High Functioning Autism (It's NOT what you think!!) | Patrons Choice

I used to work at microsoft, had a beautiful wife of 10 years, lots of friends aaaand.... now I'm 37, off and on homeless, divorced, no job, and am struggling to restart my life. You pretty much nailed it. I have no idea how to fit into this world any more, how to make friends or even if I want to since people are not understanding... If anyone else relates to this I'm sorry. So damn sorry.

Thank you for this. The best quote I have ever seen regarding "mild autism" is this...."when you say that I have mild autism, what I need you to really understand is that what you are saying is that my autism affects YOU mildly."

This was eye-opening! So in other words, high functioning autism more or less equals mental-stoicism. We suffer every day, yet we become experts at hiding it, at least to a point.

I was constantly overwhelmed and burnt out at my job for years until one day I broke down and started yelling and hitting the doors and kicking stuff around. Everyone was so surprised because I always looked "so calm and composed." People were just asking me extremely concerned, "what happened?" I like how this video described it. Nothing happened. I was already in constant anguish everyday, it was just something extra that took me over my limit.

When people are classed in the category of 'mild autism' the expectations placed upon them are huge and that's a big problem in itself. You've explained all of this really well.

Whenever I hear someone call their child "mildly Autistic", I always think of spice levels and say "I'm the spicy kind"

It’s scary how relatable this is. People don’t realise how much I’m struggling until I breakdown

Thank you so much for this. As an autistic adult with a profession and high level of intelligence, I get labeled “high functioning” mostly. I’m not. It’s just like you said. For short periods, I can make it appear to the outside world that all the parts of my life are working well. First off, maintaining that appearance takes every ounce of effort I have when I’m functioning at my best. Second, I can only maintain that level of energy use for at most a few weeks at a time. Third, I’ve never once in my entire life had more than two areas of my life functioning even moderately well. I can’t maintain a full-time job. I can’t maintain my living environment on my own. I can’t maintain social relationships. People see me, and do not understand. They think I’m lazy, or messy, or antisocial. I’m not any of those. I’m just limited in how much I can do. Even mental health professionals don’t understand my challenges, even when clearly explained. It’s very frustrating. Your videos help a lot in understanding and maintaining myself. Thanks again.

I hate it when people say, “But you appear so normal.”

I want to cry, you described this so perfectly. I wish everyone I meet would watch this.

I have just been diagnosed with the autism formerly known as Asperger's, ADHD, and generalized anxiety disorder. I will be 51 next month. I have always known I was different, but I have had to fight so hard to get tested. I have learned to mask so well, even people who knew me before I learned to mask are doubtful of my diagnosis. I don't doubt it at all. I'm finally starting to understand myself, and I finally know that I am not alone. Thank you for making these videos.

My 21 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism and this video makes so much sense. The duck frantically paddling underwater while gliding by is a great comparison. We’re learning every day and with videos like this we feel more in tune with things and less alone, thank you so much.

I’m finally starting to understand why it always took me so long to find a new job when I needed to. I mask really well (even, apparently, from myself!) but I’m sure people always just perceived something “off” about me socially. It’s also why my friends and family never believe how poorly I interview, because once I get to know someone I’m more comfortable around them and a lot of those (I assume) off-putting vibes go away.

I really wish there were more help for people who get diagnosed later than life. It seems "what can we do for autistic people?" ALmost always equates to, "What can we do for autistic children/teens." Then even if there are resources for adults they seem to be for those who already have jobs. "yay our company is so progressive we are hiring qualified candadites who just so happen to have autism."

This is the best explanation of high functioning autism I've ever seen. "Invisible struggles" is a nice way to put it. Like when a magician is performing a trick, and makes it look easy. But, all that's going on (Behind what the eye can see) requires a ton of research, processing and practice. It drains a ton of energy. People should be grateful for all the hidden work you are doing for them (to appear normal), but they can't see it, so they won't give you a standing ovation even if you certainly deserve one. Then, suddenly, you stop the magic tricks cause your battery is under 5%, and you are booed off the stage. That's life.

I started crying toward the end of this video because listening to you describe that "55-year-old" was hearing an aged story of my current struggles and it impacted me so, so deeply that I can barely begin to explain how I feel. I have been extensively researching ASD on/off for nearly a year now and although I have only this evening come to the conclusion that I can no longer deny the overwhelming confirmation that I have autism, it was this video that made me cry thinking, "I can finally let go of the shame I feel for being unemployment, friendless, and single for the last two-and-a-half years thinking there's something so horribly wrong with me that no one will ever understand or be able to help, so what's even the point of living?" My rampant cynicism, nihilism, and pessimism have remained unyielding and progressively worsening with each passing day for years and I feel like I can finally breathe and allow myself to be hopeful. I thought it was me, all me. I thought I was some defective human, damaged far too much to ever believe anything will ever get better, but I feel so much less alone. I finally have the smallest fragment of hope. Actual, genuine hope. You will never know how grateful I am that I happened upon this. I wish there were enough words in the English language to describe that gratitude to you.

I really like your illustration of the duck. The duck is paddling it's feet underwater and no one sees how hard it has to paddle to try and keep up with the other ducks.

The shoulder wave movement is a replacement to the bouncing ball. Some viewer complained that the bouncing ball was distracting so Paul gave that up and the motor-sensory need found a subconscious substitute. 😉 Let Paul run his own show the way that works best for him, and you adapt to his adaptations for once! It’s not equitable that aspies are always the ones who have to make all that internal effort to fit into neuro-typical’s world.... After all, much of how the world functions and accepted norms are usually pretty arbitrary. IOWs, one is not right and the other wrong

I’m waiting to get tested so idk if I have ASD or not, but I’m halfway through the video and HOLY SH*T THIS IS ME. I am ALWAYS on the brink of having a meltdown, & this is something my mother never understood. Some small thing would happen & bam. I’d be on the floor bawling my eyes out. This has happened through my adult life, btw. And her response has always been, “What HAPPENED all of a sudden?!” And she gets super angry at me & yells at me. I moved out a year ago & it has improved my mental health but geez Louise. It is really hard to explain to people that just doing basic life function stuff is difficult for me & SO energy draining because I seem to function just fine.

I am 47 years of age and that is the first time anyone has ever described what goes on in my head. I am for probably the first time in my life truly lost for words 😀