I'm currently a teaching assistant helping out with a class of autistic kids. I've been looking for reading material to help me understand their condition, and Michael's book was a hilarious, touching, and insightful way to understand it from the inside. I can't wait to hear more from him!
I love what you say around 7:33! Tuned in because I'm reading your book and realized I'd like to hear your voice. My first close contact with individuals on the spectrum was as a substitute educational assistant in a classroom for nonverbal elementary aged students. Although I am very verbal, my immediate feeling was that I had found my people. I intuitively understood these kids right away, picked up on their to me very obvious communications and did everything I could to help them feel validated and supported. Their response was so very rewarding.
Thank you for sharing this video. I was not diagnosed until i was 48... i am still learning... and... it feels very difficult... i've been reviewing most of my relationships, and 'noticing'... things. It's hard to move forward, when i am always 'looking back'.
The problem is autistics travel to "regret" land. A frequently traveled location for us. I have found the only way to not go there is to replace the regrets with love, or a good book. Peace.
I'm afraid that I am going through this myself, and I'm not even diagnosed yet. I want to cry as I'm watching this. And I'm angry because I have thought this for years and my parents never helped me. I'vm actually trying to get my son disgnosed, and that's what's bringing it up for me more. I just want somebody to see me for me and to move forward with my life, but I too look back a lot..even in the present, if that makes any sense. :(
+Redleg Gunner ... I was diagnosed at the same age and also going through the same process as you. Looking back is like going through a cold case file.
Thanks for the insight- though as I learn about this I start to question the differences between inattentive ADHD & Autism, which I'm aware often co-exist!
God bless you Michael. I saw your TED talk after I figured out I was autistic. Now I'm waiting for my assessment 😁 I showed my fiancé your TED talk, and I think it helped him realised that he's autistic too! Thank for another great video. Keep up the great work! Lots of Love from the UK ✌🏻💗
Brilliant video! Thank you so much for making this! With this, maybe I'll finally be able to get my parents to understand and accept me as I am. Maybe...
Thank you for making this video. My husband has recently been diagnosed with Asperger's and this video is a great short video on summing up what a lot of Asperger's are like.
I really appreciate this video. Finally something I can show to people to explain myself! (Except for the need for routine. That doesn't fit me quite as much)
Thanks for this video. And your friends (I assume they’re friends and not actors) seem awesome! Your videos show that a sense of humor can go a long way. Which makes it a shame that when I was in therapy, misdiagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar disorder, I was told that my jokes etc. were a defense mechanism or an expression of my feeling superior, and a bad thing, and I was kinda forced to stop using humor. Now it’s gone and it’s hard to get it back.. which is partly why this reply is kinda boring (but true).
Joking about everything can be an evasive maneuver used to block real conversation, but I have come to recognize that humor could be viewed as a character trait on par with being reserved, or chatty or pragmatic(for example). I would have found your last statement as being humorous if you hadn't had added the 'but true' part (!) Keep laughing...
I'm Autistic myself and I struggle with understanding people's Non-Verbal body language. It's just something that my mind can't filter and process. So I relieve on a unique ability that allows me to pick up and sense the emotions of other people around me. I don't ever have to say a word I have severe Anxiety and depression, social anxiety too. I'm a TH-camr too and I upload my Video's on my TH-cam Channel. I'm very shy when meeting new people in person. But I do pay attention to details. I still struggle with eye contact with people I'm talking to. I'm actually Hypersensitive to all 5 of MY senses Sight, Taste, touch, smell and hearing sometimes one or more of my Senses might get overwhelmed and then it may trigger MY Severe Anxiety leading to a Sensory Overload and or meltdown because there's too much information for me to handle. Sort of like a Computer Crash. I then may need some time to be alone and calm down. Did you know that Tourettes Syndrome and Autism tend to GO hand in hand together, Yes it's True.
