Paul, just wanted to say that you are the first person to say what was in my head for me. The way you explain your experiences is right with my own experiences. I just recently found out I was autistic and the comfort it’s given me to know someone else is experiencing the same things as I am is just priceless. Keep talking!

Lol, the 2 or 3 wedding invitations I've received in my life are 1000x worse than getting a jury summons.

Same here, for everything you said. Noteworthy elaboration- Dialed in: mris in autistic people display consistent findings in hyperconnectivity in the thalamus and hyperconnectivity between the thalamus and parietal, while hypoconnectivity between the thalamus and amygdala, compared to nts. The amygdala/thalamus connectivity is largely how autopilot works, as well as exposure normalization (repeated stimuli causing the brain to shift the stimuli to subconscious awareness). Both of these things are areas of difficulty for autistic people, across the board. The thalamus and, especially, the thalamus/parietal connectivity is basically responsibility for how waking, conscious, directed attention is manifested. It's funny because I was actually thinking about this, a few hours ago... how autistic people are pretty much always consciously alert with everything; we are alert to sensory information - regardless of repeated stimuli, we are consciously alert to people observing us, the confusing actions and behaviors of nts, any discrepancy in details, discrepancies in orders of logic, inconsistencies in schedules, biases that are subconscious for nts are largely conscious for autistic people... all sorts of things that would happen on a subconscious level, for nts, seems to be largely on a conscious level for us and testimony from other autistic people, with my own experience, and neuroscience tend to support this. Of course not everyone is exactly the same but I am inclined to say that autistic people are largely more present in consciousness than nts, for better or worse. See... before I knew any of this - before I even knew I am autistic - I did commonly explain to others that my thoughts and mind never really seem to me to turn off... I've heard many times people say things like they are 'zoning out', or, when I'd ask what someone is thinking about they'd genuinely confess that they weren't thinking anything at all (in earnest), which I struggled to believe, however alpha patterns are apparently uncommon for autistic people in waking state, according to repeatable studies, and alpha patterns are exactly indicative of an awake brain at rest, which I only ever experience when I'm tattooing or painting, or something similar. As I see, now, and based on research, neurotypicals apparently have many moments where they sort of just turn off their thoughts and just relax their mind and body and, to them, it's perfectly normal to do this. When they take a rest, they can apparently just turn off their conscious thought processes and not even realize that's what's happening. This is amazing, to me... I've never been able to just turn off my stream of thoughts whenever I want. I need to get into hyperfocus or sleep for that. It's alien to me.

Yes, dogs and horses all seem to know me when we first meet. Even a camel came running up to me and hugged me like crazy, at Arbuckle Wilderness in Oklahoma, USA. I have photos of that moment that my daughter took. I communicate with all animals better than with humans. Humans always have an ulterior motive that animals do not have. Currently, I have 5 rescue horses. Two of them came from a kill auction. I can ride both of those horses that people tried to sell for meat money. I also have 3 rescue dogs. Two of them were going to be killed. You are really helping me know that I should get tested for ASD. I am 52 years old and not sure a formal diagnosis would help me, now. Blessings to you! - Stephanie

I'm not autistic but have a coworker & neighbors who are, so I'm on your channel to see how i can do better communicating with them + I'm curious. But i've had health issues my whole life & it's been tough. I feel like i never have belonged anywhere; I haven't figured out why. I look at the world & feel like nobody cares like I do. I'm a big animal lover, also. I raise butterflies for conservation, & can't even step on a bug. I'm happy in my own company. And i hate weddings- like, why?! As a woman, most find it weird that I don't care about them. I would seriously like to find out why i don't fit in anywhere. I really do understand & enjoy your videos. You're easy to listen to- your voice & what you mention. So, thank you for the education & conversation. 🦋🐾

I'm totally with you regarding animals, and people who won't work.

You speak for those of us who cannot x

From the US…I love listening to your accent and enjoy your stories…I get the mental picture of your descriptions of things. You are a huge help to me.

I call the always switched on one O&A. Observation and Awareness. It's a running commentary in my head of every single thing I do.

