotypical themselves decided that they are the baseline and the whole society should be formed around how they see it fit in their eyes (which is a very self-centred approach). We wouldn’t be facing such a hard time, if every difference was accepted in the first place and things were shaped keeping it in mind. We are not asking for much, we are just rightfully asking for something that was ours to begin with.
Don’t underestimate what standing on that stage would have taken out of Katie. Well done Katie
Thank you so much! It was a nerve-wracking experience, but totally worth it.
Hey Katie, my son who is 4 has already received a diagnosis at what is a very young age, he has multiple profound challenges including AS(D). We are working hard to support his needs with lots of love and a calm and safe environment. Your talk was a great inspiration to our family, from a fellow Scot thanks again for sharing your experiences with the world and good on you for being so brave and standing on the stage.
@@stephenbrown8018thank you for sharing your heartwarming story. Your son is truly fortunate to have such a supportive and caring dad by his side. I hope you’re all getting the support you need.
So many of us feel so alone. Thank you brave lady for sharing x
Thank you for commenting! 🥰
@@katieforbesautisticflairsing in front of a zookini
I understand her struggles as a fellow autistic person. However as she says she achieved more than what most autistic people achieve but at a high price. I felt exactly the same during lockdown when society became less conventional. Although there are still stereotypes about autistic people such as being gifted and very detail oriented which actually only applies to about 0.2% of autistic people according to research results from the Australian government. These qualities manifest in different ways for most autistics such as carrying out very extensive researches instead of memorizing information by heart like a computer. Also many of us do not get married or settle down. I have also been suicidal. I have no prospects, job, relationships or friends. I am recovering from depression and am receiving disability benefits.
Autist here. To say that autism isn't a disorder or a disability is simply false. By definition, it is.
Those who focus on the medical model of disability would perhaps agree with you, whereas my views align with the social model. In my eyes, in most circumstances, it's not my autism that disable me, inaccessible environments do.
@@katieforbesautisticflair Inaccessible environments are definitely an issue.
@sevendemons5445 it goes deeper than that. I work in aged care in Australia. It runs on a medical model, which means residents' physical needs for shelter, medication, food and cleanliness are given priority over any other needs a person may have.
Being left handed was also a disorder or a disease, I don't remember well, up until 1960.
Definitions changes, language changes, time changes.
I'm also autist, probably you know that the words we use to describe something takes more value to us than to Neurotypical people.
A condition? Yes. A disorder and disability? It sounds as if we were the problem and we are not.
@@ame-chan579 "It sounds as if we were the problem and we are not". 🤦♂️ That's not what it means.
Katie, you're amazing. Indeed, you should be celebrated for your unique and strong abilities. It is a good thing we have many different kinds of people around. Let's celebrate the range of things we can accomplish together, as long as we all live TOGETHER and respect one another.
We're looking into if my daughter is on the spectrum. Your story made me cry and helps to see this situation and journey as something more positive. I totally agree with you! I'm still scared of how the world will treat her and we still have a long way to go. It's hard to hear how difficult life can be, I see it in her already. From a young age. I hope I can help and support her to be as successful as you are. Thank you very much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story. Resonates so much. Thank you for your courage to share it.
Thank you ☺️ I really appreciate this
In tears over this. So much of my experience here. Thank you.
Lovely to hear my talk resonated with you ☺️
I feel it so often. And I am so alone with my feelings.
I went through the same, growing up. Hiding in toilet during recess time and scared of group projects. Then reading all these books "how to make friends " "how to talk to everyone" .... and learning from TV programme. Then I made friends, found love, and felt like "everything is fake". The insecurity never went away until I tried to kill myself and didn't die. After that I started telling everyone "I'm weird and I'm autistic". Now I finally feel like I'm having all the real things I want in life.
Thank you so much for your speech, it's good to know someone else experienced the same and so glad you are living!
Wow, thank you so much for sharing this 💗 it means the world knowing others share my experiences; that I’m not alone. I am so glad YOU are living.