This reminds me totaly of one boy or young man who I met, as he has totaly the characteristics described in the video, but not sure if he has authism. I was at the birthday party of my cousin and there was that guy, he actually looked realy good and he seemed very nice, but he also looked a bit lonely as he was there all by himslefe and no one else seemed talking to him, so I and also another girl talked with him for a bit, it was funny as he keept on talking about some book or author of a book or something similar which me and the other girl were not a little bit interested in, but somehow I liked him, not sure why, so I met up a few times with him, but everytime we met he acttually seemed a bit strange, he never wanted a hug, as hugs made him feel uncompfortable and he always prefered a handshake, but it had to be with the right hand, as once I shook his hand with the left hand because I was carrying some things in my right hand and he was kind of "Why are you shaking my hand with your left hand and not with your right hand?" One anoying thing smetimes was that he always keept on talking about his interest, mostly it was about some strange wierd books or movies which he liked very much and I was not interest in. Than the first time I found him a bit kreepy was when he wanted to watch a movie which was kind of a psycho thriller in black and white and had meat with blood in it even that he was a vegetarian and was totaly against eating meat, but luckily we just watched the beginning of the movie as he noticed that I didn't like this movie. But still the most alkward thing was when he wanted me to listen to some romantic songs on TH-cam, I thought he liked me more than just normal friends and I somehow began to get feelings for him and told him that I felt more than just friends for him, but he didn't feel the same way for me, so it's kind of wierd that he showed me romantic songs on TH-cam without having more feelings than normal friendship for me. But acctually after all I'm happy now that he didn't feel more for me, as when I think about it he had totaly different interests than me and he was not that kind of guy who laughes and smiles much which i prefer a bit more. But yea I acctually just thought about the guy when I watched this video and was thinking if his strange caracter which he had could have maybe had something to do with authism, but I'm not realy sure if that guy I met a few times had authism or if he just had a wierd personallity, who knows.
I’ve found that as an autistic person, who’s high functioning, though that doesn’t really mean anything. Is that with phrases I usually get them if I have heard them before, like it’s raining cats and dogs. But if I hadn’t heard the phrase I would get confused, “it’s impossible for it to rain cats and dogs? Is this a saying, it must be a saying, it’s raining heavy out? Is that what they mean?”
What autism is is well defined in this video. How Autism Ontario actually helps people with autism is not explained in this video. I suspect Autism Ontario greatly supports the people who work for Autism Ontario.
Interesting video, good info. I wish it had included a wider range of people on the spectrum. The presenter's communication appears very close to neurotypical. His demonstrations of avoiding eye contact, of taking a long time to answer a question, and of seeming unempathic, are simulated, not authentic. It would be more instructive to show unscripted examples of these behaviours by people who truly exhibit them. It's easy for neurotypicals to relate to this presenter. The challenge is for NTs to learn to relate to someone less neurotypical.
Well you just became Spiderman in my mind and pretty sure its permanent. I was thinking is this actually tom Holland playing an assburger then I realized no then the thwip fingers flashed... good thing spider man is so Fn awesome.
You could have just read what normal is in a dictionary. I'm fed up of fellow aspies not believing in normality. Normal doesn't mean better; it just means common. If anything normal is worse.
The discomfort with the word 'normal' is that it assumes it to be something that's preferred. Anything that's not normal is essentially abnormal and therefore wrong. Which of course is not correct!
Wonderful video, thank you so much for making it ❤
Thanks Michael, I am a neurotypical Mother and Grandmother of children on the autism spectrum. Your presentation is brilliant!
I'm currently a teaching assistant helping out with a class of autistic kids. I've been looking for reading material to help me understand their condition, and Michael's book was a hilarious, touching, and insightful way to understand it from the inside. I can't wait to hear more from him!
U R SO TALENTED MICHAEL ......
Michael is freaking great.
Wow
Yes! Like Autism isn't lack of input (comprehending) but rather can be a lack of output.
I love what you say around 7:33!
Tuned in because I'm reading your book and realized I'd like to hear your voice.
My first close contact with individuals on the spectrum was as a substitute educational assistant in a classroom for nonverbal elementary aged students.
Although I am very verbal, my immediate feeling was that I had found my people.
I intuitively understood these kids right away, picked up on their to me very obvious communications and did everything I could to help them feel validated and supported.
Their response was so very rewarding.
Thank you for sharing this video. I was not diagnosed until i was 48... i am still learning... and... it feels very difficult... i've been reviewing most of my relationships, and 'noticing'... things. It's hard to move forward, when i am always 'looking back'.
The problem is autistics travel to "regret" land. A frequently traveled location for us. I have found the only way to not go there is to replace the regrets with love, or a good book. Peace.
You wrote my reply for me...verbatim. Also diagnosed at 48, about half a year ago. Etc.
