Living on the autism spectrum in Sweden versus America- My own experience. 

Sweden uses the ICD, international classification of deceases as the bases for terminology. In the version 10, asperger was still used but it is replaced by Autism in ICD 11. Sweden is currently adopting ICD 11 so some places still uses asperger and some has changed to Autism.

I really felt it when you explained the conversation with the swedish guy who said "who is she".... damn

This was really interesting. I think you're right that the climate has something to do with the attitudes towards mental health in Sweden. Take the fact that most get July off and also take an extended break around Christmas. People from other parts of the world react to it as a luxury. In reality it's important to get the most out of the sun when it's here and to slow down when it's gone. If you don't get the chance to adjust to length of the day, it can mess with your health. I'm sure this was even more significant when food was scarce and before electric lighting.

Väldigt relaterbart innehåll! Jag hade ingen kunskap om autism tidigare men som en del av diagnostisering av min son så fick vi föräldrar gå utbildningar samtidigt som han fick sin, det var värt mycket. Han har också det som skulle kallats Aspberger tidigare och jag tror inte att alla som träffar honom märker att han har autism.

Aspergers slutades ges som diagnos i Sverige för ca 10 år sedan också (och nu istället autism) men vanligt folk vet väldigt lite om autism.

Tack för din video! Because the ICD 11 hasn't been officially translated to Swedish yet, many clinics will use the american DSM-5 instead. So I was diagnosed as ASD level/category 2, despite the ICD (and thus Sweden) not using levels, officially. I was recently diagnosed, as a middle aged guy. I was totally clueless up until the assessment. No-one really figured I was autistic. I guess Sweden, at least in my social circle, is very accepting of differences in people so everyone just assumed I was quirky. I have seen a few of your videos, and love them. I can really relate to many of your experiences, having lived and worked in Malmö and Helsingborg for a long time. When people tell me I don't look autistic, I laugh and tell them not to feel bad about missing that. Me, my family and my doctors missed it for 4 decades!

I want to thank you for educating me about autism, Sweden and your experiences in US and Sweden. I do not live in Sweden but had considered it in the past. I think the Scandinavian countries have better handle on healthcare and more equitable way of life which appears more normal to me than how the society, work, education and healthcare is organized in US and we almost pay no less taxes than Scandinavian countries. US Tax dollars are far less effectively spent than most EU and Scandinavian economies. Again thank you for sharing your experiences.

I found your video very informative and inspiring . I work with autistic children and it interesting to hear an adults perspective on living in two very different countries. Thank you for sharing! Jacquie, Prince George, BC, Canada.

Hejsan! I was diagnosed 2019 here in Sweden and I was given the autism diagnosis, or high functioning autism. It was a huge relief, and so far I haven't been judged because of this. Instead people around me have more understanding if I explain that I have autism. 😊 I'm happy to talk about this if you have questions or the like. ✨ Ha det bra! 👋😁

You are just perfect as you are. A real life stor stark nallebjörn ❤ ett kap, tror jag 😊

Hej , very relatable video for me I am also on the spectrum but got some adhd sprinkled on top aswell , I would agree in large what you say , but I have been really mistreated by the healthcare system and our lovely Försäkringskassan having theese diagnoses. A lot of that , you do not look autistic ..from healthcare professionals. But by and large I really can relate to your video here ! I also struggle a LOT with the "autistic burnout" , have been masking my whole life too to "fit in" which burns me out even faster so well . There is a lot of knowledge about autism in sweden but I feel the understanding of the struggles we go through is very limited among the regular Joe , but unfortunatly even among healthcare professionals

I feel you. I have it too but not enough to get a diagnosis and that doesn't really matter to me either but getting the knowledge did matter. It gives me the chance to avoid my worst problems related to it by taking responsibility for my disposition early and for example avoid stress.