You at least found some friends😸😸 my parents gave me those kinda books as a birthday present when I was an adolescent, and I remember good enough that I read the books back and forth, then was trying to imply that knowledge in the real life, and it seemed like it weirded people out even more. Almost everyone thought I was a weirdo anyway
J 1:10 8u9😊😊😊😊😊😅😅😅😅😊@@muskettbliss4484😢
Me as well.Ine I was in middle school playing with bugs looking for 4 leaf clovers had to stop , I wld go to the library anywhere I cld hide due to lack of friends and social skills. Safest time of my life.
I'm watching this while eating breakfast in a Hotel during a mandatory work trip to a different state. The experience at the beginning of the pandemic of working remotely (in an environment I could control) was SO eye opening.
In many ways, shut down was the most comfortable I've ever been.
Having that ripped away when the neurotypical world reasserted itself has been it's own sort of trauma.
In some ways, I was better off not having a taste of a world that was designed for me.
I know what you mean! I was a lot less anxious and rarely experience burnout when the country was locked down. I made lots of meaningful connections online and felt almost relieved not having to see people face-to-face.
I agree that acceptance is the key when dealing with autism. That being said, this does not stop it from being a disorder. I have changed my environment a lot that is including my work environment. The result is i can work 28 hours a week and be relatively stable on a mental level. In other words just by accepting and changing the environment i cannot even earn a full time salary. This is not my fault and not the fault of my employer, in fact we have no one to blame. I cannot expect to be paid a full time salary without being capable to do a full-time job. Accepting my autism helped to cope better but in the end it did not fix the problem at all. In fact if i could get rid of my autism i would do it without any hesitation.
Thanks for sharing! I always love hearing our autistic lived experiences, even if they differ from my own 🙂
I just watched it, thank you very much for this talk; Thank you also for sharing a little of your experience. I worked at a college, I studied at a university; and those were very difficult years for me. I was only diagnosed with autism last year, or in 2023; Thank you very much also for saying directly, or indirectly, that the problem is not us, but the environment around us.
I am proud of who I am. The big thing is how I can fit who I am into this world with the least amount of troubles possible.
I know my weaknesses.
But I also know my strengths.
It’s just that this world doesn’t focus on my strengths nearly as much as my weaknesses. I want to find places and people that do the opposite.
Beautifully articulated, crying tears of recognition ❤
🥰 thanks so much
wow. that made me cry. thank you for so much ressonance
and thank you for your kind words 🥰
@@katieforbesautisticflairoctopus closet door
Great presentation, I saw it in Aberdeen and I wanted to watch it again, thank you.
Wow, thank you! I really appreciate this.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are a blessing to our community.
Wow, thank you 🥹
We are where your parents were, planning how to accommodate our daughter in adulthood and fearing about what happens to her when we are no longer around. Videos like this give me hope that she can live a more independent life and remind us that we shouldn’t assume her abilities or underestimate her. just because she struggles to engage in life at 15 doesn’t mean she won’t learn to thrive at 25.
Right there with you girl. Love, love, love you so much. I relate to EVERYTHING so much!
I love love love reading this 🥹 thank you
@@katieforbesautisticflair 💖
I'm currently in the process of being diagnosed with autism and I have been told that some of the sounds that I hear in my everyday life that are specific to my job as a staff nurse in operating theatres and where I work can only be heard by people who are on the spectrum, which means for the last year I have basically been the only person who can hear these sounds because neurotypical people automatically tune them out. I also find it quite overwhelming when the environment is too busy there's too much equipment and too many people have different conversations around me for me to focus on what I am doing. Sometimes the busy-ness is necessary, sometimes it's caused by people who haven't listened and given me things that I don't need which makes it more stressful because I am suddenly responsible for things that I shouldn't have in the first place and it will take me longer to count them when I need to. I sometimes find it difficult to work in other theatres where the walls are bright white particularly when the rooms lights are up all the way.
But it's not all doom and gloom, I have an amazing fiancé who was diagnosed with ASD as a child and he knows what I am going through right now and has been an amazing support to me over the last nearly five and a half years. He's my rock and I am glad that I have someone who gets me.
100% agree. I didn’t know I was autistic because it was always cast in a negative way, and I wouldn’t have imagined my strengths in music and pattern thinking would be considered a disorder.
The most interesting part is about how working from home helped you thrive! I’ve had a similar experience teaching music lessons from home.
Thank you for spreading this message 🙏 Cheers!
