Right!? She did great, I was disappointed no one was screaming and hollering when she said that. Lol

I can agree with that. However, I can't stand people saying it's not a handicap. This results in many autistic people not getting the help they need, being denied critical services and ending up homeless, in jail or in psychiatric institutions. No, I do not consider ABA as any help.

Precisely

deep kanner's autism is horrible and crippling

What if you are low functioning without a support system?

must be wonderful to be who we are and be accepted even liked by others

I was 54 and no one I know has ever heard about it till I told them.

same 64yrs old - just 'realised due to reading about it due to my Grandaughter's label

My dad and I talked last night and it turns out that we both have recently come to the realization that both of us have many of the traits of autism. He is 71 and I am 37. I'm going to look into testing. Maybe I can get some tools for dealing with people rather than relying soley on my coping mechanisms.

I was 64.

Hi Alys. I feel your pain. I am fifty four and was diagnosed four years ago. I experience the grief over the life I could have led, the friendships I could have had. But I refuse to believe that it's too late. Pretty soon I am going to take steps to come out to the world as autistic. To me, it feels like a scab I have to rip off in order for any healing to take place. I have never been at ease with myself. I have never fitted in. Perhaps if I can find my true self after all these years I can find some peace? Perhaps?

Yeah, I mean what IS normal anyway? To me, I'm always acting "normal". Everybody else acts irrationally to things that don't seem important. If being "normal" is getting upset about things that are only a construct of your collective society's imagination (like politics or money), then I don't want to be normal!!

This.

This is the age of Autism. This is the turning point where we embrace our selves and our community and be true to ourselves as autistic people.

Society: Just act yourself Also society: no not like that!

Yes, I am 40 years old and if I could "act normal" without wanting to kill myself I would already be doing it. If I haven't figured it out by now, I am not going to. Get over it NTs!

wow thank you for writing this, i feel very similar about my empathy and i also used to hand flap now i rock and i am glad i am not alone :) also i am a musician and artist who loves science too!

We would have loooooong lovely conversations and not feeling any struggle to connect and comprehend... Totally resonating.

@@jessicaferrari3987 empathy, energy... I feel you.

I hear u girlfriend 🙌 I feel its ruined my life! Im learning now tho and i will make it one day

I read energy as well not people, it works for me.

Me too. Go do it

Me too … 😢 a lot of crying here

I just had the same experience. I'm also 28 and recently started to suspect I'm autistic. Here I am, crying due how related I feel to her personal story. I wish I could have people around me to talk about this things, but now she inspires me to find support and work in myself.

💓

So do I 💖

A gift? I wish. I just see it as something I have to live with. No other choice.

@@sharonjensen3016 thats such a shame you see it that way, 2 years on from my diagnosis and I am happy to learn more and more about my true self.

@@sharonjensen3016 when were you diagnosed? I was diagnosed as a toddler (1980/1990) and I theorize that the shame around being autistic is more to do with the lack of support back then. I feel like there has been an explosion of autistic content creators and that only through hearing about autism by autistic people have I started my journey to embrace it.

VincentRegios, I've researched Autism for over 20 years now, both inside the brain and how autistic people live a life in a world unsuitable for us. I look at it this way, due to my research I learnt there's so much those of us Autistic can do that non-autistic people will never be capable of because of the neurological differences. As she said her mind is blessed with gifts, all of our minds are. Autism gives advantages as well as disadvantages, just like neurotypical people have advantages as well as difficulties (traits), just there's fewer of us Autistic. This makes me view Autism as part of "The Human-Ability Spectrum", neurotypical people need our help and support as well. Everything that makes Autism labelled as "disability" can be reflected on neurotypical people. As an example, we're viewed as disabled because we find it difficult to understand nonautistic people, that can be reflected as nonautistic people are disabled because they find it difficult to understand autistic people. Everything reflects back on to them, the better way to view it is nonautistic people are "enabled", not "able", just about all the suffering autistic people experience is caused by; 1) NT's fear of what they don't understand. 2) NT's designing unsuitable environments. 3) NT's making a division creating an autistic vs nonautistic perception. Just about all suffering stems from how people learn to fear what they don't understand.

@@danielmoore4024 I love what you posted here. If I could give you a heart I would. This is my thinking entirely and I love the 'Human-Ability Spectrum', this is the way that I see the Spectrum. I see it as a circle of colours that are more intense in the centre and paler out to the edge, and that we're all on it, every single one of us, but we have different points plotted around the spectrum, so where I might be dark blue for something, someone else might be a paler blue and they might be a more intense yellow, I might be a pale yellow.