I adore animals. Adore dogs. The first time i saw 2 dogs as a baby ( my father had me on its arms ) i was so flabbergasted. They where so beautiful, their eyes and face so unbelievable cute, sensitive. I was allways seecking dogs everywhere. I grew up in different countries in the middle east and i searched for streetdogs. 20 dogs and was so happy. I fed them equally. I was and am in love with dogs. I understand you COMPLETALLY. I feel a dog. The connection is so genuine, warm and deep. Never had this with humans. How they are treated everywhere is deadly for my life on earth. This people, who abandon their family member are horrible humans. I avoid people, if i know they abandoned a dog or do and did things that are in my eyes not done. Never married, because i wanted a dog sleep on the bed, sit on the couch. Even pulling on a dog on the collar is...I AM DONE. The list is long and all reasons are valid to stop a friendship in regard to animals, dogs. I am so happy to have found you. It means a lot to me to listen to you.

I feel like I've been going against societal norms for forever. I grew up in a Christian household in a small town but I never believed it. My personal life decisions always seemed to cause problems for me just being me. In high school I went through a goth phase and that made family members really upset and jump to ridiculous conclusions like I was worshipping the devil or doing drugs. I LITERALLY just liked wearing black. Then when I met my husband and we started dating he moved in. Now I was "living in sin" and when we had our son it was out of wedlock. I also didn't baptize him because I feel he should make that choice himself. All those choices I got judged for. Eventually we got married. It was me, my son, my husband, my best friend, and her husband at a public park. Some family members were angry I didn't invite them but I didn't want a big wedding. What is frustrating to me is that none of my choices hurt anyone but because they aren't what was typically chosen in my family or the small town I grew up in I was bad and wrong. I feel like that I'm still trying to undo the negative self talk in my head because of this. Great video Paul have a good weekend!

These videos do help a lot. Everyday I think a should pursue a diagnosis a little more. I’m 34 currently(like you back then) which I find humorous

Vary cool video Paul. Welcome to the 21st century! I hate when I can't pay with the watch or phone! I don't mind my Birthday so much except for the attention. Just a quiet dinner is all that I need. I so have a connection with animals. I love them. I am the same when I walk up to an animal that I don't know and they love me. People all of the time say "he isn' like that with other people. " I get very sad when I see abuse of animals. I ge more upset when I see animal abuse than with people abuse. I mean I care about people abuse sure. When I was a in my early 20's and was visiting my parents I cam across a rabbit that had been abused by someone. I melted down I was in such despair about the poor thing. Ended up taking it to a vet and it was so badly damaged they had to put it down! I do not understand social norms! I am completely out of touch with what colleagues are talking about at work. I cannot relate at all. I agree completely about weddings. That ritual is from ancient times. I'll give you two goats and a chicken for your daughter. I also don't care if people do get married but its so strange the they or their parents go into massive debt to have the thing. I am also completely uncomfortable going to them. I also do not run on autopilot. Everything I do is carefully considered. Plan plan plan! Light switch moods are me to the max! I have used that analogy my self. I am happy go lucky and boom crash! Sometimes its a build up too detonation and sometimes the smallest thing gets me. I have had meltdowns of what could be construed as the silliest of things. Wow this was a great video and not sure why I decided to write the Great American Novel is response! This should be helpful to a lot of people! Have a great rest of your Friday!

We have the same money problem in the USA right now too!

Waffle away Paul! I enjoy it 😊. Awesome video! I find the mood aspect very difficult to manage. It means that avoidance has become a constant friend, it's safer to avoid the dips because it will take a long time for me to get back to content. Sometimes not even hours on my special interest works.

Barefoot shoes are the best, not the cheapest, but absolutely worth every penny. They are flat, flexible and wide. Paired with toe socks, after a bit of getting used to, are great too. Vivo barefoot is pretty good in the UK and never any problems with the returns. I hated birthday's because of the expectation to invite a lot of friends over for a party, but I always had small circle of friends, so I felt pressured that I am doing something wrong. Not the case anymore. My hubby and I organised our wedding in two months, it is doable, but usually when people get suddenly married it's because of a pregnancy (still kind of tradition in many countries), so some of the guests must have been confused seeing me drinking 😂 Mood switch is a good description.. it may be a good day and then in 1 second complete change. Thankfully it sometimes works the other way too, when I get some really good news or fixate on something then my mood my improve with light speed. Have a good weekend!

