During childhood I always noticed the sound of the ventilation/air conditioning system in grocery stores (other stores) and shopping malls. This was one of the main sources of my sensory meltdowns when I was growing up. My parents did not realize this and my sensory meltdowns were misclassified as temper tantrums.
I really love your channel because you have 2 boys on 2 ends of large autisms spectrum and I am learning a lot. One on end you have full verbal, intelligent boy who is already learning masking and how to meet social expectations and is very likely to grow up as a fully functional adult, able to work, drive and have family On the other end, you seem to have totally opposite, a child unable to talk, issues with learning delays, understanding social expectation and is very likely need full support for the rest of his life, unlikely to be able to drive, gave family etc But the most important thing I learnt is that autism is not a negative, bad things and children like your boys can have a very happy life, enjoy little things. Their life are full of happiness and adventures, nothing to feel sorry about.
Another obscure sign is having a great imagination. Autistic people can imagine things so well, despite playing in a less imaginative way, as a kid despite being autistic, my imagination was so good and I still was able to play pretend. Sometimes autistic people express imagination their own way.
My mum was told at primary school that I had a over active imagination. What can make me wretch is taste of my meds so I eat them with jam ,smells of bodily functions which is a problem, spicy tastes used to love curries etc can't now I get very mild blisters in my mouth.
I can usually watch a TV show or movie and recite it verbatim but not always. I tend to remember theme songs very well. For example, the theme songs from Arthur, Caillou, Clifford the Big Red Dog, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, and Littlest Pet Shop (2012 version).
I have a friend who I met in college freshman year (1994 to 1995). We are still friends today (We sometimes have FaceTime calls). Before that my friendships did not last very long. For example, I have not talked to anyone from high school since I graduated.
"Looks uncomfortable" can also be related to hypermobility issues, which often co-occur with autism. Not having a good sense of what your joints are doing leads to poor proprioception, so you end up visually checking where your limbs are. I have all kinds of childhood photos where I'm standing really awkwardly looking down at my body with my arms well clear of my torso. And then the poor joint stability and extra flexibility leads to poses being neutral or even preferred that would be uncomfortable for people without hypermobility. Back when I didn't have fat getting in the way, I tended to prefer some rather odd ways of sitting.
I'm 20 with autism I struggle with keeping close friends as I find it very exhausting. I also struggle feeling comfortable in my body can't cope with tight restrictive clothing
When I was in public school (grades one through nine) some kids would talk to me for a week or two but it wouldn’t work in the long term because they were interested in sports and I wasn’t. My special education teacher didn’t understand about this (in about grades one through seven) and told me that I just needed to “fake it until I make it”.
I am glad your daughter is understanding I have sensory issues too I let people eat what they want but I do agree even if you don’t have sensory issues there is stuff you should eat in public like eggs or strong smells food around others
I have all these signs and the one that stands out the most is my outstanding memory. People always thought I was weird because I remember the most specific and useless things. They're especially useless to other people. I can remember exact dates of when I did the most normal thing like a specific interaction or time sitting on my bed. I just remember everything all the time yet I also forget silly things like where I put my phone or something. It's really annoying. I'm getting tested for ADHD as well and it's common to have that too when you're autistic and it's what makes life so challenging for me. Everything just seems to clash and make life more hard
I’m 64, have never cared very much for having friends, and still find it hard to keep them. They’re probably autistic too, so then it’s hard for both of us 😊
I haven’t heard Ezra say “mama” yet but I have heard him say “hungry”, “boring”, and possibly “yeah” (for example in the travel video when you are getting out of the car at their grandmother’s house). I hope he starts saying other words soon.
I can honestly relate to so much of this. One thing I feel that people often don't understand very well is how impactful these seemingly small problems, like the sensory processing issues, are on a person's life. Like Ezra, I have difficulty with olfactory stimuli. For me, it's especially organic odors, like eggs and body odors. Although, chemical odors can bother me, too. I also can't stand the smell of the heater, and especially at the beginning of the cold weather season when its odor is the strongest. However, some odors can be not only physically revolting to me, but can also have emotional and even spiritual effects. It can make me feel emotionally vulnerable or unsafe, and can also even have spiritual effects such as making me feel a sense of a demonic malevalence, and make me feel as though I'm under demonic attack. The point I'm trying to make is that it's not merely a physical irritation, like a light being too bright, which is only a part of the problem. It can also feel more like entering a different existential state of horror. Chemical smells, can especially make me feel like I'm in this is existential state which makes everything in me or around me feel toxic and deadly dangerous. Obviously, this is totally overwhelming, and triggers a fight, flee or freeze response. This is a visceral and involuntary reaction which can include visceral and involuntary movements, behaviour or actions. In more extreme cases, it can also trigger meltdowns or shutdowns, which may persist long after the stimuli is removed. One example of how problematic this is for me is how I actually have a pretty voracious libido, but you'd think the opposite, because I simply can't handle body smells. For example, kissing is one of my biggest turn-ons, but I often can't do it. It feels suffocating, and that odor feels demonic and malevalent to me. It makes me feel like I'm being attacked, and I start to freak out. Over time, I've built up some coping skills, but it's not something I can always enjoy doing. As you might expect, this makes maintaining romatic relationships a struggle, and my partners often cheat on me, which is another thing which triggers me. So, these things begin to stack up, and spiral out of control, which makes me feel even more vulnerable, and causes me to get even more defensive and emotional, or want to escape. So, I deal with a lot of depression and loneliness, etc. Which is why I can't stress how big of a deal these little autistic traits actually are. They really impact a person's life in really big ways, especially once these start to stack and accumulate together. People who think that these are such small issues really don't understand how detrimental they are to a person's well-being or ability to function, or have a fullfilling life. That's one reason why I'm so greatful that there are people who make free videos like this, so that people like me don't have to feel so alone, misunderstood or hopeless. I'm honestly greatful for the blessing that these videos have been for me.
I was extremely good at hiding my autism, I was very hard to test for autism because I was so intelligent so I know exactly what I ”should” say and do. My examination (English is not my native language so can maybe be the wrong word for it) took 10 years. Now I know that I have autism, adhd and a place in Mensa.
I have multiple autistic kiddos, and am myself. My 13 year old has most of these. lol He started reading at 2, very high IQ, loud, very loud, but hates others being loud. lol Actually my loudest autistic kids are the ones who hate loud noise. It seems that goes hand in hand. Haha He still tip toe walks at 13. …And so many other things. All my autistic kids are so very different, like the saying goes, if you meet one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.
