- [Narrator] Hey there.
Thanks for joining us here at Psych2Go.
Just by watching this video,
you're showing a curiosity about others,
which makes the world a better place.
You've heard about the spectrum.
Phrases like, "I'm on the spectrum,"
or phrases like, "Maybe they're on the spectrum."
But what does it really mean?
Firstly, a spectrum in this case
is a condition or scale
that suggests variance.
Meaning there are wide varieties
of types that can fit within.
Autism is itself a spectrum.
So although awareness of its existence
has increased recently,
so have the misconceptions.
This has led to harmful myths and stereotypes,
mostly around the use
of all-inclusive generalizations,
such as any statement using "all" or "never."
You may not even realize they're not true.
So come along with me to learn more
about this spectrum.
Here are six things autistic people
want you to know
written by our autistic specialist writer,
and based on his experiences
and the experiences of others on the spectrum.
Number one, we're not all geniuses.
Don't deny it.
I know you're mentally playing scenes
from the movie "Rain Man" right now.
Stop, desist, please.
I mean, we're flattered you think
we're super human observers
with computer-like abilities of calculation,
but most of us aren't.
Trust me, this belief simply sets us up
for failure and disappointment,
for the both of us.
It doesn't benefit anyone.
The reality is that we're finding
certain basic activities
like speaking or making appointments
incredibly difficult.
If you're expecting this uber human,
we'll both just experience
uber disappointment and frustration.
Additionally, this pedestal gives the impression
that we don't need any sympathy and support
because we're so gifted.
Number two, we're not all beyond hope.
All right, so we've established
that we're not all human supercomputers.
And on the flip side,
we're not all completely, utterly,
hopelessly incapable either.
Remember, variance.
Unfortunately, even well-meaning experts
can dismiss those on the spectrum
as being eternally a drain or load
with no ability to learn or improve.
You might recognize it
when they use the word "never" too much.
Like they will never graduate,
never get a job, et cetera.
We appreciate that our increased difficulty
with these normie activities
is being recognized.
However, calling them impossible or "nevers"
deny us the encouragement
and guidance needed
to see if it's even possible.
We're at risk of being locked out forever.
This "never" assumption forces us
to be less self-sufficient.
Number three, we're just as varied as you.
Remember the whole spectrum thing?
The whole point of recognizing the spectrum
is to show there is a range.
Thinking we're all the same thing
is exactly the opposite of a spectrum.
We're not a "you've met one, you've met them all"
kind of group.
Individuals on the spectrum
have just as much variety as those outside it.
And it's not just a simple scale
from high to low functioning,
a whole bevy of variable factors
make up each individual profile
including, but not restricted to,
issues with sensory overload,
physical coordination or communication.
Also, sorry, not sorry, Hollywood,
we're not mostly young Caucasian males.
The spectrum doesn't discriminate.
Not by gender, race or age.
There is no typical.
Cramming us all into a typical
cookie cutter isn't helpful.
Number four, we're not trying to make you uneasy.
It's a well-known trope
that the unknown or unfamiliar
is the scariest thing ever,
but it could be illogical.
No Spock jokes, please.
Basically, social things that are automatic to you,
things as natural as breathing,
are things we have to execute
as consciously as writing an exam.
Stress much?
All right, here's a scenario.
You talk to someone.
You naturally stand or sit
a certain distance away
that is acceptable
to the culture you live in.
You look them in the eye
and break eye contact every few seconds.
The other person reacts to something you
say with a surprised facial expression
with widened eyes and open mouth.
You pause and adjust your tone and volume
to continue the conversation
in accordance with this reaction
and the environment.
Did you think about any of that?
I mean, did you seriously in your head say,
"Oh, they look surprised.
"I have to react appropriately."
Likely not.
You just do it.
You know what happens with us?
We think consciously of every aspect
as that paragraph reads.
"I have to break eye contact now
"and now and again.
"Am I too far away, too close?
"Okay, the person's eyes widened.
"Their mouth is opened.
"They are shocked.
"All right, how do I respond to this?"
And our neurology means
this can't be learned
as an autonomous response.
We consciously memorize rules
and scripts for your comfort
so you can feel
we appear normal enough
to communicate with us.
Otherwise, we appear unnatural,
possibly creepy to you,
and we're shunned or worse.
When someone stands way too close
or laughs and smiles at totally the wrong time,
sure, that can be creepy
and sometimes threatening,
but only if that person
is well aware naturally
that these behaviors are not acceptable
and does them anyhow.
With us, we actually have no idea.
And there's sometimes a delay
before our conscious thought kicks in and says,
"Hey, not the right time to laugh.
"And you're standing too close.
"Look at yourself.
"You are now just staring at the person.
"You haven't broken eye contact in time.
"Okay, how are you going to adjust now?"
Unfortunately, our neural differences
aren't readily visible
and awareness isn't to the point yet
where people automatically consider,
"Hey, is this person on the spectrum?"
It's still, for the most part,
an automatic jump to "danger, danger."
And this is especially dangerous for us
because we are seven times more likely
to encounter law enforcement.
These encounters often turn violent
when our mannerisms and stress responses
are misinterpreted as suspicious or threatening.
Just as a side note here,
the most dangerous people
are often actually
perfectly charming and charismatic.
You know, the too good to be true types.
Number five, we're often more not okay than we let on.
Does doing all that extra processing sound exhausting?
You're right, it is.
We're constantly navigating a reality
that expects things
that aren't natural
and neurologically can't be autonomously learned by us.
It's not a choice.
We are forced to manually
mask our behavior
to blend in with neurotypicals.
When we mask,
we hate to hear that
we're acting normal or less autistic.
Like it's a compliment.
In reality, it just means
we're very good at hiding
the constant stress,
hours of prep before an activity,
and hours of burnout after.
The endless over analysis,
years of trauma,
and development of majors
psychiatric and health problems.
Our average lifespan is only 36 years,
which can be partially explained
by the increased suicide rate.
It's nine times higher
than the general population for adults
and 28 times higher for children.
Those of us who have been labeled
high functioning or mild by others,
aren't necessarily struggling less.
We're just better at faking it.
Number six, our reality is not your joke.
Autism is a real medical neurological condition.
It's not a choice
and it's not some curable illness.
Joking about it or using the term "autistic"
as an offhand insult
lessens its gravity in reality.
The unthinking burns
allow the stigma to fester.
It also allows our actual medical condition
to be lumped into other stereotypes and slurs
that belittle our struggles.
Ignorant people see our social difficulties
and label us loners.
They see our awkward interactions
and label us creeps.
Or they see our troubles with self-care
and label us neckbeards
without giving a second thought
to the difficulties
that are beyond our control.
We're already putting in daily Herculean efforts
to make you comfortable
and maintain the basic social norms
of your neurotypical world.
We are running a 24/7 equivalent
of a marathon, CrossFit, bootcamp combo.
And this is all for you, the normie.
So imagine what it's like,
despite all of this,
that we're dismissed, humiliated or villainized.
To avoid doing this,
all you'd have to do is ask
or at least care enough to get some facts.
So there you have it.
Six things autistic spectrum people want you to know.
This isn't a lecture.
We just want to raise awareness and understanding,
which we hope leads to true acceptance.
Have you learned anything new?
Let us know what you found most interesting
in the comments below.
Don't forget to like
and share this video
if it helped you
and you think it could help someone else too.
If you're interested in learning more,
check out the reference list below.