Thank you. Your voice and cadence is everything when i'm considering autism in my own life.

I’ve never understood why I didn’t like birthday messages on Facebook, so I haven’t entered my birthday to avoid them. Now I understand. I actually avoid FB, find it often to personal. I don’t want to know what other people are doing in their life. It’s boring. And for sure, I don’t want to tell the world what I’m doing or thinking.

I’ve watched a few of your videos now and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the way they are unedited! There’s no jarring cuts all the way through like most creators, it’s smooth, informative, not waffly like you say (!) (and I chuckle a lot 😄). Hope you continue 👏😊

You’re saying all the things that go around my head all the time.

I found out I was autistic at 43 and everything you said in this is exactly like me!! Thank you so much 🙏🙏

Your videos help me understand my wife and the ways she is different from me. Thank you!

Hi Paul I don’t want to tell my granny how to suck eggs, but I find that list’s are imperative for me, I will write shopping list’s even if I need three items, if I have a day off work and have certain things I need to do i will write a list the day before and put the tasks in the importance that I need to do them, And even when I’m at bloody work devised a task list for which staff are doing what jobs ect I fill this in first thing in the morning normally getting to work 30 minutes early to do this, I think you have got the idea that I would be lost without my damn lists, but this really does help keep my brain on a even keel. I am very much an animal person, I think that this is because we can relate to them on a much basic level and they can sense this, agreed birthdays no thank you and weddings just Awkward including my own, I still have nightmares thinking about the speech I had to give and that was 18 years ago 😂

I just discovered your videos today. Thank you for sharing about your life. I relate to so much. And you express it more concisely than I am able. It's hopeful and comforting to know that we're not alone in these experiences. I'm an adult currently being assessed for ASD by a healthcare professional, it's an intense process.

I have never celebrated my birthday voluntarily. As a kid I sneak peeked into Christmas gifts and tried out different facial expressions and how happy was appropriate to be. And I didn’t do it because I was curious about the presents I only did it because I knew my family would be happy if I was normal/showed appropriate response! That’s why I since I was 11-13 years old started thinking about myself like one of Pavlovs dogs! And later in life when working as a chameleon because I snap up words from those around me and it have helped me immensely. Take care and keep smiling 🎭

I really like the fact that you've mentioned such specific things, when watching other videos I generally hear the same traits but I like how much detail you gave and how you gave specific situations, I can relate to every single one and you helped to make me feel understood and less alone

lmao, I hit all these. But man for some reason, I love getting socks and cloths. Mostly because I work construction, and all my cloths get ruined. Like aaahhh yeah, more cloths to my bucket of cloths that will get ruined, nearly ran out.

Hey Paul ! Thank you for what you're doing ! It's as though sometimes you're in my head. I'm 59 now and was diagnosed about 2 years ago and now I know why I've struggled all my life. It dosen't really help much to know though. AND I don't dare tell anyone because they'll say they know someone who's Autistic and I'm not. I ask where they received their PhD from. Then I get treated badly because I'm not making THEM feel comfortable.....

Thank you Paul. What a pleasure listening to you!

Hi Paul, just in pure chance you are checking comments on your year old video. I made my SO fall in love with silk for summer! On top of being autistic he also suffers with eczema - and we agreed we both do not like short sleeves, so with silk shirt, you can just roll up the sleeves however you want and its cooling and breathable and dry so so fast! (All bought second hand, so very affordable if you have such option).

I have a Yorkie and he helps me when I am pacing x

Never diagnosed, but it gets my attention how many of these traits apply to me. I watched your first video too, with similar results. I've struggled all my life being different, and never fully understanding why or how I was made this way. But looking back over my life experiences (with near-photographic memory), I find incident upon embarrassing incident of 'misbehavior' on which to brood and analyze. To say that I was/am a late bloomer socially and emotionally is no exaggeration. The only things I had in my favor were my intelligence, intuition, and that I always try to be physically fit and healthy. It definitely is a disadvantage to be different in a world that highly values conformity. But there does seem to be some sort of trade-off working in our favor. Nonetheless, I worry for my daughter who is so much like me; I don't want her facing the same obstacles I have.

