Autism and When Receiving a Gift is Stressful

Today I'm talking about how a not insignificant number of autistic people, both children and adults, sometimes find receiving gifts stressful, or even upsetting.

Welcome to Autmazing! We talk a lot about autism around here because we are a family with five kids and a mom and dad who are autistic and we believe that autism acceptance is extremely important. We also post videos daily (or almost daily), about topics that we feel are important and sometimes there's a vlog thrown in too. We think it's important to see that being autistic is just that- another way of being human. You'll get glimpses of what's going on at the moment in our lives, usually in a little town in Michigan, or in the nearby city that Paul works in.

We are a family of 7, with a Mom named Cammie and a Dad named Paul. Sadie is 13, Maggie is 11, Patrick is 9 James is 7, and Tessie is now 5!

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[isaiaha.]

My son is a PDAer thanks for making this:-). It’s true! Gifts are demands, open the gift, act a certain way, say thank you etc. Holidays too are stressful and full of masking and meltdowns. Christmas morning is an expectation and in turn a demand. Wake up, open gifts etc. What should be fun … is simply not to my son (sometimes.. it depends mainly on his mood and his anxiety) so we try to let him have perceived control over most situations. Sometimes it helps if it’s something like Christmas to let him be in control and hand out gifts or tell everyone what order to open them in etc. they will all get opened he just has control over something.

[Clark-mmgw]

Thanks for sharing this video, Cammie, and explaining why some people might react differently to presents at first! And explaining why it makes sense and isn't meant to hurt anyone's feelings!

[zRedHeadz]

The faster Christmas approaches the more stressed out i feel myself becoming...

Christmas has always stressed me out, most people seem to know how to react to gifts perfectly fine yet i always seem to over or under sell it. In the initial moment im not sure how to have that perfect reaction that will make the giver happy and feeling good. I could be so happy with a gift but im not sure how to interpret that in a way others can understand its stressful as heck 😭

[ravenkitley]

I’m autistic totally agree with that unless my parents are doing it because they know what I love

[relentlessrhythm]

I wish people would understand and respect that I do NOT want to celebrate my birthday. I don't want gifts, texts, calls, cards, cake, or wishes. Please treat it like a normal day!

[QueenShireen]

I love presents, but only If i know what it is. No surprises please. I love giving presents even more btw.
Love the painting of the bee and the balloon in the background.

[siobhanflanagan]

Merry Christmas to you and your entire family, Cammie!! 🎄✨💗

[EvieNhope]

Yep, so many of my family is like this, so many with ASD we now know

[williamvasquez]

❤️ Love to you and your family❤️! God bless✝️❤️!

[JillianHadley]

I absolutely hate to get presents. I think it has to do with being the center of attention. I do not ever want that.

I do think I might be on the spectrum, 2 of our kids are.

[aliasreco]

Nothing wrong with me. (denial). But please no gifts! Hearing about it makes me stressed. I have to say "thank you" for CDs with horrible music. Keep smiling to the one who gave you such horrible presents. Have to think of presents I have to give to others. All horrible. Ah... But I live in a country now where birthdays are not celebrated. No Christmas gifts. All great. I am nice to my wife though... And I celebrate autism too. I seem to have many gifts... Praise to Jesus. Shalom.

[proudautismmomma]

Love the video as always!! God bless u all n happy happy holidays to u all!! 😘💜🙏🎄🎅⛄