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In this beautiful animation, author Sara Gibbs shares how being diagnosed with autism as an adult changed her relationship with herself.
If you’ve enjoyed this, then you might be interested in finding out more about autism and Christine McGuinness' story by watching Christine McGuiness: Unmasking My Autism on iPlayer.
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For those complaining that this does not address ALL FORMS of being on the Spectrum: that is the point. This woman’s experience resonates with my experiences as a woman on the spectrum in every detail. Thank you for sharing this; it helps me feel less like the only one of my species 💜
A man showing the traits of the woman on the video, is even less seen and represented nowadays, just because we apply again gender instead of applying traits that are not stereotypical and developed earlier in research history. I am writing this at 50+ years of age, finding out I am either an autistic woman or perhaps just a non stereotypical autisti person who happens to be male. One thing is true, I am finding out now that I have responsibilities stereotipically of a mother + financial responsibilities stereotypical of a father. I am left on my own by the same system that put me in such a corner of society that I have to find it in myself I hase super powers!
@SergioBlackDolphin Soooooo My 1958 dx of autism has been stripped as i fit male male pattern better than most autistic males and "female" designated autism not a bit. That was at 60 and 6 times tortured into cardiac arrest for being whatever I am now labeled. These super elite k's got their way and eradicated original autistics from any quality of life and LIFE itself for clicks. As their whole point😱 They keep bawling that the actual autistics cramp their style and stleal their air....... Telling me to shut up just as a lifetime of allistics once yelled. But hey, they are fitter and got their platform to defend. Used to be the fit cared and tried to be ambassadors but now only stomp down in order to raise selves to their just desserts 🍨
The story of undiagnosed autism and undiagnosed ADHD is very similar. Very relatable.
Totally agree! I also think some adhd traits cross over with some autistic traits. Yay for us neurodiverse people! ❤
@@Miawallce80 autism and adhd are very often comorbid so many people like myself have both. I recommend if you have adhd or autism you check out the criteria for the other just incase
Masking is kind of like ivy growing on an old stone house or wall. It’s just a little bit at first, and it’s fresh and new. But it covers more and more until you can’t even see what the wall was made of. Inside, the roots and moisture are tearing up the stone and weakening it. Eventually it will break down if left alone. Removing this ivy is a difficult process, and chunks of stone will break off with it. Suddenly the beautiful wall looks weak and broken in comparison. But now the cracks can be mended and old stone replaced, and it will no longer have the ivy eating away at it. It stands on its own. Beautiful.
What a very beautiful metaphore! ✨
Beautifully written 💚
You’ve described me entirely, I’m going through an autism assessment now and I’m 53 this year. AND I do love trains. But that has nothing to do with anything
My dad likes them a lot more than I do. He grew up when only the profoundly nonverbal were diagnosed. I'm a decade younger than you, diagnosed last week.
Hi, I'm 60 (and male, but with a kilt and ginger-beard😅). After being told I could not possibly have ASD, and then getting 'cancelled' by yet another long-standing friend [and quiet literally instructed to just "get a job, any job" (that's a direct quote by the way) when I had explained how I see to keep loosing fairly senior, professional jobs for what seemed to be "minor grievances (and I think they meant by that as seen by me)" - final told a GP I was beyond exhausted and, at perhaps the third time of asking was given the ADHD screening test that I thought might be most helpful. Actually, for the sake of it I did both, and when I filled them in as honestly as I could in the light of recent iterations of experience scored highly on both and have referrals. Locally 18 month wait for ASD, nearly 5 years for ADHD. So I've contracted out, which itself needs funding approval even though I identified, and recommended back, what appears to be a properly accredited service-provider who appear to be offering reasonably water tight testing processes. Obviously I thinking I could be 'retired' by the time I actually have a diagnosis (or if not, an action plan) I can show employers I have more going that the confirmed Dyslexia. I have not seen this video before but could have cried (with relief, maybe) like I did when I got my son's inital Dyslexia Action report. The video describes me better than any of the trad 'male' markers, or my ginger-haired colleague who has her diagnosis confirmed now but still needs to address chronic fatigue symptoms left by her own late diagnosis. I mention all of this just because, I'm finding that telling these stories helps each other; and I suspect the next generation. My colleague and I are no both chronically underemployed in the care and support sector where some sane people seem to think that just anyone (especially post-Brexit) should be able to get a job. Good luck all 🎉 I'm off to show this video to my partner. Hard hat on. Rude to say, but thatmy experience at home too where the people that love you just want you to be like you were before the "autistic" mask melted down 👇 because I had no resources left to keep it 👆, whatever it is, after securing a Distinction on an Arts Psychotherapy Masters course (but not a job; I'm going freelance while I still have the chance 😅 🤔 professionally speaking 🤔).
