What Is Autism To You?

OK, here goes..."What is Autism to You?" from an Autistic adult's perspective.

Part 1 of 3 in our "What's Normal Anyway" video series.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: includes footage of Autism cure talk & Autistic pathology - Also...lot's of Actually Autistic Pride x

Video featuring (to name a few): Steve Silberman, Rosie King, Chris Packham, Anthony Hopkins, Life, Animated, National Autistic Society

#actuallyautistic #autisticpride #autisticidentity #WhatisAutism #theAutisticRevolutionWillbeTelevised #neurodiversity #agonyautie

ADDITIONAL AUDIO PRODUCTION
Peter Crosbie

LOGO & THUMBNAIL ART
Kevin Atterig


FOOTAGE BY (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)

Spectrum: A Story Of The Mind
Please Stand By
Black Balloon
“The Fight Flight Freeze Response” Braive
Neurotypical
Life, Animated
Chris Packham; Aspergers & Me
The Story Of Luke
TED Talks - Rosie King & Steve Silberman
What Is Autism? National Autistic Society
Cave of Forgotten Dreams

[JulianLuckeeSouth]

They will have a breakdown by the time they're 30. Wow. Yep. Especially if you don't know you have it until afterwards.

[ThyroidVsKeto]

this is making so many boxes click for me. It makes my blood boil to hear the beginning clips in this compared to "30 years ago" as if something went wrong meanwhile when really, as a 36 year old woman, I was just categorised as a "weirdo" as a youngling, , never given any understanding or support, and if I wasn't getting "normal" social interactions, I wasn't trying hard enough. When i started rocking back and forth as a child as a soothing method, my mother was mocking me saying "only crazy people do that" and such... the effort anything considered "Normal" has required of me my entire life, and still not succeeding cause things evidently don't feel or are perceived by most people as I do, has made me feel so isolated that when someone suggested a few weeks ago maybe autism would explain a lot of things, everything just started to click. Thank you so so very much for this, I have been resigned to be just a "weirdo" for my whole life and learning from what you're sharing is making me feel like I can reclaim my identity ❤

[IamMissPronounced]

I'm now on the diagnostic journey as a 21 year-old and hearing the untrue things people think about autism breaks my heart and scares me. I'm scared that we live in a world where autistic people are so misunderstood and misrepresented in society. Autistic people have so many spectacular qualities and skills to contribute to the world.

[Jontohil]

Autism is a very misunderstood condition. On the internet it has become stereotyped as a disability or a disease, especially with the normies who use it as an insult to people online without context. In reality, its just a different way the mind works. It has it's upsides, and its downsides, one of the main upsides being how good an autistic person can become in their interests, such as me with my video creation, mainly with editing videos, but now getting into 3D animation.

I play a ten year old online game that most normies jump onto the bandwagon and call it a dead game. A lot of my friends that I met in that game I have also found to be autistic. At first I thought, "Wow! What a nice coincidence!" though now I feel this is no coincidence. They shared my uncommon interests, and I could relate to them, and that's why we became such good friends despite having never yet met face to face.

Autistic people don't tend to care as much about whatever is the most trendy thing, like a lot of normies do, they don't feel the pressure to fit in with everyone else, but rather to go their own way. I remember how back in the day, my parents would try and stop my autistic behaviors, to which seven year old me replied, "There is no cure for autism". Which to this day, is completely accurate.

Not saying I haven't gotten better over the years, as most people these days can't tell I have a mental condition, and it comes as a big surprise when I tell them. But it's great to see a fellow autistic shed light on it, and explain it with such a well made video.

One of the best things for an autistic person to do, is to become self aware. So that they can figure out what is wrong with them, so they can then move on to embrace their gifts...

Autism is nothing to be ashamed of
Thanks a lot Agony Autie

[Delcattess]

I wasn't expecting this video to make me so emotional, but it did. I'm an adult and have only recently (last few years) caught on that I have autism. So many things about my life make so much more sense now, and hearing you talk about the innovation and creativity and beauty of autistic minds really resonated with me. Thank you so much.

