10 Tips for Autism Newbies 

My parents thought something was wrong with me. My mom thought I had ADHD, but comparing me to other kids, she figured I was only quirky. Because of my IQ, nobody figured out how much I was struggling. I was diagnosed at 15, because I fought for a diagnosis myself. My dad doesn't accept my autism, he wants me to do things I just... Can't do. I found out recently that the only 2 close friends I had as a child were both on the spectrum, and one of the two children's mom realized I was on the spectrum myself, but never brought it up to my parents in fear of how they'd react. Because of the late diagnosis I struggle immensely. All my life I suppressed the autistic traits and symptoms I experience, and eventually I couldn't take it anymore. I developed very severe anxiety and I haven't gone to school in years because of it. As a kid I developed DID and although I can't know for sure if being autistic contributed to it, I think the undiagnosed state of the condition did. No one sees my autism because I hide it behind locked doors. Even in this comment I am not "being open" about it. I write messages so many times to make them not sound autistic. All my dad ever says is "stop doing that, you look autistic" I honestly just want someone, an adult, to understand and take care of me for who I am, without trying to ignore or downplay my autism. I'm not saying I want compassion either. I just want someone that will guide me through life and help me battle my struggles, while also not disregarding said struggles. Sorry for the long comment. I honestly love your channel and you guys give me hope that good people exist out there. The way you treat your kids is awesome and I would have loved to have had you as parents. I've been following you for 3 years, all I can say is you help me feel like I'm not alone. Thank you

10. Don't panic 9. Seek out diagnosis & therapies 8. Autism is a spectrum 7. Make compromises 6. Get "thick skinned" 5. Don't buy expensive furniture or decorations 4. Consider using medication 3. Don't suffer in silence 2. Reset your expectations 1. Things get better

I remember when my son was 5yo, the Child Psychiatrist who seen him told that he has limited future, that he’ll be institutionalized by the age of 20 and that nothing good can come out to his life. 10yrs later, my son is now Sophomore , In Gen Ed, overall GPA 4.0, outstanding Student in Math and making his own money theu his youtube channel. That’s the hands of God!🙏Always speaks Victory over our children’s lives. God can turn disability to ABILITY!❤ It’s not easy, i totally relate in this video, experienced most, be patient, it’s a long journey but it’s gonna be beautiful❤

I appreciate how you teach people about autism and the up's and downs of it for the family members and the person on the autism spectrum. One thing that most people don't talk about is to not run and leave the your family because of a child on the autism spectrum. My real dad did just that. He was ashamed that his youngest son had been diagnosed with autism. But I think it really hurt him when I was living with him four years later and I was diagnosed with epilepsy. He ran away from me again like he did when I was diagnosed with autism. He sent me back to my mom's house who I didn't know anymore since I hadn't seen her in two years. My step mom was the one I called mom and I really thought she was my mom. When I was sent away to live with my real mom I cried because I thought my dad and mom no longer wanted me. I promised to be good but it didn't work. To my surprise I was right they couldn't handle it having a kid on the autism spectrum and with epilepsy. I say this with kind words don't run away. Instead run to them. Make sure they know that they didn't do anything that caused them to be this way. To many family members run away from their family members because of a medical condition. I have autism and the one thing that we want is to be loved like any other kid. I am 51 now

I really needed to hear 1,2 & 3. 🥲 This video made me very emotional. My son is 2 years old and got diagnosed a few months ago. He’s made so much progress in the last year but I’m still grieving & a bit upset that he probably won’t live a neurotypical self sufficient life like I did. 🤧 I just pray he does. 🙏🏽 Having an autistic child is alot of work & hella stressful.

In tears. My 20 month old was just diagnosed and we're in the process of setting up early intervention. I feel like I'm straight up grieving and this calmed my heart; thank you and your boys for sharing and being a resource. ❤️

I got diagnosed at 29. Watching this and seeing you be so supportive of your sons helps me come into contact with my own childhood, which consisted of me being bullied, abused, silenced, shamed and all kinds of horrible things simply for being me. I wasn't treated that way because people lashed out at me for being difficult in their eyes, because I rarely was. People simply couldn't stand that I wasn't like them. I had no support whatsoever, pretty much none of my autistic needs met, no one to talk to, and no one who understood me. It was extremely lonely and painful and I'm still trying to recover myself and heal all those wounds. Watching your sons have their needs met by you teaches me what my childhood should have been like, how I deserved to be treated, and I can sort of live vicariously and heal. Thank you.

