What I struggle with (as an AUTISTIC adult)

In this video I talk about the things I struggle with on an everyday basis as an autistic adult. Even though I may look like I'm coping on the outside, my inner world is rich with noise and difficulty sometimes.

[killbotkane]

Does anyone else constantly get told you are not trying hard enough when you know you are trying your hardest? 😔💔

[zzzeremy]

Are you telling me not everyone has a constant internal monologue?!

[aliciahamblin]

I’m in tears. I am 35 years old and just now realizing that I am autistic. It’s just so overwhelming to know that all these things I’ve struggled with my entire life are because of autism and not because I’m weird or shy or lazy.

[mezlandia]

Self-blame has been the bane of my existence!

[emmacassidy]

Does anyone else have really bad, unpredictable mood swings? I'm oversensitive about everything.

[crazyknitter]

Shopping can be a real nightmare. Especially when they reorganise parts of the store. They have no idea how confusing and upsetting it can be for me. I have my strategy plan how to walk through to get out again as quickly as possible because the beeping, crying babies, loud children, announcements and people standing in the way drive me and hubby absolutely crazy and then I have to search for stuff because they moved it.

[ThisPettyPace]

"There are times when my internal monologue is louder than the voices around me."
I tried to say this to a therapist once but ended up sounding like I was having auditory hallucinations and had to backtrack because I knew that wasn't happening...
The more videos of yours I empathize with, the more I think my ADHD diagnosis wasn't quite right....

[seagullblackthorn]

I can't stand small talk. I'm very direct & end up saying things like "summarize" or "and the point is". lol

[jackieclaverton]

Hyperlexia as a child was part of me. I read early and I still read for pleasure and research, but it gives me overload. Everything has words on it. All packaging, mugs, clocks... everything. And I read it all. So tiring. I find I have a word in my head and I don't know where I saw it, but it's there wanting my attention!

[planetag]

My strategy for doing housework: Like most people, when I feel like it. My strategy for handling small talk. Wrap it up after 2 minutes and walk away.

[CatJackon]

I thought everybody had a monologue going on in their head. I always wondered how people didn't get exhausted listening to others, including at school. I don't sleep well because of the constant thinking going on.

[bitsnail]

1. Sensory issues 1:06
2. Loud/confusing social stuff 5:10
3. Executive function 7:00
4. Small talk 10:30
5. Internal monologue 13:02

[xenedraabourque]

Lights, loud sudden noises, loud talkers, the fact I cannot separate 3 conversation happening in the same room to focus on the person talking to me. Making the correct amount of eye contact. I was told once before I make the person uneasy because the eye contact I was giving was way to much. People drain me having to figure out all these social rules etc. I could go on for awhile about what affects me and bothers me.

[Moonstone_Wolf]

I’m loving your videos. I’m feeling understood and less alone.

[tedwards]

I am bothered by the noise people make when chewing.

[ethan-lyn]

I can't even begin to explain how comforting it is to hear other adults talk about struggling with executive function. Thank you, Sam, and y'all in the comments, for making me feel less alone.

[jadehoward]

I havent been diagnosed with Autism, but I see myself in you 100%

[mesicvraku]

I am amazed my therapist didn't see anything along the lines of autism during the four years( wasted) of therapy. As I listen to what you are saying it is all clearing up in my head. Wow.

[jenniferbeeson]

I really sympathize with the alcohol thing - I am suddenly able to interact and be witty and charming and if I miss something or get angry or say something weird we can just blame it on the alcohol.

[Tim_G_Bennett]

I struggle with all those but there's another few more that makes life hard and one is changing subjects/mental gears, like answering the phone, or sudden changes of plan at work. Another one is the working memory of a gold fish and not being given clear goals means anxiety to the max.