interesting to hear you talk about Camus at the end there - the friend who first told me i might be autistic (after she had been diagnosed) mentioned that book, and said she read Meursault as autistic. i reread the book recently and really agreed with her. the scene on the beach is sensory overload, for example, and actually a very validating description for me since heat is the biggest trigger for my overload and i don't see other autistic people talking about it much.
You were so lucky that you could get an appointment in West Sussex so quickly. I have been waiting nearly two years. I'm 63 and live in Brighton. The long wait is horrible.
First off, I wanna thank you for making this video. It was very interesting to watch. On the one hand due to the fact that I am one day (hopefully) going to be some sort of doctor myself and how one can make the people they're talking with feel more included and safe in the conversation. But I found it also very interesting to hear you talk aout your feelings and thoughts and stuff. Now, I never thought I might be autistic, and I still don't really think I am, but it was kind of eye opening how many traits you described that feel very familiar, you know? I think what you did here with that video (and I am sure it wasn't necessarily easy to talk about such personal matters online) is very important as it does show that the predjudice about autistic people aren't really always true. I know that's bad, but somehow when hearing the word autistic my mind goes to people that aren't able to cope and deal with the world or communication at all. It's not good and I'm sure I'm sadly not the only person jumping to those images, but I feel like you showed clearly, that that's not always the case. You portryed a young woman with a job that's standing in the middle of life and very much able to communicate with people, which, I feel like, is not an image that is often portryed in media and stuff. So, yes, thank you for sharing your story and giving me a lot to think about.
Here's a page which is a primer to differing presentations of autism with regards to gender: www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/gender.aspx I told a colleague the other day that I was autistic, and she was a bit... Like, she said something along the lines of "well you're not very autistic then" and "my friend's got a little boy who's autistic, so we know a lot about it" and I'm thinking 'a) it's an autism SPECTRUM, you can't tell me I'm not 'very' autistic and b) brb while I get together all of my research'. I think people really do see autism as something which only presents in one or two ways (little boy who can't cope with any sensory or social stimuli or adult man who's socially awkward and highly intelligent), and whilst those people do exist, they're not the only ones. Yay autism awareness!
Really interesting Megan. I love Camus' philosophy too! I was diagnosed autistic age 21, and love hearing about other experiences, particularly from those who live in the UK.
this was really good to watch was so informative was diagnosed myself in june and also had a good experience they were so helpful and really explained the whole process well and made it as easy and comfortable as possible glad you had a good experience and got your diagnosis xxx
if like you said you want a more in depth discussion about someone elses diagnosis or thoughts then you're welcome to drop me a message on twitter im @ craftsytardis xx
Great video Meg, 3 years late. Oh well. I'm an adult with undiagnosed dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADD and a condition called Auditory Processing Disorder. I'm slowly getting help from my GP, being referred to various places to be assessed for all these conditions. So hopefully by next year I'll have a full diagnosis. Watching from London.
Hey! How did it go? Did you get a full diagnosis? I recently got assessed for ASD and should get my results soon. I've felt like I've had ASD for years but only now bucked up the courage to admit it and actually seek help. Hope all is well! ( from London also!) 😊
Well, your video taught me the word allistic, which makes sense as "allo" is "other" just as "auto" is "self". I was diagnosed over 20 years as a teenager, back when the NHS wasn't collapsing, and I think it genuinely changed my life, though of course I didn't realise it at the time.
Hi. Thanks for your great video. I relate a lot and it really helped. I just had the first part of my assessment. I'm aware that I mask A LOT, have learnt lots of social chit-chat skills from previous therapy and force eye contact. I think i passed the eye/emotion test. I'm quite good at analysing them looking for common patterns but am bad in a real life context, knowing if what they are exhibiting makes sense contextually. If I can read expressions, and forced myself to be social in the appointment could they say I'm not autistic? Did you have that worry, and if so what did you do? I fit many of the other criteria, just have worked really hard on copying social behaviour so often get overlooked (like many women).
