Here's to all the "quirky" people out there! Having identified with this and so many other similar videos, I seriously thought about being tested too, but as a woman in her 50's, I think I've lived this way for so long that it's better if I just accept and embrace the unique beautiful package I am without any excuses or explanations. That's where I am right now and it feels so freeing. I know there are people who will look down on me and consider me spacey and childlike, but I am not here for their or anyone's approval. I am here to be fully and freely me and connect with those who respect and appreciate that. That said I am proud of you taking these steps to better understand and appreciate yourself. You SO remind me of my niece who is currently undiagnosed, but am certain is also autistic. All the best to you on this new journey of self discovery! 💕

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! Your comment is just filled with happiness and positivity !! The 🦋 makes it even better. I love that you accept that childlike part of yourself. That’s the part I’m still learning to accept. Thank you so much for inspiring me today, I hope you have a great night and thanks for the sweet message!

@mehwishawan1626

9 ай бұрын

Can a 3 year baby with autism talk and communicate when he is grown?

@NE0Nwhip

5 ай бұрын

We embody our inner child

You did an excellent video honey. I'm 62 & just found out that I'm Autistic as well. It was a great relief to finally figure out why I am the way I am. I've NEVER fit in with anybody from kindergarten on. I definitely act like a child. Our kids always say I act like my granddaughter who was non-verbal up until this past year, who is 6 years old, & autistic .I'm not sorry. I love who I am. I don't worry about other people or what they think. I also have a service dog for mobility and Autism. When I get in a store, everything that is going on in my head, comes to a stop & I can't concentrate on anything. My service dog brings me back & helps me get thru the store. You are awesome & beautiful person!!!! Don't let anyone take that away from you!!! Have a blessed day. Prayers, peace, & much luv to ya honey. 🙏✝️❤️🕊️💜🌹

thank you for this vid! it makes me so happy to see other black female autistics!! 🥰 really wish I could find more irl

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Yes!! I’m so happy I did this, I hope it helped a lot. It feels like we’re so hard to find in person but I know we’re around! ♥️

@dafidansira6401

Жыл бұрын

Same here ❤️❤️❤️🥹

I'm 44, was recently diagnosed with ADHD and am fairly certain I'm autistic as well. Thanks for sharing, it's a rough journey so far, but it helps to hear other people's experiences.💜

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I’m just now seeing this!! Of course, and thank you for your support !

Congratulations on finding out and welcome to the community! I was diagnosed almost a year ago now. I've been building a playlist of autistic creators talking about autism so we can all find each other and so people can learn more about us. I just added your video to it. 🙂 You might not be a medical expert, but you ARE an expert on your own lived experience. The emotional roller coaster of examining all of our experience through a new lens is rewarding but exhausting. Take care of yourself and give yourself space for it to be hard. Sending happy vibes!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for welcoming me! Oh and thank you for that!! I’m gonna check them out and subscribe now :) ♥️

I am 53 and recently got diagnosed with Aspbergers and Add i recognize the part of how hard it was making friends and how much i enjoyed beeing in my "bubble"

You are not a weirdo! You are an interesting and intelligent person. Stand strong in yourself.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I was officially diagnosed with Autism two weeks ago! If it wasn't for people like you sharing their experiences about learning they were on the spectrum, I never would have known that I'm on the spectrum, too. I was made to feel bad about my differences growing up, and I've always carried a lot of guilt, but now I feel like I can let all of that go, and that's been life-changing. Thank you so much for sharing!! It's going to help a lot of people.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I watched so many KZread videos on autism before and after being diagnosed. Thank you for telling me this, it means a lot to me. I hope you continue to accept your own quirks more and more, and I hope you have a great weekend ❤️

I suffered for 10 years with severe depression not knowing I had autism. As a kid it was covered up by mostly ADHD type symptoms. Though, when I came into adulthood, it essentially wrecked my entire life and I nearly lost everyone and everything. Knowing is definitely a blessing. Understanding yourself and learning to love yourself is more valuable than any type of currency can buy in a lifetime. I don't know you, but I wish you luck and I'm glad you found out early.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I definitely agree that the diagnosis and knowing has been worth it. So many of us really are misdiagnosed for so long

Happy 2-year adversary! I enjoyed watching a car-tist for once after watching many cartheists.