Research the cognitive functions. Research "Extroverted feeling," and "Fe 7th" / "Fe PoLR." Study the cognitive stack: 1234 5468

Thank you so much. I tell my love, I love the differences between us. Sometimes it is a struggle but his Autism is part of him and part of what I admire in him.

@@hannahberkelouw3338 I love being Autistic even with my difficulties, as Elizabeth shared she realised her mind is blessed with gifts, I could recognise my gifts as well as traits. I would love it if the world could overcome it's fear of differences so all these gifts Autistic children and adults have can be accepted.

listen to your calling and honour your intuition. Explore this urge you're getting and try and find out what's fueling it. the world needs us to give it what we have to offer, but before that, we need to gain clarity of what it is that we have to offer, can offer and want to offer >:D

Same

THERAPY. She is there because she did her job.

While i appreciate a whole lot about what the speaker said, one thing bothers me a lot... So... May i ask... What about things like the horrible meltdowns...does this speaker have them? Is she fine with having them? My 10 yr old son has them a lot...i don't think he or anyone will every be thankful for the horrible meltdowns. How can you act like that's great and like you don't want THAT to change? That's part of autism, isn't it? I do think autism certainly needs to be UNDERSTOOD more for the benefit of those who have it. It is a difference in the way the brain works...i don't think the brain is supposed to work that way. Certainly we should accept people who have this difference in their brain, but not act like it's all great any more than you would act that way about a person whose legs don't work so they can't walk. Ya a paralyzed person is as valuable of a person as any person and deserve all the love and respect anyone else does, but that doesn't mean we should go around saying that being paralyzed is great and acting like not walking is just another form of "normal". Autistic people are beautiful and precious, but autism isn't "normal" biology, in the sense that it isn't optimal "health"! It's a defect in the body, like paralization is. Am i wrong? What are y'alls thoughts?

Start on social media, tiktok

I went though the very same experience at a few months ago at 58! It feels so liberating! My emotions are like a title wave,such as grief,resentment for all the times I have been bullied, and a sigh of relief, all at the same time!

Hi, Tom. Was dxed last October at 54. I'd suspected as much for 5 years. Everything about my life made sudden sense, but I still think it sucks, and definitely explains why I have issues w religion.

@@juliadixon4810 hi Julia, what does it have to do with religion? I've been suspecting I have aspergers but will get diagnosed soon.

gislertom I’m 56, and I was wondering at what age were you diagnosed? I’m starting to think I’m somewhere on that spectrum as well. Thank you for sharing with us.

@@juliadixon4810 I did not get a notification of your post. Its been over 2.5 years now since my diagnosis - It has not been an easy journey - but it has been a necessary one for me. I'm also ADHD/Dyslexic, likely CPTSD and so on... I'm finally facing everything I avoided or denied all my life. I just got out of a year of sort of giving up and letting go of everything. Now I'm rebuilding as a phoenix... I'm finally going the right direction and doing it as the REAL Tom with all my challenges and gifts. I hope this last year has been better for you. We're all so different, but we are all healing. Believing in a higher power or a life-force is not the same as religion. You've been shown a way to a better self. Follow that path with faith in yourself and your direction and you will find a better quality of life. You can contact me if you want to share more. I wish you peace and happiness.

Stringjamgirl, you put into words what for me is a hard-to-communicate problem: yes, people at work have been disbelieving that I have autism (with one even telling me--what you have, that's not autism) but then, yes, what I have difficulty with because of my autism seems hard to forgive. What may be worse, others seem surprised when I can't tolerate certain noises, as just one example, even though we've had the conversation multiple times...and the "anti-social" surprise you mention I've experienced as well. But I truly am hopeful that in three or five years people will be more open-minded and aware of what those who are neurodiverse are handling on a daily basis, and all will be more understanding of each other.