New parents; Awareness of the environment, sensory, emotional and/or medical issues is the key to creating an anxiety free environment for your love one to be settled calm and blossom. Awareness is essential as a mum and dad, a guardian or teacher. There is always a reason for behaviour by having this level of awareness generally you can eliminate the issue. However we are talking autism…..Stay safe and healthy. Thanks for sharing such a fantastically accurate video🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

As someone who's twin brother has autism, and is nonverbal, I would just like to say I have so much respect for you guys.

Your words were so encouraging and healing to parents who are facing this situation. Thanks a lot.

I just want to say thank you to you, and your family. Your videos are the reason I suspected my youngest son was on the spectrum a few years ago, and started fighting for a diagnosis. He showed many similar symptoms as Ian showed in your videos. He was finally officially diagnosed this past February. My oldest son and I were also diagnosed this year as well. I definitely believe had it not been for your videos it would have taken much longer to figure out what was going on with my youngest son, and I couldn't have gotten him the help he needed. Also, the clip of the property damage in your home made me feel like I wasn't alone. A torn couch, holes knocked into our walls and doors, broken door frames, broken beds, no pictures on the walls, and more! Others come over and just don't understand when they see the damage. Thank you for trying to educate others. I feel like this is how we will help others to start truly understanding autism.

Do not panic, look immediately for help, do NOT deny, try Gluten free and ABA food therapy, believe, do not desist, love your child even more. Tips as a proud parent of an Autistic boy (originally non verbal, now fully verbal).

Dear Rob and family. I am an author of English language learning materials for children in Asia. I am busy writing a set of decodable readers for young children learning to read. The current reader I am working on focuses on the letters: au, aw, all, aught and ought. I have decided to write a story about a boy named Austin who has autism. Knowing nothing about autism I have been educating myself in order to do it justice and educate young children about what autism is and how we need to behave towards people with autism. I came across your RU-vid channel and have learned so much from watching your videos. I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to you, Brit and the boys for providing people, like me, an important insight into autism. You have helped me on my journey to learn more about what makes people/children with autism so special. I just felt compelled to leave a message here.

I remember when my youngest daughter gave birth to her 1st baby boy. He was as cute as a button and still is in his Nana eyes. The moment we found out he was autistic I tried getting my daughter to join a support group to help her on this journey with me and her sister by her side. I know it's tougher when your conquering challenges as a single parent. I've been sharing your videos with her hoping she has an aha moment. Again thanks so much for your videos I'm learning more about my 2 handsome grandsons that are creative souls.

A special thanks to you for sharing these videos of your lives. I have a son in the spectrum and a daughter with some sensory issues. I do appreciate you and the help you provide as well. So proud of you. You and your wife are awesome parents to those even more awesome boys of yours. May God bless you all always.

My brother was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 or 3 and he has been doing therapy ever since atleast 3 therapy sessions with different therapists a week

Thank you so much for all the advice. Get this many times but it’s nice to hear it from another autistic parent.

I want to add a bit to Number 9. Often what I see is people not getting a diagnosis because they don't see how it could help, but having the diagnosis on its own is therapeutic. I wasn't diagnosed with ASD until my 30s. I grew up mystified as to how other people were able to make friends so comparatively easy vs the large burden it always was for me. I could never figure out what I was doing to get picked on all the time I was growing up. And I blamed myself for being a person with flawed character traits, right up until I had a diagnosis to tell me where they were coming from. Just having that diagnosis re-contextualized everything in a way that quickly alleviated a lot of the depression and anxiety that came along with the guilt that blame brought with it. And that alone was life changing enough that, after my diagnosis, I started actually being able to hold down a job, and even succeed in it. I was also able to know where to look for for other ideas on how to function better in the world. It hasn't fixed everything, and there's surprisingly few resources out there for helping autistic adults, but even the diagnosis on its own is still a very validating thing, and can improve an autistic person's life dramatically, especially if you get it early

As one who has autism I love watching these videos as I learn so much from them that helps me make sense of the things I deal with Thank you guys for everything you share ❤️

👍 You are a great dad - you can be proud , because you care about your children , you show them your love . My father left my mother after my birth . you are a precious role model for all dads . I send you a smile from Shanghai !🌎

Awwwww that is so sweet I started tearing up. I've been on the journey for 2 years. My once non-verbal 3 years old is now verbal 5 years old bossing me around 😭