I love your videos, you seem like an awesome person. I've always been different from most everyone and I've never quite understood why, I was bullied when I was little and it's always been a struggle to connect with most people. I haven't been diagnosed with autism, but a lot of what you and others have said about what it's like to have autism describes me to a "T" and explains so much. I know your videos aren't meant to diagnose people, but I'm glad that there are others out there that understand what I'm like.

Amazing video as always, Paul! I can relate to the connection with animals more than I can put into words!!! I got my diagnoses at age 15 and I've always just adored animals 😍💖 I feel like I'm communicating with them through vibes and emotions if that makes sense, and I feel like they can tell how much I love them ❤ Yes, I get that reaction from dog owners a lot 🤣 I've met and worked with many a timid doggo that specifically only comes to me. It's bliss 🥰 They just like/love you unconditionally too, which is beautiful 💓 We people are definitely a poor design 😅 Apparently Elon musk has autism too! I too can't deal with those who ignorantly walk their dogs in this heat 😑 It's so dangerous for them 🤦🏻‍♀️ I understand that some people just don't know, in which case they just need to be politely educated, but those that know and do it anyway don't deserve dogs! 😡 I don't HATE my birthday but I do find it a little difficult, anxietifying and exhausting. As for the difficulty saying thankyou, I remember having great difficulty with it too when I was younger 🤔 I don't know when or how it changed but ultimately, I remember the discomfort I used to have around it! Like you, it was never because I wasn't grateful, there's just something so awkward about it. I'm also of the cynical mindset of 'why celebrate the day you were forced to be a living thing in this world' 🥲😅 A good birthday that goes off without a hitch is always appreciated, but I'm always relieved when it's over and pray for days to myself afterwards to recover. Most of my thoughts and dialogue seem to be me questioning social norms 😶😂 The path of life baffles me too! I want none of it! I'm a 27 year old woman now and I also know I've 100% committed to never wanting kids 🤣 Couldn't pay me enough to have kids! I have no ill will towards children and I genuinely hope for the very best for them, but I personally can't kids, and I won't change my mind 😂 I have 2 little sisters, one I can cope with in regulated amounts (she's 10, genuinely lovely and tolerable 🤣) and the other is 5 and, awful as it sounds, I'm just not ready for her yet 🙈 give it at least another 5 years 😱 I can't leave her company without a headache 🤯 Marriage scares the life out of me, it's such a risk and the sheer amount of things I'd rather do with the money it takes to get married 😅 I guess I'm happy for people who do it and are genuinely happy, but I'm not one for attending weddings and to me it's just a relationship that's harder to leave 🙈🤷🏻‍♀️ Why spend the ungodly amount of money just to make your relationship so damn difficulty to leave, should you ever want or need to 🥲 That's a no from me 🤣 I definitely relate to staying dialed in, I feel like when I'm outside (anywhere outside of my little postage stamp lol) I jump between dissociation and hypervigilance. There's no healthy inbetween. I do have to pay attention to every single thing I do and have to carefully plan everything to avoid, your final point, flipping my lightswitch mood! 🥲 I'm guilty of being a pathological worrier of things both in and out of my control. It's horrible how quickly I can go from okay to meltdown. One of the many reasons I can't stand the question "How are you?" 🤯🤦🏻‍♀️ As for working, I feel ashamed of myself every single day for it, but I hit a chronic burnout almost 3 years ago and had to leave my awful, overstimulating retail job. I got so bad that I'm still in burnout, just not quite as chronic, wondering if I'll ever be able to work again. I remember an older video of yours where you say something along the lines of "Try it first. Try working for a good boss, a bad boss..." in different job roles etc and I can confidently say I've done that. Even though I've worked with dogs (and that aspect was wonderful) most of the people I worked with were awful and entirely ruined it for me. Each of my jobs have been insufferable and near impossible for one reason/aspect or another and I've had some awful experiences from an especially abusive boss. I had CPTSD anyway from adverse childhood experiences, but my work life is the freshest trauma in my mind nowadays. That being said, I still clean for a friend once a week for a tiny bit of pocket money (lol) and volunteer at a dog groomers on weekends for an (also tiny) bit of money, so I'm not contributing absolutely zero, but I can't bare the thought of changing that set up. Even that feels like too much most of the time and I'm only leaving the house 3 days a week. The cleaning 'job' is only 2 hours. I recieve Universal Credit and PIP and, though I certainly don't rule out possible self-employment in the future using my illustration degree, I think I genuinely may have to rule out employment ever again. I can't make myself that ill again. I'd never experienced burnout and fatigue like that in my entire life and I need to never experience it again. I thought the worst because of how my health plummeted and it was just my body's response to living like a NT up until that point. It was all from cracking on despite burnout, suffering and straining to meet NT norms and societal expectations. I still can't accept my diagnosis and I deal with a lot of self hatred (and now the stigma of being an able-bodied young person who can't work). I think about it all the time how I'm just another burden on the government and the tax payers, but I've been so poor in the past that I've thought I was going to lose my home several times, (which isn't an option!!!), but that desperation still couldn't force me to apply for jobs because I knew I was 1 more job away from 'opting out'. The imposter syndrome is real, every single day, but so is the debilitating struggle and, well, I live in survival mode. On a brighter note 🤣, I've just thought to have a look at your Instagram, so many apologies in advance for the bombardment of likes that now sit in your notifications 😏🙈 But that's what you get for being so damn awesome and relatable! 🤣 Plus pictures of George!!! 😭😍💖 Your videos definitely help me, Paul! 😊 Sorry about my dissertation once again, but then again should I keep saying sorry for the very person I am? 🤔 There's never any pressure to reply so 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣 Cheers again Paul! 😁 Keep smiling 🙂