Thanks for giving your take on things. As others have said - they do use the ASD level 1,2,3 for diagnostic purposes here. My child was diagnosed level 1 autism a few years ago and now we are in the process for adhd evaluation. And I have realized through all of it that I am definitely adhd/autistic too but never had a diagnosis. I’ve heard the “your child can’t be autistic” one too many times. Mostly it’s more from my American friends though. And one time here in Sweden, but the lady was an immigrant from Russia- so that culture would probably override the Swedish ideal of keeping to yourself. But apparently there was some show or book in Sweden about how kids are being over diagnosed with adhd and autism. And so this lady proceeded to tell me all about that after 30 minutes of seeing my child play outdoors (which makes them highly regulated) she declared that my kid had been misdiagnosed. Well- they did miss the ADHD side of things on the first round- but autism is still true. So maybe it was an incomplete picture. But that lady was trying to say my child was neurotypical. I appreciate the reframe about how to look at it as I keep getting offended. I feel like they are invalidating all the challenges when they say that. I’m from the Seattle area in the US so my American experience is a bit different but I appreciate your contrast of cultures. It’s funny but for me the autistic side was calmed by having less small talk out and about and the ADHD side of me went crazy with missing the small talk. But I also got horrible social anxiety and stopped going to parties for awhile because I would get lost in not understanding the Swedish and just have meltdowns afterward. I have struggled with learning Swedish because of overload with trying to parent and not being able to do as many classes as I wish. But the more I learn the language, the more I start to feel at home. I also struggle with too fast a pace of things when I go home to the US and the GIANT stores. We have some here in Sweden, but I feel like it’s much more insane in the US.

Sweden has abandoned the term Asbergers a while ago and now call it autism level 1. I know that because my youngest son (now 19 yoa) has that diagnosis since he was much younger (and is doing really well, thanks to the really great support system from getting the diagnosis to getting the right school for him).

If anything i would say you are showing people that you can reach goals, do the things you want to do if you set your mind to it and not letting other peoples prejudice get in the way. This is a good thing because there is many people out there with autism struggling and getting bullied by people thinking everything must be perfect. If a patience would get scared at some point, then you are very capable of telling them what is going on and why.

Thank you.. becuse you explain Sweden as it is.. not that utopia or hell.. stereotype way! Ofcourse its a competetive society with a social structure.. even a socioeconomical/education diveresed society.. like in any other country! Its this, you came as English speaking, thats a bonus, you came with a US nurse exame, thats altso a bonus, you did fit in swedish society expectations! The rest is mostly private.. learning swedish, (and skånska) understand how to get swedish friends/understand how it works/what it means! But I dont think swedes are more rude than others? Its rather this.. we are kind of conflict scared, dont rock the boat when everyone seems to be happy! It have been lead up to "Swedishgate", dont feed your neigbours kid, without there parents approval!! Its about "tacksamhetsskuld", "debt of gratitude".. one supose to give the same back! Its becuse Sweden is one of the most extreme countries in the world, and the three first values is, 1 independens, 2 independens, 3 independens! And how to get swedish friends, its probably like in most other countrys, one get friends that share the same interests/live in the same area/share socieoeconomical life style!

Mental health is a strange set of words. It is within the body? So it is a health issue. It just comes down to see the doctor that can treat you for that specific issue you might have. Isn't it?

I have autism and I am thinking about moving to Sweden when I finish college

We must always be extremely careful with determening other people's intentions! At best it can be a qualified guess, but we can not KNOW why other people do or say this, that, and the other. You're encouter with the self aclaimed mental heath expert MUST be the odd one out. People don't normally question proffessional diagnosis. I'm glad your mate cleared up "You don't look autistisk" - If I say it, it would definately mean: So? There's nothing wrong with you from where I stand. A polite way of saying: I don't care (I like you anyway) or You're all the same to me. And YES, I've hated it, when people have told me, there's nothing wrong with me (PTSD led to bipolar disorder with brain damages). I felt they were challenging my early pension and calling me lazy - and like you, thought about them only seing me, when I'm at my best and never at my lowest. But they are rather saying: You're okay to me - I still like you! Thank you for a very enlightning video - peace and love from Denmark

Can you make a video about personal assistants and employment for autistic people who are not so independent in Sweden? I have been in a long distance relationship with a Swede for over 3 years now and I was there in June. I have support where I live now and I’m afraid leaving it behind to live with the person I love might leave me very dependent on my partner, which wouldn’t be nice for either of us. I’m diagnosed with autism level 2. How hard would it be to be rediagnosed in Sweden after already being diagnosed in your native country? Thanks for the video!

I was diagnosed with Autism rather than Aspergers in Sweden 15 years ago. The public might not have caught up quite yet, I don't know.

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Hi autistisk swede here Sweden stopped using Asperger’s syndrome as a diagnosis in around 2015 I believe just to let you know

Can you explain the differences between aspergers & autism? I am unaware of the distinction. Why has the usa stop using the word, aspergers. What was the issue creating the need to revise aspergers to autism