Thank you so much for sharing. As a mother to a toddler with autism I'm trying to understand him and this was really helpful.
cpirtle,
I've studied autism for nearly 25 years, autism became my as the diagnostic criteria would say "restricted and repetitive behaviours".
If you have any questions, just ask me.
One piece of advice I'd like you to know, use your son's interest as an educational tool. Like to learn language read a book about his interest with him or watch a show about it.
An autistic person's interest activates brain regions to do with language and communication, his interest will be a great help to learning things.
@@danielmoore4024 thank you so much.
A great, very accurate, and important video Katie! Thank you!
Very well said. Thank you very much for your talk.
And thank you for listening 💗
Very sing in front of zookinis
This makes so much sense! Katie is wonderful and such an inspiration!
Thank you so much 🥹
@@katieforbesautisticflairsing in front of a zookini
THANK FOR CLEAR EXPLANATION 😊😊😊
While I understand why the presenter would say that autism isn’t a disorder it actually just undermines the crippling effects of autism that my daughter has suffered alongside with its affects on mental health and anxiety.
I understand where you're coming from. Although I say I don't see autism as a disorder, that doesn't mean I don't describe it as a disability. My main point was autism wasn't the cause of my poor mental health and the challenges I faced on a daily basis - exclusion, ignorance and unwillingness to accommodate me ultimately led to this. I feel like autism doesn't *always* disable me, rather the environments I live, learn and work in does.
There are two different _kinds_ of disabilities.
•Objective disabilities -- such as paralyzed limbs or anterograde amnesia -- are those that of themselves impose limitations on the person experiencing them.
•Social disabilities, on the other hand, are externally imposed, arising not from the disabled person, but from other people's reaction to him or her.
Autism does not cripple. Social exclusion often does.
@@ismailabdelirada9073"Higher functioning" autism (and I put that in quotation marks because I don't want to be too non PC) may just be a societal disability as you put it. What about autistic people who have very high needs like not having any grasp of their mother tongue? Is that not would be defined as objectively disabled?
@@lowelljohnson744 : That is a valid point. Nonverbal autism is a different matter.
(I tend to think it may be misleading to classify it and what we used to call "Asperger's syndrome" under the same umbrella.)
I was diagnosed in 2020 at going on 62...
To say the least, I'd love to have known earlier.
I can imagine ♥
I’m going to use this link in my blog. Absolutely👍
Wonderful, thank you!
I hate that Autism is called a disorder. It takes empowerment away from individuals who are on the spectrum. My son has Autism and I will NEVER refer to it as a disorder. He's just a beautiful, unique mind. It's just wired in a different way from mine. I wouldn't change him for anything, and I hope he feels the same way as he grows.
Thank you.
This one is powerful.
Thank you for your presentation. I'm totally using the video to try to make life easier for everyone.
I have spatial gifts. It's not okay for me to use my gifts whenever I feel threatened.
Im on my healing journey, I’m an INFJ and HSP, which says we can be neurodiverse. I thought I just had dyslexia comprehension. Now more and more I think I have autism. I’m going to get tested. Thank you Katie for sharing.
And thank you for sharing!
Oh my God! I love her attitude!
Appreciate this 😊
I was diagnosed with autism when I was 20, and my report says that I’m “unemployable” and that I wouldn’t understand the dating world, but that’s not true about me.
It's the other way round for me. Everywhere is toxic positivity, but no one wants to employ nor pay. So that report fits me better. Wanna swap?
Emma, I’m so frustrated for you! unemployable suggests we are the problem, when really it’s organisations who are unwilling to accommodate us.
@@scarecrowprowler are you also constantly told autism is your ‘superpower’? 🙃
@@katieforbesautisticflair That is so true. I have been misunderstood and mistreated a lot as an autistic person and people can be so rude and not even realize it
@@emmalove5080 same here. We are stereotyped too often
Katie, I know this is a long time since this was posted, but I had to say how brave you are. Thank you for sharing your experiences because its very helpful 🙏
I'm 61 and undiagnosed, but highly suspect that I'm autistic.
I'm going to try to find you on Insta, etc and follow you.
Thanks again 😊
I wish more people would see this.
