YESSSSSS!!! My friend Mica (Ponderful here on TH-cam) touched on this in her Autism and Identity video, how people will get mad when we embrace it because they see it as such a negative. And I commented on your other video how NT people think they know but don't, they just know stereotypes. To be honest, the idea that "autistic people can't feel empathy," which a THERAPIST told me, made me think I couldn't be. And when I found out THAT was a lie and I had male family members who were autistic, I thought "oh, well I can kinda be charismatic with a lot of effort so I can't be" and then I learned about masking. I'm so mad that just not knowing these few things about it kept me from realizing until my last month of college. And if I saw more representations, maybe I could have realized. I love calling it Autism Month!
I'm an adult in my late thirties looking into getting evaluated. Was diagnosed with ADHD almost a year ago now when a friend suggested I look into it (because they've been diagnosed with ADHD). And my workplace has a fantastic ERG (employee resource group) revolving around disabilities and it's opened up my thirst on the topic of disabilities as a whole! I could really go on and on about the topic and my experience with childhood, family members, friends, and acquaintances along the way, but I just wanted to comment to say enthusiastically that I agree with you! Autism is *not* a bad word and it shouldn't be! It's not cancer, not death, not being a murderer, nothing like that! It's just not the normal, which is actually pretty normal when you think about it! The CDC in 2022 reported disability statistics in the US, and one in four adults are disabled (ages 18-44 23.6%, 45-64 29.1%, and 65+ 43.9%). And I think the problem is, when people who don't have disabilities themselves (or at least don't currently have any, considering how workplace disability and age related disability occurs later in life), they either only think of people in wheel chairs, missing limbs, maybe blind and deaf people, and then they think of (at least in the US, not sure about other countries) people who are "faking" disabilities for government assistance. But that's not what the 28.7% is! We are a *huge* portion of the population! And we are nothing to be ashamed about. We deserve to be talked about in schools because of this! Health class education on different disabilities would be amazing, not to mention history of disability rights in the US (the amount of people that don't realize the ADA was signed only in 1990 is amazing)
I love this!! I suspect I have autism and am researching a lot and working with my therapist on a trait list. I have people in my life who are worried ill have yet another label attached to my name. I was excited and still am to find out more..learn and support others in the autistic community. I hope this is meander because there is so much that makes sense for me. Hearing you say all of that made me feel reall good. Heard and understood. Thank you
I am so a happy you posted! Keep it coming. I have subscribed, and I will watch every video. Your warm and caring style comes across. Your videos are a joy to watch. Thank you!! I’ve been learning a ton about autism because of FB groups i have joined. I am working with an autistic child and i use my new knowledge to really work wonderfully with her. I am so grateful for your vids. We are both sistahs also. HUGS to you! thank you so much.
I actually believe autism is a blessing and never quite understood why some find it a negative! Don't ever be ashamed. Be proud of the individual you are. People on the spectrum are those who change the world for the better as you see things 'clearer' than others. Great video Rachel
YESSSSSS!!!
My friend Mica (Ponderful here on TH-cam) touched on this in her Autism and Identity video, how people will get mad when we embrace it because they see it as such a negative. And I commented on your other video how NT people think they know but don't, they just know stereotypes.
To be honest, the idea that "autistic people can't feel empathy," which a THERAPIST told me, made me think I couldn't be. And when I found out THAT was a lie and I had male family members who were autistic, I thought "oh, well I can kinda be charismatic with a lot of effort so I can't be" and then I learned about masking. I'm so mad that just not knowing these few things about it kept me from realizing until my last month of college. And if I saw more representations, maybe I could have realized.
I love calling it Autism Month!
I'm an adult in my late thirties looking into getting evaluated. Was diagnosed with ADHD almost a year ago now when a friend suggested I look into it (because they've been diagnosed with ADHD). And my workplace has a fantastic ERG (employee resource group) revolving around disabilities and it's opened up my thirst on the topic of disabilities as a whole! I could really go on and on about the topic and my experience with childhood, family members, friends, and acquaintances along the way, but I just wanted to comment to say enthusiastically that I agree with you! Autism is *not* a bad word and it shouldn't be! It's not cancer, not death, not being a murderer, nothing like that! It's just not the normal, which is actually pretty normal when you think about it! The CDC in 2022 reported disability statistics in the US, and one in four adults are disabled (ages 18-44 23.6%, 45-64 29.1%, and 65+ 43.9%).
And I think the problem is, when people who don't have disabilities themselves (or at least don't currently have any, considering how workplace disability and age related disability occurs later in life), they either only think of people in wheel chairs, missing limbs, maybe blind and deaf people, and then they think of (at least in the US, not sure about other countries) people who are "faking" disabilities for government assistance. But that's not what the 28.7% is! We are a *huge* portion of the population! And we are nothing to be ashamed about. We deserve to be talked about in schools because of this! Health class education on different disabilities would be amazing, not to mention history of disability rights in the US (the amount of people that don't realize the ADA was signed only in 1990 is amazing)
I love this!! I suspect I have autism and am researching a lot and working with my therapist on a trait list. I have people in my life who are worried ill have yet another label attached to my name. I was excited and still am to find out more..learn and support others in the autistic community. I hope this is meander because there is so much that makes sense for me. Hearing you say all of that made me feel reall good. Heard and understood. Thank you
I am so a happy you posted! Keep it coming. I have subscribed, and I will watch every video. Your warm and caring style comes across. Your videos are a joy to watch. Thank you!! I’ve been learning a ton about autism because of FB groups i have joined. I am working with an autistic child and i use my new knowledge to really work wonderfully with her. I am so grateful for your vids. We are both sistahs also. HUGS to you! thank you so much.
Thank you so much! ☺️
I actually believe autism is a blessing and never quite understood why some find it a negative! Don't ever be ashamed. Be proud of the individual you are. People on the spectrum are those who change the world for the better as you see things 'clearer' than others. Great video Rachel
Thanks! ☺️
love this !! keep it up
Thanks! 😊
I've seen it used as basically a slur by people. Really messed up, people are really ableist
DO A VIDEO IN FRENCH