I was diagnosed on April 6th of this year with severe adhd and autism, so only a few weeks ago. I feel the same. At first I felt so heart broken and cried a lot, but this week I feel a lot happier because I now know why things have been difficult. I’ve always considered myself to be a weirdo. Hope your journey becomes easier!♥️

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, there were so many emotions involved, and yet I knew it was all worth it in the end :) good luck to you too 💕

Very cool, Aneva! I love your openness and honesty. It’s too bad people get bullied for being different because I think being different is so much better than just conforming. I’m looking forward to watching more of your your videos. You’re going to inspire a lot of people!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for commenting something so positive and encouraging! It really helps me when I know I’m helping someone else. I really appreciate your support and I hope you have a happy day :)!

Hey! I got diagnosed in the summer too :) Long journey ahead of myself as well in terms of applying self acceptance. We are here for you! I'm so happy for you

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I never thought I’d be doing this back when I was just suspecting I was autistic. I’m so happy to hear that you’re on that same journey :) thank you for commenting !!

My daughter is 4 with ASD and is perfect in every way,just like you! Why fit in when you were born to stand out!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

That’s the best attitude to have, and because of my parents support and mindset, it’s gotten me this far!

Thank you so much for this video. I'm currently waiting for a diagnosis myself so I'm watching every video I can trying to learn about Autism, especially how Autism presents in women. The more videos I watch that are like yours the more I feel less alone. So thank you. x

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I wish you the best. I’m so glad it makes you feel less alone. We’re all here for you ♥️

Rooting for you as you go on your journey of learning, Aneva. Proud of you! 💫🐥

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Darien. Hehe the 🐥!

thank you for sharing your thoughts!! i'm really glad so many people are coming forward about being diagnosed in adulthood because it helped give me the confidence to finally get my autism diagnosis last month

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it took a lot of courage, and thanks to other KZreadrs and lots of articles, It was alot easier! Good luck with everything :)

I'm 19 and finally realised I could be autistic a few months ago, going to get a diagnosis. You're so beautiful!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Oh wow, I’m hoping for the best for you!! Thank you and good luck!!!

Wow you're stunning. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing this, I can relate

@Aneva

11 ай бұрын

Thank you, and you’re welcome!!

Great video! Best of luck with your diagnosis.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thanks for sharing your story, I got diagnosed 5 years ago when I was 42, and it was one of the best thing that I have ever done for myself. It certainly answered a lot of questions as to why I have felt so different to other people my entire life, and now I try not to mask so often as doing this is just so draining, if people cannot except me for who I am as I except them, I do not want anything to do with them. After my diagnosis of ASD I spent a lot of time researching the condition and it really helped me to accept myself in knowing that I was not alone, I did not realise that actors such as Anthony Hopkins,Dan Aykroyd, Daryl Hannah to name just a few also are on the spectrum.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Getting diagnosed has definitely helped with self-acceptance and not feeling the need to mask so much!

I just found your channel and I want to say you're incredible!

@Aneva

Жыл бұрын

Welcome! And thank you :)

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm in my 20s and starting to consider going for an assessment. For now, just enjoying spending lots of time learning more about autism

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I watched so many videos before going to get assessed so I definitely can relate to that!! And I’m just happy to be here!

Hey, I'm in my forties and just got diagnosed ASD this january as well on top of ADHD in my early twenties. Congrats on getting a diagnosis! As for the stuff about "weird," I would not consider it to be you insulting yourself at all. I am likely an outlier in this, but I definitely consider myself weird, strange, eccentric, etc, but for me personally, those were the only labels I had for myself for decades, and they lost the unwanted connotation for me long ago. For words like those, figure out for yourself if they are wanted or unwanted, and don't let anyone else, including me, tell you how to interpret or use them in regard to your self. As for me, I am weird, but now I can understand how and why those differences exist, and if I step outside of my self, they can be funny sometimes too. They are not bad, or twisted, or contrarian, just odd little quirks of me.