It's amazing how unique each child can be, even within the autism spectrum. Thanks for sharing your experiences! So Glad to have your perspective here. ❤️
I get overstimulated when there is a ton of noise and ton of people in the area I was at work and it was the day before this thanksgiving and I work at target and I was down at self checkout and there was a ton of noise and people so I am grateful with a break because I was just not able to focus on what I’m doing
Remember, too, that just because a kid is intelligent and academically gifted, they won't necessarily do well in school. I had a CAT score of 118 at age 11 (top 16%-ish) and got good grades at school (particularly mathematics), but hugely underperformed compared to how I "should" have done/was expected to do. Classroom learning isn't at all conducive to my learning style. If we'd have had the information available and could've learned it in any way that suited us, I'd have got much better grades. Unfortunately that's not how the education system works. Wouldn't it be nice? Now I have free reign to learn things in the way that suits me, I've learned stuff a lot better, and I absolutely love learning things. Something I find difficult in terms of misconceptions is that people assume intelligent autistic people must have low support needs. I need a lot of support with daily living, communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, etc. (the list goes on), and things went extremely badly wrong when I was living on my own, but I have an IQ of 132, I play 7 instruments so far (not including different types of a particular instrument), I know the periodic table by memory, and can read in three languages besides English.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's important to recognize that traditional education systems don't cater to every learning style, and finding the right approach can make all the difference. Your journey of self-directed learning is truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
3:12 Funny, I barely detect any smell from eggs at all. There's something about the taste/texture of egg yolk, though, that results in me finding any form of egg where the yolk hasn't been altered somehow absolutely disgusting. I can eat egg whites, I can eat scrambled eggs with the white and yolk mixed, I can eat deviled eggs with the yolk heavily seasoned, but whether it's hard boiled or runny, I can't eat yolk on its own.
One of my biggest sensory issues is lights. I NEVER turn on our overhead light in the living room and never open any of my curtains or blinds. Driving or riding in the car is also hard for me when the sun is strong. My eyes are very sensitive to light, even with good sunglasses. I notice that Ezra’s aac tablet has a very bright screen. Have you tried turning the light down really low? Possibly even putting a blue tint on it? It might help him look at it more. I keep all my screens down very low. I also can’t stand the heater to blow on me. For me, it’s the intense heat. It dries my nose out too. I don’t turn the heat on in my car and keep my bedroom vent closed, even when it’s really cold.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Sensory sensitivities can be really challenging, and it's great that you're finding ways to manage them. Lowering screen brightness and adding a tint is a great idea! We need to do that more.
- I will vomit if I see hair on clothes or plate. - I cannot not cope with certain smells like Bananas all though I like eating them just can't stand someone else eating them. Also perfume and scented candles can't so. - struggle with sleep my sleep can go well and then I can go without sleep for 2-3 nights straight and keep going during the day and after the 2or 3 days then I crash. - I am Literal just say it simple and to the point. If you go on and on you will loose my attention. - Things have to be done to even numbers like checking the doors are locked will check an even number of times. - I love listening to loud music but can't cope when someone else does.
I can relate to a lot of this. Especially, the banana thing. Even thinking about it makes me feel sick. Although, I don't vomit, and instead just get very irritated and flighty. In fact, I've noticed that a lot of the odors which bother me tend to be "sweet" smelling ones. It's one reason why I can't stand air fresheners. I can sometimes like them if they are "natural" and "warm" smells like evergreen (pine, cedar, woodland), or lavander, vanilla or spice. However, they are often sweet and floral, which is even worse to me than whatever odor they are attempting to mask, which is already overwhelming enough. I have ASD and ADHD, and so people really need to cut to the chase and keep things concise for me, or I might start talking over them, or even just get up and leave. I can't stand convoluted explanations or instructions. I need things broken down into neat little portions, but only after I'm given a broad overview. First, I need to know where things are going, so that I can know how to piece all the little little portions together. Yet, I can often command some truly archane and mystifying knowledge. Sometimes, I'm known to get into explaining some things to people which may seem a little perplexing. However, I also tend to be really good at answering questions and explaining things in an understandable way. People often thank me for helping them wrap their mind around subjects which have baffled them for a long time. Just don't ever ask me to explain how I'm able to solve difficult problems which nobody else knows how to solve. It would require a PHD, and we don't have time for that. Also, it's often mere intuition which has been honed from extensive experience, if I'm being honest. I also like when things are nice, round numbers, but I don't get OCD about that, anymore. I used to be that way about other things, as well. For example, I used to hate being wet or even just a tiny bit damp. I would use a TON of paper towels, and those electric dryers were even worse, because I would stand there for forever. People would often get angry at me, but I honestly couldn't stand to have my hands being damp. Nope! Had to be bone dry. After a shower or swim, I would squilgee off my skin to assist with the towel's drying efficiency. Also, I would dry my hair to the point that it got all frizzy, because I couldn't stand it being even a little bit damp, and would spend long hours primping in the bathroom. Fortunately, I've managed to outgrow a lot of the little OCD quirks I used to have, but it took until middle-age, for me. I also can't stand other people playing loud music, and especially when I can't agree on their musical taste. It is genuinely unbearable. Even worse is if it's an earworm I hate, I will literally go into a panic. I also can't stand hearing commercial jingles or repetitious slogans. I used to enjoy them as a child when I thought everything was a joke, but now I tend to take issues of my autonomy quite serious, and they make me feel threatened. I take issue with coersion in any form, and am highly resistant to manipulation.
You are really great parents! It's so nice that Simon talks a lot! Maybe Ezra will also starts to talk soon! Can I ask when Simon started to have at least 10-15 word vocabulary and saying those words out loud? I know Ezra is non-verbal but when he was a toddler 1-2-3 years old, does he said ma-ma, ba-ba, da-da or something like that? Can I ask what kind of toys Ezra liked when he was a toddler 2-3 years old? My little boy is 22 month old, and I have a hard time entertain him. He loves balls especially loves spinning them on the floor. I try to play with him back and forth rolling the ball on the floor, but it usually lasts only 2 minutes and he get bored. He enjoys looking at books together and he started grabbing my index finger to point to pictures in the book (he doesn't point with his own hand/finger). He enjoys when I singing to him he loves listen to music and watch music video clips on youtube. He also loves toys which are has some sounds and lights. He loves jumping on the trampoline, he loves stepping on the stepping stones, he loves running, but honestly that's all he loves. I don't know which toys should I buy to him. I want to grow his brain and challenge his mind but he doesn't want to do the shape sorter, he just mouthing everything and then throwing them. I tried/bought lots of different kinds of toys for my toddler, but nothing really worked... I really would be curious when Ezra was 2-3 year old which toys/activities loved he the most.❤
Simon talked with ten words together around three and a half years old. Ezra loved certain toys like cords and puzzle pieces that he would throw. He sounds somewhat similar to your boy at that age, when it comes to toys. Ezra didn’t really play with toys the way they were made. Simple inset puzzles were a good start though. That is what I would recommend. Really you just have to try new things and see what he responds to. Thank you for sharing. He is so blessed to have you, helping him and supporting him.
My sister and I both have good memories. My sister remembers names and dates very well but only sometimes remembers what she reads. I usually remember what I read but I struggle with names and dates.
Itchy tags on clothes, the feeling of jeans, brushing my hair (it doesn’t matter if I do it or someone else does), sudden loud noises, and people touching me or resting their hand on my shoulder when I haven’t given them permission are all sensory triggers for me. Somehow, if I’ve given people permission to touch me, it’s not as bad as when I haven’t and they still touch me. I’m not sure why, though.