I'm afraid that I am going through this myself, and I'm not even diagnosed yet. I want to cry as I'm watching this. And I'm angry because I have thought this for years and my parents never helped me. I'vm actually trying to get my son disgnosed, and that's what's bringing it up for me more. I just want somebody to see me for me and to move forward with my life, but I too look back a lot..even in the present, if that makes any sense. :(
+Redleg Gunner ... I was diagnosed at the same age and also going through the same process as you. Looking back is like going through a cold case file.
Lol your brother is so adorable
"Normal" is what society considers anything that they are familiar with.
Or what is most common but the point is the same
thank you!!
This is one of the best videos on asd that I have ever watched :)
Thanks for the insight- though as I learn about this I start to question the differences between inattentive ADHD & Autism, which I'm aware often co-exist!
7:25
What an admirable brotherhood these guys have.
God bless you Michael. I saw your TED talk after I figured out I was autistic. Now I'm waiting for my assessment 😁 I showed my fiancé your TED talk, and I think it helped him realised that he's autistic too! Thank for another great video. Keep up the great work! Lots of Love from the UK ✌🏻💗
Great video. This is a clear explanation of autism. Thanks to Michael for speaking on behalf of those with autism.
Brilliant video! Thank you so much for making this! With this, maybe I'll finally be able to get my parents to understand and accept me as I am. Maybe...
Thank you for making this video. My husband has recently been diagnosed with Asperger's and this video is a great short video on summing up what a lot of Asperger's are like.
Best I have seen!
Great video, Michael! I'm an Aspie and I can relate to this. Thanks:)
I know this is an old video, but if I was young again, I would want to be like Michael. He has so much confidence & humour
Thank you! This is the best autism explainer video I've ever seen.
Im so inspired by you man. Thank you!
Very informative and helpful. Thank you!
This is wounderful
Here's a good joke: Two snowmen are standing in a field and one snowman says to the other snowman...hey I smell carrots.
I love it!
I really appreciate this video. Finally something I can show to people to explain myself! (Except for the need for routine. That doesn't fit me quite as much)
such a great video and so educational in such an accessible way! the bloopers at the end were also very funny
Excellent video. Thank you.
I’m neurotypical but I laughed so hard on the cat part. Also my son is on the spectrum too.
broo, you are absolutely amazing! Glad to have found you! Hugs from Brazil
You're a very knowledgable excellent intelligent insightful public speaker.
great video!
Love it!
good one
Thank you for your time in making this great video
Thank you kindly for this video.. One of my son's has Asperger's and this is a fantastic video to show others so they can have understanding for him..
Thanks for this video. And your friends (I assume they’re friends and not actors) seem awesome! Your videos show that a sense of humor can go a long way. Which makes it a shame that when I was in therapy, misdiagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder and bipolar disorder, I was told that my jokes etc. were a defense mechanism or an expression of my feeling superior, and a bad thing, and I was kinda forced to stop using humor. Now it’s gone and it’s hard to get it back.. which is partly why this reply is kinda boring (but true).
Joking about everything can be an evasive maneuver used to block real conversation, but I have come to recognize that humor could be viewed as a character trait on par with being reserved, or chatty or pragmatic(for example). I would have found your last statement as being humorous if you hadn't had added the 'but true' part (!) Keep laughing...
Thank you for this video. SO much information, but presented briefly and clearly... I'm going to share it with a few people.
I'm Autistic myself and I struggle with understanding people's Non-Verbal body language. It's just something that my mind can't filter and process. So I relieve on a unique ability that allows me to pick up and sense the emotions of other people around me. I don't ever have to say a word I have severe Anxiety and depression, social anxiety too. I'm a TH-camr too and I upload my Video's on my TH-cam Channel. I'm very shy when meeting new people in person. But I do pay attention to details. I still struggle with eye contact with people I'm talking to. I'm actually Hypersensitive to all 5 of MY senses Sight, Taste, touch, smell and hearing sometimes one or more of my Senses might get overwhelmed and then it may trigger MY Severe Anxiety leading to a Sensory Overload and or meltdown because there's too much information for me to handle. Sort of like a Computer Crash. I then may need some time to be alone and calm down. Did you know that Tourettes Syndrome and Autism tend to GO hand in hand together, Yes it's True.