Thank you sooo much. I am a newbie mom to autism. Tomorrow my toddler gets an autism evaluation and it's very nerve wrecking. When I first found out it might be autism it was scary and it felt so lonely. I felt like I could just hide away and my heart was crushed. I have spent ten years creating a meditation program yoga program doing spiritual events and working with people. I had a brain aneurysm. I had a lot in my life. This April, I celebrated my 40th, I was happy I made it to 40. Finding out that my son who was starting to speak and is now working to get words back slowly but trying was hard enough. Finding out that he had an abnormal MRI recently and that autism may be a symptom of the organic component in the brain function was the hardest thing I ever experienced and I thought I had been through it all. Thank you for this video. It was the first time I could smile in a while. I pray for your family and I wish you all the best. What you are doing with this channel is a God send. Keep up this amazing work. Thank you, this video really helped me. I will continue to subscribe to this channel and can't wait to see more videos. The world doesn't look so lonely anymore...

When My Autism cousin Trey was younger, he and his mother stayed at my house for a night. I remembered that he started crying during the night and I couldn’t figure out why. I tried wake him, but he wouldn’t stop crying. I ended up getting his mom, told her about him crying, she took your son up stairs in the room with her. I couldn’t figure out why my cousin was crying that night. I think it might’ve been a night terror because he wouldn’t stop crying.😊😊😊

This is my first video, I am a Mama to my recently diagnosed daughter. Thank you for this video, I have subscribed.

I can tell you that my wife at 23 still struggles with household chores and has other short commings but she is absolutely wonderful and makes my life whole. Sure she is diferent but that is one of the things I live about her. Autism should never be hidden but instead be celebrated as just another normal.

Man its so amazing to see parents being so nice to kids with autism. When I was a kid I got shouted at, spanked and grounded/no games for things like blinking and not being able to sit in 1 place, or wiggling my feet or hands. Few times landed in a cop cell cause of meltdowns as a teenager. I just recently discovered all the masking Im doing and its so funny. Oh well, in all honesty I like person I am now, and would never want to be "normal". All the best everyone, and do sports!

I caught little glimpses/clues regarding your religious faith, which helps me to see that you clearly have an eternal perspective of this incredible journey you two are on. May Heavenly Father continue to bless you with strength and wisdom. You have my deep respect and brotherly love. You were clearly incredible spirits in the pre-mortal realm and prepared for this saintly journey in this mortal estate. God bless.

I’m proud of all of you. Thank you for your time and efforts

Thank you for this video. My grandson was just diagnosed with autism last week. I choose to take one day at a time. It’s very overwhelming.

I really appreciate this video more than you will know!!! Most of the times people want to know your “mess” not what comes after the hard work, because it helps us know that we can overcome uncomfortable or difficult situations and that it’s going to be ok ❤

Yes, we appreciate you showing us your family and videos of your kids. ❤❤❤

I all ready have a channel on RU-vid, I don't blog autism I tend to cut them things out. But I've started to slowly intruduce my boys autism in my vids. You have inspired me. Not just to video the good bits but to video the bad bits and explain about autism and help diagnosis process. You have inspired me. I'm a food blogger in UK and now you've inspired me to show all autism not just the ups but video the downs, so hopefully can help familys in UK. Totally inspired xxx ♥️😘

thank you. am from Uganda and i have an autistic child who is 3yrs now. it hurts so much when i got to know from a visiting friend that my child was autistic and since then i keep breaking down whenever she gets a meltdown. thank you for sharing. i feel stronger

I love this, you admitting how challenging it was as a new parent dealing with lack of sleep and meltdowns and the stress is something that is 100% raw and honest that most people have a hard time to admit to themselves let alone others. Thank you for shining light on that. Hang in there to anyone new here

As a single autism mom I feel that way every-day but he always make me feel better, I have no community sadly and my area there's never any therapist

This is what you do best! Your information is always so helpful.

Rob, you have a wonderful family and Sir, you do help a lot of people.

Thank you so much for being open and sharing your experiences - positive AND negative - with your kids! It's so encouraging for one to know 'you're not alone' and that your own feelings as a parent are valid and normal (I strongly believe I'm autistic as well, so I have the unique perspective of seeing 'both sides of the equation').

Thank you very much for creating your videos and sharing your experiences with your family.

