9 Signs You are Probably NOT Autistic...
TLDRThe speaker, an officially diagnosed autistic individual, shares personal experiences and explores nine signs that might indicate a person is not autistic. Discussing topics like social success, bullying, socializing preferences, communication patterns, self-stimulatory behaviors, sensory sensitivities, intense interests, adaptability, and transitions, the video aims to clarify misconceptions and provide insight into the autistic experience. The script also addresses the idea of 'masking' and its impact on self-identification, offering a nuanced view of autism's spectrum.
Takeaways
- 🧬 The video discusses the genetic nature of autism and the speaker's unique situation of being autistic without immediate family members being autistic.
- 🤔 The speaker ponders the differences between themselves and neurotypical individuals, questioning what makes them autistic while others are not.
- 👥 The video aims to provide nine signs that one might not be autistic, clarifying that these are not definitive and the speaker is not a medical professional.
- 👶 Point one suggests that if socializing and making friends comes easily, even from childhood, one might not be autistic, contrasting the speaker's own experiences.
- 🤝 It is clarified that autistic people can have friends and relationships, debunking a common misconception that they cannot form these connections.
- 😡 Point two highlights that being bullied or ostracized is not a trait of autism but a result of others' actions, with studies showing that autistic individuals often face harsher treatment.
- 🥳 Point three indicates that if one finds socializing to be the most enjoyable activity and would never choose solitary hobbies over it, they might not be autistic.
- 🗣️ Point four addresses speech patterns, suggesting that if one has never been told they speak weirdly or in a monotone, they might not be autistic.
- 🤹♂️ Point five discusses 'stimming' or self-stimulatory behaviors, noting that while many autistic people engage in these behaviors, it is not a requirement for being autistic.
- 👂 Point six touches on sensory sensitivities, where autistic individuals may notice environmental details that others do not, such as small sounds or smells.
- 🤖 Point seven considers the intensity and focus of hobbies and interests, suggesting that if these are not abnormally intense, one might not be autistic.
- 🔄 Point eight suggests that if one is very adaptable and does not struggle with changes in plans or transitions, they might not be autistic.
- 🔄 The concept of 'autistic inertia' is introduced, where autistic individuals find it difficult to transition between tasks or situations.
- 🔗 The video ends with a resource for those interested in exploring their own potential for masking autism, offering links to further information.
Q & A
What is the speaker's personal situation regarding autism in their family?
-The speaker is autistic, but neither of their parents nor their spouse is autistic. Their child is also not autistic. However, they have at least three living autistic relatives who live on the other side of the world and with whom they have had limited interaction.
Why did the speaker initially reconnect with their distant relatives?
-The speaker reconnected with their distant relatives when they were 19 years old because they realized they had similarities with these relatives, who also have autism, in terms of their mental health and behaviors that didn't fit into any known mental illness categories.
What is the purpose of the video the speaker is discussing?
-The purpose of the video is to go through nine signs that might indicate a person is not autistic. It is intended to provide clarity and possibly validation for people who may question whether they are autistic.
Why is the speaker qualified to discuss autism in this video?
-The speaker is qualified because they are an officially diagnosed autistic person who has been surrounded by many non-autistic individuals, which gives them a unique perspective on the differences between autistic and non-autistic behaviors.
What is the first sign discussed in the video that might indicate a person is not autistic?
-The first sign is that if social success, such as making friends and being accepted by peers, has always come easily to the person, even as a child, they might not be autistic.
Why do some people mistakenly believe that having friends disqualifies someone from being autistic?
-There is a misconception that autistic people cannot maintain friendships or have successful social relationships. This belief is incorrect and stems from a misunderstanding of autism.
What is the second sign discussed that might suggest a person is not autistic?
-The second sign is that if a person has never been bullied, excluded, or ostracized, they might not be autistic. However, this is not definitive, as it can depend on the social environment and the individuals around them.
What is 'Aura' and how does it help the speaker?
-Aura is an all-in-one wellbeing app that offers meditations, stories, breath work, and nature sounds. The speaker finds it helpful, particularly for easing transitions like getting to sleep, by providing something to listen to that can help distract from ongoing thoughts.
What does the speaker mean by 'socializing can feel like juggling' for autistic people?