@@gordonmarthur315 I was diagnosed at 16/17 only after I found videos from autistic people talking about what autism is actually like. My parents were told by one person to get me tested but by others that I couldn't possibly have autism or that teachers would pick up on it. Looking back I was obviously autistic and some things I did that were seen as misbehaving were just due to autism. I'm very lucky my parents were able to have me see a private doctor so it only took around a year to be diagnosed with ADHD and ASD but for that year I operated as if I was diagnosed and it was such a relief and I felt like I could finally be myself. I hope the waiting isn't long and all goes well!
I was diagnosed as autistic level 1 today. I am 56 and female. I don’t mind trains, but I love cars and guitars more. I prefer the arts to maths. I have studied animals, and have worked with them extensively. Nothing beats having your own pets. I was s late diagnosis because in my childhood neurodivergence wasn’t spoken about much. I also learned to hide my true self in high school. It worked, so now it’s become the norm for me. I only add little things to my repertoire from time to time, if I made a slip up.
I’m 30 and on a very long waiting list to get officially diagnosed, so this video speaks to me. ❤
@SarahJigglypuff I'm Male 35 same here. Between 2 to 4 years I have really bad episodes that are very difficult to cope with. I lose all emotions and sensations. I have mini episodes frequently but I can cope with them xx
I waited 40years, learning to "Mask", I called it "hiding". Diagnosis Doesn't make life any better,it just helps rationalise some of it, and depending on where you live, open medical or governmental doors for you, good luck SJP.
I am high function autistic per DCM6, so I am socially aware and have empathy and emotional awareness, on the other hand 'the obvious' and 'common sense' are foreign lands. I had a number of schools as a child, all telling me that I would not be accepted by the army - how wrong they were, I served for 12 years, owned a couple of businesses, worked in the voluntary sector and later I was a palliative carer for terminally ill people. I have worn a power chair for 33 years. I write, sketch, paint, make videos, do photography and ride my Tramper TWS all terrain cross country mobility scooter into places that many able bodied people do not go. My advice to the world: never give in and be kind to everyone and everything.
I was diagnosed with Aspergers aged 7. This video really speaks to me in so many levels.
As a woman with ASD I think this is brilliant
I can't watch this without crying.
At home I would often get yelled at for getting overstimulated and getting upset. My brothers would make fun of me and my mom would get frustrated so I felt like I couldn’t allow myself to get upset around others. One time I got overstimulated while at school and started crying and for once I finally got comforted by my teacher and told that I was gonna be okay. It felt amazing and i immediately started to feel better. Then it happened a couple more times and I suppose my teacher noticed that after I got her attention I stopped crying so then she started accusing me of being sensitive and attention seeking. One day I got too overstimulated and started crying and she told me I was looking for attention and told all of my classmates to ignore me. When one of my classmates would try to comfort me she would get on to them for it. So then people started avoiding me, and I felt like I was the problem and that I’m not allowed to show my emotions. After that I became emotionally numb and nowadays anytime I get too overstimulated I had to leave the room so I can cry by myself in a quiet place.
I am very sorry you had to go through this. The so-called social tribe, the NTs, are not so social after all, and oftentimes their lack of understanding hinders their empathy 😥
I cried watching this ❤
I was diagnosed as autistic a year ago (I was eighteen) and I had a very similar childhood to you; I didn’t understand why I acted the way I did and I was just given negative labels. I thought I was a horrible person too
Thank you for this! It reflects a lot of my experience as an autistic person who never knew in childhood! It's really lovely to see a resource like this, and especially one which represents an aspect of the autistic experience that isn't reflected in media very often! 🧡
As someone who is on the autism spectrum, i'd like to thank you for this great video
Absolutely brilliant. Will be using it to share with clients. Thank you.
This is so beautifully explained. Thank you for this video.
As someone who has ASD, ADHD, and worst of all EDS, I agree that it is the blueprint of who I am but not all that I am.
I feel you. I'm 27 and being diagnosed with all 3.
I'm autistic as well and I was bullied because of it still haven't got over it
It really helps to be friends with other autistics, really sorry you experienced that
Same ❤ stay strong 💪 ❤️
@@vel-sometimes it's hard to find other autistics, or at least other autistics who like you
What a wonderful video. Lovely explanation and narration and what a touching and beautiful animation. Made me tear up at the end.