Emily Webster I think the best thing you can do is be honest and say that you're really making an effort to do all these social things, that you've had to consciously learn them. Best wishes!
I think I came across your channel because Steve Silberman retweeted another of your videos? So this comment is kind of late relative to when you shared this, and your thoughts might well have changed and developed since then, I don't know. Anyway, I just thought I'd say I enjoyed watching. I'm impressed with the assessment service where you are, it sounds very affirming. The psychologist I saw was also quite good, which I don't think I fully appreciated at the time as I was too hung up on worrying she would dismiss anything I said, but my parents (who attended with me) really liked her, too. Did you have the opportunity to access post-diagnostic support? I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, and initially found it a huge relief, but as time has gone on I've realised that adjusting my self-perception and learning not to blame myself for the things I have trouble with is a lot more difficult than I expected. For my part, I definitely wish adult autism services in the UK went beyond "we'll assess you and leave you to fend for yourself with this new information"... just more help coming to terms with the whole thing would be useful, I think. What you said about 'needing permission' really resonated for a similar reason, as I don't see a lot of people talking about feeling that way but it's definitely how I experienced diagnosis. And to be honest, it's definitely an ongoing process, unlearning all that internalised 'how dare you not fit in' stuff... having a professional opinion to challenge it with is definitely helpful, though!
I didn't have much in the way of post-diagnostic support, no. The assessor did ask what I wanted to get out of this/what I wanted to happen next, but I couldn't really think of anything? Some sort of counselling might have been nice, but tbh what's helping me most is finding Facebook groups and reading books which help me understand other people's experiences of the same thing. It gives me a pattern to work from, in a way.
Thank you so much for sharing this. A lot of what you talked about really resonated with me, particularly the bits about not starting conversations and planning out your day. I've often gone months at a time without talking to people I'm fairly close to, just because I didn't have a particular reason to talk to them and I find it extremely difficult to initiate a conversation without a particular reason. Also, I plan my day so rigidly that, back when I used to smoke, I would only do so at particular time intervals, regardless of how much I wanted one at that time. Even what you said about finding a label for your sexuality struck a chord for me. I'm pansexual, but almost 3 decades had elapsed between when I realized that I'm in the middle of the spectrum, in my mid teens, and first seeing that word a few years ago and when I first read the definition it was an absolute revelation. So many things seemed for finally make sense, just because I now had the right label for that one part of myself. I think I'm going to have to look into the rest of the symptoms. Incidentally, I recently bought a Fidget Cube as well and was also underwhelmed by it. The old handheld game that I've kept on my desk for years without batteries, to push the buttons, is still far more effective. At least the Fidget Cube is more portable and subtle, so I'll still get some use out of it.
My worry is that my gp has a tendency to ask dvla to revoke driving licence , i am worried about formal diagnosis as i would no longer be able to work with no licence.
I just had my GP appointment and at the end, she said that someone would be in contact with me with a letter through the post - You said that it took a couple of weeks for yours to come through, do you know roughly how many?
You are such an inspiration!!!!!!!! I don't even think I can put into words why you're so inspirational... but yeah doesn't change the fact that I nonetheless think you are lol So yeah a million _thanks_ for creating this video 👍
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
i'm so glad you had such a good experience getting a diagnose, it's really nice to hear about, and i'm glad it's helping you to accept yourself more
Good luck!!
Albert camus french existentialist the myth of sysiphus
interesting to hear you talk about Camus at the end there - the friend who first told me i might be autistic (after she had been diagnosed) mentioned that book, and said she read Meursault as autistic. i reread the book recently and really agreed with her. the scene on the beach is sensory overload, for example, and actually a very validating description for me since heat is the biggest trigger for my overload and i don't see other autistic people talking about it much.
