My Autism Diagnosis Story | Early Signs and Top Traits
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- Опубліковано 21 чер 2021
- This is my autism diagnosis story. Thank you for watching! I'm still figuring out this filming thing, so hopefully the quality should improve in time.
IMPORTANT INFO AND RESOURCES
For the sake of maintaining a relatively brief video, I could not go into as much detail on certain topics as I would’ve liked. I’m including some additional information as well as links to resources to explore if you are interested in anything I discussed.
Resources on getting a diagnosis:
www.autismempowerment.org/und...
autismawarenesscentre.com/am-...
www.aane.org/resources/adults...
***One thing I didn’t mention that I may likely make a separate video about is how uniquely challenging getting properly diagnosed as a female can be. The ASD diagnostic criteria was designed particularly with boys in mind and because of this, many women go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for a very long time, even though the prevalence of women on spectrum is suspected to be significantly higher than previously thought. This is due to many reasons, some of which you can read about in the following articles and resources.
Diagnosis/General resources for women:
childmind.org/article/autisti...
researchautism.org/the-autism...
www.autismawareness.com.au/co...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Masking is a survival strategy that allows the neurodiverse to better navigate a neurotypical world and is often a trauma response. While all genders can mask, women tend to mask at higher rates than men and can be more susceptible to the consequences this has. I will hopefully be making a video on this in the future because of how immensely it’s impacted my life. Nonetheless, here are some resources for now if you’re eager to learn more:
opendoorstherapy.com/autism-a...
www.tiimoapp.com/blog/art-of-...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.108...
Getting a diagnosis can typically be incredibly costly and difficult for a variety of other reasons. Because of this, some people have to rely on self-diagnosis. Here are some resources if you are self-diagnosed or are interested in self-diagnosis:
depts.washington.edu/uwautism...
the-art-of-autism.com/what-it...
I was diagnosed autistic at 59 years of age. I think that the main problem of autistics in social situations is that we are essentially like actors. Because we do not do socialising intuitively or instinctively, like allistic people do, we have to constantly remember 'our lines' and the stage directions. As a result, all the intellectual effort that we put into socialising exhausts us, and also we can get the equivalent of stage-fright. When being introduced to somebody, I can never remember their name afterwards. This is because I am concentrating so hard on making the correct level of eye contact, remembering to smile, shake hands and say something appropriate, this leaves no room in my brain for the name.
Wow I never knew you could get diagnosed autistic as an adult. I have anxiety and depression but after watching a whole lot of autism videos I'm starting to see I have so many of the traits 🤔 I know exactly what you mean about socialising. I get overwhelmed too and forget people's names. Also I feel like I'm acting and trying really hard to seem "normal." I always feel how I am naturally is too quiet and shy or too weird. I'm always so worried I might say something stupid but I force myself to talk to people anyway, but its like I just repeat things that I have heard other people say. And I put on this voice and way of acting and I wonder who is this person I'm pretending to be? Like this way better version of myself that I want to be, but its just not me at all 😫
@@krissyk9767 I think that less severe autism traits are not well known, so that many people who may be on the autism spectrum do not recognise that they are. I have never rocked or flapped my hands, which are steroetypical autistic behaviours. However, I was selectively mute as a child and have many sensory and communication difficulties. I was only about 20 minutes into my ASC assessment when the psychiatrist said that he would be giving me a diagnosis, so my autistic traits must have been fairly evident, at least to a specialist clinician.
Wow, thats exactly what happens with me. word by word. you described me. it's like i have to act. i'm better avoiding eye contact as much as i can to remember and understand the conversation.
@Mp Snake oil. No herb will alter brain architecture and this is a scam.
Hard same
I was diagnosed a few years ago also. I'm 35 now and lived a lifetime of confusion. I lost a 10 year relationship because I did something stupid following a sensory breakdown. I am high functioning with my own business and athletic accomplishments, but I find a lot of simple things in life difficult and confusing. I relate to so much of your video, especially the sound elements and anything too tight/itchy on my body!
Thank you so much for being willing to share, Emma! I’m studying to be an Occupational Therapist, and I can learn as many facts about autism as possible, but it will never be the same as hearing anecdotal experience. I am so grateful that you and others are willing to share! ❤️
Wow Emma, your life experience sounds so similar to mine, and we really look a lot alike too!…Well me 40 years ago. I’m sure I’m on the spectrum too. It would explain so much that has happed to me and how I respond to life. Thanks for what you’ve shared about yourself, it was very interesting! ✨💛✨
You’re a lovely young woman Emma. It’s so easy to listen to you talk. I identify with everything you’ve said. I was diagnosed last year at 49 and went through the exact same denial but I’m slowly coming to terms with it all. I always wanted to be confident enough to fit in and be likeable (which I know sounds shallow) but I’m starting to let myself off the hook a bit with all the things I used to view as personal failings. We’ll done for explaining so clearly what ASD has been like for you growing up.
