Trying To Act Normal for 30 Years | Living With Autism | Full Documentary

Comments · 1.3K

• MA

  @mariekatherine5238 · 3 years ago

  I was diagnosed at age 63.  I always felt different, never fit in, didn’t have friends, was just considered weird, quirky, or stuck up.  Guess what?  I’m still the same, only now that different feeling has a name.  I too, live alone in the woods with my three dogs and a cat.  I enjoy it.  I don’t enjoy going to town, shopping, going to clubs, parties, social clubs.  I go to my local senior center where I belong to the art league, the pottery club, photography club, nature and environmental club.

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• JE

  @jenpw1525 · 2 years ago (edited)

  My husband pointed out my a typical behaviours and I finally got diagnosed in my 40’s. My parents were raised with a very old school belief that mentally Ill go to insane asylums, so they would never take me to see a doctor. Somehow I survived childhood but it was rough. Now I understand why kids took advantage of me. They took my lunch money,my toys,my make up, my clothes, my bikes, even my motorcycle. I constantly gave them rides with my gas. I thought that was how friends worked. I give them stuff and they be my friend. Now I see that I was naive and abused. I married a wonderful man that protects me and makes sure that people treat me with kindness and  respect at all times.

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• AU

  @auntihooha · 2 years ago

  I think the "remedy" should be finding the thing that sparks the autistic person's curiosity. They need direction and mentorship, not "treatment."

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• ZO

  @zoponex3224 · 2 years ago

  My daughter, now 28, is an Aspie. I cannot express the anger I felt when that man who is tormenting those autistic kids with ABA said so joyously that he would "cure" autism if he could. Let him live in a world without the brilliance of Einstein, the humor of Akroyd, the poetry of Dickinson, the art of Michelangelo. Of course not every autistic person is a prodigy. But many prodigies are autistic. And every autistic person is just as human and valuable as any "normal" person. I wouldn't change a thing about my wonderful daughter, just the world that isn't good enough for her.

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• PA

  @paracausalotter2689 · 2 years ago (edited)

  After being screwed with my whole life and forced into this "you're not autistic you're just lazy", being forced to plug into situations I hate simply to survive, being forced to deal with things that are too loud and just having my senses blasted for 30+ years I've become numb. All that social anxiety just sort of turned into a general disdain for humanity. Yeah I'd love to live in a world where people don't rapidly escalste situations and become detrimental to me before I can even register wtf just happened. I'm glad some my fellow spectrum comrades found some kind of peace. I'm just mad as hell, working hard as hell to eventually just find my place in nature away from this cluster f.

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• FE

  @Fey98 · 4 years ago

  I really like this video. &nbsp;I wouldn&apos;t change myself for the world. For everyone struggling with autism. Identify your weaknesses and problematic behavioral patterns, and identify your strengths. Stop trying to fit into society. Protect yourself from a possible crash along the line. And try to get help if you&apos;re struggling. Embrace you for who and what you are and try to be the best version you can possibly be. If you struggle explaining how you feel &nbsp;verbally try to write it down if you can. Every single one of us is unique, we are different, and it makes us special. Remember that it&apos;s okay to not be okay. &nbsp;Don&apos;t expect people to take the time and effort to really understand and appreciate you. Instead learn to appreciate and understand yourself. <br><br>Something I once read somewhere: &quot;We are not disabled by our autism. We are disabled by our environment&quot; &nbsp;<br>Good luck in life strangers, make the best out of it!

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• BI

  @BirdGang6 · 4 years ago

  “I’m talking to you but I’m actually thinking about ME163’s”<br><br>I respect that

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• DA

  @davidcarr2649 · 2 years ago (edited)

  I was diagnosed at almost 50. Understanding my diagnosis has been like cleaning a foggy mirror. I am finally seeing the real me. I&apos;m 55 now and live in the smallest home you can imagine (actually, it&apos;s smaller than most imagine, my floor/bed area is 2 square meters), but on acreage. I live by myself with my myself 3 Pomeranians. <br>I have always had a feeling that I was different. My IQ is above average, but I performed poorly academically throughout life. <br>Since the 23rd of September this year, I have no friends (I found my bestie deceased). I like being alone, but I do feel lonely at times, and as smart as they are, the dogs don&apos;t talk back. <br>I feel that I am too intelligent to be autistic, as when I think of autism, I think of someone who needs a carer. I don&apos;t.<br>On the other hand, I feel too different to be part of normal society. Believe me, I have tried, &nbsp;been successful at it too, but normal was never a comfortable fit. I mixed with those of no hope, criminals, and those with dependence on drugs and alcohol. <br>I became a stoner and still partake daily. I left the big city to move to where there&apos;s far fewer people, &nbsp;but more trees. <br>My diagnosis was clear, but I am only just on the spectrum. Just enough to not be normal. <br>Making proper friends is too difficult. I have heaps of acquaintances, several people who say they care about me (but don&apos;t, or rarely contact me) dozens more who i enjoy talking to, but those times are rare. <br>Apart from my birthday and Xmas, my phone doesn&apos;t ring. Even on those days, it only rings once or twice. <br>Part of me is happy with my life, but the loneliness gets me at times. It makes me feel far from normal, as most people have a friend or two that they are close to frequently. <br>Thanks for reading.

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• EF

  @effie3798 · 2 years ago (edited)

  Oh this made me weep. I am a mother of an autistic child in the USA. No ABA for us. Just acceptance, accommodation,homeschooling and socializing in socially accepting circles. I will never let my son absorb that something is wrong with him. He is beautiful just like this guy is beautiful.

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• BR

  @bridgetdraper5146 · 4 years ago

  I admire this man deeply. I have been caring for my Autistic son for 24 years. He is far more severe than this man. Watching this man gave me a tiny peek at my sons mind. Thank you for this!

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• SA

  @sashanealand8315 · 2 years ago

  Im an older laboratory chemist and I have a panic attack everytime I have to go to work now. It used to be almost everyone in chemistry was pretty nerdy like me and the lab was the one place I could function, but now science has been flooded with socially normal people and I cant fit in anymore. I miss the quiet and being able to work individually with the instruments.

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• IT

  @ithacacomments4811 · 2 years ago (edited)

  My daughter is an Aspie.<br>Self diagnosed at age 45.<br>She was able to work from home mostly during the pandemic. She found solitude to be so much more productive.<br>Once staff were asked to return to the office, her boss gave her permission to make her own schedule as to how much time she spends in the office.<br>Fantastic!

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