Dear Paul. I've been listening to your accent and trying to work it out. I was thinking Leeds, but today you said Manchester. But your voice sounds so familiar. It's lovely. Thank you.

13:00 yes when you talk about animals I get goosebumps!!!!

Thanks for sharing. So appreciative.🙏

Your "keep smiling" remarks at the end play the song "when you're smiling" by Weyes Blood in my head. Nice outro in my mind to your videos. Thanks for sharing and check out the song

Excellent! I love the "mood cliff" analogy.

Interesting, I know these vids don’t actually show us who you are overall. But, from the vids I’d say nothing was wrong at all. You’re honest, articulate, and seemingly moral. I identify as ND, have not been diagnosed yet. But I definitely resonated with your last video you mentioned as well. I’ll never understand it, I wish I had more in my life that were like myself. You have literally said my every thought

Omg this video made me feel so at home. I fit all of this too the T. Also your voice is super calming, thank you for making these.

Good video and keep the waffles coming. I have them with berries and cream!

Maybe I have it. You habe described me in many ways. I overthink everything!

I love all of your examples! I watched the last video, and agreed with all of them, and now this one too! It was just my birthday and I also dislike my birthday heavily. I actually started to find out about autism around my birthday! Its so relieving to now understand what is going on, and why I am soooooo strange compared to everyone else, but it feels so sensical to me. I dont like my bday bcuz there is a pressure to do something, or to have a good day, and I feel pressured to prove to everyone else that I am normal, I have friends, and have a fun filled life. But a fun life for me is just a relaxing one where I can do art and not be bothered too much. I

Thank you very much ! Really.

You sound just like me. Thank you for sharing your thought. You are really helpful.

Love it❤

The amount of realness I find in your videos is insane and amazing at the same time. I don't know if I'm autistic and at this point it wouldn't help me to know, but I do have lots of autistic traits and I find so real what you say in this video, especially regarding my connection with animals and that I care more about an animal suffering than I do about a human or about not understanding social norms, which most are sooo stupid and people act upon them just because that's the standard, even though they end super unhappy.

Subscribed!