I'm 31 and I've just found your channel. I've been diagnosed since I was 7. I'm on the Aspergers side of Autism. I still agree to all of this. I went through school and my parents had no clue that anything was wrong with me but my mother got me tested after she realised I was a good kid but my schools thought I was a troublemaker and a bit of a dick. I was then at the age of 7 diagnosed with Aspergers. I had no idea what was being said to me but as time passed, I decided to train myself to be "normal" and I hate that word and I hate that I did it because my managers in my work don't understand that us on the autistic spectrum are different but still the same as everyone else. I've hidden it to the point where I feel normal but I still have autistic elements like not understanding tone of voice or empathy. I've nearly been fired because I've hidden and tried to be normal. My advice follows this video........don't hide your Autism. We are as good as everyone else. Some of the greatest Autistics in the world include Albert Einstein and Mozart. Don't do what I did and hide it....EMBRACE IT

This video is so encouraging. Thank you for motivating us. Lots of love to your children❤❤❤

Thank u so much. These are vidoes we all need to see. We need more acceptance in this world and some people need to hear why things are the way they are. I am a special education teacher. I love these videos keep on posting them. We're never too old to learn something new.❤

Great respect to you and your wife for keeping the family in check, raising kids with such disabilities can be overwhelming to new parents, especially a lot still think autism is a strange and bizarre anomaly or phenomena they cannot process and accept.

What an amazing message. Thanks for spreading hope for families with kids on the sprectrum.

Thank you for giving me hope.God bless your awesome kids.

Your content is fantastically educational. My parents had me tested when I was younger (twice actually) and I had many of the traits but back in the 90s people still didn't think biological female could have autism. They never kept up with it and I learned to mask and grew up hurting my self in private constantly to cope. Now that I have a diagnosis and that I've developed a way of coping with my quirks and different ways of going through life. I am so thankful you are bringing light to the good, the bad, the great and the ugly because parents and even others who haven't gotten what they should have as children. You ate honest and real and it is what the autism community needs

God bless you. I am in Sweden crying. This was beautiful. Hope every parent who has a child on the spectrum see this !

Oh my goodness thank you for posting this my son and daughter both has autism spectrum and I watched you video on how to brush teeth on my two years so much appreciation for teach us he is getting better and more comfortable and understanding ❤

Thank u so much for these videos.

I love these videos! You're boys seem wonderful and appear to have many skills! Great work mom and dad! It's definitely a full package type deal so your support has made a huge difference in their lives!

Thank you for something so emotive that is also helpful for at this moment in life

Even me also autism family with my 3-year-old son and 18 month old daughter from India suffering a very critical situation

You are so understanding. Thank you for sharing dood.

I wish this video was available 2 years ago. Love it thank you

Thanks for this awesome video! You have a lovely family, Best wishes for you and your loved ones!

"Things will get better"☺️❤️

I think you're a wonderful dad Rob I'm on the spectrum and I also have great parents who are very patient.

Good advice for parenting NT kids too. I'm the autistic dad of two NT boys. Being Daddy was so much fun! Did not know I was autistic then.

Thank you for this. I really needed to hear this

God bless you too!Thank you for posting this I needed so much!My son has autism and he is non-verbal and recently I started to be so frustrated sometimes I get my nerves on him and blame him for being Autistic and non-verbal and I think how easier my life would be if he would be normal because I keep compare him with his cousin she is the same age and there is big difference between them and that makes me suffer so much.I have so many fears regarding him and future I think only you can understand being a parent of child with autism.This made me think better about Autism and how I can help him and how to accept him and about people looking strange to us like we have an alien or monster.People are so harsh and judgemental unfortunately that is why I prefer to isolate.Once again thank you for posting you do a great job.

Thank you. My son recently diagnosed at 10. This was really helpful

I'm 23, female, but I'm considering strongly getting tested by a trusted psychiatrist. I've always had suspicions I was autistic, and that suspicion only grew stronger over the last several years. I don't have many sensory issues (that I know of yet at least0, but I've always noticed that I am very prone to meltdowns, especially when something disrupts my plans or routine. I've had them since I was a child, and it's gotten worse since I got my first retail job 2 years ago. It's only reasonable for me to expect more complex environments and situations as I get older. I'll get tested next year and hopefully I get the support I need.

Ty for this video, I needed to hear this!

Thank you so so much for this video. It is so helpful and positive.

This video has touched me. Made my day.. thank you.

Thank you for this video! I'm a new subscriber. My son is 4 years old and was diagnosed at 2 years old. I think your videos will be very helpful to me and my husband. I'm sharing them with him and anyone family members or friends who are in contact with my son. I've also watched your video on the Harkla Hug review. We'd ordered it before I found your video, but I'm looking forward to scouring your channel for more videos. 😀

On the spectrum and love this video. You have an awesome family.

Thank you for your video!!! My son is autistic and 3. This helped so much.