I'm a 21 year-old with autism, ocd, dissociation and possibly adhd. I have the first 2 signs for sure. I'm more sensitive to the sun. Like, if it's cloudy and what others think is dark, I see it as if the sun was right into my eyes. I wear sunglasses outside all day until it is truly dark otherwise, I just can't see. I have problems with sleeping but, it's not my autism so, this isn't a sign for me. I still walk on my toes a lot, I have to wear shoes that have support on the ankles so that it helps me to not walk on my toes all the time. I struggle with tags and certain collars for button-up shirts because of the sensory. I still struggle with social interactions and communications. I sometimes need to have people rephrase their sentence or I'll have to explain what I mean because my communication isn't great. I do the noise thing, I hate noise and get overstimulated from it quickly but, I also have verbal stims where I repeat the same thing non-stop. I'm also able to play clarinet yet struggle with hearing others make loud noises. No idea for my IQ, I do know that I get 90+% in school with little to sometimes no studying in most of my classes, there's on a couple of classes that might require studying so, that's something. I only ever had one or two friends, usually, that friend was either undiagnosed autism too or they were most likely neuro-divergent in another way. I was never able to make friends with neuro-typical people of my age. I also learn differently from others, I don't actually pay attention in class cause I know that I need to figure it out by myself and/or go through the notes at my own paste to learn. I also learn better if I can manipulate what I'm learning. I'm somewhat picky with food textures and I do have a good memory for numbers and other random things. If I like something, chances are that I will have memorised a lot about that subject and I'll know more then almost anyone else about it. Even with all of this, I'm still level 1 autistic and I'm currently finishing my college degree, then doing 1 year of college for pre-requisites and then going to university to become an engineer. (Sidenote, sorry for missing a lot of asd club meetings, I haven't had wifi at home since I moved in august for I can't join for now)
I totally relate to your experience of things being too bright outside even when it's cloudy. It has to be ominously about storm before I can say that I'm not totally uncomfortable with the daylight situation. It can be blinding, and cause my eyes to water to the point of becoming an altogether additional situation. Sometimes, this also makes my nose tingle, which can result in sneezing, but that is rare. I would even feel bothered by it indoors. My family used to call my bedroom my "dungeon", because it was always dimly lit, and I even had to have dark curtains over the windows to block out the light. Although confusingly, I don't like sleeping in total darkness, and actually prefer sleeping during the daytime hours. It actually feels safer, and my mind is more at peace. Sleep issues seem to be a common experience, and I've personally found that sleeping during the day is often easier. Not having to go outside when it's daylight is a bonus. At one point, I even tried to work night jobs and live a late night lifestyle, but I ended up getting too lonely and dressed, because it's very isolating. Turns out that I can't stand living without the exact same human interaction I tend to avoid and find uncomfortable. My life is full of paradoxical arrangements. I've often felt energized at dusk, and become more active at night. I'm often nonverbal during the early morning hours. My family knows to not even try talking to me after I first wake up, and especially during the early in the mornings, even when it's after I was awake all night. I'm likely to be very irritable if spoken to, if you even can get any response out of me, at all. A lot of these issues have improved over time, but it's more to do with coping skills and simply not allowing myself to get upset about things I have no control over. At the risk of going off on a tangent, I've often wondered if the sleeping during the day thing might be related to my empathic abilities. I've often heard people say that autistic individuals lack that skill, but it's the opposite for myself. I get overwhelmed by it, and will often avoid the situation because it's simply too much for me. It's one of the reasons why I don't feel comfortable making eye contact. I can even sometimes experience nightmares if I sleep in the same house as somebody who is going through a difficult situation. I wonder if I must pick up on all of this stuff from other people. I often feel more at peace during the daytime, and maybe this is because people's minds are more distracted during the day, and too busy to be transmitting all that psy energy or whatever? However, if you asked me describe the feeling, I actually feel more isolated and alone during the night. During the early mornings are the most stressful, though. That's when I'm often nonverbal and unresponsive. I sometimes wonder about this stuff, but obviously it sounds like a bunch of nonsense, and so I avoid dwelling on it. Just curious if anyone else has similar experiences, or competing theories.
My IQ is currently around 125. During childhood my teachers thought it was lower. When I was in about fourth grade my special education teacher thought my IQ was 60 at the most.
It's interesting to see how perceptions can change over time! Your journey just goes to show that intelligence isn't always recognized at first glance.
The whole time I was growing up my sister and I both woke up around two or three times per night (on average). This even happened after we had our own rooms.
Great imagination is definitely another one of my signs. I would play Barbies with one of my uncles every time he and my grandma came over to our house. At night, I would dream about playing Barbies and come up with the storylines that my uncle and I would act out. I also have extremely vivid dreams, and I al2ays have. I’m a very good writer, which is definitely help3d by the fact that my imagination is so vivid and wild.
I extremely good hearing so I can hear things most people can't. I can't block out the noise like most people can so it can lead to a meltdown Also have trouble with certain textures I'm a big.toe walker.
On the subject of repetitive or restrictive behaviors or interests I still have this even now in my late 40s. For example, over about the last three to four weeks my father has remarked in phone conversations that I always seem to be talking about current events, Canada, and potty training. This was around the time that I was typing most of the toilet training-related comments on videos on this channel. I’m pretty sure that he thinks I’m spending too much time living in the past and he’s also concerned that I might take a bus to Canada without mentioning anything about it first. I don’t know why he’s this worried about that unless I used to elope more than I remember. I know my sister did that when she was younger. I guess it’s possible that I also did this quite a bit and just don’t remember it for some reason.
Cut out all tags and even wear my pjs inside out because can’t cope with the seams, can’t get away with wearing day cloth inside out if I could I would!
12:35 I have 4 kids. The 2 youngest have autism lvl 2. My 5yr(also diagnosed with a learning delay) is limited verbal, he can say a word randomly on his own but 0 verbal communication & still has yet to say mama or daddy but can communicate w/ some gestures. My 6yr (no learning delay but ocd) did not start talking till 2 1/2 & it was a while before he said mommy & daddy. However, he was reading books to us as soon as he started talking(who knows how long he was reading to himself b4 words). He is currently in 1st grade & testing at a 3rd grade reading lvl. My 6yr mixes up his words & says things "backwards" sometimes. Instead of saying unplug it, he will say plug it out OR unzip when he really means zip. As his mom, I have learned him, but I am always worried about people not being able to understand him or mistaking what he actually means(to no fault on them). Just like Simon, he learns very well, and that has greatly helped his progress. HOWEVER, it does cause a lot of frustration on his end and "acting out". I would be frustrated, too! My 5yr is pretty carefree atm lol(he has his moments, though).
Thank you for sharing your journey! It sounds like you’re doing an incredible job supporting your kids and helping them navigate their unique challenges. Appreciate you watching and sharing your insights here!
Great question, yeah Simon struggle with it more. As around the other hand, we don’t really know what happens because I don’t think we’ve ever actually pulled one out.
My sister and I are both sensitive to tags. I don’t mention it to my parents because they don’t believe that it’s actually a sign. When my sister mentions it most other family members tell her that she is being too dramatic.
Can't touch anything with carbonation. Sleep issues for sure. Transitioning was the first clear sign it was raining and burnt out from transitioning to stores my mom tried to treat me to treat me to Tony's r us. Instead my fingers got smashed in a door. Toe walking were common. I am very outgoing around people but need a lot of time to decompress. When I fly I pre board because of the transitioning.
