There is No Easy Autism | Ryan Arnold | TEDxCNU

The world was not built for me....

[gojiberry]

I feel angry and am going through a lot of grief. So many people got to achieve their dreams and I had so much trouble just getting through the day. I was promised by society that if I worked hard, I'd be rich and famous and whatever. I did everything "right, " but crashed time and time again. Meanwhile, my parents always wondered, "She's so talented. What's wrong with her?" I just wanted to rest, but resting was lazy and not allowed.

[HappyHoney]

When I burned out at work... I reached the point of not recognizing people, not remembering names, getting lost while driving, and losing so much ability to do everything. I had to retire early. Now, I just stay at home alone, but after being retired for 2 years; I am starting to relax a little. I am surprised how much work it is to just take care of myself now. There's no telling what I am missing. If it's not in my daily routine, I forget about it.

[SergioBlackDolphin]

It is normal to be autistic. It is not normal having to go through the pain of dealing with the environment not designed for autistic individuals.

[clinkedylinkedy]

I appreciate this perspective as someone who got their diagnosis after years of "not fitting in" or "reaching my potential". Great analogy to explain masking to neurotypicals. My hope for Ryan is that he sheds some of the self deprecation. You will be the perfect you.

[mathilde]

So well articulated. Thanks to the brave aspie who painted a picture of what our lives can look like.

[EvergreenFlame]

I appreciate this talk. My company's top leader decided to publicly and severely discipline me for a minor infraction, and when told by HR personnel it was unwarranted and would traumatize me because I'm autistic, he scoffed and said I couldn't be and then listed my behaviors that exist because I have to continually mask in such a toxic environment. I wish employment laws would cover this kind of mistreatment

[tempelhof]

Fantastic work Ryan and I really appreciate you sharing your story and insight. You are an amazing person and you're definitely not alone. As someone diagnosed with ASD (Aspergers) myself I completely relate to what you are saying and if I met you in person I would feel honored to be your friend. Take care and keep being you!!! P.S. I have started un-masking in certain situations and it feels amazing.

[shantanushekharsjunerft]

I have never been diagnosed with ASD but I am fairly certain I have it. I am intellectually inclined and capable of understanding a wide array of subject areas in STEM. I don’t like eye contacts, makes me very uncomfortable. Having said that Buddhism has been an amazing tool for me! Meditation and reading Buddhist scriptures have profoundly reshaped my understanding of human nature and my ability to work with it.

[miravlix]

Obsessing over one's special interest is HEALTHY for him and it was unhealthy and harmful for his family to fight it. This is the REASON we talk about autism... certain things that work for "normal" people, is just UNHEALTHY for someone with autism. He is burning up his youth to be "normal" and he will age badly.

[henyigoay]

I am also a person who had autism spectrum disorder , I have missed a lot of friendship in my life just because I don't know how to respond. Though the lost I had but I must still keep moving forward and learn . The moment he said the world isn't built for me, I feel being understood .

[charlesedwardcheese]

For once I feel like someone actually understands what it’s like in my life
I never got diagnosed though my families always been in denial

[dao.]

ryan, i just have to thank you for for reminding me that i am capable. you are an inspiration for our community. cheers, from brazil!

[mayan]

👏👏👏 Wonderful job! You spoke for all the people with ASD who cannot express themselves! A great way to see how one feels. I'm sorry for having those bad times of feeling not understood or included. Wishing you the best !

[chrisegnoto]

So true, I want to cry. What was on the board when he said what has been said to him....to the T. Also, well...stuff. I do my best to mask which is one of the reasons I have a channel. I can stop filming or edit when I need to and try to put on a better performance.

[lisawanderess]

What you describe as "burnout" sound more like what I experience as "meltdowns"...burnout is usually the paralyzing exhaustion that comes after too much social interaction or post meltdown or after stressful times...when I am exremely tired, want to stay in bed all day, lack all motivation to do even minor tasks and things that usually seem easy become insurmountable for days, weeks or months. The "meltdown" is the immediate reaction to stressful social interactions and/or sensory overload, the "burnout" is the lingering effects but way less dramatic.

[owenleynes]

i learned from someone who idk if they were autistic or not that its ok to not always fit in. they just were unapologetically themselves and people either liked or hated them and they were chill with that and thats how i go about my unmasked life, if someone takes issue with me i can brush it off very easily cuz i have a bunch of other people that love me for who i am and those are the people i care about. everyones got haters everyones got people that dont vibe with them and thats ok. you dont have to live up to some standard you created in your head to fit in.

[saffsholistichealth]

Great analogy of masking with the boxing gloves

[Arkarian]

8:22 Doesn’t burnout happen often? All the autistic adults I know are currently in burnout mode and are usually in that state.

[KK-exej]

Thankyou for the insight, brilliant presentation

[myler]

We need to stop talking about it as a disorder, it is not; it is a different neurotype.