Dogs!.. bloody brilliant, totally relate to everything you say and try and stop me walking my dog because that's what they need!..end of!!! ps. Love the smell of dogs ears, the best smell ever!! .. undiagnosed autistic x

I loved your video. It put a smile on my face all the way. And besides being married and having kids I can really relate to all your other points. Our marriage was also very small with just our parents and sisters there. Very simple party after. I hate my birthday just like you. Saying thank you is hard. But especially acting happy with something I don't like. I just can't do it. That is why I always say whiskey or beer when they ask me what I want. Since they can't really go wrong. The animal part is true. Dogs and Cats generally really like me. And even if I don't like a type of animal I take care of them the best I can. Because they can't do it themselves and they can't do anything about the fact I do not like the type of animal they are. Shopping example feels relatable and so does the whole money and job thing. I was the same with school and getting a lower level diploma than the maximum I could get. I did not see the point. I'm a janitor at a school while I could theoretically easily be a teacher or even principal. But really only see negatives compared to my current job besides a higher salary. Thank you for this video. It was informative and fun to watch

What will it be like, when we neuro divergent types collaborate and create, and do more and more!!

Thanks!

I don't like my birthday and I don't like other people's birthdays either because I struggle with telling them "happy birthday". Not to mention, I'm extremely forgetful with birthdays, probably because I don't value them. This goes for friends and immediate family, if it's not on the calendar, I'll likely forget all about it.

Cheers on the mushroom hate! Before I even seriously considered that I could be Autistic, I once tried to tell people that I didn't want any attention or anything for my birthday. The people I managed to tell didn't get it, and there were people I couldn't tell because I *knew* they'd insist that I was upset at getting "old" and would try to tell me that it's OK to be 33, which, yes, it is. That experience kind of taught me that people find it very important that my birthday be celebrated for some reason, and that it's easier for me to deal with that attention than the attention caused by trying to convey "ehhhh can we not?" I guess this ties in to your later section about Social Norms. But I do try to take a holiday on my birthday. And one advantage of work-from-home is that all I get from my coworkers is a text :D No hugs or cheers or anything...

That's interessting! I also hate my birthday but out of other reasons! I hate it because i do not want the attention and i do not want to give congrats to other people. So not much people will care about my birthday because i do not care about theyrs. Then i feel sad because no one cals/texts me but all other people will receive calls. Birthdays are so annoying!!! I also selfdiagnosed at 34... and this week on Friday my assesment will start... jeeeyyy

I could only scream THANK YOU when you were talking about trash humans who abuse animals‼️

Have you found socks you enjoy? Socks made for diabetics have a comfortable rim, stretchy but don't fall down! Medi ped and Dr Scholls brand here are the most common. People choose to watch the amount they are comfortable with! You can waffle away and it's never a waste of time. All very relatable. Thank you for bringing words to thoughts!

I never wear socks people buy me. I'm very particular and only wear darn tough wool socks.

Welcome to the tech world! 😂 In regard to birthdays: 1. My view of this day is that it's my holiday, and that means not doing anything I don't want to do. Having to use a vacation day isn't ideal, but it's worth not having to work on my birthday. 2. With gifts, NTs really want the emotional reaction. It's not about what you're saying, but how they feel about it. Over time, I just decided to go with giving them a hug. It doesn't require masking, and makes them feel like I appreciate the gift.

99.9 exactly my beliefs! The .1?... I have zero problem saying sorry... IF it's my fault. I could listen forever because I strongly agree. Today am possibly too vocal for most people about it. Whatever.

I don't do birthdays, or Christmas... because of the expectations, that and I just don't want to repeat the same thing as other people, particularly if I'm indifferent to the celebration as I really don't like to say things I don't actually mean. These days, only close friends and family know when my birthday is so I can fly under the radar at work. If those in the know do try to give a present or fuss, I just remind them I don't "do" [insert name of celebration], and that because I don't have expectations for getting anything myself, I won't give presents (on the expected day at least) either. I've always felt there is no time like the present if you really want to get a present for someone... norms and traditions around the holidays are stupid anyway. Just because it's always been that way doesn't mean it has to be that way. I don't fully understand the need for people to want to "fit in" to do what everyone else is doing and tend to dismiss things/activities if it's too popular... it has to match my interests for me to even consider it. I guess I just want to be "different enough" to not draw attention, while also not being too "normal". Is there such a thing I wonder?

