Why Can't Autistic People Advocate for Themselves? Why is standing up for yourself so difficult?

Are you ever faced with a situation where you are required to advocate for yourself? Like being wrongfully disciplined by your supervisor, dealing with a bully, or in verbal confrontations with your family or friends? For autistic people, it's really hard for them to deal with this type of situation.

[eclecticmajestic]

I try my hardest to advocate for myself but I end up going off on tangents and emotions get involved, along with personal opinions. For example, I wrote to a psychiatrist in response to his terrible report a few months back, and my vocabulary and descriptions are so grandiose at times lol. I also say it like it is for the most part; many people don't like this. I love your videos and how you explain things! Xx

[rfart]

I'm proud of you for learning to stand up for yourself. It's difficult for many autistic people like me to advocate for themselves. But you still managed to do so anyway.

[jadorejoe]

This was so incredibly validating for me. Thank you for sharing!

[Yours_sincerely_thedreamer]

I am extremely good in ethical and scientific debates, because how to argument in these debates is pretty clear and usually follows the same principles. But in school I never managed to stand up to bullying. My responses always came like hours later, which made the whole situation even more funny for my bullys. That is why most people I am close to automatically defend me to outsiders, rather than waiting for me to respond. But while that comes from a good place it actually bothers me. Because I have a voice of my own and I would just wish people would take the time to listen.

[Marzeliax]

I would love seeing you do a segment on self-advocating "responses"...like a mini video handbook of phrases we can say to tell people to stop yelling, or speak up when someone is being unfair to us. Too many people project their blame on us because of our struggles and don't take responsibility for their own actions. Love some new ideas what to say when that's happening bc I just get so shocked when it happens I usually can't even respond.

[mandaloolux]

This is so hard because it takes time for me to figure out how to say what I mean, then when I explain people interrupt and don't let me finish, I'm too polite to call them out and feel it's not worth my energy trying to explain when they obviously don't care and wouldn't understand anyway because I can't articulate using the right words and tone fluctuations.

[terrimeakin-rosario]

so not to be rude, but there are many people out there in the workplace that, upon finding out about our"vulneralbilities", subtly mock us and try to wear us down. i guess that makes them feel more secure . what are some good suggestions to shut them down without having a meltdown and trying to kick their teeth in? i have been part of my workfriends support system for over a year now. since management has become frustrated with him now having a voice of reason, they have separated us on our shifts. now i overhear them bully him, but i have no room to give voice for him. we were an awesome team. he is basically nonverbal, and i interpreted for him. im frustrated.

[jacobniebuhr]

I really needed this. Thank you for making this

[goldenangel]

I can understand you because these also happened to me during my teenager experience and adult life. And peoples in my previous life should understand this about me.

[suzannemomma]

Your insight into human nature is impressive!

[Dream_toothCS]

The brain you interupted is trained to not respond, even though I don't even know you, and so havn't ever interuppted you...only thumbs up yo