There is also the mimicking others reactions to events because you don't really understand these situations or how to individually react.
I Am "AUTISTIC" Too, Everyone. Also, I Am 28-Years-Old, By The Way, Everyone. And I Am Also Always Proud About Being "ME" Too, Everyone. And Thank You, Everyone. I Love You All. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Beautiful video
As someone who is on the autism spectrum, I approve.
Thank you 💛
wow. just WOW! this literally describes me to the T! this video helped me accept, after weeks and weeks of researching and questioning if i had autism, accept the idea that i may be autistic. i’m definitely going to be in touch with my doctor for diagnosis!
This is definitely Me. It's so similar to what I have been going through for the past 20 years.
thank you. 54 and just figuring this out.
I just know that ignorant people will be commenting something to belittle others
My autism wasnot diagnosis until 2018 and my learning disability wasnot diagnosis until 2004
Excellent video 🥰🥰
💯 Relatable 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done..
I am autistic. I like this. It is helpful. Thanks.
Same❤❤❤
The kitchen gun
Omg! I thought I was going to marry Zac Hanson too. ASD and ADHD late diagnosed here🥲
2:19 Me recuerda a la princesa Zelda...
Ok but trains go hard
This is a lot like a ted talk
".. masking, which is something a lot of autistic girls do." This is becoming too common. Yes, girls and women on average are better at it than boys and men but please understand that we do it too. I got to 44 without a diagnosis and have suffered what I know were multiple massive burnouts because of it.
Now if the video was intended for women and girls only, that would be fine: but it isn't labelled as such.
I'm inspired
Oh pick me, pick me. I survived 40 years undiagnosed. Then it all made sense. Mine is like filling a bottle from a tap, I can only take so much then my brain gets full and overflows.
i like Darius
Can you do a ADHD video plz
You Know What They, "AUTISM REALLY IS THE SUPERPOWER", After All, Everyone 👍👍👍👍👍
Dammit, it's all fine but my OCD tells me there can only be one proper way!!!!
First I see “are you autistic” on twitter and now this 😂
The worst thing about adhd is the stigma, 90% of the world doesn't think it is real 😡autism hasn't got the same stigma but the majority of people don't understand anything about them or the problems of the comorbid disorders accosiated with them (how can they understand) and if u add up adhd + autism = epidemic or a quarter of the world on the spectrum, it's easier for the powers to be to leave people struggling to even get diagnosed and no services. How many people are suffering? and if they could understand what is wrong with themselves (especially if they are undiagnosed)and could move on with there lives , how many people are kept down? Going round in circles, being impulsive with an addictive personality, depressed and misunderstood, stressed about there own futures a lot can't hold down jobs and even turn to crime because of this it's estimated 80%of people in jail could have it (canada screens people entering jail and have seen a reduction in people diagnosed with adhd entering the system and repeat offending)the sickening part of it that is if they invested the money in helping people understand about these problems it would pay for itself, and a lot of people could be living happier lives, there could be less crime, addiction etc
My thoughts exactly, even tho im Diagnosed it seems so easy for people to bring adhd up but seem oblivious to what it’s really like. To some ppl it registers the same as “im feeling tired today” or last or some casually a list stuff like that. We’re on our way to ppl realising its real, so we can look forward to that at least
I should talk less.
Autism is the Best 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Yeah it was Aspergus syndrome when I was a kid. This is a new name for this so ASD (rank 1 and 2) would sound neat, nice and neat in registration of it? 😒
Autism level 1 for me 😊
Asperger's Syndrome is a limited range of the spectrum. Since this diagnosis was coined, the framework has moved forward luckily. Now it is calles ASM-5 and includes in Autism traits/symptoms way beyond those of Asperger's. Asperger's might be more the way of looking with stereotypical approach to ASC/D. Over-empathy, "existential OCD", and others are not included in the list..
Sorry to break it to you. Autism is only if one has these symptoms inability to perceive cues and nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors including strict routine, problems understanding others point of views. But it means you have to have at least the nonverbal thing and problems with not understanding others pov to count as autistic. If you don’t have these two you are just neurodivergent with autistic symptoms not autistic
..