Thanks for posting this! I have been digging into so many videos like this lately. I recently figured out that I am on the spectrum at 52. I think there were many points in my life where it would have been caught if I was born 20 years later, but they didn't even have Asperger's as a diagnosis when I was a kid. Everyone that posts these types of videos is providing a mirror that I can look in and see myself in so many ways. It's very cathartic and validating for all the difficulties I have had over the years. Thank you!
@Mp herbal remedies are bunk.
Does anyone else physically hurt when they have to socially interact for a given length of time. I just hurt and get feel so tired, I just want to go to a quiet, dark room and not talk to anyone for a good long while. I’ve found blocking out some of the sensory input with glasses helps me deal some when I’m in social situations, but I still can’t handle a lot of interaction.
I experience the same thing
100% yes!
I start uncontrollably yawning, so yes.
It's honestly crazy how much I relate to your story. I've taken 4 online tests that all said I'm on the spectrum but this video talking about your experience growing up and in school really reminded me of mine. I'm 27 and just now realizing that I might have ASD too. Super hard to accept but also it's kinda freeing knowing there's an explanation for a lot of this stuff. Thanks for sharing your story
Thanks so much for sharing, I'm recently diagnosed at 32 and your description of your experience sounds much more like mine, it's great to find similar young autistic women like yourself on UA-cam so I can feel less alone and 'other' to the rest of the world. I've subscribed to you!
Thank you very much for making this video. Most likely a hard one to make, but certainly valuable. I would expect that most people on the spectrum have too much experience with feeling like an outdier (or not belonging) to many social environments they find themselves in (holds for me at least). Hearing stories from people that actually resonate with your own experiences can make a huge difference. It can help enforce actually feeling what you already (should) rationally know; you are not weird or less, just different.
Hi Emma! You are one of the first autistic people that I truly 100% relate to especially with the auditory issues. It was a huge issues when I was a kid and still is now. My parents would always send me to the ear doctor bc they thought I was experiencing hearing loss, but I never was. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for sharing your story. Thanks to people like yourself educating me I was able to get diagnosed with autism!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I'm self-diagnosed atm and on the waiting list to get officially diagnosed, and I relate to a lot of what you described!
I'm also happy that you left in your frustration with the camera at 13:48. I felt that SO hard, it was exactly how I would've reacted, either ending in being able to calm myself down or resulting in a meltdown, depending on my base level of overwhelm.
Also I wanted to say that I really love your earrings! You're the first person ever I've seen who also has sushi earrings! 😄🍣💖
I would love to see more videos of you about the topic!
Might I share what a courageous and beautiful young woman you are and how well you present yourself in spite of being on the spectrum. I’m sure your willingness to share will help many who are struggling to cope with or treat this condition and help others understand and be more patient and helpful.
I enjoyed your video quite a bit. I'm just now in the process of getting formally diagnosed after living my whole life wondering why I was so different. So much of what you communicated resonated with me! I noticed a Lehigh shirt when you were playing the piano...did you go there? I spent two years there until I transferred. I can look back at my time there now and realize just how much of what I struggled with was related to autism. If I only knew then what I know now! Thanks for your video. Please make more!
Thank you so much, Emma! Excellent.
Thanks so much! Please please make more videos about your experience with ASD
I resonate with this so much- I’m not diagnosed but I did just recently get diagnosed with adhd- and I’m really thinking I have both. It’s frustrating because I was finally accepting of my adhd (I’ve thought I’ve had it for a long time) and I’m adjusting to what I do based on that and now I feel confused and am thinking wow wait if it is also something else- I havta figure out how to manage that too. Thank you for this video. ❤️
I have had similar experiences. I just found out that I have autism and now it's interesting for me to watch videos like this to see how it is for other people. Seems like it's much the same - however I have never ever masked - and that made things much more difficult, but only because of other people making my life harder. I am only at ease when I'm alone.
I understand the extreme burnout. I stopped going to school I stayed in my room and I ended up loosing 70 pounds.
Hi Emma, I'm 24 and just got diagnosed this year. I am an equestrian also! Thank you for sharing your story, getting diagnosed has changed my life and it's so nice to hear someone else have a similar experience because growing up undiagnosed was tough! Subscribed ❤ (I have a horse channel if you're interested, and will probably share my story on my channel one day too) 🐴 🙏 PS. Jeans and shoes were the absolute devil to me growing up haha, looking back its obvious that was a part of my autism.