11:36 - Thats why my high school says i dont need to be placed in special education & maybe thats why my mom has been denying my diagnosis but ive been 18 for a week now
You said that Ezra likes crunchy foods. So do I! Hey, Ezra: high five! I eat something crunchy each meal (if I can). In the morning, I have crisp bacon. For other meals, I add tortilla chips or Pringles or something like that. My sister said that when I was a child, I used to put potato chips on my sandwiches. (I remember doing that.) (I'm now 68 years old, so I wasn't diagnosed as a child, especially being a female with above-average intelligence.) I didn't just eat the potato chips WITH my sandwiches; I would put the potato chips ONTO the sandwiches (under the top slice of bread). On the flip side, slimy foods will make me want to gag. It's only in learning about autism now that I understand why I'm fine with tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato ketchup, tomato paste, etc., but I can't eat tomatoes! Slimy. Yuck! Thanks for your videos. God bless you all.
I’m starting antipsychotic medication soon and I heard that it can help aggression/irritability/emotional regulation in autism, another less known symptom of autism that can tie in with the first one mentioned. A part 2 of this would be interesting.
Thanks for the idea of a part two video. I hope the medication goes well. Finding the correct medication is a journey, and for us, it has been a long one.
If the show that Simon wanted to watch was on one of the streaming services it might have been possible to have him watch the show on the computer instead (if he was open to that possibility). He might not have been, but who knows?
I tend to toe walk even today. My sister and I are both level one but I used to be level two during childhood. Maybe that has something to do with why I still toe walk even today if I am not specifically focused on not toe walking.
For me the smell of most fridges is overwhelming and no one notices the smell at all like my mom will put her whole face in the fridge and she smells nothing but I can’t stand it from another room as well as the sound of certain chargers they are so high pitched that it hurts my ears and head but no one can hear it as well as the tags on clothes and the seams of socks there are many more but these are some examples
I am am autistic female I can get over stimulated in moving crowds high pitched noises and depending on the situation repetitive noises. I don't really mind loud noises but for a long period of time it can get to much for example the full 30 minutes of lunch at school. I've got above average IQ but during school this year I'm struggling to get the information out of my mind it just won't go into my book or my mind just goes blank during some lessons my teachers have thought however in an exam everything comes out and i can do really well without revision i don't revise because i just don't feel like i need to because i can do well without it.and told me its because im lazy but other things is that i might not under stand what to do and i hate putting my hand up and asking for help it just feel awkward i dont like it. It just really depends on what it is I'm trying to learn everything has a different way for me to process of it some things are visual some are verbal it just depends.
Hey, I totally get where you're coming from! School can be a real struggle sometimes, but you’ve got this! Just take it one step at a time, and don’t be shy to ask for help when you need it. You’re not lazy; you just process things differently!
i hate the sound that my coat makes if i have my hood up but i also hate the feeling of wind and rain and i also hate the noise that the things that people use to get cats away becuas they are realy high pich. does simon have hypermobility? because its made toe walking worse because my foot doslocates its self then i have to put it back into place and its hurts alot. in school my ta uses retorikal questions alot and its realy anoying because i dont know what to respond with
I can’t smell because Covid took that away from me in 2020 when I was in icu fighting for my life. Left with lung damage too. Anyway I always cut tags out of my clothes and I hate loud noises
I wonder if the reason that Simon is no longer getting services is that the person who tested him most recently doesn’t believe that someone with an IQ of 100 or above can have autism.
"it's not going to hurt anything if you have concerns and want to get them addressed" I just said this to an acquaintance. We both work in the child care field, I told her that I wasn't happy that they took the supports away as our daughter was doing so well that they didn't think she needed them anymore. She starts kindergarten in September and I want her to have the supports in place BEFORE she starts; obviously they think she is just "extremely shy" and she will adapt once that time comes. I told her it is better to have them in place and not need them to the full extent, than to not have anything at all and have to struggle until someone agrees they are needed! Not many people understand my reasoning however.... As for the sensory things, my son HEARS vibrations. Lava lamps and those bubble towers he loves as they provide him both visual and auditory stimulation!
It's so important to advocate for our kids' needs! Having support in place can make a world of difference, especially as they transition to new environments like kindergarten. You're doing the right thing by speaking up!
Yes absolutely difficulty with friends is pretty common within Autistic individuals, especially can be if they were mainstream- schooled like I.. Was said with respect and love 😘 As a Autistic person in my mainstream- school experience, most of my friendships were pretty up and down..... Majority of the time♡♡ There was rarely any stability and, as I older always had that fear of having no friends left and being all alone due to past experiences
You're absolutely right! The shared experiences of neurodiverse individuals can create deep connections. It's wonderful that you found support in your brother and other friends who understand your journey.
@7Aheadfamily thank you so much I really appreciate that 😘🥰 I have always treasured the friendship I have with that individual and, with my brother seperately because of our close bond and twin- connection, I feel- like he.. Just always knew there was something different about me, even before I did as he were always so immensely protective of me, in our childhood and in our adolescence years as well said with love and kindness 🙂🫂 xo
![Is Simon no Longer Autistic? [HPRT]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EuRYs0wroiw/mqdefault.jpg)
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Why does ezra head banging
I love how you guys respond to us fans !!❤❤ it really sets you apart from other creators . Thanks for finding the time
During childhood I always noticed the sound of the ventilation/air conditioning system in grocery stores (other stores) and shopping malls. This was one of the main sources of my sensory meltdowns when I was growing up. My parents did not realize this and my sensory meltdowns were misclassified as temper tantrums.
Thank you for sharing!
It is so important for parents to realize that there could be underlying issues that they’re not seeing, especially with autism.
I really love your channel because you have 2 boys on 2 ends of large autisms spectrum and I am learning a lot.
One on end you have full verbal, intelligent boy who is already learning masking and how to meet social expectations and is very likely to grow up as a fully functional adult, able to work, drive and have family
On the other end, you seem to have totally opposite, a child unable to talk, issues with learning delays, understanding social expectation and is very likely need full support for the rest of his life, unlikely to be able to drive, gave family etc
But the most important thing I learnt is that autism is not a negative, bad things and children like your boys can have a very happy life, enjoy little things. Their life are full of happiness and adventures, nothing to feel sorry about.
Tags, turtle neck shirts, denim pants, eggs, milk, and stuff
It seems like you've got a mix of items there! Thanks for sharing!
Another obscure sign is having a great imagination. Autistic people can imagine things so well, despite playing in a less imaginative way, as a kid despite being autistic, my imagination was so good and I still was able to play pretend. Sometimes autistic people express imagination their own way.
So True!
Thanks For sharing!
great thought here. you make an excellent point.
My mum was told at primary school that I had a over active imagination.
What can make me wretch is taste of my meds so I eat them with jam ,smells of bodily functions which is a problem, spicy tastes used to love curries etc can't now I get very mild blisters in my mouth.
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I can usually watch a TV show or movie and recite it verbatim but not always. I tend to remember theme songs very well. For example, the theme songs from Arthur, Caillou, Clifford the Big Red Dog, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, and Littlest Pet Shop (2012 version).
It's impressive how some shows stick with us, especially those catchy theme songs! They really do have a way of embedding themselves in our memories.
I have a friend who I met in college freshman year (1994 to 1995). We are still friends today (We sometimes have FaceTime calls). Before that my friendships did not last very long. For example, I have not talked to anyone from high school since I graduated.
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I remember by fourth grade (age ten) I went from hardly talking at all to talking almost non-stop about my interests.