I've had the 'Why can't you be more normal?', the one I heard the other day was 'oh, you're good at Maths and Science then' and my favourite one was 'You don't look Autistic.' I've watched a lot of these video's on my journey through my Autism and they all say the same thing. We don't suffer with Autism, we suffer with societies perception of Autism. We all need to keep pushing and banging that drum and saying, yes we have difficulties, but so does everyone on this planet, but we are neurodiverse, not neurobroken and one day we will be accepted, it will just take time. I always liken it to Rock'n'Roll. In the 40's there was the big bands playing music that was safe and accepted by society, then all of the sudden the likes of Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley came along with this fast paced music, with their energetic stage presence and hip thrusting and society went 'Oh my God!', 20 years later, the Beatles, The Stones and The Who were doing the same thing, it was shocking society, Punk did it in the 70's, but now we look back on that music and it is accepted in society. If we keep pushing and making noise, then one day all forms of diversity will become the norm.

People in the work place should be required to take a course about neurodiversity and how to be inclusive, understanding, and kind.

@@Song-Girl-Still-Singing As a retail manager no they should not we barely have time to get people to take courses on how to safely dispose of greese. Those teachings need to happen at home and we as managers have to be aware of all of it, and that is why I am trying to get into Human Relations which is becoming the most important field in management.

@@Byronic19134 That's your opinion. My job says otherwise.

Shannon Kringen What kind pf different is autism a good or bad difference because if it was a good difference I suppose we wouldn't have to label the mind as autistic put rather have it be just part of an individual not a diagnosis.

Gosh why do you spend so much energy to write endless negative comments about autism here on UKposts? Being autistic can be fricking annoying. But many autistics are happy with their life and don't want to change anything. It’s not you're place to judge about autism and autistics. Autism is not just bad, it has quite good sides too. And yes, Shannon is right, if there was less judgements and more acceptance autism would be much less of a problem.

Shannon Kringen Good luck with that, princess of lala land.

perliva Autism is all bad it is an affliction read the DSM.

the DSM just says in what parts we're diffrent, but not why, or if it's good or bad. And what do you think will judgment change? do you think it makes us less autistic? do you think my sensory issues would go away then? as long as there is no official cure it doesnt matter if it's good or bad, just to make life easier for autistics

Adrian I wish you well on your journey. I'm 61 and have recently found out that I am on the Spectrum also. Relief. So much information for us here on You Tube. Were not alone. Good Luck. Enjoy H

@@ferminromerodetorres 59 isnt the "last stage. Dx gives you strength.

Please write us a book on how you found this niche? Its taken me 55 years to find my second niche (mechanical engineering tutor) after having quite a sucessfull (but financially unsustainable) career as a sound engineer.

Bob Carlston yesyesyes!!!!!! great words!!!!!

Amazing, yes, please write a book! 🙏

Life is a competition of who is most neurotypical.

You rock, see it is a secret talent 😏

Cheryl Tyler, I'm glad I don't fit the social norm where I live. I've listened to and read so much produced by autistic people. After doing so I perceive that autistic people are just like the guardians of authenticity, I love having Asperger's because it gives me the strength and determination to stand alone when around unrighteous behaviour.

I'm Autistic. She is. David Bowie was. We are not all mute and antisocial. Have a nice day.

" David Bowie was a druggie since teenage years, he was so not Autistic " In that one sentence you have shown how little you understand about us. What's your problem, David J, do you hate yourself, and therefor us, or is it that you can't face up to the fact that the ' High functioning ' bit in the diagnosis actually means what it says, and that the psychologists have no problem with diagnosing someone both as Autistic and high functioning. ? Show me the Autistic traits ? I'm not going to watch the whole vid again to pick them out for you. Show them to yourself. Listen to the bit about how she felt she was given a different rulebook at birth than everyone else. I mean, you said it yourself, something about how she sounds as if she's dictating; that's a well known Autistic trait. Then respect her, as someone who has battled and won over the drawbacks we all face . . . . then realize that if she can, you can.

Boys and men also mask their Autism ..be it undiagnosed or diagnosed, same problems exist for males as well as females. Stop being so feminist!

She earns quite enough in world famous orchestras I presume. People don't earn much from TEDx talks. So not really easy money.

David J I earnt no money doing this ted talk. In fact I lost several hundred pounds as I had to take work off in the middle of a big European tour my orchestra did at the time, plus buy flight tickets to Gothenburg. And for the record, nothing about doing this ted talk was easy.

Research the Cognitive Functions Research "Extroverted feeling," and "Fe 7th" / "Fe PoLR." Study the cognitive stack: 1234 5468

lol

Preach! I'm 31 trying to do the same. The annoying thing is that being quite good at hiding my awkwardness and effort it takes to act 'normal' leads people to believe it's not an issue anymore.

