Masking, mirroring, fawning, and dissociation in autism and ADHD.❤️

[rs-mtkl]

Your mother is so pretty, like genuinely I'm hoping im a flower garden fairy lady in the forest like her someday😅

[beabear]

My mom called disassociating “zoning out” growing up. Everyone in my family has adhd and a lot of distant relatives are neurodivergent. A funny story I have is when I went to a family gathering and a distant cousin and I kept zoning out and staring into each other’s souls😂

[SugarCaneVinegar]

On a different note, your mother moves so smoothly like a game character

[kellycline]

This is my whole life. I am neurodivergent. I am also an introvert who works in retail, so I do a lot of these all day to cope.

[WingedAngels]

I’m finally unmasking after almost 60 years, and it’s amazing how FREE I feel.
Having said that, I’m having trouble in public now, because I’m strangely aware of all the things I did all those years to fit in, and I feel so odd and uncomfortable. I’m so happy for those who were allowed to feel free to be themselves growing up. I think the reason it seems there are more people being diagnosed as autistic, is because we’re allowing our kids to openly discuss that they’re different, and accepting them for it.

[yrgarcon]

100% all of them adapting to different circumstances

[PinaColadalifeNotJustHoliday]

the hand twisting... then they look at my hands twisting...and I'm busted... I'm looking for exit lol

[Sunshine-rqqs]

I didn’t realize it until now but I do the third one constantly, thinking I have to be super nice and do everything everyone asks without question or complaint.

[Anna-zjij]

I do all of the above and it can be such a struggle at times. Most of it is subconscious, other than when I try extremely hard to mask and all of it feels like a burden. When I finally get to be alone, it’s like taking off a very big, heavy jacket and getting to feel that relief. I know masking and the other things mentioned are coping skills to avoid danger or being judged, but I wish neurodivergent people didn’t have to do them just to feel safe. It really is a tough world out there. I love how yall create awareness and let people know it’s okay to be neurodivergent. Never stop the good work. Sending love and support 🤍

[frootpunchies]

I’m autistic and I came across this and remembered what I learned in a psych class, fawning and disassociating are typically associated with a fear response that was meant to keep us alive meaning that we become so overstimulated our body thinks it’s in a near death situation

[sirenasilverstorm]

Oh definitely! Especially the last one, awesome jumpsuit by the way!✨

[lunatic]

Woah, I had no idea that also could've been a symptom of my tism, the fawning, I always blamed it on me being a people pleaser but it took a long time to break off the habit of simply adapting to the situation in fear of conflict.
I absolutely adore your videos, it's helped me feel more comfortable, and show that it is ok to be different.
And that outfit is amazing, you look so pretty!

[willowpup]

she is so lovely. the fact that she had to develop such strong coping mechanisms and mask so much is so unfair. you can tell how lovely she is from just how wholesome her son is. you two are such wonderful people, i wish you the best

[tonin]

Oh my l do all of those things. Im 53 and never heard of them. I was a premature baby always had anxiety and such but no one ever took a notice guess l was just great at the masking trying so hard to be like everyone else. This is so helpful❤thank you. Im glad l found your videos.

[somanyfeelz]

Your mom has the best nurturing and joyful spirit. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourselves with us:)

[chrystie_bowie]

My son has GAD and sensory concerns, with heavily suspected ADHD. I definitely notice his masking and fawning in social situations. I think he also dissociates. It's such a struggle to get educators to take it all seriously because he's currently high achieving academically. Some people don't understand what it can look like when a person's struggles are largely covered up in order to fit in. I'm the one that sees the breakdowns once he's safely home with me. 😔

[itsamandilostmypassword]

I love ur mother, she is literally who I wanna be when I grow up

[yeshelloitsme]

Thank you for these videos. They have genuinely helped me discover more about myself and my neurodivergent brain. I wouldn't have thought that people pleasing could be a coping strategy but it explains so much about myself. ❤

[peachygirl]

Me to a tee! I was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at 26! And struggled to understand what was going on with me. I love your guys channel!

[nurselori]

These are not only helpful for anyone on the spectrum or with ADHD but people who have been diagnosed otherwise and have similar traits. I have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (scary sounding but very common), and I have "zoned out" for EVER. I have gone to DBT, which was very helpful but still disassociate at times. I also have a brother in law who is autistic and a daughter with ADHD so thanks for all the insights and advice❣️