Neurotypical people don't mask. They can use different personas and such in different situations, but it's not the same concept as autistic (or other forms of neurodivergence) masking. With NT masking, they are only changing a bit of how they act, talk, etc, and it's more like sliding around a scale. For us, we have to present as if we have an entirely different brain structure, which can be so exhausting it causes burnout.
i just want to point out that other diseases cause harm, too - is that what you say at fundraisers for fighting a particular disease? 🤨 why do some insist on inserting themselves or groups who *already* get attention/etc when a minority group shares *their* experience? as often happens in these cases, your "contribution" isn't even accurate as the other reply kindly explained ✌️
@@vintagecrayon4504 Sorry for my comment, you are correct 👍
@@r_and_a I don't get what you are trying to say. I wasn't trying to be rude or anything
@NatureBadger2739 curious you acknowledged the other reply i referenced is correct & apologized to them for your inaccuracy but just continue to center yourself in response to my comment on the problematic insistence on re-centering groups that are already traditionally centered in these discussions when a different group is addressed 🤔 the *intent* behind silencing other groups or just talking over them doesn't matter nearly as much as the *impact* it has - just as few would ever intentionally leave a living creature in a hot car or mean for it to lose its life because of such actions, but that wouldn't bring the deceased back to life 🤷 glad you at least acknowledged to the other person they're correct, would probably be good to edit your original comment so aren't spreading misinformation
Abnormal is the new normal
Agreed! Normal, is a tyrannical minority.
Of course there is no one way, in fact there is no way
It's not a disability it's a different ability. My children are autistic 2 girls undiagnosed and 1 boy diagnosed.
Hey, as an autistic adult, it can be both for different people. It's not inherently disabling, but sometimes can be - especially when realising that disabling is something framed around inaccessibility in a world not designed for us. Just wanted to mention it as it might help for as they're growing, to let THEM make decisions about whether they feel its disabling for them especially and build your own understanding of it around that. 🧡 There are aspects of mine that have been disabling but that doesn't mean for a second that I'd want to be any other way. Now I finally know why I am who I am, I wouldn't want to ever be any other way! 🎉
In a world where that different ability isn't so readily accepted it can be disabling to so many people. I would argue it's disabling especially for those who got diagnosed as adults, because they never got the support and help we needed to handle/cope with it. We were told to endure when our senses were overloaded, we were told we're naughty or having a tantrum for having a meltdown, weird for being quiet, bullied for not being able to follow social cues, blamed because we don't know what we did wrong. That can have a huge effect on adulthood and for many autistic people, make it a disability as an adult because you weren't given the tools as a child. Even when you're diagnosed as an adult, you're hardly given any resources. You're told 'you've survived this long. Now you know. Good luck.' The fact is that the sooner children are diagnosed the better. But many girls, too many, slip through the many cracks. And it becomes disabling over time.
We all must realise also that autism isn't accepted in the current society and its still earmarked as a uncontrolled child just misbehaving. Parents of children are often victimised by others for not controlling their children and that the elderly still believe children should be heard but not seen but when seen shouldn't be heard. I've had dozens of occasions where the elderly demand for the front seat as they are elderly and myself with my child aren't disabled enough. Invisible Disabled people are still being stigmatised and alienated in society as the invisible disability can't be seen so the general consensus is that if it's invisible it doesn't exist. You'd be hugely surprised to find out that the most abuse given to people with invisible disabilities is from the elderly. I've had bus drivers stop the bus and remove the elderly customers from the bus for their behaviour towards customers. Going out with my children isn't a walk in the park and even visiting parks or soft play facilities other able-bodied children will complain that my children won't move and many will push my children but then moan that mine did it back. I can't allow my children to be children in these areas designed for them as other children refuse to be patient or become physical and verbal with my children. It's always the able-bodied children and when other parents moan about my children I always get the same response from them, "your children don't belong here" the occasional sentence hear is "you should have aborted that" referring to my children. The things I can tell you that gets on my nerves and the amount of times I've had to hold back from destroying those people is unbelievable. Wider community acceptance would be a blessing but how long do we all have to wait for to get this? Other groups of people get respect and recognition but the invisibly disabled people are still earmarked as "a problem child" and the parents are labelled as "horrid parents" this is really harmful to those parents who do their best for their children.
Yeah this is centering you as a parent, not your children, and not hearing actually autistic people speak? And you haven't really replied to us so I'm unclear what point you're making and why? Also you are speaking to someone who is extremely physically disabled and housebound, as well as autistic, with multiple chronic illnesses - and honestly your arguments actually argue FOR the point that it is in fact sometimes a disability not an ability. Please do listen to the adult autistic and disability community, because tbh parents often don't like the word "disabled", and will do a lot to erase it from their kids experiences, but it does way more harm than good.