You were so lucky that you could get an appointment in West Sussex so quickly. I have been waiting nearly two years. I'm 63 and live in Brighton. The long wait is horrible.
I know, I think I snuck in there just before the waiting lists started to grow so much.
First off, I wanna thank you for making this video. It was very interesting to watch. On the one hand due to the fact that I am one day (hopefully) going to be some sort of doctor myself and how one can make the people they're talking with feel more included and safe in the conversation. But I found it also very interesting to hear you talk aout your feelings and thoughts and stuff. Now, I never thought I might be autistic, and I still don't really think I am, but it was kind of eye opening how many traits you described that feel very familiar, you know?
I think what you did here with that video (and I am sure it wasn't necessarily easy to talk about such personal matters online) is very important as it does show that the predjudice about autistic people aren't really always true. I know that's bad, but somehow when hearing the word autistic my mind goes to people that aren't able to cope and deal with the world or communication at all. It's not good and I'm sure I'm sadly not the only person jumping to those images, but I feel like you showed clearly, that that's not always the case. You portryed a young woman with a job that's standing in the middle of life and very much able to communicate with people, which, I feel like, is not an image that is often portryed in media and stuff. So, yes, thank you for sharing your story and giving me a lot to think about.
Here's a page which is a primer to differing presentations of autism with regards to gender: www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/gender.aspx
I told a colleague the other day that I was autistic, and she was a bit... Like, she said something along the lines of "well you're not very autistic then" and "my friend's got a little boy who's autistic, so we know a lot about it" and I'm thinking 'a) it's an autism SPECTRUM, you can't tell me I'm not 'very' autistic and b) brb while I get together all of my research'. I think people really do see autism as something which only presents in one or two ways (little boy who can't cope with any sensory or social stimuli or adult man who's socially awkward and highly intelligent), and whilst those people do exist, they're not the only ones.
Yay autism awareness!
Really interesting Megan. I love Camus' philosophy too! I was diagnosed autistic age 21, and love hearing about other experiences, particularly from those who live in the UK.
this was really good to watch was so informative was diagnosed myself in june and also had a good experience they were so helpful and really explained the whole process well and made it as easy and comfortable as possible
glad you had a good experience and got your diagnosis xxx
if like you said you want a more in depth discussion about someone elses diagnosis or thoughts then you're welcome to drop me a message on twitter im @ craftsytardis xx
Great video Meg, 3 years late. Oh well. I'm an adult with undiagnosed dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADD and a condition called Auditory Processing Disorder. I'm slowly getting help from my GP, being referred to various places to be assessed for all these conditions. So hopefully by next year I'll have a full diagnosis. Watching from London.
Hey! How did it go? Did you get a full diagnosis?
I recently got assessed for ASD and should get my results soon. I've felt like I've had ASD for years but only now bucked up the courage to admit it and actually seek help.
Hope all is well! ( from London also!) 😊
Well, your video taught me the word allistic, which makes sense as "allo" is "other" just as "auto" is "self".
I was diagnosed over 20 years as a teenager, back when the NHS wasn't collapsing, and I think it genuinely changed my life, though of course I didn't realise it at the time.
Thank you for your video how the process works in the UK. Have been diagnosed in Sweden. Mostly active at instagram.
am in the us and we call them gp's as well. also it works the same way here when youre on state insurance you have to be referred to specialists
This GP you spoke of seems to be mentioned in a lot of other diagnosis videos. Different people getting exact same response from their GP.
Hi. Thanks for your great video. I relate a lot and it really helped.
I just had the first part of my assessment. I'm aware that I mask A LOT, have learnt lots of social chit-chat skills from previous therapy and force eye contact. I think i passed the eye/emotion test. I'm quite good at analysing them looking for common patterns but am bad in a real life context, knowing if what they are exhibiting makes sense contextually.
If I can read expressions, and forced myself to be social in the appointment could they say I'm not autistic? Did you have that worry, and if so what did you do? I fit many of the other criteria, just have worked really hard on copying social behaviour so often get overlooked (like many women).
