Thank you so much for posting a video about your personal experiences with masking and unmasking. I had a similar experience with how you say you masked through art- I masked through writing! Every emotion that I refused to let other people see, I wrote stories about. I would share my stories with people, but if they didn't like the story, I felt rejected, so I eventually learned to keep my writing to myself. I'm still struggling to find that old spark I used to have. Writing used to be my main special interest, and I miss it.
Yes! I haven't heard someone talk about art but it was my socially acceptable way of stimming too. I got so much praise for my art and it angered me in some ways because it wasn't really what I cared about or wanted to do. It was something I could do without upsetting others or asking for support. For example, I loved trucks so I drew all the truck models I saw on my way to school taking careful note of the differences between them. I never showed people my book of truck models, I never talked about trucks, I never asked questions about trucks, I never asked anyone to teach me about mechanical work, I never showed my enthusiasm, but..... I got good at drawing. When I made art that other people would see I drew flowers, landscapes, portraits and other things that are pretty. So when people said things like "oh! You're so artistic look at how pretty this is" they had no idea how far off the artistic expression they saw was from my actual passions which would have required more support than pen and paper for me to explore as a child.
Hi I’m 15 and black and born a girl and I think I might be autistic but I’m scared to ask my doctor and talk to my parents because they said they would know if something was “wrong” with me and my dad said he thinks kids are “being diagnosed with too many mental disorders now” so I don’t know what to do. Also can you please go through the process leading up to your diagnosis and how and why you got diagnosed?
Hi! Trust me, you are definitely not alone. I know it can be frustrating when you know you have symptoms and no one believes you. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 21, and my doctor and parents/family had no idea so it’s definitely possible that they looked past it. When I went in for my diagnosis I took every symptom from the DSM-5 and wrote an example of it both in childhood and in adulthood. I sent the report to my psychologist and she read it. It was undeniable that I had autism then.
It's taking all I have not to cry after hearing your affirmations, and saying that it's all right to unmask. I really needed to watch this video. Thank you. :)
the shirts were the "tag" is printed onto the shirt is chef's kiss, and people always try to fix my tags. No, let them be shamed and exiled from my body. They do not deserve to lie across my skin, stabbing me to their heart's content. The 'i gotta put me first Lucious' meme comes to mind. I don't care if it looks "weird". Usually i cut them off, but often times I miss them until i actually put the shirt on..
I definitely relate to being super artistic younger but losing it later in life. It felt like a several year long block that I’m still working through. Now I’m looking at masking and how it’s affected me differently. I’m not officially diagnosed ASD but I suspect I have it.
I hate when people tap me instead of just saying my name to get my attention if they take their finger or two fingers or the tip of their fingers and tapped me on my shoulder on my arm my leg anywhere I hate that and I had no idea why and my mom does it to me and I cannot tell her to not do that to me but every time she’s laughing or telling me a story especially when we’re sitting in the car driving somewhere she taps me and I hate it but it’s my mom so I cannot say anything but it just sort of distracts me from what she saying because all I’m thinking is I wish she would not do that but I cannot say anything.. So if it’s a stranger I hate it and I work with kids and sometimes they can’t help it but I just remind them please don’t tap me just say my name and I will look at you all you have to do is say Miss B 🤦🏾♀️🤣But it’s so good to know why I feel this way because now I have no trouble saying please do not do that I don’t like it to anyone
And for me it’s not so much train sounds but it’s when helicopters fly directly over me I hate that because you can feel the vibration of the helicopter and I do not like it and I did not know why but now I do so I just except that I don’t like it and when it happens I try not to get frustrated but I just remind myself now I know why I don’t like this and it’s OK for me not to like it
@@AutisticallyKofi Its really wild how a lot of NDs have very similar interests… When i realized i was on the spectrum i sort of didn’t believe it, but then i searched on the internet… i Realized that i fux with a lot of stuff other NDs fux with also, so that helped me not feel TOO out there lol
Thank you so much for posting a video about your personal experiences with masking and unmasking. I had a similar experience with how you say you masked through art- I masked through writing! Every emotion that I refused to let other people see, I wrote stories about. I would share my stories with people, but if they didn't like the story, I felt rejected, so I eventually learned to keep my writing to myself. I'm still struggling to find that old spark I used to have. Writing used to be my main special interest, and I miss it.
I’m glad I encourage my little sister to keep writing stories!thanks for sharing your pain 💜💜💜
I do the same thing. Writing is one of the places I feel the most comfortable to be myself.
Yes! I haven't heard someone talk about art but it was my socially acceptable way of stimming too. I got so much praise for my art and it angered me in some ways because it wasn't really what I cared about or wanted to do. It was something I could do without upsetting others or asking for support. For example, I loved trucks so I drew all the truck models I saw on my way to school taking careful note of the differences between them. I never showed people my book of truck models, I never talked about trucks, I never asked questions about trucks, I never asked anyone to teach me about mechanical work, I never showed my enthusiasm, but..... I got good at drawing. When I made art that other people would see I drew flowers, landscapes, portraits and other things that are pretty. So when people said things like "oh! You're so artistic look at how pretty this is" they had no idea how far off the artistic expression they saw was from my actual passions which would have required more support than pen and paper for me to explore as a child.
