Signs of Autism in Adults - Autistic Traits You Never Knew Existed

Hi! I'm Orion Kelly and I'm Autistic. On this video I explore some of the #autistic traits in adults that you may have never realised were signs of #autism. Plus, I share my personal lived experiences as an #actuallyautistic person. #asd #orionkelly #autismsigns #whatautismfeelslike #autismdiagnosis

This video is NOT sponsored. Affiliate links are used where appropriate.

🙏 Thanks so much for watching, rating, commenting, sharing and subscribing, I really appreciate it! You're helping me raise the level of understanding and acceptance of the Autistic community. You can show your support for my channel by doing any of these things:

1️⃣ SUBSCRIBE to my channels.
2️⃣ LIKE / COMMENT / SHARE my videos.
3️⃣ SEND me a Super Thanks

📬 Business Postal Address (Sponsorship proposals, promotional considerations etc)
Orion Kelly Media,
PO Box 457,
Inverloch, VIC, Australia 3996

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🔵 CHANNEL LINKS 🔵

🔵 CONNECT 🔵
TikTok: @orionkelly_australia

🎧 My Friend Autism' PODCAST 🎧

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT ORION:
Orion Kelly is an #ActuallyAutistic vlogger (YouTuber), podcaster, radio host, actor, keynote speaker and Autistic advocate based in Australia. Orion is all about helping you increase your understanding, acceptance and appreciation of Autistic people.

#AutisticVoices #ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Autism #OrionKelly #ThatAutisticGuy #ASD

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

⛔️*Disclaimer: The videos contained on this channel are for general education and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute professional advice. For professional advice and training seek assistance from a qualified provider. All views are my own and do not represent those of my employers or sponsors. Some images used are stock images.*⛔️

Related: autism, autism diagnosis, Orion Kelly, orionkelly, thatautisticguy, tiktok videos, autistic, autism in adults, autism in women, autism in men, autism spectrum condition, asd, autism spectrum disorder, aspergers, aspergers syndrome, autism in boys, autism in girls, dsm, dsm5, autistic adults, autistic kids, autism mom, autism parent, autism family, autism speaks, autism awareness, autism acceptance, autism at work, am I autistic, adult autism test, autism disclosure, autism therapy, autism prevention, autism meltdown, autistic burnout, autistic behavior, autism symptoms, autism traits, autistic signs, what autism feels like, love on the spectrum, stimming, echolalia, anxiety

[rhondawest]

I do not cut tags out of clothes; I carefully remove them with a seam ripper so not a single tiny shard of them remain.

[kevinstoneburner]

Here’s another one for you: You don’t miss people in their absence like you should. Even those that are close to you, and if it’s been years you’re still not especially excited to see them, but when you do it’s like all the emotion of missing them hits all at once, and can be overwhelming in an exquisite sort of way.

[APOLLINAIREBARTHOLOMIEU]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[lrwiersum]

I’m 65 and no longer punish myself for being different, or try to “socialize “ like others do. I’m free, I have released my expectations !! I do what I want when I want. I have social ties that I treasure, but not many.

[vivianfoster]

I feel a bit weirded out now. At 51, I always knew I was different. I never understood why. Back then, autism wasn't discussed. So we are labeled as weird, loners or just different. I never related to people. I never understood the need for people to have 10 best friends and endlessly socialize. I dread it with such disdain, I literally think about calling in sick to work to avoid happy hour. During the holiday season, Christmas lunch, Christmas pot luck, Christmas party, Secret Santa, all that stuff made me anxious. During the pandemic, working at home, it was God send.

[amyshomesteadanimals]

1. Feeling uncomfortable, awkward, anxious, or stressed around new people or places. (Social anxiety)
2. The use of structures, scripts, templates...to have conversations and/or interactions with others.
3. A preference or a dislike for hugging, kissing, greeting (hand shaking), or holding people.
4. Do you like to wear legitimate noise canceling head phones away from home?
5. Noises- do they seem louder to you when stressed, tired, or triggered?
6. Do you ever get disproportionately startled by sudden loud or unexpected noises?
7. You can't tolerate certain fabrics or textures.
8. Do you cut the tags off clothing or it agitates you? It could be an autistic trait.
9. Can't tolerate your clothing sometimes.
10. The texture of food can be repulsing. It can actually make you gag.
11. Can be utterly repulsed by certain flavors, textures, or foods. Even the thought of it.
12. Exhausted after returning home from...anywhere. It takes so much energy and masking.
13. Spending more time than usual when go to the toilet or the bathroom. It's your quiet place.
14. A preference for being alone in social gatherings, or close to your safe person.
15. Do you like people watching?👀 An observer.
16. Have an exclusive use policy for cafe's and/or shops of any kind. (Example, no flexibility to shop at different grocery stores. Park in same place every time, etc.)
17. A failure to connect with others. Or others struggle to connect with you. Labeled quirky, strange, or odd.
18. Do people laugh at things you say but you were being serious. Dry humor.
19. Always seem to have disagreements with others, but you don't know how that happened.
20. In the workplace, often reprimanded that you're too blunt, rude, not a team player, used an inappropriate tone, etc.

[Surge_LaChance]

I was a kid in the 80s.
Nobody knew how to deal with me, especially in school.
I remember them trying to say something was wrong but my parents wouldn't accept it.
I learned to adapt the best I could.