I have my assessment in May and I’m super nervous. Thanks for making this video

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Of course, it’s scary at first, but was definitely worth it for me. Good luck!

Interesting video. This just came up in my feed so it's the first one I've seen. I can relate to most everything you are talking about even though I am male and 59 years old. I discovered I am on the spectrum only 6 years ago and so spent a lifetime confused and distressed not understanding why I was different. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like If I had help earlier on in life. It's not as though I didn't figure out workarounds and masking to at least appear normal enough to fit in. Still, I found myself in breakdown mode in my 40s and isolating to a large degree in order to sort things out and try to better understand myself. I still find NTs challenging to understand and what is normal to the majority of people often seems indirect, dishonest and disingenuous to me. I'd still like to find a sincere way to interact with others. For me, trust remains the greatest casualty of being neurodiverse in a neurotypical world. Thank you for sharing your experience so honestly.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for commenting, I understand. Sometimes reality feels like the exact opposite of what other people tell us it is. It’s hard to imagine life being diagnosed on time. I always like to think that practice makes perfect when it comes to social interactions, but then it feels like there no real improvement sometimes. Hopefully with everyone’s input, we can help each other together.

Love you bestie!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I love you too Nya ♥️!!!

You are an Amazing and Brave person! Find your Tribe!! We are out here! :)

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your kindness. I hope you have a wonderful day :) !!

It's good that you're self aware. There's a lot of people who don't realize they have it until they're 40 or 50. And they have several broken relationships to lament over, as a result. Knowing will equip everyone in what to expect and how to proceed. And that's great. If you're struggling with anxiety, you can try Bovine Colostrum, studies are showing it can help with some autism symptoms. Good luck!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the info! Luckily there’s so much more support and information being shared nowadays. I’m so grateful.

Good for You!

Thank you for sharing this. I'm really really nervous right now going through the evaluation stages. I have more sessions to do and a big one coming up and I'm really anxious about it. I have a lot in common with what you had to say.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I was nervous during the process too, especially since it took over a month. Just try to not feel the need to mask so much. I had to stop masking during the assessments and it was so hard, but I wanted to be as transparent as possible. Good luck

@frostbittenarts

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aneva thank you 🙏 I need all the support I can get.

You’re so pretty and I love your makeup 😍

@Aneva

Жыл бұрын

thank you so much, and i LOVE your locs!!!

Thank you 🙏 for your braveness!!! My daughter and my son both.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Of course ! Thank you so much !

i've been very fortunate to have been diagnosed when i was 7 years old, especially once bipolar issues started to manifest when i was 18. having that diagnosis's made it much easier to work through it, although it has been difficult enough as it is

yayyy! im not the only one! im a 14 year old watching this and i got diagnosed when i was 8

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

You’re not alone !

07:33 *'Flat intonation'* - I was told so, with a _moralizing_ appeal that I should be more expressive. Nah - I'll just withdraw, It'll be fine... Same with relating to the elderly rather than peers. Should have started out as a pensioner and seek a career _downwards_ to public school... Glad, You made the video - it is useful to observe and compare the traits across a range of other factors like gender and ethnicity that could serve as 'masks'. Most dififcult question to me is professional occupation - which always feels like pretending to be someone else.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I’ve definitely been told to fake enthusiasm for sure, and the first thing I did in those moments was withdraw. I’ve still been watching other autistic KZreadrs and it’s so interesting to see how we’re all so alike, even with different backgrounds. I’m not even sure if I like being “professional” yet. Thank you for commenting!

@christophmahler

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aneva "I’ve definitely been told to fake enthusiasm for sure, and the first thing I did in those moments was withdraw." That's 'us', isn't it. Goofing around _alone_ is just 'funner'. " I’m not even sure if I like being “professional” yet" First, I thought, You meant Your channel, but then I realized that it is in response to my question. Yah, if _being reclusive_ only were a job - maybe with an entrance exam - I'd try that. In a way, de facto I do exactly that, currently by living of benefits - but it would be best if what I like to do is either easy to 'monetize', properly - being of use to others - or if I could produce food and energy on the side, just by myself - and interacting with society without commercial interests in the back of the head. That's how I feel about it - after working odd part time jobs for two decades and later facepalming over the 'social contests' at college (after GED) - where nobody seems to be interested in actual research... Currently, I phantasize about founding my own institute...