No no no. Autism is VERY MUCH a disability. I shut down or melt down if a schedule changes or if things are too loud or bright. I struggle every day because I am autistic. But that doesn't mean I am any less of a person than others. The word "disability" gets a bad rap. it is not a bad thing to be disabled. It's difficult, but not a bad thing. It's important for you as a parent to know this as this will help your children along the way :)
Please do one thing, if you watch this and you think you have autism and you say"I do the exact same thing I must be autistic or on the spectrum"there's no discernible proof if you are unless you get a professional diagnosis.self-diagnosis is not valid!
With waiting lists to get diagnosed being over a year long in some territories, and diagnosis and treatment often being very expensive, self diagnosis is absolutely valid. Also, telling a therapist “I think I may be autistic” is often the first step to get diagnosed.
@@SarahJigglypuff Yes. I'm 42, diagnosed last week after almost a decade of wondering and a couple professionals declining to try to diagnose due to a co-morbid condition. Is self-diagnosis always correct? No. But until it's readily available to the average potentially autistic person, it's reasonable to extend some grace.
This is a privileged take. Many people will never have access to the diagnostic process. Self diagnosis is seen as valid by the majority of the autistic community for many very good reasons.
@@SarahJigglypuff if you're in the US there are plenty of options to get diagnosed healthcare plans and whatnot not to mention in general it is still very cheap depending on where you're at of course also free healthcare. A therapist is not a doctor.
@@KittenInACave but there's also a bunch of negative reasons like Miss information which is currently rampant right now and it's not that difficult how do i know this? I'm autistic myself and how do I know it's not difficult because I meant other autistic people not online in person. just because you look up on google that you may have doesn't mean you're autistic and and if you continue thinking that you're autistic you'll be fooling yourself into believing you are it's a placebo effect.
Jesus, another Autism is an Ability video. However they fail to discuss people with severe and profound diagnoses. It’s hell for the individual and for the parents/carers.
Autistic people can be disabled, or not. I happen to have a disability completely unrelated to autism.
@@TheFranchiseCA try campaigning for services on the premise people only see the ‘or nots’. It isn’t easy
@@TheFranchiseCA At least under the equality act, autism is definitely classed a disability. All autistic people are disabled under the equality act. That being said, some people don't find they are disabled by it, and others do.
@@oliviadaly4795 And that's helpful for anti-discrimination purposes, because it certainly happens. But for me personally, I'm solid unless I need to understand that the subtext of a directive, like how a former company I worked for didn't actually want to improve a particular product.
I agree with you, I have high functioning autism I'm a completely normal person but yet because of my autism I've been treated like shit throughout my entire life.autism is a curse
This is stupid, there's no one way to open a can of soda.
Her statement "(autism is) just a different way of experiencing the world" is probably one of the most harmful bits of pseudoscience to come out of the so-called "neurodiversity movement". On the contrary, it is in fact a real disability and needs to be taken seriously. If someone could "cure" me, I would be overjoyed.
You do realize that Autism can't be cured, right? It's not even a real disease.
You are being disabled by the environment surrounding you. Move out and onwards. There is more out there. We are all different, the non neurodiverse too. eurodiverse are those who have less capacity for masking.. what is good for you is good for everyone. The only cure is to make your life meaningful and learn more about what you need do do more and what you need to stop..
@@LucienRothmann well, I understand. Perhaps both are true?
@@SergioBlackDolphin Unfortunately, we cannot say disability is caused by an ableist environment when we know some people (like myself) suffer from serious disabilities that have nothing to do with how society responds to us. The neurodiversity myth was started by an Australian sociologist named Judy Singer. She had no background in psychology, psychiatry or neurology and wasn't really qualified to say what causes or constitutes disability. Neurodiversity is a very popular pseudoscientific concept on KZhead but I'm sorry to say it has no basis in reality😞
thank you. In one of my previous comments I wrote that in fact might be a mix of a bit og both. @@LucienRothmann
And you didn't seek competent medical advice? You simply took the word of some random person about whom you knew nothing? More fool you.
I don't mean to be rude, but did you even watch the video? The anecdote of the 'random person' was obviously just a starting point. It's clear that the narrator has reflected on her own experiences and come to an understanding based on that. Plus, she never mentions whether or not she sought 'competent medical advice'! But a quick Google search will tell you she was diagnosed at 30 and is an autism advocate. Sorry for the tangent. The bottom line is, think before you post
New slogan for the lgbtwhatever movement?
Ha ha very funny
???
Do you even know what autism is
Good
What
As a woman with ASD I think this is brilliant