Interesting. Maybe Ezra is also just holding out. :)
"Looks uncomfortable" can also be related to hypermobility issues, which often co-occur with autism. Not having a good sense of what your joints are doing leads to poor proprioception, so you end up visually checking where your limbs are. I have all kinds of childhood photos where I'm standing really awkwardly looking down at my body with my arms well clear of my torso.
And then the poor joint stability and extra flexibility leads to poses being neutral or even preferred that would be uncomfortable for people without hypermobility. Back when I didn't have fat getting in the way, I tended to prefer some rather odd ways of sitting.
Very insightful! Thank you sho much for sharing!
I'm 20 with autism I struggle with keeping close friends as I find it very exhausting. I also struggle feeling comfortable in my body can't cope with tight restrictive clothing
Thank you for sharing your experience. You have a friend in us❤️.
When I was in public school (grades one through nine) some kids would talk to me for a week or two but it wouldn’t work in the long term because they were interested in sports and I wasn’t. My special education teacher didn’t understand about this (in about grades one through seven) and told me that I just needed to “fake it until I make it”.
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Thanks for sharing your experience. ❤️❤️❤️
I am glad your daughter is understanding I have sensory issues too I let people eat what they want but I do agree even if you don’t have sensory issues there is stuff you should eat in public like eggs or strong smells food around others
I have all these signs and the one that stands out the most is my outstanding memory. People always thought I was weird because I remember the most specific and useless things. They're especially useless to other people. I can remember exact dates of when I did the most normal thing like a specific interaction or time sitting on my bed. I just remember everything all the time yet I also forget silly things like where I put my phone or something. It's really annoying. I'm getting tested for ADHD as well and it's common to have that too when you're autistic and it's what makes life so challenging for me. Everything just seems to clash and make life more hard
I’m 64, have never cared very much for having friends, and still find it hard to keep them. They’re probably autistic too, so then it’s hard for both of us 😊
Ty my family by choice
Thank you ❤️
My sister and I both have difficulty moving past a strong emotion. We are both level one but I was level two during childhood.
Thank you so so much for sharing ❤️
Oh, my heart. I wish I'd known this 25 years ago. 😪
❤️❤️❤️ Yeah, we hear that a lot.
I haven’t heard Ezra say “mama” yet but I have heard him say “hungry”, “boring”, and possibly “yeah” (for example in the travel video when you are getting out of the car at their grandmother’s house). I hope he starts saying other words soon.
Yes, us as well!
Tags, lavender I think there is more but i can’t think of any
Thank you for sharing!
I can honestly relate to so much of this. One thing I feel that people often don't understand very well is how impactful these seemingly small problems, like the sensory processing issues, are on a person's life. Like Ezra, I have difficulty with olfactory stimuli. For me, it's especially organic odors, like eggs and body odors. Although, chemical odors can bother me, too. I also can't stand the smell of the heater, and especially at the beginning of the cold weather season when its odor is the strongest. However, some odors can be not only physically revolting to me, but can also have emotional and even spiritual effects. It can make me feel emotionally vulnerable or unsafe, and can also even have spiritual effects such as making me feel a sense of a demonic malevalence, and make me feel as though I'm under demonic attack.
The point I'm trying to make is that it's not merely a physical irritation, like a light being too bright, which is only a part of the problem. It can also feel more like entering a different existential state of horror. Chemical smells, can especially make me feel like I'm in this is existential state which makes everything in me or around me feel toxic and deadly dangerous. Obviously, this is totally overwhelming, and triggers a fight, flee or freeze response. This is a visceral and involuntary reaction which can include visceral and involuntary movements, behaviour or actions. In more extreme cases, it can also trigger meltdowns or shutdowns, which may persist long after the stimuli is removed.
One example of how problematic this is for me is how I actually have a pretty voracious libido, but you'd think the opposite, because I simply can't handle body smells. For example, kissing is one of my biggest turn-ons, but I often can't do it. It feels suffocating, and that odor feels demonic and malevalent to me. It makes me feel like I'm being attacked, and I start to freak out. Over time, I've built up some coping skills, but it's not something I can always enjoy doing.
As you might expect, this makes maintaining romatic relationships a struggle, and my partners often cheat on me, which is another thing which triggers me. So, these things begin to stack up, and spiral out of control, which makes me feel even more vulnerable, and causes me to get even more defensive and emotional, or want to escape. So, I deal with a lot of depression and loneliness, etc. Which is why I can't stress how big of a deal these little autistic traits actually are. They really impact a person's life in really big ways, especially once these start to stack and accumulate together. People who think that these are such small issues really don't understand how detrimental they are to a person's well-being or ability to function, or have a fullfilling life.
That's one reason why I'm so greatful that there are people who make free videos like this, so that people like me don't have to feel so alone, misunderstood or hopeless. I'm honestly greatful for the blessing that these videos have been for me.
I was extremely good at hiding my autism, I was very hard to test for autism because I was so intelligent so I know exactly what I ”should” say and do. My examination (English is not my native language so can maybe be the wrong word for it) took 10 years. Now I know that I have autism, adhd and a place in Mensa.
I have multiple autistic kiddos, and am myself. My 13 year old has most of these. lol He started reading at 2, very high IQ, loud, very loud, but hates others being loud. lol Actually my loudest autistic kids are the ones who hate loud noise. It seems that goes hand in hand. Haha He still tip toe walks at 13. …And so many other things. All my autistic kids are so very different, like the saying goes, if you meet one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.
It's amazing how unique each child can be, even within the autism spectrum. Thanks for sharing your experiences! So Glad to have your perspective here. ❤️
I get overstimulated when there is a ton of noise and ton of people in the area
I was at work and it was the day before this thanksgiving and I work at target and I was down at self checkout and there was a ton of noise and people so I am grateful with a break because I was just not able to focus on what I’m doing
Thank you for sharing ❤️. Yes a lot of noise can really be problematic.
Remember, too, that just because a kid is intelligent and academically gifted, they won't necessarily do well in school. I had a CAT score of 118 at age 11 (top 16%-ish) and got good grades at school (particularly mathematics), but hugely underperformed compared to how I "should" have done/was expected to do. Classroom learning isn't at all conducive to my learning style. If we'd have had the information available and could've learned it in any way that suited us, I'd have got much better grades. Unfortunately that's not how the education system works. Wouldn't it be nice? Now I have free reign to learn things in the way that suits me, I've learned stuff a lot better, and I absolutely love learning things. Something I find difficult in terms of misconceptions is that people assume intelligent autistic people must have low support needs. I need a lot of support with daily living, communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, etc. (the list goes on), and things went extremely badly wrong when I was living on my own, but I have an IQ of 132, I play 7 instruments so far (not including different types of a particular instrument), I know the periodic table by memory, and can read in three languages besides English.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's important to recognize that traditional education systems don't cater to every learning style, and finding the right approach can make all the difference. Your journey of self-directed learning is truly inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
3:12 Funny, I barely detect any smell from eggs at all. There's something about the taste/texture of egg yolk, though, that results in me finding any form of egg where the yolk hasn't been altered somehow absolutely disgusting. I can eat egg whites, I can eat scrambled eggs with the white and yolk mixed, I can eat deviled eggs with the yolk heavily seasoned, but whether it's hard boiled or runny, I can't eat yolk on its own.