God Bless You All! 💙🧩 Thank you for this, it's a daily challenge, thanks for the motivating encouraging words to keep us parents going.

Thank you for this video and for sharing the beautiful family footage. Cuteness overload! 💚💚💚

Thank you, I needed that pep talk! ❤

God bless you for your Help

Thank you for this… 🙏❤️

#5 has been our experience thru the years. Now that our daughter is 28, we have learned to focus on her progress and her happiness. "Things" can be replaced or lived without. Her joy and her ability to love and to be loved is all that matters!

Very helpful and moving. Thank you and God bless you.

This was so nice. It brought tears to my eyes. ❤

You are amazing fit sharing this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you and may God richly bless you and your family.

When my son was diagnosed he was just 1.8 year and my mind was not ready for this and i suffered from severe depression.

I think this one of your best videos. Love it!

I definitely felt like you, it was all new to me and I had to learn how my son thought and teach him how to utilize his feelings in a healthy way. I now see and understand him even how he handles his out put. I love my son and at first I thought I was losing my mind lol. But we both grew together and both learned of each other ♥️

You literally put me in tears 😂. But it’s so inspiring ❤

Very powerful…. Thank you.. I needed that

I like to watch your videos, my son 8, ASD n nonverbal n ADHD. Thank you very much your motivational speech about our kids and I'm started to think positive now.😍❤️😢

Wow! I need that! Since I just found out about my son being Autistic, 😊 🙏 thank you so much for the encouragement and the tips 🙏 gave us bless you all 🙌

👏 👏 NUMBER 5 👏 👏 As a mom of three kiddos (two with autism)…. I cannot express how important #5 is. I wish I knew this so much earlier. We now buy everything used or furniture and house items that are wipeable, easy to clean, stain resistant, durable, etc. Nice curtains do not exist in my house. Couches with ugly, easy to clean covers do exist. I have to vacuum and mop my floors every single day. Same with tables and chairs. There are bite marks all over everything. There are milk stains on our walls and I can’t keep up. There are holes everywhere. I swear no matter how much I vacuum- there are chips and goldfish crackers lodged everywhere. If you deal with autism, your house will NOT look like a magazine cover.

AWESOME TIPS THANK YOU

I’m so thankful for ur channel

This video is awesome Rob! Thank you for sharing this. 👍

Love this Rob!! Great advice! 🙏 thank you

Oh I love your new kitchen! This was a big issue for us the furniture! Our formal living room finally got furniture after 6 years! I finally hung a picture on the wall. Nothing was ever done in aggression or anger she just destroyed stuff

Thank you for this.. ❤

Thank you so much. Will creat a Chanel for my daughter so I can be able to show her progress and no hide anymore. Fighting Autism

This is information that everyone needs to know. I've had people say to me about medication. Telling me how to parent my child. Really? This makes me crazy. My daughter is high functioning autism. Yes...grieving was definitely something I dealt with. Adoption was always an issue... But never expected autism. As a single mom it's overwhelming at times. But she is what God's plan was for her and us. ❤️

Appreciate this video! MANY valuable points! Thx!

Very helpful video. Thank you for posting this. I do not know anyone with autism but this was so informative.

Thank you for this video to send to my newbee autism Mom my Daddy knows all about it since he works with special Ed kids

Ps the spectrum is large, there’s no good or bad ‘place on the spectrum’, everyone on the spectrum has there own issue and challenges. Ive learnt everyone on the spectrum are similar however every person is a totally unique individual !!! After only been living autism for only 18 year & this family’s video is fantastic. Listen, they have a lot to say🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 remember what works for one family won’t work for 100 others so keep moving forward and don’t give up because at the end of the day your child has you and only you to protect snd love them🙏🏼🙏🏼. Start early intervention the minute you can, it’ll be a good day when the doctor says I’ve got the diagnosis wrong, however until that point don’t wait a second. It’s heartbreaking that you can see a child at 14,15, 16 and you know straight away whether they’re fed early intervention. Yes your heart is broken, but don’t put those thoughts and pain in front of your child🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼👍🏼Take care BSafe

What an excellent and informative video ! Thank you !

This is SUCH a good video. Thank you so much. ✨️

Salamat nakatabang naku labina ang mga comments pod. Naa ko pamangkin nga naay autism wala man ikapacheck up mao na nga research nalang sa youtube akung ginabuhat para naa pod ko idea unsaon nga masabtan siya ug mutaas pa akung patience niya. Lisud sya alagaan piro kay love naku kaayo maong maningkamot ko bisan sa research² nalang makatabang niya