-The speaker means that socializing requires managing many different aspects simultaneously, such as eye contact, body language, tone, facial expressions, and conversation flow, which can be overwhelming and exhausting for autistic individuals.
What is 'stemming' and why is it associated with autism?
-Stemming, short for self-stimulatory behaviors, involves repetitive actions or sounds that an individual makes to self-soothe, concentrate, or because it feels nice. It is associated with autism as it falls under the restricted and repetitive behavior section of the diagnostic criteria for autism.
How does the speaker describe the sensory experiences of autistic people?
-The speaker describes autistic people as often being more sensitive to sensory experiences in their environment, such as sounds or smells, which can be distracting or overwhelming. However, this can also mean being deeply focused and oblivious to the environment when absorbed in a task.
What is the misconception about autistic special interests according to the speaker?
-The misconception is that autistic special interests are always rigid, sterile, and focused on abnormal topics that cannot be shared with others, such as electrical circuitry or bus routes. In reality, special interests can be about any topic with an intense focus, regardless of its nature.
What does the speaker suggest about the personality of autistic individuals?
-The speaker suggests that autistic individuals may not describe themselves as easygoing or go-with-the-flow types. They often find it difficult to adapt to changes in plans or to transition between tasks easily.
What is 'perseveration' and how is it related to autism?
-Perseveration is the act of being stuck on a particular loop or repeatedly returning to the same topic or task. It is related to autism as it can be an example of a restricted and repetitive behavior, which is one of the diagnostic criteria for autism.
How does the speaker feel about their own ability to adapt and shift in various situations?
-The speaker feels that they struggle with adapting and shifting in various situations. They mention that they often find it difficult to transition between tasks and can become very focused on one activity to the point where interruptions are distressing.
What is the significance of routines for some autistic individuals?
-For some autistic individuals, routines can provide a sense of control over their lives and help manage anxiety. However, the speaker personally finds routines claustrophobic and prefers to have the freedom to choose what to do with their time.
Why does the speaker mention the term 'autistic inertia'?
-The speaker mentions 'autistic inertia' to illustrate the difficulty some autistic individuals have with transitions, such as getting out of the car after a drive or transitioning from one task to another.
What is the purpose of the masking test mentioned by the speaker?
-The purpose of the masking test, such as the CAT-Q, is to help individuals determine if they might be masking autism. Masking refers to the act of covering up autistic traits to fit in with societal expectations.
Outlines
🤔 Personal Experience with Autism and Genetics
The speaker shares a personal story about being autistic despite having no immediate family members with the same condition. They mention having three distant relatives with autism and discuss the genetic aspect of the disorder. The speaker also reflects on their own mental health struggles due to being undiagnosed and the process of reconnection with relatives who are also autistic. They introduce a list of nine signs that might indicate someone is not autistic, clarifying that these are not definitive and that they are not a medical professional. The paragraph ends with a discussion on social success and how it might relate to autism, sharing personal anecdotes and dispelling myths about autistic individuals' ability to make friends and form relationships.
😶 Signs of Potential Non-Autism: Socializing and Bullying
The speaker continues the discussion on autism by addressing the social aspects of the disorder. They suggest that individuals who have never experienced bullying or exclusion might not be autistic, as these are common experiences for many autistic people due to their differences being perceived as 'otherness'. The speaker references studies that show non-autistic individuals can quickly identify autism, even when it's masked, leading to negative first impressions and harsher treatment. They share their own experiences of feeling targeted for bullying and the sense of alienation that many autistic individuals feel from a young age.
🗣️ Communication Differences and Socializing Preferences
This paragraph delves into the communication differences that may indicate whether someone is autistic or not. The speaker talks about the unique way autistic individuals speak, which can be described as monotone or peculiar in flow and vocabulary. They mention personal experiences and observations of others who have been teased for their manner of speaking. The speaker also discusses the preference of autistic individuals for socializing online, where they might feel less restricted by unconscious biases and can express themselves more freely.
🔁 Understanding Self-Stimulatory Behaviors and Sensory Perception
The speaker explores the concept of self-stimulatory behaviors, or stemming, which is a common characteristic among autistic individuals. They explain that stemming can involve any of the senses and serves various purposes such as self-soothing, concentration, or simply because it feels pleasant. The speaker notes that not all autistic individuals stem, and non-autistic people may also engage in similar behaviors. They discuss different types of stemming and how they can be both a shared and distinct trait among autistic individuals, with a focus on the sensory experiences and the need for such behaviors.