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Thank you for sharing your experience with eggs. 😉
One of my biggest sensory issues is lights. I NEVER turn on our overhead light in the living room and never open any of my curtains or blinds. Driving or riding in the car is also hard for me when the sun is strong. My eyes are very sensitive to light, even with good sunglasses.
I notice that Ezra’s aac tablet has a very bright screen. Have you tried turning the light down really low? Possibly even putting a blue tint on it? It might help him look at it more. I keep all my screens down very low.
I also can’t stand the heater to blow on me. For me, it’s the intense heat. It dries my nose out too. I don’t turn the heat on in my car and keep my bedroom vent closed, even when it’s really cold.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Sensory sensitivities can be really challenging, and it's great that you're finding ways to manage them. Lowering screen brightness and adding a tint is a great idea! We need to do that more.
- I will vomit if I see hair on clothes or plate.
- I cannot not cope with certain smells like Bananas all though I like eating them just can't stand someone else eating them. Also perfume and scented candles can't so.
- struggle with sleep my sleep can go well and then I can go without sleep for 2-3 nights straight and keep going during the day and after the 2or 3 days then I crash.
- I am Literal just say it simple and to the point. If you go on and on you will loose my attention.
- Things have to be done to even numbers like checking the doors are locked will check an even number of times.
- I love listening to loud music but can't cope when someone else does.
It sounds like you have some strong preferences! Thank you for sharing.
I can relate to a lot of this. Especially, the banana thing. Even thinking about it makes me feel sick. Although, I don't vomit, and instead just get very irritated and flighty. In fact, I've noticed that a lot of the odors which bother me tend to be "sweet" smelling ones. It's one reason why I can't stand air fresheners. I can sometimes like them if they are "natural" and "warm" smells like evergreen (pine, cedar, woodland), or lavander, vanilla or spice. However, they are often sweet and floral, which is even worse to me than whatever odor they are attempting to mask, which is already overwhelming enough.
I have ASD and ADHD, and so people really need to cut to the chase and keep things concise for me, or I might start talking over them, or even just get up and leave. I can't stand convoluted explanations or instructions. I need things broken down into neat little portions, but only after I'm given a broad overview. First, I need to know where things are going, so that I can know how to piece all the little little portions together. Yet, I can often command some truly archane and mystifying knowledge. Sometimes, I'm known to get into explaining some things to people which may seem a little perplexing. However, I also tend to be really good at answering questions and explaining things in an understandable way. People often thank me for helping them wrap their mind around subjects which have baffled them for a long time. Just don't ever ask me to explain how I'm able to solve difficult problems which nobody else knows how to solve. It would require a PHD, and we don't have time for that. Also, it's often mere intuition which has been honed from extensive experience, if I'm being honest.
I also like when things are nice, round numbers, but I don't get OCD about that, anymore. I used to be that way about other things, as well. For example, I used to hate being wet or even just a tiny bit damp. I would use a TON of paper towels, and those electric dryers were even worse, because I would stand there for forever. People would often get angry at me, but I honestly couldn't stand to have my hands being damp. Nope! Had to be bone dry. After a shower or swim, I would squilgee off my skin to assist with the towel's drying efficiency. Also, I would dry my hair to the point that it got all frizzy, because I couldn't stand it being even a little bit damp, and would spend long hours primping in the bathroom. Fortunately, I've managed to outgrow a lot of the little OCD quirks I used to have, but it took until middle-age, for me.
I also can't stand other people playing loud music, and especially when I can't agree on their musical taste. It is genuinely unbearable. Even worse is if it's an earworm I hate, I will literally go into a panic. I also can't stand hearing commercial jingles or repetitious slogans. I used to enjoy them as a child when I thought everything was a joke, but now I tend to take issues of my autonomy quite serious, and they make me feel threatened. I take issue with coersion in any form, and am highly resistant to manipulation.
You are really great parents! It's so nice that Simon talks a lot! Maybe Ezra will also starts to talk soon! Can I ask when Simon started to have at least 10-15 word vocabulary and saying those words out loud? I know Ezra is non-verbal but when he was a toddler 1-2-3 years old, does he said ma-ma, ba-ba, da-da or something like that? Can I ask what kind of toys Ezra liked when he was a toddler 2-3 years old? My little boy is 22 month old, and I have a hard time entertain him. He loves balls especially loves spinning them on the floor. I try to play with him back and forth rolling the ball on the floor, but it usually lasts only 2 minutes and he get bored. He enjoys looking at books together and he started grabbing my index finger to point to pictures in the book (he doesn't point with his own hand/finger). He enjoys when I singing to him he loves listen to music and watch music video clips on youtube. He also loves toys which are has some sounds and lights. He loves jumping on the trampoline, he loves stepping on the stepping stones, he loves running, but honestly that's all he loves. I don't know which toys should I buy to him. I want to grow his brain and challenge his mind but he doesn't want to do the shape sorter, he just mouthing everything and then throwing them. I tried/bought lots of different kinds of toys for my toddler, but nothing really worked... I really would be curious when Ezra was 2-3 year old which toys/activities loved he the most.❤
Simon talked with ten words together around three and a half years old. Ezra loved certain toys like cords and puzzle pieces that he would throw. He sounds somewhat similar to your boy at that age, when it comes to toys. Ezra didn’t really play with toys the way they were made. Simple inset puzzles were a good start though. That is what I would recommend. Really you just have to try new things and see what he responds to. Thank you for sharing. He is so blessed to have you, helping him and supporting him.
My sister and I both have good memories. My sister remembers names and dates very well but only sometimes remembers what she reads. I usually remember what I read but I struggle with names and dates.
It's interesting how our memories work differently! It's great that you both have your strengths. Each of you brings something unique to the table!
Itchy tags on clothes, the feeling of jeans, brushing my hair (it doesn’t matter if I do it or someone else does), sudden loud noises, and people touching me or resting their hand on my shoulder when I haven’t given them permission are all sensory triggers for me. Somehow, if I’ve given people permission to touch me, it’s not as bad as when I haven’t and they still touch me. I’m not sure why, though.
I'm a 21 year-old with autism, ocd, dissociation and possibly adhd. I have the first 2 signs for sure.
I'm more sensitive to the sun. Like, if it's cloudy and what others think is dark, I see it as if the sun was right into my eyes. I wear sunglasses outside all day until it is truly dark otherwise, I just can't see.
I have problems with sleeping but, it's not my autism so, this isn't a sign for me.
I still walk on my toes a lot, I have to wear shoes that have support on the ankles so that it helps me to not walk on my toes all the time.
I struggle with tags and certain collars for button-up shirts because of the sensory.
I still struggle with social interactions and communications. I sometimes need to have people rephrase their sentence or I'll have to explain what I mean because my communication isn't great.
I do the noise thing, I hate noise and get overstimulated from it quickly but, I also have verbal stims where I repeat the same thing non-stop. I'm also able to play clarinet yet struggle with hearing others make loud noises.
No idea for my IQ, I do know that I get 90+% in school with little to sometimes no studying in most of my classes, there's on a couple of classes that might require studying so, that's something.
I only ever had one or two friends, usually, that friend was either undiagnosed autism too or they were most likely neuro-divergent in another way. I was never able to make friends with neuro-typical people of my age.