I think it’s so funny that you don’t like getting socks as a gift. For me personally, I love the feeling of a new pair of socks. I actually would prefer to only wear new socks, but I can’t justify doing that. I’ve learned to deal with the lint infested socks. Maybe one day I’ll find the perfect sock that doesn’t change after it’s washed. Until then, my life is slightly less comfortable, and it is what it is 😅 That being said, I get genuinely excited when I’m gifted socks for 2 reasons. 1: I love the feeling of new socks. 2: it’s a cheap gift that doesn’t burden people as much. People always feel pressured to find something I like or they stress over the forcefulness of spending money. I don’t want that, I dislike everything about birthdays and Christmas…imo both are silly. If you MUST get me a gift, just get me socks and call it a day. Win win/a middle ground. Side note- I really like your videos, I relate to so many things that you talk about. I always find it funny when I have a completely opposite view on something. while we do share a common ground, we are not all the same….but I get you! It makes me feel like I’m not alone…WE are alone 😂

Dancing to me is like performing some strange ritual. A non-autistic person could imagine it as if a normal person would have to stand on their hands and clap their feet and make a rooster crow noises to express that they are happy and having a good time at a party. It's just… WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? Does not make sense. This is what I feel when I dance.

How do you go about getting diagnosed, i know for a fact that my GP wouldn't be interested, if they can't write a pill for it they are not interested. Ive always felt different and had difficulty with all types of relationships. Never been a people person but i can play the part, recently learnt this is called masking. U do feel ive spent a lot of ny life pretending I'm OK but never felt i fitted in . Always been an animal person since being a child, I don't eat them either but im not vegan.

Birthdays! Yes!!! Who cares? I’ll add what difference does it make the day I went from my mothers womb to breathing air? If anything, the day I was conceived is petty epic. The saying thank you was in point. I don’t ask for gifts or acknowledgments and I make that known. DONT bother. Dogs. Def can’t do dogs. They are presumptuous and assume to invade my space, lick me, follow me around etc. nope. Love animals though but doesn’t mean I have to have them in my house. Societal norms! Exactly. Makes no sense. Loving your channel brother.

I am so pleased i know there are others whilo think like me out there. I do not understand this social norm drag stuff either.

The birthday thing! I’ve been taking a day off on my birthday for a very long time for that reason. I don’t want to be the “mandatory fun” center of attention. One or two people going for lunch; sure. Big parties… no.

The fact that you are fulfilled with your life without having to rely on other people tells you how underrated autism is. It should be the norm.

The wedding and birthday part killed me 🤣🤣🤣 I hate them too. And I want to get married just f.cking sign a paper and thats it, I dont enjoy weddings. I love my birthday, but I dont like celebrate it, and whenever I can I dont go to birthday invites. I dont like them.

I have always had an affinity and bond with aminals. I prefer animals to humans.

What can you say to a Happy Birthday that doesn't sound fake in your head...for gods sake don't surprise me with a thankyou gift, especially with an audience