👂 Heightened Sensory Perception and Environmental Awareness
In this paragraph, the speaker discusses the heightened sensory perception that many autistic individuals have, which can lead to a keen awareness of environmental stimuli that others might overlook. They share personal anecdotes about being sensitive to sounds and smells, and how these sensory experiences can be distracting or overwhelming. The speaker also touches on the idea that autistic individuals might seem oblivious to their environment when deeply focused on a task, which is a different aspect of sensory processing in autism.
🎯 Intense Focus and Special Interests in Autism
The speaker addresses the topic of special interests and intense focus that are common among autistic individuals. They explain that having an interest or hobby does not necessarily indicate autism, but the intensity and focus with which these interests are pursued can be a distinguishing factor. The speaker emphasizes that the content of these special interests can vary widely and are not limited to 'sterile' or STEM-related topics. They also discuss the importance of the intensity of focus and how it can lead to feelings of frustration or distress when interrupted during these activities.
🔄 Challenges with Adaptability and Change in Autistic Individuals
This paragraph focuses on the challenges autistic individuals face with adaptability and change. The speaker contrasts their own experiences with those of non-autistic individuals who seem to handle transitions and interruptions more easily. They discuss the concept of 'autistic inertia' and how it can be difficult for autistic people to transition from one activity to another or to accept last-minute changes to plans. The speaker also touches on the idea of routines and how they can be both a source of comfort and a source of stress for different individuals.
🤯 The Impact of Interruptions and Perseveration in Autistic Lives
The speaker delves into the impact of interruptions on autistic individuals, explaining how being interrupted can be very distressing and can feel like a jolt to the nervous system. They discuss the difficulty of 'untangling' oneself from a task to attend to something else, such as going to the toilet or fetching a child from school. The speaker also introduces the term 'perseveration' to describe the tendency of autistic individuals to get stuck on a particular topic or activity, which can be another example of a restricted and repetitive behavior.
👥 Exploring Masking and Its Effects on Autistic Identity
In the final paragraph, the speaker discusses the concept of 'masking' in the context of autism. They explain that masking refers to the behavior of autistic individuals who suppress their natural traits to fit in with societal expectations. The speaker shares their own experience of taking a masking test and comparing their results with those of a non-autistic individual. They suggest that exploring the concept of masking can be a helpful way for individuals to understand their own experiences and potentially identify as autistic.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Autism
💡Neurodiversity
💡Social Success
💡Bullying
💡Masking
💡Sensory Sensitivities
💡Special Interests
💡Stimming
💡Socializing
💡Transitions
Highlights
The speaker is autistic but has no immediate family members with autism, which raises questions about the genetic aspect of the condition.
Autism can be present without being immediately apparent in family members or social circles.
The speaker's reconnection with distant relatives who are autistic helped them understand their own mental health struggles.
Autistic individuals may not fit neatly into the stereotypes or preconceived notions about autism.
Social success and ease of making friends might indicate that someone is not on the autism spectrum.
Autistic individuals often describe social situations as chaotic or confusing, feeling like they missed out on social norms.
Having friends or being married does not rule out the possibility of being autistic.
Autistic people may be more likely to be bullied or excluded due to being perceived as different.
Socializing can be exhausting for autistic individuals, who may prefer less frequent social interactions.
Unusual speech patterns or vocabulary choices can be indicative of autism.
Self-stimulatory behaviors, or stemming, are common in autistic individuals as a way to self-soothe or concentrate.
Noticing subtle sensory details in the environment that others might miss can be a sign of autism.
Autistic individuals may have intense, focused interests that are all-consuming and can dominate their thoughts and actions.
Autistic people may struggle with transitions and find it difficult to switch tasks or activities.
Interruptions can be particularly distressing for autistic individuals who struggle to disengage from their current focus.
The speaker discusses the concept of autistic inertia and the difficulty of getting started or stopped in various activities.
The video includes a discussion about masking, where autistic individuals may hide their traits to fit in with societal expectations.
The speaker provides a link to a masking test to help viewers determine if they might be masking autism.
The video concludes with a reminder about the importance of recognizing and respecting the diverse experiences of autistic individuals.
Transcripts
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