Autism and Change: 'First Steps...'

Yes I AM nervous as I upload this, but if I'm to examine the autistic relationship with change and routine, there's nowhere better to start than with my own response to recent huge changes in my own life.
Part introduction to the subject of autism and change, part update on where I've been and what I have planned for the future, constructive thoughts and criticism are welcome as always.

Support Autistamatic on Patreon

Find more at

Autistamatic Merch:

Autistic Primer (playlist)

Made with Shotcut, open source video editing software

Images, stock video, sound effects and music not created by the channel are either used under license from their appointed vendors, have been obtained from YouTube creator resources or from the following PD/CC sources:

Every effort has been made to ensure that copyrights are respected and that material used is in the public domain. Where copyrighted material is used it is under the terms of "fair use" for educational and/or critical purposes. All copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.

[lizvanaarde]

Am 68, diagnosed at 65 after a lifetime of having been told I am anxious and depressed, who wouldn't be, with such ill-fitting diagnoses. Your channel was a hallelujah, I have at long last found my tribe, thank you Quinn.

[melissamoore]

I've only started watching your videos very recently, but I get that exceedingly rare and contradictory feeling like I'm interacting with a very dear friend that I've known for ages. I am very likely autistic, and I've come to learn that also pretty recently - ironically, through both an ever growing pile of lemons, and the YouTube algorithm. I suspect that my search for help with a variety of issues triggered it, in retrospect, although it seemed to come out of nowhere.
And it's a bit confusing, and causes a lot of different emotions. But just the way you speak calls forth the objectively best feeling of the lot - relief. The relief of having information you've been searching for, and of finding information you didn't even know you needed. The relief in understanding why.
I'll keep watching, and learning. I hope you continue to keep teaching. And most importantly I hope that you're well.

[alejandro-]

I find your honest style really refreshing and unique which sets you apart from others creators 😊 everytime I click on your videos I know it's going to be something special and well-thought.

[AJansenNL]

Hearing your wife has ME hit me hard. Struggle upon struggle, for the both of you. I have ME myself. I'm all on my own. I've no resilience left. The thing is, I suspect I might be autistic, but I had to give up the diagnostic process, because I'm just too ill and it's making me more ill. And I'm so confused. What's ME, what's disfunctional upbringing, what could be autism? The irony is, is that if I got a autism diagnosis, I might get more support. Now I have none. But I just don't know how to get there.

Sorry for the whine. I hope your channel and projects will thrive. Your thoughtful content means a lot to me.

[scottpriest-cggd]

You have one of the better autism channels I have come across, I say go for it! Stupid COVID shut my lively hood to, I'm trying to get up the nerve to start some kind of channel myself.

[CatLady]

I found you a few weeks ago and was sad realizing you stopped making videos
When I seen this new one I clicked so fast!
I want to say your videos make me feel PROUD to be autistic. Your work has potential to change so much for us all.
I thank you sir for all you do. I will always support this channel in any way I can.

[theandonlycjhayes]

Unsolicited advice, but I’d love to see you collaborate with some other autistic creators. To see different generations of people talk about their tribulations and triumphs lays a foundation for those of us looking toward our futures. So many popular creators in the space are in their twenties, and I’d love to hear a conversation across that gap. I’m pulling for you, and will share with family at the very least.

[andoryuu]

You offer a very unique voice on the subject of autism. Rational, strong arguments, simple and professional. I don't know if you're religious or spiritual, but I'll be praying for your success. I really believe this content you make is great bridge between the autistic and non-autistic worlds. I hope it continues, but do what you have to.

[yumartins]

Ive gotten to your channel today. Watching your videos nonstop. Why? Because i see me, as a 6 years old, in you now, having all those questions and thoughts about the world.

I wasnt weird. I wasnt wrong. I was just autistic.

I cant financially help your channel, because the money quotation would made too expensive for me to give you some pennies, but i can say that you also made me smile.

Keep going the best as you can.

[ArtyAntics]

You nearly had me crying at the end, the thing about vulnerability is it builds connection. I thought you were really brave. I'm sorry to hear about the steaming pile of lemons that came your way. I really hope this works out for you.

[KittyInTheGarden]

Commenting for the algorithm. Your videos are very informative and well structured and I hope this new stage goes well for you.

[bruce]

Best of luck Quinn. Real life upheaval comes for all of us, and when it does, it's up to us to make the best of it. Uploading as your schedule permits is fine with me.

[gregsnow]

I love your channel, Quinn. Sorry for all the lemons. Especially the rotten ones. They are the worst. Take the time you need to help yourself. We will all be here when, and if, things settle to a manageable level. Your content really resonates with me and how my mind works. I wish the best of health for both you and Mrs. A.

[catatheart]

Thank you, Quinn, for your hard work and the brilliant way you are able to express things which are, for many of us, nearly impossible to express or to even understand in ourselves. I have benefitted greatly from your videos and will share them with others. I have thought about the odd fact that you have such great content but it seems that you're not as well- known as some others are. I attribute it to what Temple Grandin mentioned-- something like-- that the wheel wasn't invented by the yakety-yaks around the campfire. In other words, your autistic audience may not be so inclined to speak about it (they're usually not the most talkative ones in the group). Of course, then when they do talk, they might come across as dominating the conversation with their special interest. Others who could benefit may have stopped listening...
Also, you hit the nail on the head when you listed all the reasons why we might not share your channel with others.

Thanks for your channel-- it's very informative and it would be a great shame if you would have to discontinue making content. Be assured you are helping many people.

[ThatWeirdLady]

You make amazing, unique videos and you have made a difference. Thank you. I had to step down from my work as an EMT because I couldn't take care of my family and myself and the demands of serving the community. It was the right choice for me. You have to do what's right for you and your family first. May you and your wife be blessed.

[scottmorgan]

I was beaten as a child, was treated as if it was a voluntary disorder.

[agsilverradio]

3:15 You don't need heat to make lemonade! I should know, my household has homemade lemonade all the time.

[robinlaker]

I wish you the best of luck for the future Quinn!

[tkdjeanne]

So sorry fpr all your troubles. I want to see you keep going. I've been adding a link to an Autistimatic video in the comments of every autism related video in my youtube feed, including things that I know autistics like. I hope it helps. You've certainly helped me.

[mortenhappy]

Quinn, thank you for everything you do on this channel.This is THE channel that really helped me embrace, understand and be proud of my autistic self post diagnosis. I am really glad that you've decided to double down on it and I hope this mission will turn out successful. I can imagine so many more autistic lives enriched by both the old and the new prospective content. Keep up the great work and best of luck!