YouTube, Autism & Mental Health

Today as part of Autism Awareness Month, I wanted to talk about what it's like being a small craft YouTuber while also being on the spectrum. Because let me tell you, it is WEIRD.

Normal crafting content will resume next week!

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Find me on:

[TheGiddyStitcher]

This was a horrible video to make but I hope the handful of people I've talked to about being scared to start their own channels can find a bit of comfort in it because if I can find a way to make this work, you definitely can too.

That said, if anyone needs me I will be hiding in a blanket fort. 🙈

[liart]

One of the best videos I have seen in a long time. As a old woman (64) I finally starts to see my autism, I need so much to understand why I never fit in and feel this sense of confusion in social interaction. Thank you so much. ❤

[alisonfarnell]

You are awesome! And yes it is most definitely ok to be proud of things you do well!

[annap]

I have to say I find the breaks between sentences where you edit out looking away to be something that makes your videos so much easier for me to listen to & digest. The slight breaks gives my brain time to process what was said and re-engages it at the start of the next one. It’s something I struggle with a lot watching other videos and in everyday conversations and it’s a welcome break from that ☺️

[LeeCecchini]

I loved this video and I really like having a multicraft channel to watch because I too am interested in all the crafts!

[christinanoe]

I love this video, Michelle. I'm not autistic (though I do have some neuro atypical tendencies) and I'm one of those that found you through cross stitching, but I genuinely love all of your videos. Like I've literally been checking my subscribe list hoping to see a new one and I don't do that with any other channels. You ARE authentic, you ARE a breath of fresh air, the self deprecation makes me smile, and the pride in what you're good at makes me grin. Keep it up!

[victoriavega]

Michelle, I so appreciate your honesty and know that you have helped others understand more about autism itself and those who are unique because of it. I started watching your channel because of your ability to clearly explain the blackwork process but stayed because you were willing to be your authentic nerdy self. I think I watched 4 of your videos in a row and felt like I had known you my whole life. My compulsive, obsessive, multicrafting self had found a channel that inspired my creativity and encouraged me to be me. I know it isn't always easy to be so honest but thank you for choosing to do so anyways.

[jamiecampbell]

Marvellous! Thank you so much, so uplifting and affirming. I’m going to adopt your “No more Peopling today”. Maybe a tee-shirt? Great phrase. I’m particularly touched that you did this - it must have felt so scary. So far as I’m concerned, it’s just confirmed my feeling that you’re a lovely, lovely person and a wonderful, engaging Youtuber. My new hobby will be going through all of your videos clicking the like button. I wasn’t diagnosed until the age of 63, and once I had that diagnostic perspective, I came to pretty much the same conclusions about the pros and cons as you’ve talked about here. In my case, it’s a bit late in the day but I’m so glad and thankful that you not only have all that sorted now but that you’re sharing it with others so they can benefit too. Beautiful. ❤

[FrankDudgeon]

What a great video. Yes, I'm one of those who watch for cross stitch and a little bit for crochet, but I find all your videos enjoyable and informative. There's a joy in watching someone who loves a craft or art and expresses it well. Your videos are a great success in my book, so kudos to you. And no need to feel bad about not cranking one out each Wednesday. I think a lot of Youtube channels would benefit from more quality rather than quantity. I'll watch every one you post - they're well edited, have a great sense of humor, and I love your teaching style. All this demonstrates the care and work that goes into each one. Thank you for this very honest video.

[retrocraftdreams]

It's funny because this is the type of content I watch all the time on my personal account! For years now, I've gone back and forth between thinking I could be autistic and thinking that's an absurd idea. (The same for ADHD.) And when you were "coming out" on your previous video, I knew by point #2 where you were headed. I feel so many of these challenges - especially the executive function and socializing (I CANNOT seem to maintain social media accounts at all).

I am SO with you on the niche thing. I basically think of the vintage aspect as my niche, instead of the individual crafts, but I don't know if it's working. I try to make the videos I would want to see and just keep believing there's got to be others out there like me - there's no way I'm THAT unique. But it's definitely slow going. Same with the intro thing. But I figure, if they would click away that fast, I'm probably not who they're looking for, anyway. And I'm the same with ideas - there are just too many things I want to make, I'll never run out. I'll only run out of time to make them.

I do lack the information gathering thing - while I GIVE too much (clearly - hello wall of text) and have a compulsion to explain myself (even when I don't want to), I fail at gathering it because I just cannot retain anything. My memory is a sieve. (This also plays into the executive function, because I'll want to start a thing, but can't seem to hold on to the information and plan long enough to overcome inertia, which I get bad.) For example, I forget how to cast on knitting every time I start a project, which adds steps to starting.

Gonna have to try your tip about holding your expression. I don't have an issue with eye contact, but I still look to my notes or other things frequently. Of course, my bigger problem is my rambling! Such a big chunk of editing time goes into turning my rambling into coherent sentences.