Thank you for your frankness you could have been talking about me!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate you telling me that, so happy to know we’re not as alone as we think we are :)

I have it to but I never been opened up about it until I was a adult and it's a step I have to take to be able to get comfortable to let the whole world know but I told ppl but not the whole world tho but I always always scared and afraid to tell people and I am not expert at autism either.... But I feel you and Im so glad to subscribe to your channel because I just always felt alone with having to be autistic known as autism.... 😔😔 But you got my support 🙂 ❤️❤️❤️

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I really hope that you can become more confident in being autistic. I want us all to be more proud of who we are ♥️

Hey my autizzy lil sis! I just got diagnosed last week! After seeing your video, I may start making some narcolepsy, autism, and neurodivergent videos. There aren't many you tubers making content about the black autistic experience, especially late diagnosed. I mostly found us on tiktok

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

you should definitely share your experience with autism. I seriously look forward to seeing more videos across cultures too. And it's always good to hear from other black autistic youtubers! I feel that in our culture, things like learning disabilities, disorders and mental health struggles get pushed down and ignored a lot. There are so many people who need support and need to feel like they're not alone.

Im autistic too, im a man of color, and it's definitely relatable what you have experienced. I always felt different than the rest, and I always struggled to make friends. Glad that im not alone here.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely not alone, and there are so many of us out there!

@naturalscratcher9498

3 ай бұрын

Definitely I’m 34 and just now finding out at the end of last year but I’m glad I found out because now I have 15-year-old daughter and I’m getting her assessed and getting her the services she needs even though I didn’t have them as a child! So yes it is very relatable thank you for sharing both of you

you're not weird at all, I feel the same as you, when I see other people, I can't believe I live in the same planet, and that they are actually human beings like me. I just can't get them. They're just so different. I am not talking about all of them, but a good majority of the people. My judgment is based more on understanding how other people's brain work, their behaviours and values, and how their values & behaviours don't match mine at all. Like I feel I'm so far appart I can't stop myself from feeling I'm so far appart from them.

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

studying psychology has probably helped me quite a bit, but yes, the thought processes seem to differ so greatly between ND and NT people. Like we might have some of the same opinions, but the reasons behind them could be completely different, just for example.

@MrErick1160

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aneva I just feel no connection & empathy from a lot of people. I feel it's really hard to get recognized as a human being. I've felt distant and alienated. But I also have "my crew" of people. I've managed to find people like me along the years, how do I know we fit perfectly? They are able to "see through" me & know why I do things and say things. They "read" me, and I "read" them naturally.

@MrErick1160

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aneva Perhaps it is because we have had more relatable experiences in life as we are more "similar".

Plus you're quite easy for me to understand.

07:50 You're not alone.

I applaud you for speaking your truth! This video just showed up, so i thought id watch. Im 47, so since im close to 50, maybe we could be pals. Anyway, i was diagnosed only 3 years ago, by accident, and so much about life makes sense now! ASD is so stereotyped! I get the, you dont look or act like an autistic person. But hey, im 47 and have been masking and training my brain to be neurotypical. Anyway, would love to hear from you. Im not youtube savvy at all, so i dunno if i'll get a notification if you reply. Peace!

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I'm so glad you got diagnosed. It really does make EVERYTHING make sense! The signs were always there, we just didn't know what to do with them. I think you'll get a notification! Thank you for sharing, It's nice to meet you :)!

i like to call it Autism spectrum condition instead of disorder, because the term condition is more neutral and autism tends to have a very rigid pattern of though process and behavioral routines, so it is kind of the opposite of a disorder (that is a lack of order, chaotic dysfunction etc)

me too. asd isnt easy .. let’s be friends

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Haha yes, easy is definitely not the word to describe asd

☺️👍

You are stunning that's what you are. 😍

Is the sound cutting out around the five minute mark for anyone else?

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Hey! It does cut out. I added captions under one of the English caption options! My video editor loves to cut out the audio and didn’t realize it until after the upload. Sorry!