Me too💗
Well spoken Katie Forbes your amazing
5:37 it did. It’s a disorder that needed to be accommodated. It doesn’t mean you’re abnormal. Neurodivergence is normal.
Such an important message, thank you for sharing ❤
And thank you! ❤
Unusual, and therefore unacceptable. That's the common public attitude.
The attitude I'm trying to change 🙌
Thank you. This means a lot to me.
Your kind words mean a lot to me 🥰
Thank you. 💛
4:56 "Just a little bit autistic" "Needs more confidence" "Lower your expectations"
Could those school officials have been any worse at their jobs?
Their comments devastated me - they still do to this day. But it just makes me even more determined to create a better future for autistic people 🧠💗
@@katieforbesautisticflair In my area there's a farm run by autistic persons. They grow vegetables, make goat's milk soap, and sell those and other products at local markets. They also volunteer at a local soup kitchen whole learning skills which they can take to jobs elsewhere.
@@NJGuy1973love this!!
Aside from the "just a little bit autistic" one - as I was considered the 'normal' kid in the family and no one knew I struggled with ADHD and autism, the rest of that is spot on for my life.
Yeah heard all of that. Teachers understanding of autism is woefully underdeveloped.
We should make more environments where people are more free to be themselves autistically where they have a great time within their snozzlin rooms and not be overstimulated by the outside world. It's a great way to minimize noise and to make everything seem less dramatic and to view people who are often considered "invisible" in a much better light. Making rooms quieter and allowing more space for others to work makes a lot of logical sense.
Love the way you are talking about Autism
Lovely to hear, thank you 🥰
I have Autism
I love Katie
♥
I am a high-functioning Aspie.
When I turned 50 I decided to stop play-acting and to just celebrate my autistic self.
It has been quite hilarious but mostly wonderful. 😎
Love this! 💗
If we refrain from telling the non-autistic people around us just how weird we think they are behaving, we also have the right to expect them to accept us the way we are.
High functioning doesn't exist. You're just autistic.
Yesss Katie 👏 Can't wait to watch this
Thanks Sophie 😄
@@katieforbesautisticflair I always love hearing different perspectives on Autism! Thank you!
I've said this before only autism people truly understand it and can explain it, people that are not tend to shame it with out realising they're shaming the person and not treating people normal just because they have autism and they don't even realise they do it
It was so confusing without a diagnosis growing up, because other kids just KNEW. They might not have known it was autism, but kids are so observant and know when something's different.
All I wanted as a kid was to be understood and fit in. It's taken a long time to come to accept that it's probably never going to happen. Even my neurotypical father doesn't seem to want to even begin to try and understand me and would rather place the "blame" entirely on me instead of working with me towards a better relationship.
And it’s not only children that bully autistic people, adults do as well! Bullying sadly continues in workplaces 😕
Autism is a disorder. A difference is something that people embrace. A disorder is something that people accommodate because autism disables everyone on the spectrum.
I disagree, but I appreciate you joining the conversation.
@@katieforbesautisticflair it shouldn’t be controversial. It has to be diagnosed. Medically. It is a medical disorder. Doesn’t mean that it’s a bad thing. Most autistic people can’t talk (wether it’s forever or for certain amounts of time). We can’t socialize. Some even have poor motor skills. We need to be accommodated and that’s just facts. I’m not saying opinions. This isn’t a debate. Autism is a disability and that’s final- an autistic person
The king is born no wilt
@@gleelights9525 if you read the DSM-5 it says that it has to impair multiple aspects of life to be diagnosed as autism.
@greengreengreen5132 there’s a good amount of autistics that will say they love it for intense interests and how they process music and emotions (making them more creative) but it really comes down to the person if “their” autism is good or bad
Call it whatever you like. Autism is a problem that causes misery to sufferers and their families. Dismissing a problem doesn’t make it go away.
As an autistic person with a loving family and a great relationship with my autism, It makes me incredibly sad you’d think of me that way. Autistic people only “suffer” because non autistics refuse to adapt or accommodate their needs. Your words are very hurtful.
@@TomGhoulerie Just stating a general opinion, as everyone is doing on here. People are always going to have different opinions to you. Why would you expect the world to adapt to or accommodate YOUR needs? The world does not revolve around autistic people's selfishness. You're only confirming that my opinion is correct - autism is a problem.