Emily Webster I think the best thing you can do is be honest and say that you're really making an effort to do all these social things, that you've had to consciously learn them. Best wishes!
Love this video - I'm 27 and going through the assessment process :D This made me giggle!
How did it go? I'm 23 and going through the assessment process now 😊
I think I came across your channel because Steve Silberman retweeted another of your videos? So this comment is kind of late relative to when you shared this, and your thoughts might well have changed and developed since then, I don't know. Anyway, I just thought I'd say I enjoyed watching. I'm impressed with the assessment service where you are, it sounds very affirming. The psychologist I saw was also quite good, which I don't think I fully appreciated at the time as I was too hung up on worrying she would dismiss anything I said, but my parents (who attended with me) really liked her, too.
Did you have the opportunity to access post-diagnostic support? I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, and initially found it a huge relief, but as time has gone on I've realised that adjusting my self-perception and learning not to blame myself for the things I have trouble with is a lot more difficult than I expected. For my part, I definitely wish adult autism services in the UK went beyond "we'll assess you and leave you to fend for yourself with this new information"... just more help coming to terms with the whole thing would be useful, I think. What you said about 'needing permission' really resonated for a similar reason, as I don't see a lot of people talking about feeling that way but it's definitely how I experienced diagnosis. And to be honest, it's definitely an ongoing process, unlearning all that internalised 'how dare you not fit in' stuff... having a professional opinion to challenge it with is definitely helpful, though!
I didn't have much in the way of post-diagnostic support, no. The assessor did ask what I wanted to get out of this/what I wanted to happen next, but I couldn't really think of anything? Some sort of counselling might have been nice, but tbh what's helping me most is finding Facebook groups and reading books which help me understand other people's experiences of the same thing. It gives me a pattern to work from, in a way.
Meg Birch when did you get diagnosis
Randa Nour January this year
Thank you so much for sharing this. A lot of what you talked about really resonated with me, particularly the bits about not starting conversations and planning out your day. I've often gone months at a time without talking to people I'm fairly close to, just because I didn't have a particular reason to talk to them and I find it extremely difficult to initiate a conversation without a particular reason. Also, I plan my day so rigidly that, back when I used to smoke, I would only do so at particular time intervals, regardless of how much I wanted one at that time. Even what you said about finding a label for your sexuality struck a chord for me. I'm pansexual, but almost 3 decades had elapsed between when I realized that I'm in the middle of the spectrum, in my mid teens, and first seeing that word a few years ago and when I first read the definition it was an absolute revelation. So many things seemed for finally make sense, just because I now had the right label for that one part of myself. I think I'm going to have to look into the rest of the symptoms. Incidentally, I recently bought a Fidget Cube as well and was also underwhelmed by it. The old handheld game that I've kept on my desk for years without batteries, to push the buttons, is still far more effective. At least the Fidget Cube is more portable and subtle, so I'll still get some use out of it.
Blew my mind with camus there, love camus, great video
Camus???
Awesome video. :-) thanks. Also the ending really made me laugh, can relate! 😁😁😂
My worry is that my gp has a tendency to ask dvla to revoke driving licence , i am worried about formal diagnosis as i would no longer be able to work with no licence.
You wouldn't lose your driving licence after getting an Autism diagnosis!
11:11 engaged in creating your persona, more like
ummmm. everything you said sounds like me pretty much
Hi I have Autism too :)
I just had my GP appointment and at the end, she said that someone would be in contact with me with a letter through the post - You said that it took a couple of weeks for yours to come through, do you know roughly how many?
I think about two or three, but I honestly can't remember.
You are such an inspiration!!!!!!!! I don't even think I can put into words why you're so inspirational... but yeah doesn't change the fact that I nonetheless think you are lol
So yeah a million _thanks_ for creating this video 👍