Stigma, Loss of Identity & Late Autism DX #asd

Hi! I'm Orion Kelly and I'm Autistic. #ActuallyAutistic #orionkelly #autism #autismsigns #whatautismfeelslike #asd

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ABOUT ORION:
Orion Kelly is an #ActuallyAutistic vlogger (YouTuber), podcaster, radio host, actor, keynote speaker and Autistic advocate based in Australia. Orion is all about helping you increase your understanding, acceptance and appreciation of Autistic people.

#AutisticVoices #ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Autism #OrionKelly #ThatAutisticGuy #ASD

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⛔️*Disclaimer: The videos contained on this channel are for general education and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute professional advice. For professional advice and training seek assistance from a qualified provider. All views are my own and do not represent those of my employers or sponsors. Some images used are stock images.*⛔️

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[DeeWeber]

Early diagnosis is stigmatized too. Unfortunately all autism is stigmatized, which is why folks have to "come out". I would love to see more about how to find self.

[cecile-p]

That's a big problem in my family. I'm glad you made this video ! Your book is very helpful too !

[farsouthfungi]

1000% burning it down and from the ground up.

[mikealalee]

Thank you for existing. My diagnosis has been so much easier just for you existing in thhe world. I dont feel so alone. You put into words everything i feel that i cant articulate my own words for. My family is very "it didnt exist when i was little and i was fine so it must not exist" attitude. Makes you feel like your not ALLOWED ro be yourself. Alot of stigma and discrimination comes from a place of miseducation or lack of, or of a realization that you now ha e a reason for how you act and that you cant change it. This essentially means people think you are a burden and will now always burden them. It makes you feel guilty for a condition you didnt ask to have. I thought i had bipolar. I was shocked to have autism . I thought people would be happy for me. Instead they just seemed annoyed. "Great now she has an excuse" thats how it feels. Its an answer for me. An answer for so many things so many moments and feelings. But to everyone else, its just an excuse to act "immature" "lazy" and "spoiled". Im none of those and never meant for people to percieve it that way. Id give my shirt off my back if someone truely needed it. My ability to rationalize and set boundaries doesnt mean i am "normal" or meeting average expectations. I had to struggle and really teach myself those things and i still struggle to do them.

Alot of people making ASSUMPTIONS without ANY education on the matter. Let alone any education on the human body at all past high school.

Try to remember that in the face of these ignorant comments, remember most peoples health knowledge is highschool or lower. They dont even know the tip of the ice berg when they make comments about how autism isnt real or is just an excuse. Of course youd think so at first glanze. But when the brain is studied, lights shine through of new worlds and new perceptions.

Dont knock it till youv tried it they say

Well dont talk till youv read it i say!

Dont comment about conditions you havent even read a book about. I promise you that most people making bad comments about your diagnosis havent even ready a single article on autism in full. They will say they did but unless they can bring that article up i would not believe that.

Read a book, or shut up! Thank you- sincerely AUTISM

[markbeardmore]

I'm incredibly grateful I've stumbled on your channel. I'm 41 and received my diagnosis 2 months ago, and I'm going through this process at the moment.

It's great having confirmation that I'm not alone going through this.

[bobsoldrecords]

My diagnosis actually made me finally able to embrace my identity. I'm not weird or quirky. I'm just Autistic.

[shelbybutler]

How fantastic it feels to put all my little stimming tools all over my house and yard. I love order, but I love anything that spins, creates a lovely scent, or makes soothing sounds. I have my bird feeders, kinetic sculptures, water features, and mobiles in the yard at my house. And, I have a dog. Growing up, my mother only allowed one or two wind chimes outside. Anything else was "tacky", and I was only allowed to dog-sit animals that she approved. How freeing it is to take off my mask at home now and stim freely, as a neurodivergent adult!