I also learn differently from others, I don't actually pay attention in class cause I know that I need to figure it out by myself and/or go through the notes at my own paste to learn. I also learn better if I can manipulate what I'm learning.
I'm somewhat picky with food textures and I do have a good memory for numbers and other random things. If I like something, chances are that I will have memorised a lot about that subject and I'll know more then almost anyone else about it.
Even with all of this, I'm still level 1 autistic and I'm currently finishing my college degree, then doing 1 year of college for pre-requisites and then going to university to become an engineer.
(Sidenote, sorry for missing a lot of asd club meetings, I haven't had wifi at home since I moved in august for I can't join for now)
No problem, we have missed you Nathan! Thanks for sharing your experiences and hope things are going well besides the internet issues. :)
I totally relate to your experience of things being too bright outside even when it's cloudy. It has to be ominously about storm before I can say that I'm not totally uncomfortable with the daylight situation. It can be blinding, and cause my eyes to water to the point of becoming an altogether additional situation. Sometimes, this also makes my nose tingle, which can result in sneezing, but that is rare. I would even feel bothered by it indoors. My family used to call my bedroom my "dungeon", because it was always dimly lit, and I even had to have dark curtains over the windows to block out the light. Although confusingly, I don't like sleeping in total darkness, and actually prefer sleeping during the daytime hours. It actually feels safer, and my mind is more at peace.
Sleep issues seem to be a common experience, and I've personally found that sleeping during the day is often easier. Not having to go outside when it's daylight is a bonus. At one point, I even tried to work night jobs and live a late night lifestyle, but I ended up getting too lonely and dressed, because it's very isolating. Turns out that I can't stand living without the exact same human interaction I tend to avoid and find uncomfortable. My life is full of paradoxical arrangements.
I've often felt energized at dusk, and become more active at night. I'm often nonverbal during the early morning hours. My family knows to not even try talking to me after I first wake up, and especially during the early in the mornings, even when it's after I was awake all night. I'm likely to be very irritable if spoken to, if you even can get any response out of me, at all.
A lot of these issues have improved over time, but it's more to do with coping skills and simply not allowing myself to get upset about things I have no control over.
At the risk of going off on a tangent, I've often wondered if the sleeping during the day thing might be related to my empathic abilities. I've often heard people say that autistic individuals lack that skill, but it's the opposite for myself. I get overwhelmed by it, and will often avoid the situation because it's simply too much for me. It's one of the reasons why I don't feel comfortable making eye contact. I can even sometimes experience nightmares if I sleep in the same house as somebody who is going through a difficult situation. I wonder if I must pick up on all of this stuff from other people. I often feel more at peace during the daytime, and maybe this is because people's minds are more distracted during the day, and too busy to be transmitting all that psy energy or whatever? However, if you asked me describe the feeling, I actually feel more isolated and alone during the night. During the early mornings are the most stressful, though. That's when I'm often nonverbal and unresponsive. I sometimes wonder about this stuff, but obviously it sounds like a bunch of nonsense, and so I avoid dwelling on it. Just curious if anyone else has similar experiences, or competing theories.
My IQ is currently around 125. During childhood my teachers thought it was lower. When I was in about fourth grade my special education teacher thought my IQ was 60 at the most.
It's interesting to see how perceptions can change over time! Your journey just goes to show that intelligence isn't always recognized at first glance.
The whole time I was growing up my sister and I both woke up around two or three times per night (on average). This even happened after we had our own rooms.
That sounds a lot like Ezra. Would you guys talk and stuff when you woke up?
@ Once in a while but it wasn’t common. My sister and I have different interests and we didn’t usually feel like talking when we first woke up.
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Great imagination is definitely another one of my signs. I would play Barbies with one of my uncles every time he and my grandma came over to our house. At night, I would dream about playing Barbies and come up with the storylines that my uncle and I would act out. I also have extremely vivid dreams, and I al2ays have. I’m a very good writer, which is definitely help3d by the fact that my imagination is so vivid and wild.
I extremely good hearing so I can hear things most people can't. I can't block out the noise like most people can so it can lead to a meltdown
Also have trouble with certain textures
I'm a big.toe walker.
Thank you for sharing ❤️
Do you find wearing headphones helpful?
On the subject of repetitive or restrictive behaviors or interests I still have this even now in my late 40s. For example, over about the last three to four weeks my father has remarked in phone conversations that I always seem to be talking about current events, Canada, and potty training. This was around the time that I was typing most of the toilet training-related comments on videos on this channel. I’m pretty sure that he thinks I’m spending too much time living in the past and he’s also concerned that I might take a bus to Canada without mentioning anything about it first. I don’t know why he’s this worried about that unless I used to elope more than I remember. I know my sister did that when she was younger. I guess it’s possible that I also did this quite a bit and just don’t remember it for some reason.
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In my apartment building I always notice the smell of the radiator when it is on. Every year for the entire Winter I never really get used to it.
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The sensory input for me is lights in the same room being different levels of bright
Cut out all tags and even wear my pjs inside out because can’t cope with the seams, can’t get away with wearing day cloth inside out if I could I would!
12:35 I have 4 kids. The 2 youngest have autism lvl 2. My 5yr(also diagnosed with a learning delay) is limited verbal, he can say a word randomly on his own but 0 verbal communication & still has yet to say mama or daddy but can communicate w/ some gestures. My 6yr (no learning delay but ocd) did not start talking till 2 1/2 & it was a while before he said mommy & daddy. However, he was reading books to us as soon as he started talking(who knows how long he was reading to himself b4 words). He is currently in 1st grade & testing at a 3rd grade reading lvl.
My 6yr mixes up his words & says things "backwards" sometimes. Instead of saying unplug it, he will say plug it out OR unzip when he really means zip. As his mom, I have learned him, but I am always worried about people not being able to understand him or mistaking what he actually means(to no fault on them). Just like Simon, he learns very well, and that has greatly helped his progress. HOWEVER, it does cause a lot of frustration on his end and "acting out". I would be frustrated, too! My 5yr is pretty carefree atm lol(he has his moments, though).
Thank you for sharing your journey! It sounds like you’re doing an incredible job supporting your kids and helping them navigate their unique challenges. Appreciate you watching and sharing your insights here!
I love your content and I have a question about teeth, pulling what normally happens
Great question, yeah Simon struggle with it more. As around the other hand, we don’t really know what happens because I don’t think we’ve ever actually pulled one out.
Thank you!
My sister and I are both sensitive to tags. I don’t mention it to my parents because they don’t believe that it’s actually a sign. When my sister mentions it most other family members tell her that she is being too dramatic.
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Took a long time to feel comfortable with a group of friends
Can't touch anything with carbonation.
Sleep issues for sure.
Transitioning was the first clear sign it was raining and burnt out from transitioning to stores my mom tried to treat me to treat me to Tony's r us. Instead my fingers got smashed in a door.
Toe walking were common.
I am very outgoing around people but need a lot of time to decompress.
When I fly I pre board because of the transitioning.
11:36 - Thats why my high school says i dont need to be placed in special education & maybe thats why my mom has been denying my diagnosis but ive been 18 for a week now
Happy birthday last week!
You said that Ezra likes crunchy foods. So do I! Hey, Ezra: high five!