My autostic son hates his birthday too. And other peoples birthdays too. It has been the only time we have ever had problems with his behaviour. He finds it hard to say 'thank you' and 'sorry' even though he is the most emotionally ontelligent person I know. He is so kind and thoughtful but he is autistic. Fortunately me, his dad and his siblings are all autistic too so we get it and we just dont do anything for his birthday but I feel guilty about it because I want him to know that he is appreciated. Lol my other autistic son also never wears anything on his feet in the house. It drives me mad because he does have really wide flat feet and he should be wearing insoles to sort them out and he never leaves the house so he never wears the insoles.But hes autistic too. We also live in a house with 6 cats and 2 dogs. My animals are the most comfort inducing thing in my life. They are unfiltered, their love is real and unconditional and they are just really nice and kind and loving. Yes they are crazy and messy but they are real. I just wish people would leave me alone when I take them out for a walk. I struggle so much with societal norms. I hate the pointless rules and the corruption and money-grabbing. I think that so many of the rules are discrimination against ND people. The education system destroys our ND children from their earliest years. My ex and I got married at 2 weeks notice with no budget, the invite said 'come as you are and no presents'. I wore a black and purple velvet dress and my wedding ring cost £2. We had a great time apart from my family being their NT selves and being offended by everything we did because we didnt follow the rules. Haha, I never use a basket at the shop too. My autopilot puts me into freeze response so everything has to be built up to and needs to be planned but I also have ADHD so trying to plan is a nightmare. I've been sitting here for 3 days building up to having a desperately needed shower. Theres nothing else I can do because I need a shower. But my car is in the garage and has been for the last two weeks because the garage wants to fit the work in when they have an extra five minutes because its under warranty. Please dont say that people choose to be on benefits. Its a horrible life living on benefits. The amount you get is minimal and it causes so much stress and its terrible. The effect on your mental health is awful. I dont think anyone would ever choose to live on benefits. Your videos are the closest I have ever heard to my experience of autism. The way you experience life is so similar yo mine and my childrens lives and it is amazing to hear someone else talking about random things like shoes and shopping baskets. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us

i feel very uncomfortable on weddings. I always avoid them.

I just did google pay too, so convenient :3 And ya weddings are stupid. I got eloped, mostly for insurance reasons. The family freaked. I have family who are still made because i wouldnt throw a party for everyone else to have a good time so i could apply for cheaper insurance-.-

I ignored my birthday and Christmas for years. I thought it was just me 😂

paul is cool...😊

Ball = George's special interest ;)

My son would love a dog

Birthdays I never bring it up and hoping people will forget 😂 it’s like, thanks but it’s really not that big of a deal I just happened to be born that date 🤷🏻‍♀️people are born everyday who cares? Animals are so easy for me to communicate with. They probably know we are different. I think because animals feel respected by us because we respect them, they sense our nature pretty quickly. I didn’t go the traditional route, and avoided having kids and marriage. I can’t be sure if that was a good move but I knew it would have been really difficult and I would have had to do it alone because I couldn’t maintain being in relationship. I did not choose partners well either.

Really can't understand what this has to do with being undiagnosed????? I say "thankyou" constantly and often inappropriately so no problem parroting to accommodate allistic special needs.... But i have a huge issue handing out carte blanche "you're welcome" entitling special needs demanding beyond my ability to comply. I think similar as some social demand, but i am not refusing when i can accommodate or gift/do-for someone inside my ability. Maybe that is being diagnosed very early and being groomed earlier to comply?

The birthday thing, good god...for me its just the stupidity of partying for 365 days. I mean, yes we've traveled around the sun if you want an astrological measure...but for me its just so daft to have a party for that, as we anyway get one day older every day. Every week we become one week older. Like, there is no reason to party such a thing as a year...Its just...weird!

If you couldn't walk a dog over 20 degrees where I live in italy, the dog would never get walked except in the dead of winter.

I relate to everything you are saying. As far as school we had the remedial form for the different ones. My son is 34 and high functioning autistic and ADHD my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD last year at 32. I’m 55 and I have a lot of ADHD traits and also autistic traits. I feel I’ve just been floating through life and always masking. I’ve been a people pleaser most of my life and it has been so draining. The light switch can go either way in an instant. I also feel embarrassed to admit all this as I don’t think anyone would believe me as I’ve survived this far, surviving is not the same as living. Thanks for your videos

Eton is more like 15 grand a term.

20c isn't even that bad. I mean... I prefer 16-17C inside... but even for me... 20C outside is like... "Yes, when I go inside, it will be easy for the air conditioning!"

Xdddddd

About tax paying dissapointments - its the government political careerworkers on huge salaries spending a million$ per missile...not the Homer Simpson on $300 to sit on his sofa ...

I'm 30 and I always kind of new but just found out recently. It helps hearing someone else talk about their struggles because I know I'm not alone or some one of a kind weird enigma that shouldnt have happened. There are other people who go through the same thing. Cheers mate.

Auto-Pilot: That's one of the strongest insights on Autism itself and the etiology of autistic burnout. Kudos Mate!

i feel all of this ESPECIALLY the norm part, i don't get ANY of this crap