The Autism Spectrum: Explained

The concept of the autistic spectrum (or the autism spectrum) is largely used but seems poorly understood by people in general. In this video I explain how it came about and what it actually means.

[maupinmaupin]

thank you Sam. One easily gets overwhelmed by the surrounding neurotypicals all insisting that everything you know is wrong.

[RaptieFeathers]

When you said "that would be a gradient, not a spectrum" my entire perspective on a loooot of things just shifted.

People do often conflate the two terms when talking about everything from politics to sexuality, but now I can see these things on terms of an actual spectrum, with more than just two directions.

I hope that made sense <3

[SarahJigglypuff]

Was told by a female psychologist this year I might be autistic. I was 28 at the time. Her comments made SO much sense to me that I was willing to get myself officially diagnosed . . . until another psychologist (a man, btw; I'm female) told me that I couldn't possibly be autistic because I maintained eye contact during our online consult. This, paired with the fact that my parents were convinced I could not POSSIBLE be autistic because of the independence you briefly mentioned in your video, really made me doubt myself. Which psychologist was right? Now, nearly a year later, I still don't know entirely what's up.

[autumn]

As soon as someone says I must be ‘mildly’ autistic, I know they haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about - just because I’m a Oscar winning standard actress aka amazing at masking, it doesn’t mean that I’m ‘mildly’ autistic, it just means that I’ve been driven to the gates of hell because I couldn’t get by even a single day if I didn’t mask completely who I was and I have had to constantly move social groups etc to evade getting found out but now with a diagnosis of autism and adhd and now with medication and the proper support, I’m learning to unmask and I’m doing much better and now everyone thinks I’m severe and need to get help 😳 😩🤬

[pruedence]

"More disabled by society's inaccessibilty to the way their autism presents" is the most amazingly accurate and autism-acceptable way to phrase that and I love it!

I mean, a physically disabled person does not become "more disabled" when faced with a public building that does not have a wheelchair accessible ramp, right?

[Backforthefuture]

I try to explain Autism like Pregnancy.. you’re either pregnant or you’re not. Each person experiences it in their own way and at different stages. My 12 yr old ASD son came in and asked what I’m doing and I explained I’m trying to describe my Autism like pregnancy…. Now he’s talking about the mechanics of a boy giving birth! 😂 Loved the end edits 😘

[aquatius]

I really appreciate this. I'm also an autism/ADHD combo, but I've been undiagnosed my whole life. I got REALLY good at masking and am hyperlexic, but this year I've started losing the ability to speak (I haven't spoken for 19 days), having motor issues and getting rly sensitive to sound and touch. So I've gone from no support needs to moderate. For people who don't understand autism as a spectrum, it must seem like I've literally completely changed.

[SarahCoxWrites]

This was great Sam. I'm late diagnosed (50s) ASD/ADHD and my testing showed I was ace at masking - probably from going to so many different schools and moving from country to country. I literally was the proverbial chameleon. When it was suggested that I might be ASD, I literally didn't identify at all despite my son being diagnosed 10 years previously. I didn't see the communication struggles, the stimming (which i tend to do privately), the rigidity (not always in routine, but always in my way. of thinking), etc. When I was diagnosed, and I started to see it, everything finally fell into place (and I was able to finally cut myself some slack after a lifetime of berating myself). Yet, so so many people said "I would never have said YOU were autistic". It's difficult to describe and justify your own diagnosis sometimes. My worst though is when people say "everyone is autistic to some degree", which is simply not true.

[marianneerkelens]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. Year and half ago, I was diagnosed with A.S.D. It made all sense about my behavior. One day I am very hyperactive, the next day quiet. As a child I was labeled as "shy". Still, I am labeled as "shy". The most annoying thing in the beginning was, that people say: "I don't think you are autistic." Now these days, I grin and say: "Just watch and you will see." Or: "It's because you are shy." My reaction: "I am not shy, I feel very uncomfortable." I have a very creative mind and use my cameleon and imitation trade as humor. With these lovely A.S.D. trades, I just embraced it, accept that I am a lovely weirdo, nerdy woman.
Keep up on going with these video's.

[malthesse]

I think that Universal Basic Income would be the best thing ever for autistic people. If instead of having to try to fit into the demands of the labour market of neurotypical society and "make a living" we would all be able to fully focus on and develop our special interests and areas of expertise. That would both vastly improve our own well-being as well as be a great gain for society as a whole.

[deereed]

Research has shown psilocybin to have potential to treat a range of psychiatric and behavioral disorders.

[DahniSewrattan]

I got diagnosed a couple days ago and am still really upset and confused. Thank you for clearing up a lot of questions I have about my (our) condition, since I've been diagnosed I've been on a binge of research (and got obessed by it which is somewhat ironic), but most reports and video's are really unclear and only leave me with more questions about my life. Your video's are insanely relatable to me, it's really comforting and you explain really clearly what I'm experiencing, so again, thank you

[tasdefeuilles]

I got diagnosed autistic recently and then talked to another doctor who was like : it sounds like you also have adhd. I couldn’t believe it at first because I believe the stereotype that all people with adhd always have a lot of energy, I’m the opposite of that 😂 but after doing a lot of research I definitely have adhd too

[sueannevangalen]

Thanks, Sam. I didn't know I'm autistic until this past summer (after my 16-year-old niece was diagnosed. She reminds me SO MUCH of myself, especially how she conducts herself socially, unlike my nonverbal autistic son, who is eight, diagnosed at two) and your videos have been instrumental in some of my biggest "aha" moments. I have an appointment to be assessed for autism in the spring. Anyway, I love the way you explained the spectrum. I have come to understand my son much better just realizing that I'm autistic too but this video gave me a good picture -- a very clear mental image -- of how we both belong on the same spectrum together. And my niece too of course. I especially liked the part where you talked about the blue almost blending in with the gray. Thanks again. Your videos are great 😊

[Purplegoldfish]

I'm glad I found your videos. Autism testing in Australia for adults is almost non-existent. If you can find someone who CAN diagnose adults, it is prohibitively expensive as it is only available through the private system. Despite both my psychologist (for depression & anxiety) and my GP both saying they would diagnose me based on preliminary screening if they could... I didn't feel validated until I found these videos (especially restrictive diet!). My goal for next year is to save enough for an assessment ($1500 AUD). I just want to have something solid and validating to hold onto, that also makes my other mental health conditions make sense.

[amandachapman]

Loving the unicorn's uterus colours 😄
I worked out I am autistic with inattentive ADHD - and the autistic me is constantly trying to come up with new systems so the ADHD me doesn't run off the rails too often. Autistic me loves systems while ADHD me often has trouble following them. I left work last year, so I lost the workday structure, and it's taking a while to build a new structure that actually works long-term...

[elr]

I’m discovering my diagnoses (plural) at the age of 47 and I’ve been watching your back catalogue, it’s really helpful. Lots to take in. Thank you!

[dianebradford]

Merry Christmas! Although I'm sure many NT have contributed to autism research etc-it is truly my belief we need to move autism research, explanation and clarification & all things AUTISM to being owned & operated by those WITH the condition--autistics themselves. This is wishful thinking--but it's how I feel. Love the video.

[LaraBee]

I was officially diagnosed in Jan 2020 at 32. I’m 34 now. Your channel was one that really helped me figure things out.

[KrysBowbrick]

I'm 17( my birthday was 4 days ago) and, my dad keeps bugging to get a job, I applied for one, they never got back to me, HE wants me to work in a loud, smelly shop, every time I even go to the shop for something" fun" it's not fun, it's stressful because of my sensory issues, he just doesn't understand