Truth. There is no autism "look" and we are good at "passing" for not autistic.

Lauren Marzlock: Education is key. Meanwhile, you have a nice life, brave one.

Very frustrating, as the reaction u get is that it must all be in my head because I look SO NORMAL!!! 🤮

~Keep watching videos, reading books, join online forums, facebook groups.. now you DO have ports and harbours.. I just got diagnosed last year (aged 48) & it takes a bit of time to digest and to find your new "tribe" .. keep reaching out too.. we all can help each other :))

46 here. same boat.

Hey it's early days for you, give yourself a break this is going to take time it's a process. Everything in this feed is good advice. I'll share my story with you. I'm just getting my head round the fact that I'm on the Spectrum also. And what do I feel? I feel relief! I'm 61 and have always felt different on so many levels to neurotypicals/ordinary people. My life has had all the challenges most women on the spectrum struggle with. Life has been hard. The things that support my identity are my interests ....... the natural world, environmentalism, the study and working with and for 'natural processes' of healing the Earth, friendship, activism, psychology, shamanism, love of animals and wanting to make a difference in the word are the foundations of my life not family and parenting too complex for me or gossip, shopping, and accquiring. Before my recent realization that I am on the spectrum (I am in the process of being diagnosed) I had come to terms with the fact I was not typical that I was an 'Outlander' and that was OK in fact to be honest I'm quite proud of it. When I look round normal does not seem very alluring! . And that's OK and to be honest I don't wish to be like most people..... I do not like the label Autism Spectrum Disorder this is not a Disorder this is a differrentness. I prefer Autistic Spectrum Variants. So lets be honest no one is going to cure us though we can learn to adapt and understand to a degree always knowing we are different. But knowing why I am different is sich a relief it's not because of something I'm doing wrong eg to much sugar, lack of self discipline, not enough sleep, lack of meditation etc., Finding ones interest and work? Look to what you enjoyed in your mid teens and return to those. Why not join a group for late diagnosed adults or set one up yourself? I'm thinking of doing this. I wish to meet more people like me. Give yourself a break and take your time. Also a good routine, eight hours sleep, exercise, healthy lifestyle, cutting down drugs and alchohol, strategies to cope with the overwelm, these all support wellbeing obviously the opposite detracts. I like to be alone and not lonely. Time on my own is calming and healing for me. Managing my work and taking breaks through the day a bit like a Microsoft employee! I enjoy people but prefer the company of men as they are simpler to understand!!!... Living with someone even a life partner does not work for me, I need my own space when I try to live with someone it never works for me it's best that I keep my own home etc., though I guess if we had a large large house and he could have the west wing and I could have the east wing then that might work! One day at a time and remember that brain scans actually shows our brains develop differently and faster, we are different but there are substantial numbers of us and society is begining to acknowledge us. Friendship? People in general are always most comfortable with those who are most like them and share similar experiences. Go find them and I wish you a good life and I hope my sharing has been of help? Alas there is no 'How to' book but perhaps you could keep a diary and maybe share your journey someday? Enjoy. H

@@velvetindigonight Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm just 4 months into my journey of learning how I am, after 40+ years of living a mystery. I like what you wrote. I hope you've been able to meet other Aspies - I joined a local social group and found it enlightening to be around others with different behaviours but this common understanding. Best wishes to you.

To OP, its been a year since you posted, can you share any steps you found to be helpful? I am finding the same, that actual advice / things to do seems very vague and just the same things over and over.

Surely it needn't be a disability, and we should adapt access to education and work to ensure it is not a disablement? Not all disabilities are visible is a favourite shirt logo in respect of ASC, but each of us views disability differently.

Philip tattsbridge If we have to adapt access then it is a disability. The condition itself is only part of what makes someone disabled, an inaccessible society disables them to a much greater degree. And even in a fully accessible society, my neurodivergent brain is a disability.

Jill Rattray Adapting is not a "disability", it's how society evolves to accept people's differences and diversity. Like how society adapts to different races and cultures. That's completely normal. Real disabilities are if a person cannot function at all regardless.

It makes life harder cause world is prepared for neurtypicals A high functioning Autist (so above 70iq and talking) who have cope mechanism for whatever happens on own spectrum would have a better life than a lot of average people who also need to cope with own difficulties, not talking about adhd like me and famous cases of autism+adhd which is usually one big life chaos..

Me too, at 74.