[NoTfRoMThIsPlAnEt]

Sorry for the rant....
I was diagnosed at the beginning of thia year and I almost wish I didn't get diagnosed. I guess what I wanted and expected the most out of it was for doctors and mental health professionals to understand me more and to better help me. Now I guess I just feel guilty *shrug*. Its like no one in the medical or mental health field have any idea what autism symptoms are and why I would struggle with certain things like communicating or even knowing how I feel. No one has used my asd diagnosis as a guide to help me. People make me feel like I am lying, assume I am manic and that I am delusional and "no you I are definitely bipolar" after meeting with me one time for 5 minutes, or a lazy drug seeking loser trying to get pills and stay on disability. I had a counselor downplay my sensory problems and other symptoms and tried to convince me every appointment that I am not autistic and sometime after I was diagnosed, she interrupted me to tell me "you know you dont have severe autism, right?" I was talking about something that wasn't even related to ASD and never said mine was severe. At the neuropsychological eval that got me the diagnosis, I was trying to explain that I don't know how to put how I feel into words and used me not being able to write my husband a fantasy letter (he's in prison) but can write about things that I did yesterday no problem at all as the best example I could come up with of how I struggle with whatever the hell that is, the neurophysiologist literally said "oh, ew." I thought it was a responsible thing to work hard to get a more accurate diagnosis since I realized that I am not bipolar and assumed it would get a more positive reaction out of therapists. I never would of imagined I would get treated this badly from so many people because of it. I regret getting the diagnosis because it made it that much more invalidating. And now Im a liar too? Now masking is even harder because now I have to try to sound like I am not lying when I am telling the truth, try to control my anxiety and PTSD caused by crappy health care/ mental health experiences just because, normal... But now so I also dont look manic, awhile trying to decide if I should keep pretending like I am normal and that I am comfortable with this situation and give eye contact, smile, no stemming.. and small talk (like before when that's all I had to do) or should I relax and do what is actually comfortable for me. I just end up exacerbating what I am trying to hide and end up looking like I ate crack for breakfast and am short circuiting. Either way, how I act isn't ok and its exhausting. I have never felt this badly ever. I just wanted to feel better 😒

[mladywolf]

The hardest thing I have noticed since getting my Diagnosis has been trying to find therapy to help me cope with my unmasked self. I'm 43 and I feel so lost, but I am working on finding my new self. I started unmasking myself last year while waiting for the assessments to be done.

[Christel]

I’m 54 & my 2nd assessment is next week. I’m so overwhelmed but my mask has really slipped over the last few months.

[ariellazoe]

Thank you ❤ really great advice. I was just diagnosed at 26, and it's been a challenge to say the least 😅

[tomtroy]

This is so scary and exciting at the same time🙂🙃🙂

[arthurblackhistoric]

My ex-wife, who kicked me out 15 years ago, upon hearing that I received a late diagnosis at age 69, would have me back, just so she could kick me out all over again! She was one who could never accept ANYTHING that was wrong with me as an "excuse" for my being so far from perfect. I can only imagine how she would take it if we were still together and I got diagnosed autistic.

[u]

You are an amazing man for what you do 😁 thank you

[giffordinc]

Orion, your shorts are so juicy! 😂 Great post. Thanks man

[stampinturtles]

Could you do a video about how autism can be perceived as rude behavior? Helping the ASD person try to be less “rude” and for others to handle possible rude comments or facial expressions. I’m sorry if you have addressed this in another video. I know people who get their feelings hurt by comments made by the ASD person in my life.

[Hi_Im_Akward]

30yo Non-bianary afab, late diagnosed with adhd and autism. It's been a process to accept myself and basically have to relearn who i am. I don't tell many people, they don't need to know but the expectations are a difficult thing to get over or work around. Some things literally wouldn't matter if I told people or not. Id still have to fufill certain things and they will remain difficult regardless of the knowledge.

[carldalsasso]

😅 yupp.. im done asking other if this helps explain some things about myself. Ill continue to try and play there game the best i can😂

[Firegen]

I am so ready to give up forever. I'm failing at so much. Yet, I have yet another doctor's meeting to confirm anything.

I can't take it anymore

[robertdecker]

Im 50, my dad had aspergers and my mom has adhd, i am undiagnosed but i know....i wiped out driving in winter, and now cant really drive in any bad weather especially winter. As a man i am suffering with horrible ridicule for it from the boss to the wife, its unbearable