Thanks for your story. It helps.
Emma I’ve just found your channel I’m Autistic too. I’ve supported you
Good video, thanks!
I have similar experience like you, I am 44 years old now.. Maybe I am austistic but I don't care..
And I don't care much about what people say... and I just enjoy my life... Do good things... learn things that I like.. and I master them.
Now I have a good happy life.. and I believe that will happen to you too.
I think you are just fine and have a very logic thinking..
let go all the judgement... be happy everyday. .healthy.. fun..
This is a blessing ty
Nice, keep making more videos
I did not know that Sir Anthony Hopkins has Asperger's. I forgot where I heard it. This lady is so pretty.🌈🌈💐🌹🌺🏵️🌻🌻
Thank u for this video, my son is 2 and has a lot of tantrums we will start ABA therapy soon. In a sense this video gives me some calm that my son can grow out of tantrums. As a mom I’m struggling
Please don't start an ABA therapy for the sake of your son
@Loren Arbaiza, please don’t start ABA, ABA is abuse. Please stop now before you scar your kid for life
Please inform yourself about ABA. I know you want the best for your son, but ABA is cruel.
I know it’s difficult but try not to put him in ABA, your son deserves the freedom to be his authentic self.
Here are some ways I find help me (an adult)with meltdowns
-give your son a safe space to go to. This can be very hard to do in childhood but it helps a lot as he grows older and learns to understand his triggers and identify the build up
- the other important thing is to help him identify the feeling I just talked about. This may make him slightly embarrassed or uncomfortable so make sure it’s in a casual, gentle, conversational manner. Ask him how it feels before he has an outburst? Does he feel the pressure build up like a rocket getting ready to go off?
-I find personally that walking helps a lot (often it’s an instinct for kids on the spectrum to run away) as a coping mechanism as it helps calm my mind whilst burning off some of that adrenaline that would otherwise be spent hitting, kicking and screaming. If you are going to accompany him, which i assume you have to do if he’s young, don’t interact with him too much and make sure you give him space
-try to also make sure the school know of his triggers and be his advocate. For example although I used to love art as a kid clay and paint were a massive sensory issue. I hate the way they feel drying on my hands. A good way to help this would be to offer an alternative that doesn’t have the same issue such as crayons, pencils or play dough
- also make sure that you tell him long in advance of any changes that may be coming up and give him reminders. It can often help to have a visual reminder like a sticker chart or Calendar. For example if you decided to have a day out to the park, plan it a week before and put it on the calendar with a visual clue like a picture of a swing then the child can get the independence as well and remember and get used to that change in their typical schedule and also get the reward of a sticker
Hope this helps a bit 🙂
Thanks for the video.
Just learned /remembered a circumstance my mom could Not get my attention if I watching TV but I can’t stand overly loud devices 🤷🏽♀️ I like loose fit but I also like snug maybe I like loose cuz I feel texture less?
Please make another vid!
OMG I HAD THE SAME SOCK PROBLEM I HATED THE SEAMS AND BEFORE SCHOOL I WOULD CRY ABOUT IT AND MY MUM WOULD GET ANNOYED CUZ THEYRE JUST SOCKS
I’m figuring this out at 32.
Same. You are a gorgeuos person. Your ability of natural facial expressions is very attractive and reflect your emotions 1:1. In certain situations i can use overstimulation in a positive way, it is like i kick in the afterburner. For instance, first time in NYC or scientific congresses or in nature. I soak up everything, like drink water endlessly. But also a brief scin contact can lead to overstimulation. Overstimulation against my will ends in headache.
i really think you should make more videos your lovley this video helped me but i have so many more questions. but the camera bothered me soo much
Pls. do a video on your horse and horse showing.
Hello Emma,
are you planning to make more videos?
Many greetings Max
I'm Male I Have Autism I Was Diagnosed With Autism At Age 14 I'm 28 Years Old Now Iv'e Been Living Interdependently On My Own For 3 Years So Far I'm From The Uk United Kingdom
that’s a huge accomplishment dude hope it’s going well:)
Only watched half of it(yet).My Mom overstressed my nerves from the get go.Good intentions.M 35
i always thought i didn't have any sensory issues, but now that you mentioned it, i always HATED itchy clothes and jewelry. the seam in socks annoyed me but i didn't think much of it. i didn't like jeans either, they were cold and stiff, but i only had jeans.
i only got some auditory issues when i became an adult, now all kinds of noise builds up stress.
You mean to tell me these things don't bother everyone?
@@mpumiontheweb514 i don't know. one of the things they use for the autism tests is that autistic people think these things are just normal and everyone experiences them. which confuses me, of course we think it's normal, because we've always lived with them.