@@TomGhoulerie I am autistic too he's right autism is a problem it's not normal and not easy.
@@joyce5292I never said it was normal or easy. But it isn’t a problem. My point still stands, the suffering that autistic people face isn’t because of their autism, but of a non autistic society’s refusal to accept them/accommodate them/make life easier for them
@@TomGhoulerieit's not the society problem autism is not the norm neurotypical is the norm and you don't unterstand this
🥳🌟always shine!☀️always change environment and circumstances if necessary, never yourself. Totally fabulous, just the way you are!!🥰your teachers didn't understand that's sad😪 always believe anything is possible 🤩 most people struggle they are just not as honest as you. Kindness and understanding changes lives💝💛
"always change environment and circumstances if necessary, never yourself" - love this! Thank you for your kind words, couldn't agree more.
I disagree. Autism and ADHD have huge impacts on my life. It is not just a difference it is a disorder. It impacts the way I function, my memory, my attention span and so on which causes issues in my life. A difference would be something milder that doesn’t have as much of a massive impact on daily living.
31 years till I understood that same thing
Very important video!!!
Really appreciate you saying so!
autism is not a learning disability but can come with learning disabilities and even physical disabilities. its not something to be cured but something to be embraced and included into our society. its like a tiger and a lion are both cats, just different species. same with neurotypical and neurodivergency. still human, just a different type. nothing wrong with that and doesnt mean you are broken
I am 65. My grandson is autistic. We diagnosed his condition to be autism only by exploring internet. But during this exploration I found myself to be autistic and having ADHD. Had I known this fact earlier in my life,my life would have been different. During all these years I kept on wondering why am I so wierd and not confirming to the standards set by the society. I feel my life wasted and now I can do nothing at this age. My grandson is now undergoing therapy and I have advised my son never to leave it half way. Because he gets frustrated sometimes.
Thank you for opening up about this. Discovering you're autistic can be both a relief and source of reflection on the past. Sometimes I wish I had made the effort to understand my autistic identity sooner, but from speaking to people of all ages in the autistic community I've realised it's never too late to embrace your true self. Self discovering is a lifelong journey and I believe you still have the ability to explore new sources of joy and fulfilment at every point in life. All the best to you and your grandson.
While I can relate to some of her experiences I think it is really important to keep in mind that autism is a vast spectrum and autists might have other marginalizations as well. Not all of us are high masking, low support needs, white and middle/upper class.
💯 valid point.
Exactly! For some it may be a difference, for others it really is a disorder.
@froginthemoss Sure. But I still think many people such as myself differ between disorder and disability. I consider myself disabled (because I am not capable of some skills considered normal) but I wouldn't say I have a disorder. Disorder sounds to me like I am a broken object, disability feels more human to me.
@@willyghost2213
According to research autism is not a disorder at all, especially as scientists can't even define 'normal'.
Normality is an ideology, claims based on ideology is illegitimate science, there's no such thing as a normal human, it's a statistical fiction and utopian fantasy by Francis Galton.
Physiology, genetics, neurology, sociology, and psychology all show the environment is responsible for the biological issues in brain development.
When an organism is in any unsuitable environment development is delayed, including brain development. Put the organism in a suitable environment and development enhances.
Genes answer to their environment, which means genetic expressions including phenotypes are because of the environment.
@@willyghost2213
According to research autism is not a disorder at all, especially as scientists can't even define 'normal'.
Normality is an ideology, claims based on ideology is illegitimate science, there's no such thing as a normal human, it's a statistical fiction and utopian fantasy by Francis Galton.
Physiology, genetics, neurology, sociology, and psychology all show the environment is responsible for the biological issues in brain development.
When an organism is in any unsuitable environment development is delayed, including brain development. Put the organism in a suitable environment and development enhances.
Genes answer to their environment, which means genetic expressions including phenotypes are because of the environment.
So much of what you said resonated and made me feel seen. Thank you
And thank you ❤
We are not different everyone else is different we are the same
this is it, there's no such thing in life as normal!
I’m autistic and I’m very happy I’m like 8 inches taller than everyone at my school so I can’t get bullied for who I am
Haha love this!
38 years here.