@khandiieamerson1039

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aneva Thank you!!

💚💚💚💚💚💚 hi fellow aspie ☺☺☺

Hi I'm Noah i have autism also

You're gorgeous...

You sound more normal than most people

@Aneva

5 ай бұрын

I’ve practiced being normal more than most people

... same...??? But I'm undiagnosed....??????? I'm wondering if I'm autistic too

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

Watch as many videos as you can on autism! There are so many great KZreadrs that speak on the subject. I highly encourage you to seek a diagnosis if you feel it will be that answer you’ve been looking for, but diagnosed or not, you’re welcome here!

Me too baby I’m autistic myself and what zodiac sign are you I’m Aquarius

Wow, you so beautiful.

I also ate plants infront of people >o

@Aneva

2 жыл бұрын

worst part is they didn’t taste good 🌱

@sollinw

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aneva Yea even tho they were edible like magnolia

Enjoyed your video but to me and my profoundly autistic non verbal 37 year old adult son it's insulting. The modern day term they use now which is "On the spectrum" is absolutely ridiculous.My son suffers from actual life altering severe autism. He has no speech, he cannot drive,he needs help with dressing, bathing, I brush his teeth and shower him every day. Describing yourself as autistic is an insult and lack of respect to the individual s and their families who are actually suffering from the realities of living with this life altering disorder. Every other person thinks they are autistic now. Everybody wants their label.

@Aneva

6 ай бұрын

I deeply can understand your pain. I work with people like your son (preschool-21y/o) because I needed to understand better. I Can see where you are coming from. I recently made a video “A wake-up call to the autistic community” that I recommend watching. I speak about this. The reason you see an uptick in people “calling themselves autistic” is because the criteria changed. I would be diagnosed with a condition called Asperger’s Syndrome. In 2013, they merged many conditions into the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, and categorized autism by functioning levels. With my condition being categorized as level one autism. It’s important that people know this because it’s the difference between insulting people like you and your son (who would have the condition called “classic autism” that is formerly called “autistic disorder”) and just sharing the fact that the American Psychological Association (APA) changed the criteria for autism and the conditions in it. The book used to diagnose all individuals with mental conditions (including ADHD, Schizophrenia, Depression, Bipolar, and other developmental disabilities) is called the DSM. It’s the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. The current edition is the DSM5. So it is not up to us individually to call ourselves autistic. It is what we’ve been formally diagnosed as. I explain to people who have autistic children that I have Asperger’s syndrome to be kind- but Hans Asperger was responsible for the deaths of autistic individuals like your son, and he favored the people that were deemed higher functioning. What he did was evil, and a lot of us with Asperger’s syndrome don’t like to say we have it out of respect for the Jewish people who lost their lives during Hitler’s leadership as well as the autistic people who wouldn’t have survived. I hope the absolute best for you and your son, and coming from me directly: I know that you love your son more than anything in the world, and I thank you for everything you do for him. Many parents abandon their children who have special needs. But you sacrifice every day. And that’s not something I understood before. I am unable to speak for you, but you deserve a voice just as much as I do, and I hope to do that with my platform. With all of this, I still am deserving to speak about the issues I’ve had growing up, and the lack of support and the constant mistreatment I endured. People with level 1-2 autism are targeted by others more often because we appear more typical. We have high rates of suic*** and extremely high rates of depression. For many of us, every day is torture and rejection. Because we’re SO close to being “normal” but we are never good enough, and we take it out on ourselves because we feel flawed. We don’t get a pass, because no one wants to pick on the kid who is obviously different. It makes them feel like a bad person, like they can’t excuse it. But for us, we can speak. We can sit down with others at lunch. But people think we’re typical- but weird. And that gives them a pass to mistreat us. They’re two different worlds. I do wish you the absolute best, and I appreciate your comment. I hope 2024 brings you love and joy and support. I do not receive very many comments like this from parents of children with high support needs. But many of my coworkers are just like you. So I appreciate what you’ve said here. Again, happy new year ❤️

I like this video. However, the audio kept tripping. Update: The CC helped.

@Aneva

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I was fighting with that for so long. It was an export issue. Thanks though!!