@@mpumiontheweb514 Sounds etc.can bother other people but not nearly as much. One clue is that you get bothered when no one else is bothered. Another clue is people tell you that you are too sensitive.
i think it would be interesting if you do a reaction to the netflix show called Atypical 🙏
Fellow Aspie here - you're the first I met to talk about insomnia. Same problem here, since decades. Did you find any way to improve/handle that ? I just stopped falling asleep like a "normal" person since I was 6 yo. I can't let go of anything, my brain doesn't stop, I can only sleep if I'm way too exhausted already.
Meditation and good sleeping station.
Meditation: The brain usually gets going from stimulation. This includes books, video, social media etc. When you meditate the brain eventually runs out of things to do. If you have an idea you want to act on later, write it down and go back to meditation. Basically let the brain run out of things to think about. With practice you get better at doing that and eventually can just shut it off.
Sleeping station: Cool, quiet and dark.
Body temperature is the central communication line of the body. Cool (not cold) body temp means tired, and all systems will align to attain that goal. 19 degrees centigrade works for me. 20-21 is worse, 22 is bad, 23 is impossible.
Quietness is just removing stimuli, as such if quietness is impossible white noise is better than sporadic noise from traffic or construction etc..
Darkness is primarily to avoid blue light, which is also part of green or white light. Blue light signals the brain to be awake and (probably among other things) prevents the sleep hormone melatonin.
Unfortunately meditating doesn't work like that for every neurodivergent person. I cannot shut off my brain, ever. I'm never without thoughts. I've tried meditation and mindfulness, and it can get me to a calmer state at times, but it would never stop my thoughts completely.
@@TwinklyTanyaPlays It takes time, both in the act and to train. In the beginning it had a mediocre effect for me doing it 30 minutes a day with white noise. But over the course of a couple of months it became more effective.
The key for me was focusing on something while silencing my minds chatter. I focused on the feeling of my body. The blood pulsing out my limbs. My posture. Various aches. Etc..
Second thing I did was to manipulate how I perceive my body (non-visually). Kind of like deluding myself into believing i have chakra and moving it around my body. Which is difficult.
Third I tried to separate "me" from my body. Making myself an observer occupying a body. It's not clear to me whether this should be done before, during or after learning the previous (second) thing.
I think this might be especially effective for autists since we tend to not be as connected to our bodies. Which i think is the reason why many of us are clumsy and stuff like certain collars are very uncomfortably distracting. It reminds us of our bodies existing.
@@yeetdeets Perhaps. I also have ADHD though, which makes it all the more difficult (impossible?) to be without any thoughts. I've never experienced anything like that. Even when I'm focussing on my body, my breath etc I'll still have thoughts at the same time. A guided meditation can make me calmer though, since I can focus on someone's voice as well. Or doing a mindful activity, like painting or making music.
@@TwinklyTanyaPlays meditation is definitely not about stopping your thoughts, there's also tons of different forms of meditation like walking meditation or meditations where you actually do focus on a certain sound. i would explore learning more about that. thats a unfortunate false definition of meditation that can cause many folks to give up a powerful tool.
You are model level beautiful
Don’t let things define who you are. You are amazing the way you are.
make a new video!
Hi Emma. I really enjoyed your video - you are such a cute girl, and interesting person, honest, smart, you have charming mimic and so on.
I think, autistic people are too afraid of something like "being discovered", because of that, they work too hard with masking. And this hard work leads to fatigue, meltdown, you think - "mission failed again", which leads to more fear, more masking efforts, and this bad circle goes on again. In reality, this fear is almost fake. Just remember, you have passed the most difficult part for autist - chilhood, life will be easier now, you better know yourself today, adult people will not bully you, even if they discover you are slightly "other" in some conditions. Also, "normal" people do masking as well, trust me, they just do it more automatically, they also feel exhaustion from big crowd, can get meltdown from rapid changes. So, there is not much difference, despite autistic people don't think so.
Sorry for inaccurate text - actually, I am watching random videos for practising my english listening skills.
Actually autistic people know that we are different. We have been told so our whole lives. Except when we fake being normal (mask).
I've been tested for autism several times. I do not have it. I do everything like a schizophrenic, including my old IEP. I live in a vague world, I don't understand, time and other things. I started keeping journals and writing a bit, and that helped a ton. I'm younger than my age, which you may be, too, which makes it harder for me to want to be a druggie alcoholic. My sister guessed before the damage that I was like 14 as an adult. Now I have brain damage, so yeah. I have some traits that get confused. I see the world in little dots. Autistic people do, too, a lot of times. I don't think about it. When I do, they appear a bit.
Btw you are beautiful
omg the seam of my socks!!! HATE