Normally, after writing this much, I'd go back and delete all but a few sentences. But since you put yourself out there, I will too. Solidarity!

[KatieMakesStuff]

ADHD brain here and the two share a lot of similarities. I finally saw a professional earlier this year and started taking medication. I may or may not have cried when I came home from work that first week, made dinner, hemmed a pair of pants, and still had energy to do something else before bed. I couldn't believe other people's brains worked so efficiently and mine hadn't for so long.

Can't say I hate the hyperfixation tho...😂

[terrywjlin]

I enjoy your videos usually, but I truly love this one. I work with young teenage neurodiverse students and they are still learning to understand their own special brain. It is truly amazing to hear you talk about how you find ways and strategies to help yourself through the daily challenges. You are a wonderful example and I will share your video with my students and the staff who works with them.

[MadMorti]

You do yourself down a little too much lovely - there’s 5.2k subscribers here who all like the niche you have carved out for all of us multicrafters and you’re doing a great job. ❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

It’s an odd feeling, sat watching this and going yup… yup…. Oh right, not just me then…. Yup…. I’m not diagnosed with anything, stupid online self-tests put me right on the border of ADHD and David reckons I probably am (he is), but for me this is (read always considered) totally normal. It’s the first time I’ve heard anyone else talk about the need to overexplain to ensure I’m not misunderstood and I don’t hurt people’s feelings and it’s sometimes actually done that 😅😅😅 I thought that was a weird me thing, now I know I am not alone. Maybe you and I shouldn’t have an in person conversation though, we could be stuck for hours…😂 EDITED TO ADD - by this I mean that you've listed some other ND traits that I've not heard before which just make sense, and maybe it's time I thought seriously about getting a diagnosis. LOL - there I go overexplaining for clarity again...

Thank you for sharing and being open with us all. And don’t change what you do - you’re doing grand. (And less of the “slow growth”, Mrs 5.2k subs to my 800… 😅😅. You’re actually doing rather well and at a fair clip!)

[purplepebble]

As a fellow autistic crafter I love your channel because I relate to you and the way you approach the world.

[jjthiessen]

I came to your channel for the cross stitch, but I've stayed because I enjoy your upbeat vibe. I can relate to a number of the things you mentioned and thank you for sharing them.

[lisawhittaker]

You are exactly right about putting people into bones. Two of my cousins are autistic and very different. One is non-verbal and insular. The other very verbal and to the point, has a close group of supportive friends and varied interests. I learnt from an early age one label but infinite personal variations. Even those labelled 'normal ' are not identical so it floor's me why other identifiers are supposed to mean identical. That's what annoys me so much about the modern labels being used today with some tiktok influencer being held up as the example for all people of that persuasion.
Thank you very much for this video and I hope it educates many. Please don't cut out your 'banter' in the videos! I love it and I'm sure many others do as well. ❤

[Dyanwil]

Bravo! Thank you, thank you, thank you. As a mom of 2 daughters, one with autism, specifically Asperberger’s … you not only put my last 32 years of life with Melissa into perspective but passed along important information and tips that I might use when I get all those exhausting questions from family and friends … ie. why does she have to eat English muffins and only 1% milk every morning, why does she always leave the bathroom door open when she’s in there, why does she have issues when it’s windy, why can’t she discard things when time to do so … trying to answer all the “whys” has been so frustrating. My why is why can’t people see her for who she is … she’s Melissa, a 32 yr old young lady who is athletically gifted, holds a job at our local amusement park for 12 years now, is very dependable, never says no to her employer, loves jigsaw puzzles, her hand-eye coordination is impeccable, loves socks and pajamas, Olive Garden is her favorite restaurant, she loves all her family and has daily connection with her grandparents, loves watching old Carol Burnett shows, just completed one year living in an apartment on her own and just wants what everybody else wants … to be happy!

So, thank you! I loved your videos that I’ve watched … I haven’t binge watched them all yet. Keep being you ❤

[roamandrove]

I have loved your channel for months (since it was suggested to me by YouTtube) but now love it even more so. I am so grateful for your bravery and honesty. Keep on making We all need

[jenthulhu]

Thank you so much for being so brave and talking about this! My official diagnosis is ADHD (at age 49!), but the more I learn about ASD and ADHD the more I realize that there is a ton of overlap--and I identified with everything you said. I just discovered your channel recently and immediately subbed because I just instantly vibed with your personality and subbed. We share the same special interests and, like you, I love learning to make new things! I will be watching!

[fredalight]

I love this video, thank you so much for sharing so openly! I just started doing cross stitch a couple of months ago and I’ve become a bit obsessed. I was so happy to find how ND-friendly the community seems to be. Your descriptions and explanations were so good, and more relatable to me personally than many of the videos I’ve seen on autism channels. Thank you for making great content!