[FlamingCockatiel]

1. Nervousness in novel situations and with novel people. Story of my life! My ex commented on this multiple times. I've learned to embrace it, as it bleeds into interest or even excitement.
2. Use of templates for conversations and small talk. I have so many interview phrase books.
3. Physical touch is a thorny thing; sometimes the right thing doesn't occur to one. Autistic people don't get into this as much. My story: this was me with a lot of people except my ex, who also is on the spectrum. I enjoyed hugging him when we said goodbyes and being in physical contact. Life does weird things.
4. Use of headphones or earplugs to reduce sensory overload. For sure!
5. Noise seems louder when one is under stress. Yes.
6. Getting disproportionately startled to unexpected or sudden loud noises. YES! YES! YES!
7. Unable to tolerate certain textures, especially in clothing. I don't like a lot of skintight stuff, like nylons and leggings.
8. Removing tags from clothing to make it more bearable.
9. Can't wear particular clothing because it makes you uncomfortable, even if it's not fabric texture.
10. Texture of food can repulse one.
11. Repulsed by certain flavors, smells, or textures of food, even just the thought of them. It's not food, but cigarette smoke is so noxious to me.
12. Going out to do errands exhausts you by the time you return.
13. Spending more time than average on the toilet or in the bathroom to relax and unwind.
14. Preference for being alone when you should be mingling or staying close to safe person. To an extent; I'm working on being more confident and independent.
15. Watching people or watching the world go by, as if it's a TV show.
16. You have exclusive use policy for shops; only one used, and you don't deviate. Not so much.
17. Others struggle to connect with you. Viewed as quirky, weird, strange, or odd.
18. People laugh at what you are saying even if you weren't trying to make them laugh. A time or two.
19. Always winding up in disagreements and arguments, even when such was not your aim. Occasionally.
20. Often reprimanded at work for being too rude, blunt, honest, or straightforward. Not using the right tone. Not being a team player. This is why I hate the job search process.

[ashbags]

The bit about "no small talk" during #14 had me laughing hysterically. It's so true. Hanging out with the pets and/or kids is way better than mingling with the other folks

[Cjv]

I love how my autistic son shows me affection... When Im down, he will pat my shoulder n acknowledge he sees I'm having a hard time. It's enough and very comforting to know he cares, even though he's not a hugger. He's authentic ❤

[wpbmtmh]

He left out one that I have dealt with my whole life and only recently realized I was autistic. I do not naturally look people in the eyes. I find it VERY uncomfortable. Even those I love.

[grandmalander]

Thank you. I am finally coming to be at peace with it all after all these years of being labeled "not normal". No one talked about autism when I was a little girl, I was just the strange girl in her own little world. I love your sign, my friend autism. I actually like myself and the way I am. It's just other people can't relate to me and understand my world. Great video!

[JFreese]

My Autism went unnoticed and mis diagnosed because the rise of Autistic cases didn’t really peak until the early 2000’s. I show every sign. Lack of social life, overwhelmed in crowds, pre conversations, I pace around, perfectionist, my clothes never feel right! And if they don’t I won’t go somewhere. When my friends were going to parties or clubs I would sit in the corner and have one beer(Only to feel like I fit in) not talking to anyone, I say random things, and am extremely obsessed with things and facts that other people aren’t. I am 31 years old and I just got assessed. I spent my whole life being treated for other things: ADHD, Bipolar, depression etc. but I remember being in the hospitals knowing I wasn’t as crazy as these people because I was so smart and normal feeling but when I was home I felt the opposite “I am crazy or nobody likes me” so I stay home. But that’s my story lol thanks to anyone who read this. We got this guys!

[sweetone]

Some of these traits could possibly be social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and introversion in some people.

[Foodiefoto]

You just described my husband...to the letter.
I am neuro typical, and it is difficult and sometimes exhausting being his safe person. Thank you for the honesty and the list.

[ShaneHowell-frcc]

Post-conversations are the worst .. days, weeks and even months later still analysing some insignificant conversation 🙄

[thlok]

Question: does anyone else find that strangers will open up to you and tell you more than they would tell most people? I get this often. It may be a waitress, or someone working at the house or someone in a group that you don't know. Maybe because I dont know how to make small talk so conversation just turns to people opening up.

[DaveTexas]

I was diagnosed with ASD at age 53. All my life I’ve had quirks that I never understood. Why do I hate being touched? Why am I unable to speak around people I don’t know — and why can’t I STOP speaking when I’m around people I do know? Why do I have to wear the same type of clothing every day? Why do I get completely obsessed with and absorbed in certain things? Why is my daily routine so strict and inflexible? Why do I hate talking to people on the phone — even to my family? Why am I perfectly content to be by myself nearly all the time? Why do I eat the same foods every day?

My therapist suggested I look into the Autism Spectrum, and once I did, my entire life made sense. Now I’m trying to figure out how to be "myself" around friends and family, after a lifetime of trying to act "normal" and trying to be social. That’s really hard to do.

[lypcdeh]

Yes! Im 56 & only just diagnosed. At last i can put a name to all those weird things about me that made me stand out.
People overload i call it: yes, my batteries get drained quickly around people.
And ive always been intolerant to noise. I jump out of my skin at an unexpected noise which can make people stare. I have PTSD also, & i always thought this trait was exclusively a PTSD so its probably made worse by my autism too.

[robopecha]

i clicked on this video randomly and i like it so much! i am not autistic, but i am kind of a weirdo in a lot of things, although more in an extroverted kind of way. but i find the things you list here so not weird and relatable and authentic, it just makes me smile and although i dont have these things it totally makes sense to feel that way. :)