Can I just say you are so beautiful!
Thank you so much! So are you!
Hi I’m 15 and black and born a girl and I think I might be autistic but I’m scared to ask my doctor and talk to my parents because they said they would know if something was “wrong” with me and my dad said he thinks kids are “being diagnosed with too many mental disorders now” so I don’t know what to do. Also can you please go through the process leading up to your diagnosis and how and why you got diagnosed?
Hi! Trust me, you are definitely not alone. I know it can be frustrating when you know you have symptoms and no one believes you. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 21, and my doctor and parents/family had no idea so it’s definitely possible that they looked past it. When I went in for my diagnosis I took every symptom from the DSM-5 and wrote an example of it both in childhood and in adulthood. I sent the report to my psychologist and she read it. It was undeniable that I had autism then.
omg when you started talking about clothes i immediately looked over to my own pile of clothes on the sofa lol
It's taking all I have not to cry after hearing your affirmations, and saying that it's all right to unmask. I really needed to watch this video. Thank you. :)
I’m so glad it helped. ♥️
Always happy to see a post from you. It's refreshing the way you film over various days vs a few takes.
the shirts were the "tag" is printed onto the shirt is chef's kiss, and people always try to fix my tags. No, let them be shamed and exiled from my body. They do not deserve to lie across my skin, stabbing me to their heart's content. The 'i gotta put me first Lucious' meme comes to mind. I don't care if it looks "weird". Usually i cut them off, but often times I miss them until i actually put the shirt on..
Ashe to ALL of this!! I felt empathetic grief when you described masking through art, something I think I have to work through.
I definitely relate to being super artistic younger but losing it later in life. It felt like a several year long block that I’m still working through. Now I’m looking at masking and how it’s affected me differently.
I’m not officially diagnosed ASD but I suspect I have it.
Thank you for this video. It almost brought me to tears, love your courage to stop masking :)
:) ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ thank you for this …. I have so much to say and no energy to type .. but a simple thank you 🙏🏿 will suffice
You are very welcome 😊♥️
I hate when people tap me instead of just saying my name to get my attention if they take their finger or two fingers or the tip of their fingers and tapped me on my shoulder on my arm my leg anywhere I hate that and I had no idea why and my mom does it to me and I cannot tell her to not do that to me but every time she’s laughing or telling me a story especially when we’re sitting in the car driving somewhere she taps me and I hate it but it’s my mom so I cannot say anything but it just sort of distracts me from what she saying because all I’m thinking is I wish she would not do that but I cannot say anything.. So if it’s a stranger I hate it and I work with kids and sometimes they can’t help it but I just remind them please don’t tap me just say my name and I will look at you all you have to do is say Miss B 🤦🏾♀️🤣But it’s so good to know why I feel this way because now I have no trouble saying please do not do that I don’t like it to anyone
omg thank for this I see you me in you... and I legit in shock to hear you speak. In my head im like does she know me? lol
Yes! I’m so glad you feel accurately represented 😁
I just found your channel and I really relate to a lot that you’ve said. Thank you for being so open and I hope you’re having a great day !
And for me it’s not so much train sounds but it’s when helicopters fly directly over me I hate that because you can feel the vibration of the helicopter and I do not like it and I did not know why but now I do so I just except that I don’t like it and when it happens I try not to get frustrated but I just remind myself now I know why I don’t like this and it’s OK for me not to like it
thank you so much for telling us to take our time and be kind to ourselves when unmasking
I feel like I might need to be evaluated as well. I get fidgety alot too. And still do.
Very brave!! I love your honesty. ❤️
Words we needed to hear! Thank You!
thank you
Im the same with clothes and I have a grey dog (large) a grey rabbit (medium) and a black/white skunk (small) for the same reason as your bear
Looking forward to more content 😊
thank you for sharing this ma sis! keep it up! cheers from brazil :)
Thank you for this
Great advice. You seem very happy.
You’re so beautiful
I like Halloween too 🙃
you are gorgeous!!!
Yoo I also play bass and I am also a ND!!
that’s so cool!
Yay! That’s so awesome 🤩
@@AutisticallyKofi Its really wild how a lot of NDs have very similar interests…
When i realized i was on the spectrum i sort of didn’t believe it, but then i searched on the internet… i Realized that i fux with a lot of stuff other NDs fux with also, so that helped me not feel TOO out there lol
I didn't know everything isn't supposed to be so hard
Thanks for the Video. I am a new Subscriber
Beautifully said 😌
Can we be bffs? We’re very similar