I eat something crunchy each meal (if I can). In the morning, I have crisp bacon. For other meals, I add tortilla chips or Pringles or something like that.
My sister said that when I was a child, I used to put potato chips on my sandwiches. (I remember doing that.) (I'm now 68 years old, so I wasn't diagnosed as a child, especially being a female with above-average intelligence.) I didn't just eat the potato chips WITH my sandwiches; I would put the potato chips ONTO the sandwiches (under the top slice of bread).
On the flip side, slimy foods will make me want to gag. It's only in learning about autism now that I understand why I'm fine with tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato ketchup, tomato paste, etc., but I can't eat tomatoes! Slimy. Yuck!
Thanks for your videos. God bless you all.
I’m starting antipsychotic medication soon and I heard that it can help aggression/irritability/emotional regulation in autism, another less known symptom of autism that can tie in with the first one mentioned. A part 2 of this would be interesting.
Thanks for the idea of a part two video. I hope the medication goes well. Finding the correct medication is a journey, and for us, it has been a long one.
If the show that Simon wanted to watch was on one of the streaming services it might have been possible to have him watch the show on the computer instead (if he was open to that possibility). He might not have been, but who knows?
Yeah, he probably would’ve been fine with that. 😊
vanilla, slurping cup or mixing ice in cup
I tend to toe walk even today. My sister and I are both level one but I used to be level two during childhood. Maybe that has something to do with why I still toe walk even today if I am not specifically focused on not toe walking.
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For me the smell of most fridges is overwhelming and no one notices the smell at all like my mom will put her whole face in the fridge and she smells nothing but I can’t stand it from another room as well as the sound of certain chargers they are so high pitched that it hurts my ears and head but no one can hear it as well as the tags on clothes and the seams of socks there are many more but these are some examples
I wonder if the screen might be too bright for Ezra. Bright screens sometimes bother me.
That is something to look into! Thanks for sharing!
My mom has trouble seeing my obscure level 1 autistic signs mainly in the 12 signs in the video , 7 ahead what do I do in that situation ?
Yeah, that could be a tricky situation for sure. We talk about that in this LIVE here...
ruclips.net/user/liveh_9EcKN3VMk?feature=share
Hearing someone chew is mine it literally makes me nauseous 😅
Thank you for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️
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Same
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I am am autistic female I can get over stimulated in moving crowds high pitched noises and depending on the situation repetitive noises. I don't really mind loud noises but for a long period of time it can get to much for example the full 30 minutes of lunch at school. I've got above average IQ but during school this year I'm struggling to get the information out of my mind it just won't go into my book or my mind just goes blank during some lessons my teachers have thought however in an exam everything comes out and i can do really well without revision i don't revise because i just don't feel like i need to because i can do well without it.and told me its because im lazy but other things is that i might not under stand what to do and i hate putting my hand up and asking for help it just feel awkward i dont like it. It just really depends on what it is I'm trying to learn everything has a different way for me to process of it some things are visual some are verbal it just depends.
Hey, I totally get where you're coming from! School can be a real struggle sometimes, but you’ve got this! Just take it one step at a time, and don’t be shy to ask for help when you need it. You’re not lazy; you just process things differently!
@@7Aheadfamily thanks
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Food textures often bother me. For example, I don’t like the texture of tomatoes.
Ezra is just the opposite with that. :)
i hate the sound that my coat makes if i have my hood up but i also hate the feeling of wind and rain and i also hate the noise that the things that people use to get cats away becuas they are realy high pich. does simon have hypermobility? because its made toe walking worse because my foot doslocates its self then i have to put it back into place and its hurts alot. in school my ta uses retorikal questions alot and its realy anoying because i dont know what to respond with
Thank you for sharing ❤️
No, I don’t believe Simon has that, sorry to hear about your foot dislocating. That does not sound like fun.
Maybe you could just say that’s a good question to your teacher. 😊
I can’t smell because Covid took that away from me in 2020 when I was in icu fighting for my life. Left with lung damage too. Anyway I always cut tags out of my clothes and I hate loud noises
I'm really sorry to hear about your experience with Covid. It sounds like you've been through a lot. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Ezra can say words now?
I wonder if the reason that Simon is no longer getting services is that the person who tested him most recently doesn’t believe that someone with an IQ of 100 or above can have autism.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Yeah, he just doesn't qualify for those particular services anymore.
If you see multiple autistic friends
I love you guys bit please... everytime you film in the room thats little picture collage is uneven
Great point! And thank you. We’ll have to watch that more closely next time. ❤️
"it's not going to hurt anything if you have concerns and want to get them addressed" I just said this to an acquaintance.
We both work in the child care field, I told her that I wasn't happy that they took the supports away as our daughter was doing so well that they didn't think she needed them anymore. She starts kindergarten in September and I want her to have the supports in place BEFORE she starts; obviously they think she is just "extremely shy" and she will adapt once that time comes.
I told her it is better to have them in place and not need them to the full extent, than to not have anything at all and have to struggle until someone agrees they are needed! Not many people understand my reasoning however....
As for the sensory things, my son HEARS vibrations. Lava lamps and those bubble towers he loves as they provide him both visual and auditory stimulation!
It's so important to advocate for our kids' needs! Having support in place can make a world of difference, especially as they transition to new environments like kindergarten. You're doing the right thing by speaking up!
My dad, my little brother both had adhd and autism
I just have autism and maybe a tiny bit of adhd, my older brother has none
❤️❤️❤️
My IQ is 142 tested 3 years ago but in 4th grade I tested with a 96 IQ. It’s strange
It's fascinating how our cognitive abilities can change over time! It just shows how much we grow and develop as we learn new things.
Yes absolutely difficulty with friends is pretty common within Autistic individuals, especially can be if they were mainstream- schooled like I..
Was said with respect and love 😘 As a Autistic person in my mainstream- school experience, most of my friendships were pretty up and down.....
Majority of the time♡♡ There was rarely any stability and, as I older always had that fear of having no friends left and being all alone due to past experiences
You're absolutely right! The shared experiences of neurodiverse individuals can create deep connections. It's wonderful that you found support in your brother and other friends who understand your journey.
@7Aheadfamily thank you so much I really appreciate that 😘🥰 I have always treasured the friendship I have with that individual and, with my brother seperately because of our close bond and twin- connection, I feel- like he..
Just always knew there was something different about me, even before I did as he were always so immensely protective of me, in our childhood and in our adolescence years as well said with love and kindness 🙂🫂 xo
It’s beautiful to hear how much you cherish those connections! Those bonds really do shape who we are.
I hate people breathing around me and touching me
I can’t deal with the smell or taste of eggs!
You and Ezra both!
Thanks for sharing. ❤️.
Has that always been the case with you?
@@7Aheadfamily No, my sensory experiences have changed over time
Thanks for sharing ❤️
You guys don’t get scared letting Ezra play with cords ?
Why does ezra head banging
I can't stand jeans they are so uncomfy cold and itchy also sherpa it to is very itchy
I totally understand where you're coming from! Comfort is key, and jeans can definitely be a struggle sometimes. Thanks for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️
I hate tags, lound noise and New people
Maybe you all have become nose blind 2 smells like with the heat in the car cuz your so used 2 it.
That's a great point! Sometimes we get so used to certain scents that we don’t even notice them anymore.