Autism Hiding in Plain Sight (Masking or Camouflaging)

High-functioning autism. Is it just an excuse for bad behavior? Is it over-diagnosed? We answer these and other questions in the video.
#autism #autismawareness #autistic #autismfamilyvlogs #autismfamily

[alexanderkorhonen]

I'm 12 and just got diagnosed with Asperger's. At first I didn't believe it, because I could go to a normal school and live my daily life normally. I can relate very well to Connor and his symptons.

[nicoledickson]

thanks for this video. I'm high functioning like Connor and have all the same traits as him. I'm also usually mistaken for a normal kid due to my work and academic process being great, even though my motor skills have declined, and my social skills non existent. So, I can feel you guys.

[TheRdfrota]

Thank you for this video. As a parent of a toddler that is "borderline on the spectrum". Watching your family brings alot of positivity and awareness.

[jenniferbatey]

My daughter is a lot like Connor. The toe walking has improved, but she often ignores kids at school, and prefers to play alone. Being an autistic girl looks a little different as well and often gets missed. Thanks for your videos.

[Steviemarie]

My nephew is very high functioning. He's VERY similar to your son. Thankfully we noticed early and taught him that it's ok to be you. We've been blessed to find a great school (public school, in regular classes) that he now thrives in. Thank you for putting putting these videos out to educate people in such a thorough way.

[HappyHoney]

I was trained not to stim (rocking), how to not speak in a monotone manner; and periodically look at people's eyes (I look at their mouths, nose, and foreheads). All of the hiding traits is helpful for the people around us, but it causes anxiety. Masking is needed to move around in society, but it is at a cost of internal stress.

[dollydagger]

Eye contact is like kissing a stranger..please don't force it.

[beanj]

Love this video
Even my son's special education teacher labels my son as something other than autism because he is very high functioning.
The ignorance even extends to medical health professionals, teachers, therapist, etc. Very insightful video. Thanks for sharing!

[iloveshaakah]

Thank you for educating people about the spectrum.

[AmandaJames-wpuc]

Wow this is fascinating … I used to do so many of these things growing up & it’s only now I tested myself to see if I could be Autistic. I used to constantly fidget with my hands I remember training myself to stop & once flapping my arms around in a panic attack, always sensitive to noises & things.
I really did teach myself to mask - everything.
It’s strange how I remember walking around tip toes. I always had poor circulation & bad gut troubles which developed into autoimmunity, I struggled to read without feeling nauseous! Things started improving when I changed my diet… and then when I looked to reverse autoimmunity & heal my gut. I did 4 years of research & wrote some books - all symbolic so I could remember & see clearer how things work. I was astonished I was able to read books, and became less anxious. Trauma set of more stress in my body so learning to destress & feel safe was valuable & I came across this book which just confirmed more things I already learnt in other books. Gut & Phycology syndrome by
Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride
It’s a great book as the woman who wrote her son had Asperger’s. I thought it was a great view point.

[HerMarshmallow]

Hi Autism Family! My name is Hadley Elizabeth, and I'm a 12 year old female on the spectrum. Throughout most of my life I had meltdowns every day after school, had no friends and avoided being around other people. I used to have big stims when I was alone but did my best to hide them at school and in public. Because I was a girl I was just written off as "shy." Now, I've been diagnosed with low support need autism and I am so grateful to have found this channel. Thank you so much for all of your videos. I love you guys, and I hope everything is still going well.

[JonnyOwenTunes]

You two are such wonderful loving parents.

[BipolarCourage]

Eye contact is overrated. I am 50 & still avoid eye contact. When it is forced, it was distressing. Looking in the general direction is enough if want to give the impression that listening. I actually listen better if don't make eye contact & doodle.

[BMarie]

I feel so sad that Connor feels he needs to mask. He doesn’t. There’s millions of people out there who would literally not even bat an eye if he was stimming. As someone with sensory issues and severe OCD that manifests physically into misophonia and repeated physical ritual behaviors, I know the torture of trying to mask stimming… it’s literal torture and I just with Connor knew he didn’t need to inflict that torture upon himself, especially not because of other people…

[katharinelamarche]

I am so thankful for you. A blessing to the world. It can be so lonely and highlights our insecurities… as parents etc.

[tgrant]

I am so grateful for your videos. Thank you Connor, I appreciate your sharing your life and thoughts about Asperger's. My son is 33 years old and has dealt with bullying and cyberbullying throughout his life. Our greatest challenge has been in helping him with discernment. He takes everyone at face value and assumes they all have his best interest at heart. Unfortunately, being "gullible" seems to attract into his/our lives people with malicious and even criminal intent. We have worked through the stemming, twitching, looking away to avoid eye contact, and shirts inside out - these actions are not "bad" but different. Society pushes for sameness by ostracizing those who are different. And yet, it is our differences that make who we are so special.

[ravenID]

The off and on again thing makes sense, I really only avoid eye contact if I'm already upset or stressed and it's probably common

[antonvilla]

Hes finding a way to overcome certain problems he recognizes.

[Amber_Vegan_Brighton_England]

0:23 if anyone said that to me, I wouldn’t even know how I’d react.

Keep up the amazing parenting of your amazing children ❤

[chessqld]

Appreciate your honesty … your a great dad!