me too i have aut
This reminds me totaly of one boy or young man who I met, as he has totaly the characteristics described in the video, but not sure if he has authism. I was at the birthday party of my cousin and there was that guy, he actually looked realy good and he seemed very nice, but he also looked a bit lonely as he was there all by himslefe and no one else seemed talking to him, so I and also another girl talked with him for a bit, it was funny as he keept on talking about some book or author of a book or something similar which me and the other girl were not a little bit interested in, but somehow I liked him, not sure why, so I met up a few times with him, but everytime we met he acttually seemed a bit strange, he never wanted a hug, as hugs made him feel uncompfortable and he always prefered a handshake, but it had to be with the right hand, as once I shook his hand with the left hand because I was carrying some things in my right hand and he was kind of "Why are you shaking my hand with your left hand and not with your right hand?" One anoying thing smetimes was that he always keept on talking about his interest, mostly it was about some strange wierd books or movies which he liked very much and I was not interest in. Than the first time I found him a bit kreepy was when he wanted to watch a movie which was kind of a psycho thriller in black and white and had meat with blood in it even that he was a vegetarian and was totaly against eating meat, but luckily we just watched the beginning of the movie as he noticed that I didn't like this movie. But still the most alkward thing was when he wanted me to listen to some romantic songs on TH-cam, I thought he liked me more than just normal friends and I somehow began to get feelings for him and told him that I felt more than just friends for him, but he didn't feel the same way for me, so it's kind of wierd that he showed me romantic songs on TH-cam without having more feelings than normal friendship for me. But acctually after all I'm happy now that he didn't feel more for me, as when I think about it he had totaly different interests than me and he was not that kind of guy who laughes and smiles much which i prefer a bit more. But yea I acctually just thought about the guy when I watched this video and was thinking if his strange caracter which he had could have maybe had something to do with authism, but I'm not realy sure if that guy I met a few times had authism or if he just had a wierd personallity, who knows.
my brothers nonverbal, I love the video, it's fantastic
Very informative video!
Keep It Up! Remain Calm and Shine On!
good video!
Great video!
Great video. Glad that you also included the diversity of 2 guys walking by and holding hands in this video.
now if only people seemed willing to accept this advice. maybe i wouldnt have to feel so terrible all the time.
Kind of good video.!
love it learned a lot
Loved this
Really good vid!
You're awesome! Great video!👍
I have pdd nos and I am 51 years old from westlondon
Can receptive language issues fluctuate throughout the years? Can it get super worse or even be caused by stress?
I’ve found that as an autistic person, who’s high functioning, though that doesn’t really mean anything. Is that with phrases I usually get them if I have heard them before, like it’s raining cats and dogs.
But if I hadn’t heard the phrase I would get confused, “it’s impossible for it to rain cats and dogs? Is this a saying, it must be a saying, it’s raining heavy out? Is that what they mean?”
What autism is is well defined in this video. How Autism Ontario actually helps people with autism is not explained in this video. I suspect Autism Ontario greatly supports the people who work for Autism Ontario.
Very good
What is your brother good at ? What are his interests?
Finally someone says , "Neurotypical". I use this word to describe my sons friends, lol.
I laughed more with the cat joke than with the first
Interesting video, good info. I wish it had included a wider range of people on the spectrum.
The presenter's communication appears very close to neurotypical. His demonstrations of avoiding eye contact, of taking a long time to answer a question, and of seeming unempathic, are simulated, not authentic. It would be more instructive to show unscripted examples of these behaviours by people who truly exhibit them.
It's easy for neurotypicals to relate to this presenter. The challenge is for NTs to learn to relate to someone less neurotypical.
omg. i guess this why my mom says i have screen saver face mode lol...
I have pdd nos
4:48
Well you just became Spiderman in my mind and pretty sure its permanent. I was thinking is this actually tom Holland playing an assburger then I realized no then the thwip fingers flashed... good thing spider man is so Fn awesome.
the narrator in the video looks like Jace Norman from Henry Danger
He has a long face😂
wow what an good vidio i meant video (: :D
You could have just read what normal is in a dictionary. I'm fed up of fellow aspies not believing in normality. Normal doesn't mean better; it just means common. If anything normal is worse.
It wasn't meant as better or worse, just different.
HIIIII MICHEAL!!!!!!!!!!!
The discomfort with the word 'normal' is that it assumes it to be something that's preferred. Anything that's not normal is essentially abnormal and therefore wrong. Which of course is not correct!