Unfortunately everyone close to me doesn't believe or can't accept it. My symptoms are worse because I'm embracing it.
I'm okay with it, but I think it's so much worse because I'm alone.
Seriously only one person wished me happy bday.
Finally it all makes sense, but too late for me.
I have to end this soon. My life is fragmented.
You know the Robin Williams quote I'm sure.
Are you ok? I completely understand what it's like to feel so overwhelmed the only option is to end it but please hold on. Everything is transient and you have a unique gift to bring to this world that no-one else can. Reach out. Find your tribe, they're out there or online if "out there's" too much. You matter. You are worthy and deserving of a happy life. Focus on the glimmers. Somebody wished you a happy birthday, there's one right there. I'm wishing you a belated happy birthday which means it's lasted longer, and I'm sending wishes for a bright, happy and healthy future for you better than anything you've ever known. You're not alone. You're also incredibly brave and strong to be so vulnerable. Keep on keeping on 💫🌈
P.s. It's never too late
It’s dangerous when you try to fix autism. People under this autism spectrum have this unique mind and the world is too usual for such an amazing ability.
100%
The girl in the center of the image at 2:45 reminds me of the singer KT Tunstall for some reason.
Haha she does a bit! However, I can confirm it sadly wasn't her.
That’s not the point, I was just saying that she reminded me of her.
I have communicated my sensory needs and I am invalidated.
You are amazing
😭🫶 🥹
@@katieforbesautisticflairmownitair
Beautiful
🥰
When it comes to autism, I'm not "slow", I'm actually
"too fast"
So good
Thank you 🥰
So zookini
Yes maybe for people with former “ Asperger’s” it is a neurodiversity, but for people with moderate and severe autism- and if combined with an intellectually disability- it is not a difference , it is a disability and a tragedy for the parents/ caregivers let’s face it . There are quite a lot of TH-cam bloggers who have autism and advocate / educate, but they are all mostly have Asperger’s, they are high functioning and very intelligent. But they only represent a quite small very mildly affected portion of people with autism 😢 I have a son on the spectrum
Exactly. Of course everyone should be loved, accepted and cherished as they are but when your child is still non-verbal, violent, and in diapers at 18 years old with severe daily headaches and stomach aches, it's downright cruel to deny them medical research and assistance. This entire "just accept them as they are" campaign ignores these poor suffering souls that truly need help. They are part of the ASD family too and people need to stop sweeping them under the rug.
You completely put my feelings in to words. My son is autistic and only just starting to use simple language aged 5 1/2. We had to fight so hard for his diagnosis just to get him the education he deserves.
The spectrum is so vast and people one the moderate to more severe end can’t advocate for themselves. I find it quite hard hearing it’s not a disability, it’s a difference. Not being able to speak feels like a disability to me.
I never said autism isn’t a disability, I said I don’t view autism as a disorder - something that needs to be ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’. I want all autistic people to get the help and support they deserve, but I don’t think changing the autistic person is the answer, changing society’s view and attitude towards autism is. My views align with the social model of disability.
@@katieforbesautisticflair I agree with you! Thank you
Asperger is simply the surname of a German Doctor who brought autism into public consciousness in the 1940's, there's no such thing as mild, moderate, and severe autism, autism isn't a disability in itself, no child is a tragedy, no YT bloggers "have autism" or "have Aspergers", there's no such thing as "high functioning", and no person is "with autism".
All human beings are a part of neurodiversity but not all are neurodivergent. Autism IS a DIFFERENCE. What type? A neurological language one. The only reason why (sadly) some parents and carergivers view autistic children as a "tragedy" is because they don't understand the meaning of the behaviour being exhibited by the child and what's causing it. (Behaviour, whether desirable, undesirable, or challenging is a form of communication) The key to understanding autistic children and adults is learning the meaning of our behaviour and what causes it. Once allistic (non-autistic) people do this, they're empowered to respond to the behaviour in a way that results in more desirable behaviour being displayed. Also, it's a scientific fact that it's NOT autism that disables autistic people. Rather it's environment that does this and, because every autistic person is in a different environment, he/she will be affected and disabled to a greater or lesser degree. (This world isn't designed or set up with autistic brains in mind) However, completely natural environments are almost always good for autistic people. How do I know all of this? Because I'm autistic, have been ever since my conception, have spoken the language ever since then, (mostly through my behaviour and body-language) have studied autism extensively since my diagnosis in 2010, work with autistic children and adults, (as a Death-Prevention, Behaviour-Communication, and Heath Coach) and have completed autism neuroscience courses.
