13 Signs You Might Not Be Autistic

Ever think you might be autistic? With less than 5% of the population currently diagnosed as autistic, here are 13 reasons why you *might* NOT be autistic.

#chrisanddebby #actuallyautistic

✨ Always keep in mind - the common experiences of autistic adults will all be different - but if you've never had any of the ones mentioned in this video, it's quite possible you might not be autistic. OR...your autistic experiences might just be different. Because all autistic people experience autism a little differently.

♾️ If you are autistic, have you had any of the experiences in the video that are commonly mentioned by autistic adults? Drop what resonated with you and your thoughts in the comments! ⤵️

❗️NOTE: No video (or YouTuber through a video) can diagnose or un-diagnose you with autism. This is meant purely for educational and entertainment purposes to help promote better understanding of neurodivergent minds.

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⭐️ ABOUT US:

I'm Chris and alongside Debby, my brilliant partner, we've traveled, taught kids and families, founded companies, and navigated the world while also balancing both autism and ADHD as a neurodiverse duo.

Whether it's better understanding the autistic mind, getting productivity tips for ADHDers, neurodiverse relationship hacks and travel tales, or just a peek into our everyday life, we've got a lot to share. So if you want to join a community that's all about improving lives, you're in the right place. Give a thumbs up if you enjoy the video, drop your thoughts in the comments, and hey, maybe consider subscribing? Cheers to a better life!

⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:25 - Group collaboration
1:06 - Multi-person conversations
4:40 - Eye contact
6:49 - Letting things go
8:31 - Ruminating thoughts
9:00 - Being misunderstood
12:15 - Interruptions
14:23 - Changes to routine
16:02 - Multi-step tasks
17:24 - Social battery
18:32 - Co-occurring medical conditions
19:21 - Sensory issues and cognitive processes
20:32 - Meltdowns and shutdowns
22:21 - What's next

#autistic #autism #masking #mentalhealth #autismawareness #ASD #actuallyautistic #unmasking #autismsupport #adhdandautism #livingwithautism #neurodivergent #AuDHD #autismdiagnosis #audhder #autisticlife #latediagnosedautistic #mentalhealthjourney #mentalhealthawareness #understandingautism #autismadvocate #autismadvocacy #autismacceptance #neurodiversity#autistictraits

[Auticate]

♾ If you are autistic, have you had any of the experiences in the video that are commonly mentioned by autistic adults? Drop what resonated with you and your thoughts in the comments! ⤵

[Autistic_Goblin]

This isn't triggering my imposter syndrome at all, nope, not at all, I'm fine, everything is fine.

[PamelaSConleyArtist]

Multi person conversations are totally different if you’re with other autistics or NTs. Wavelengths matter.

[robinknight]

The way grocery stores switch everything around every 8 months. I can't.

[martelraykin]

"How does it help to not say thing directly" ?" has become THE sentence that I said the most in my entire life.

[passerbi]

1. you collaborate well in groups
2. you can participate in a multi-person conversation and not struggle
3. you can make eye contact without feeling uncomfortable
4. you don't have a problem with letting things go, including unethical things that conflict with your moral code
5. you are consistently in control of your thoughts
6. you don't get in trouble at work or school for things you say that you think are fine
7. you're fine with interruptions
8. changes to routine don't bother you or cause you stress
9. you can run errands or do "normal" daily things that involve a series of steps and it doesn't overwhelm you
10. you're not constantly exhausted - especially from your social battery getting drained
11. you don't have health issues
12. sounds, smells, temperatures, and textures don't impact your mood or your cognitive capability
13. you don't have meltdowns or shutdowns

[nyneeveanya]

I cry. I get overwhelmed, I cry. I get real mad, I cry. I’m under pressure, I cry. Upset, cry. Scared, cry. Any extreme emotion, cry. My mom used to get mad at me for crying. But too much going on, like a party, or busy restaurant or club and I just shut down. Eye contact I make contact about 10 to 15 seconds then look away with those I know, strangers or coworkers I think I’m good for 5 seconds at the most. So much I’ve learned recently watching you and others since I found out I was high functioning autistic. Has made me understand that I’m not alone in how I view life.