[ashtonlebleu]

My husband has Aspergers and always has known. I met him and on our second encounter he told me and I didn't blink because I already knew he was unique. After getting married his Aspergers came to mean more than his uniqueness. It came with challenges I hadn't prepared for and still live with but he is the most amazing person. I would never wish for him to be any different. I learn more and more about him and more and more I understand him the better things get. We aren't 100% in sync but so what. Most of our issues come from me not understanding his language well enough and Im getting better. This video helped as well! Thank you for it, the behavior as language was like getting smacked in the face and so many things clicked. Thank you thank you

[matteste]

I'd say Autism Speaks and just the states in general are quite guilty of a lot of the problems we Autists face especially on the internet.

But man, this video really resonated with me.

[shadowxgaming]

Brilliant video! This video alone breaks down many stereotypes and disproves them in simple, laymen's terms.

While I do not have autism, I wish autistics the best of luck and in general, society really needs to do better at helping people that are DIFFERENT than others.

Disability or difference, mental illness/disorder or mental diversity - these shouldn't affect how people perceive OTHER people and we should work to ACCOMMODATE people that are different. People that have different strengths and weaknesses. I fail to understand why that's so hard for other people to grasp.

[nomoneyrecord]

I have reached another level of burnout and I'm deep into defense mode at the age of 36. This has happened to me numerous times through out my life and have finally started to understand that I can no longer constantly accommodate neurotypical dynamics that do not reflect my emotional intensity and passion for moral integrity. I struggle daily to understand the conflicting standards of society and am starting to learn to fully embracing oneself and engaging with those who build, support, and sustain the level of emotional intelligence that I possess, as well as all of my flaws. There is no reason to focus on the perceived inadequacies of a dominantly "normal" brained world that doesn't allow me to thrive with my abilities to contribute and improve the lives of others, whether diverse, or typical. I thinks it's fantastic that you have found your strength, beauty, and passion. You possess a high level of intelligence and to take the time to help educate others and help those that are suffering, is deeply respected. I am grateful for the work you put into your channel and helping others live a higher quality of deserved life.

[Overly_nourished_entity]

My 3 year old was recently diagnosed, it’s been confusing time for my husband and I, we’ve never know anyone with Autism. Your videos are helping me understand my little guy and how we can connect to his world, thank you.

[charlestheautisticguy]

Autism to me is basically just going through each day missing social cues and mistakes..I can't ever imagine life without my Autism. So in a way Autism makes up a big portion of my personality...everyone seems to love me for who I am so I love my Autism because it brings my family together 🙂.

[seanericwatson]

I love the way you are providing different perspectives for people to consider around behavior. This reframing helps show how those of us that are not neurotypical, want and need the same things such as connection, communication, and to be of contribution, and simply do this in different ways that may even be more optimal in certain situations. I'm also appreciating the clarification around conditions and related but separate health conditions. It's a complex issue of what issues can be "cured" such as some of the health issues, and what "issues" are simply the brain thinking or processing differently, which isn't even something that needs cured. Love your content, hope you continue to create!

[emmeliepaquette]

My partner is a teacher, and works with children with Autism. He has developed a special connection with a young boy he works with. My partner introduced this young boy to video game developing and he is hooked! He comes in early to school, and sits next to my partner desks, asks for extra homework! But this friendship is not one way. The boy is an incredibly fast learner, and genuinely sweet and passionate about things. He is my partner's biggest source of daily inspiration, and it is because of this young boy's unique, growing and magical mind. Hope this video reaches alot of people! You are doing wonderful things!

[williamjay]

I'm an autistic guy...diagnosed with Asperger's a few years ago. Experienced mental breakdown, substance abuse. I also experienced physical and emotional abuse growing up from other people. You're very expressive Agony Auntie...great video.

[Malbeur]

I resonate with everything in this video so much. Thank you for making it. I feel so validated. <3

[fleurboisvert]

I usually say autism is sensory, emotional, socially communicative and cognitive ( as in thinking style and executive functioning ).

[jyotivyas]

Thank you Dear Sara, , Resonated Completely...Our Auti Family❤😊👌💐👍Namaste From Bharat India😊😊🎉

[stephensmith]

I've fairly recently been able to accept that I have autism at 37. A lot of youtube channels have helped me through this and this is one of the videos that has spoken to me the most.

[ottolandin]

I can't control the feeling of excitement, it makes me act out. the hyperactivity resonates in my soul.

[megangreen-hurst]

I was diagnosed with autism when I was in my early teens, I’m now a young adult, I love your videos as I do a lot of these things myself so it makes me feel like I’m understood and that it’s ok to do these things.
Thank you for making these videos and your channel.