Diagnosed with autism... (aged 33!)

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with autism at the grand old age of 33. In this video I talk about the traits and habits that led me to diagnosis and how I feel going forward with the condition.

[cyberblock]

"I pursue things to an extreme level and then drop them" This is exactly me %100, it really annoys people because I know so much about random shit.

[BlueEyeCreativeStudio]

"High Functioning" = you're excellent at concealing your struggles.

[juiice]

”Tell me about yourself” OMG I hate interviews. They're basically a test of social skills. ”Give me an example” is another one I can't answer.

[LibbyGrindell]

"it's not my fault I know a lot of stuff" ❤️ and I've just realised I often pretend to know less than I do, or say something I know is definitely true prefaced with "I think I read online somewhere" so I don't come across as a know-it-all...

[Grymbaldknight]

"The whole world is one giant theatre production, and you don't have the script."

That is the most accurate way to describe socialising as an autistic person. Thank you for helping me to put it into words.

[observer.b_e_l_l_i_s]

"Its not my fault when i know a lot of stuff."
Dear god yes. As though someone should be punished for obsessive research.

[lucyl.]

I'm 72 years old and I've never been I know finally why I've struggled my whole life. You explain so we'll!
I thank you for sharing your journey, it's so difficult trying to fit in.

[seazenbones]

I have seen about 8 psychologists since 1993, I’m 61 now. I would mention that I had social anxiety. This was universally poo-pooed by them. I was depressed and stressed. I’m on antidepressants now. They don’t work, for me. My 24 yo son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. His symptoms reflected my own. He urged me to see my GP. I did that yesterday. The questionnaire they handed me, made sense instantly. I googled the symptoms on my phone and to my surprise, your video popped up in my YouTube feed. In the three videos I’ve watched, you have described myself and my behaviour in detail. Thank you 🙏

[Jimbo]

I’m on a waiting list to get tested. I’m 26 and ever since high school I’ve started being good at masking, but once you’re an adult, it becomes harder to mask cause there are no cliques and no one to imitate.

[meganhulings]

Just had a job interview as a prop designer and was asked the "tell me about yourself" question and made an absolute fool of myself by just regurgitating the education section on my resume. My main interviewer and I just stared at each other for a bit before one of the others took over, but that was the worst feeling, realizing that wasn't the answer he wanted and not knowing the answer to that.
P.S.: I got the job and I start this Thursday!

[PendragonWinchester]

I'm 37 and was diagnosed last year. Shortly after I started looking for a new job and was, for the first time (in almost 20 years of working) completely honest in my interviews and didn't try to figure out what they wanted me to say.
I got hired and start in a couple of weeks.

[sharonoddlyenough]

Yup. I learned to knit, then I learned how to make knitting needles, then I learned how wool was processed, then I learned how to spin wool, then I learned the ukulele. Update: I've been learning watercolour painting, but I realised I need to brush up on my drawing skills, and a youtube drawing teacher suggested fountain pens, so now I have a new collection and I am learning everything about fountain pens. Edit: I am now learning Swedish because reasons, and I am going as fast as I can before I get distracted by something else.

[cyberblock]

I've never in my entire life heard anyone describe so many things that relate to me, my mind is blown 🤯

[musiclifegage]

To me, Autism is not a disorder.. it is simply a different order.. To me, Autism is the link between who we were and who we are becoming, as a whole, as a species..thank you for your video. Much love and best wishes.

[fantasyfanperson]

I tend to pursue an interest for a while, go deep and then get burnt out and drop it. Usually I come back to them eventually. So it's good to hear the way I pursue those isn't necessarily non-autistic, since I'm still in the process of diagnosis.

[lyndacrossland]

63 and awaiting testing, hopefully my whole life will make a lot more sense. Been doing a fair bit of research and it's like a jigsaw puzzle of me all coming together....

I was 40 when diagnosed a few months ago. Is it just me or do we all have such similar life experiences? I feel like I have found so many other people who went through what I did and we are just now finding one another. So awesome to finally belong and be understood!

[Alegria]

How do you deal with the rollercoaster of interests? I have the same. I have so many interests, or hobbies that I'd like to pursue. But I can't possibly do all of them! So what happens, is exactly what you describe. I go ALL IN, for a while, and then stop, and then go ALL IN on something else. But that doesn't get me anywhere on any of the interests! I'm missing a bigger goal, a passion to keep pursuing. How do you do this, or how do you deal with the struggle?

[MiguelMartinez-ouwk]

True story... I'm 28 but when I was 18, my mom told me that I was diagnosed with autism as a little kid but she was in denial and said I was normal. I went on to live a normal life not knowing that I had autism, and when my mom told me that, I just told myself that i dont have it. But later on in life i was getting more aware of what autism is and I've been seeing videos like yours and then it hit me. I might have autism because I go through a lot of the things people describe so I went to the doctor to get tested as an adult. It turns out I was autistic my whole life and never realized it. My friends and my partner dont know and I'm not sure how to tell them.

[Cyanmoon]

EVERYTHING YOU SAID HERE. I was just diagnosed a month ago, at the age of 42. My whole life makes sense now, and it's such a relief! Having a label gives me a framework for understanding why I am the way I am, and it is so validating. I have also been very, very good at masking for my entire life. I have been dealing with 'autistic burnout' for the last 6 months or so, and as a result I'm discovering that I no longer have the energy or capacity to mask much of anything anymore. Mostly it's a huge relief to 'let it all hang out' so to speak... but I have had moments of doubt about exactly what you mention, about people thinking I look 'more autistic' now... and I have some anxiety about people thinking I'm acting or seeking sympathy. Thank you so much for your videos, it's really comforting and kind of... 'centering'... to have someone to relate to x x