[photasticimages]

Eye contact literally sends me into another plane of existence and all connection to this one switches off.

[acelibrarian]

I thought this was going to make me think "ok, so it's just ADHD and anxiety I'm dealing with", but nope. The 'tism is real.

[torhildsagenghansen]

When I was a child, I could not for the life of me tell a lie, or even twist the truth. Still, my parents and grandparents believed that I was lying all the time, and that made me furious. As a grown person, it hit me: I did not make much eye contact. That made them believe I was telling a lie.

[SFae-ddvp]

Just wanted to drop by and say i love that you montage your own example videos instead of solely using stock. It feels more personal.
Apart from that I have huge apprecation for your knowledge on the subject and how clear you are at explaining. Subscribing!

[NitFlickwick]

While I appreciate the general premise, I think it’s possible to be masking so deeply that you don’t even recognize the issues. I say this because that was me. I’m great at group projects (I’m actually bossy and controlling, but I didn’t see that). I can understand multiple conversations fine (but I didn’t notice how much effort I had to put into that). I love change and novelty (but I’d be in a bad mood for no reason when the grocery carts are moved).

My point is that we often don’t know the difficulties we are facing. We learn to compensate, or we straight up bury them. My giftedness and adhd compensated for my autism. My autism compensated for my adhd. Life was a negative experience, and I couldn’t figure out why.

And I am autistic. My neuropsychologist told me so, but I figured it out myself first after understanding how the stereotypes did and did NOT apply to me.

[ThisisPam]

The first part made me wonder if maybe I’m not autistic. Because I can have fun talking with a bunch of people. And I can collaborate with a group.
But then I thought about how stressed I feel and how much I hate those things. 😂 When I talk with a group, I am amazing for a couple of minutes and then I am desperate to leave and get out of it!
In collaboration, I fake it. I do whatever I can to make the experience efficient and secretly I’m rolling my eyes and gritting my teeth.
Decades of high masking

[esmekaffen]

I’m not autistic but my very dearest and best friend, of 32 years and counting, is. Although I’ve been on this journey with her since she came to realize she is autistic, this video has brought my understanding of autism to a whole new and deeper level. She experiences all 13 you cover. Now I will be an even better friend to her, who is the finest person I have ever known. Thank you❤❤❤

[ChlorineBee]

You're so good at putting all these difficulties into words! My whole life I suspected I'm neurodivergent (lots of people said this to my face) but I didn't start struggling until I changed jobs and strategies that have worked so far have gone out the window, they just aren't enough. I could never put a finger on why I'm feeling so stressed by the things you mention in this video, and they keep happening to me daily. It wasn't until I went off sick with burnout that it crossed my mind to seek a diagnosis and any support that might come with it. Your videos are so helpful in identifying and naming the things I find difficult, and take shape as opposed to just being a big clouds of anxiety, frustration and overwhelm. Thank you ❤

[arletahera]

I'm 34, not diagnosed but everything you say is so relatable and explains so many of my life experiences... I feel so understood it makes me want to cry 🥲 Thank you

[Suxipumpkin]

A lot of this made me laugh so much. Not because it is funny exactly but because I have never heard someone describe the way I act or feel so accurately - it's like a bubbly feeling of recognition and delight at the same time. Now I need a lie down in a dark room to process it all. Thank you xx

[Nyarlathothep]

I grew up undiagnosed in the 80s. It is SO nice, (so validating), to hear these issues articulated by someone else with the same kinds of experiences.

[cbrooks]

4: you’re fixated on…*mumble garble garble*

Me: still thinking about situations in my life that pertained to number 3.

[annvickers]

You are a comedic genius, I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time because it’s all so true.