Autistic Special Interests Chat - Disney & Japan With Bianca Toeps

I recently read Bianca Toeps book 'But You Don't Look Autistic At All' and loved it so I asked her onto my channel to chat about autism, and our shared special interests - Disney and Japan.

Definitely go buy Bianca's book here:

here is a link to all my stuff including:
- Joining my members club The Purple People
-My Amazon wish list
-Ko-Fi - my tip jar
-Rinkl - a service where you can ask me a question and I'll send you a video response
- My merch
- All my socials

[romieabel]

Super amazing. Bianca Toeps is one of the only foreign people on the autism spectrum to actually move and thrive in Japan successfully. Yay good for her. ❤😢

[Katyestella]

My special interests are: meteorology, Marvel and DC superhero genre, Sci-fi and Sci-fi fantasy as well everything about Scotland.

[deandriamontgomery]

Belle resonates because she was at ease talking with animals. She read to the sheep by the fountain, and she was arguable the only one to get through to Beast (also an animal). I used to personify furniture and objects and pretend they were 'friends so Belle was an instant favorite. 🌹

[thirtycats]

I love what you guys say about avoiding angry advocacy and instead going with more compassionate and understanding advocacy.

[GrailSidhe]

I love Bianca's book to pieces and your channel, too!

[salo]

Thank you both for this insightful video! I'm currently writing a university paper on autism representation in a Danish young adult novel (Hullet) connected to emotions, and I find the research very tiring at times because I come across either outdated info or things discussing new insights and thus reflecting the outdated opinions still prevalent in even professional fields. There's a whole rabbit hole I could get into regarding alexithymia and autism and how they are not sufficiently separated in the diagnosis criteria, but I'll save you from that. Anyhow, it all hits quite close to home since I have a sister who got her diagnosis some years back in her early twenties, yet when I expressed to the professionals diagnosing her that I thought I might be on the spectrum as well, they just brushed me off without knowing anything about me, probably because I was making eye contact and being polite. By now, I am in my early twenties and I've gotten the classical array of other things diagnosed that often happen to women on the spectrum (depression, anxiety, adhd), and while I do think those are correct, too, it upsets me that I by now appear to know more about autism than the professionals around me (as they are not autism experts, just general mental health professionals or medical doctors). It is so exhausting to have to fight an uphill battle to even be TESTED, I'm not asking for a diagnosis without testing, just to be allowed to fill in some forms. So yes, as you can see, I feel very strongly about many of the things you discussed, and now I have to go check whether I can get my hands on that book :D

[clairezukowski]

Thanks for this video. I really enjoyed your book, Bianca! One of the most relatable ones I've come across. P.S. I also had an interest in Japan and did study abroad there.

[mayamoon]

I've been looking into autism for a while now because I think (at this point I'm almost certain) that I'm autistic. Bianca's book and your videos are both so helpful and have made me realise so many things about myself, so seeing this was a really fun crossover

[sarinalight]

Yes 🤗👍🏼👏🏼100% I agree. 🤗👍🏼👏🏼I used shape my mask to be in situations that weren’t meant for me. Today I don’t care if people like or not at my age? I’m Grateful for those who are still in my life for my Authentic Self🌱💛Being kind is not all a bad thing I do have Trust Issue due to my Life Experiences. You’re Both Fantastic Ladies! Take Care & Thank You.💛

[peterwynn]

My interests are Japan, Japanese language, world history, politics and collecting coins.

[thirtycats]

I might have to comment here multiple times!!! But first: I love the: first the parks, then the songs, then the movies. THAT is so me.

[brinjpn]

My special interest is also Japan! <3

[richarddewitt]

It is becoming more apparent that ASD has an affinity for things Japanese, this needs further research.

[suzyh]

thanks Ella and Bianca - I was interested in your comment Ella that your views on Theory of mind have changed - it would be great to know what your current thinking is please - thanks 🌺

[GwinnyMusic]

Re: the red thread. I’ve heard of the golden thread used in Buddhism