Finally, you may not be aware of this but the de-humanising and deficit-focussed terminology that stems from the medical model of autism (i.e as a 'disorder') actually results in some autistic people resorting to murder and MANY to suicide.
Thank you for reading.
The best way to make sure autistic people don't get the help and support they need. Autism is a difference but it IS also a handicap and people abuse them.
The vast majority of whom will never be doing any 'TED talks'.
@@AngelaRyanXX As if doing a TED talk gives you the knowledge and competence of a psychiatrist or neurologist. A REAL one ... try Simon Baron-Cohen instead. He knows what he's talking about.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin tell lies no matter how large their reputation is.
@@ericabbott4864 Your comment acknowledges the fact there are limitations and vulnerabilities inherent to autism. Everyone knows ABA is not helping but trying to impose normalcy.
At the same time, denying there is a handicap condition is also the best way for society to demand normalcy from an autistic person, it's the best excuse not to show any understanding, to deny abuse and to deny access to necessary services.
This is the treacherous path on which the neurodiversity movement has evolved. It has horrible and terrifying consequences.
@@francoisleveille409 Meaningless romanticised terms like 'neurodiversity' and 'gender diversity' are part of the Pharma scam to deny research, deny etiology, deny baseline health and create dependents for life. There is nothing empowering about it.
@@AngelaRyanXX I see people like Simon Baron-Cohen doing absolutely amazing research and then parents of autistic kids and other social network warriors reject it all because 'their guts tell them they know better' !! DUH!
I am autistic, and I am sick of videos & individuals like this. They spent the first 2/3's of the video describing how disabling their condition is, and then the last 3rd gaslighting the audience into believing it *ISN'T* a disorder. Make your mind up. I also find it extremely galling when one of these 'high functioning' individuals with privileged backgrounds (in the context of autism: i.e loving families, spouses, friend network, etc) take it upon themselves to speak for the whole community when they start evangelising that it isn't a disorder ... they are literally advocating against the other 'high functioning' autistic individuals who find it completely disabling and require government financial assistance just to keep food in the fridge, the lights on, etc.
There's a reason the spotlight is put on individuals like this, and it's *NOT* to serve the community ... it's to work against the community, particularly those who might be considered 'high functioning' - but nevertheless finding themselves much worse off than married, successful individuals like this.
I am sickened.
I’m sorry my talk upset you. To be clear, I never said autism isn’t a disability, I said I don’t view autism as a disorder - something that needs to be ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’. I see disabilities and disorders as very different things.
I want all autistic people to get the help and support they deserve, but I wanted to point out that changing the autistic person isn’t the answer, changing society’s view and attitude towards autism is. My views align with the social model of disability.
Agreed
Our one and only child is 10. He uses lots of words and short phrases, but can't have a conversation. I would love to know his thoughts.😢
Get him to write them down.
I can only imagine how much you’re craving to communicate with your child. Please know autistic people have their own unique ways to connecting with loved ones. It may not look like what you see on TV or with friends, but it can still be meaningful. Art and music can be helpful tools to communicate our thoughts. All the best x
People with autism are not a homogeneous group, and not all behaviors that people with autism do should be prohibited, for example, acting on your special interests (depending on the situation), self-stimulating (for example, rocking back and for, jumping around, shaking, etcetera) (depending on the situation), etcetera, should not be prohibited.
totally. Each person's experience is unique, and what works for one may not work for another.
Fantastic wow
Im self Autistic people,
i need everyday help
I have a burnout from masking
🤯🤒🙏
It took me 65 years.
58 years of self loathing.😢
Well said, thank you.
If you mean "disorder" as it throws the order of society out of it's comfort zone, then Autism could be considered a "disorder", but it's not a "disease", and it sure doesn't need a "cure".
Whether "high functioning", "low functioning" or anywhere in between, it's time for us all to be treated with respect and understanding, not fear and intolerance.
Soy autista recien diagnosticada con 55 años