I am autistic myself and I must say I am pretty shocked by some of the comments I have read. It makes me sad to see that some ppl still think that only because an autistic person is able to mask, that it is as easy as for neurotypicals to communicate. It is not. It is like talking the entire time in a language that you only speak with high focus and concentration while the neurotypicals just do it without any effort. Some are able to make it look the same way(which doesn’t mean it is the same thing). The price is high for making it look that way- burnouts. It’s like being the second best version of someone else because when I have my mask on, I am completely not myself. It takes so much energy. It is like the neurotypicals speak fluently a language I have to translate the entire time to understand at least half of it. And this of course costs way much more energy than a neurotypical who does it just naturally effortless. That’s why I had to change my life in a way I don’t break down every six to eight weeks- that wasn’t easy. And this is just a small piece of what we have to face. To think that some ppl get that diagnose to get attention or sth or to be „unique“ is sth so ridiculous to me: Are the ppl aware that a diagnose can take lots of time(not only to be done, but also to wait for before the process itself)? I always wished to be normal- even went to several therapies just to find out it’s sth I can’t change. And I know I am not the only one experiencing it like that. And then on top some ppl in the internet write the most mean stuff. Shame on those ppl.
She copes well on tv in huge limelight id be on my knees she has so much confidence constant eye contact seems ok majority hate social gathetings etc .
I think a lot of people (not all) with or without a diagnosis of autism ‘mask’ to an extent, it’s the degree to which you can cope with this that is the point of difference … making environments (like the work place) more compassionate and inclusive to people’s difficulties, disabilities, identities or sensitivities as well as family commitments etc etc and being creative, solution focused and making adaptions is the way forward. Do those with lower levels of difficulty develop personal strengths and resilience in problem solving ways of managing these feelings, thoughts and behaviours where the distress is lower level ? I think lots of people like myself on this feed may feel concerned that autism is an ever inclusive and expanding classification which is medicalising increasingly more of the human experience. … in a context of austerity and cuts to all public services, those who are severely impacted by autism (and their families) who depend on services to manage the day to day activities, this has an impact. Everyone is different - but Melanie finding difficulty in understanding Shakespeare is not a need to worry - it is dense and complex, and if not taught well, baffling … but she mentioned that she achieved a B in English despite these difficulties so she’s a clever confident lass, who shouldn’t be comparing herself to everyone else who 'apparently' gets metaphor and poetry … lots of folk don’t understand their world that way, nor want too. I feel the points she has made about misogyny in the work place are no doubt very widespread. With men feeling entitled to ask for what they need - this is related, but not limited to people with autism. But I return to the point that there are limited resources and for those with debilitating autism conditions, especially where their level of autism creates high levels of vulnerability and raoses issues of safeguarding, Melanie’s degree of difficulty, does not resemble their struggles.
@@carolinebarnes2520 I don't think many if any low support needs autistics would deny the fact that there are high support needs autistics out there who struggle more than us, that's just one of the realities of autism. However, I don't like it when people put the blame on low support needs autistics for the lack of resources and help for HSN(high support needs) autistics. It's not our fault, its the fault of the healthcare system, or rather the fault of the government for not funding the healthcare system enough, that leaves families and autistic people themselves struggling without help. LSN autistics are not taking anything away from HSN autistics, I can guarantee you. Since recieving my diagnosis a few months ago, i've not been offered any sort of support at all. No therapy, no nothing. Because theres not really much they can offer. LSN autistics aren't taking anything from HSN autistics. HSN autistic children take priority on the diagnostic waiting list, so they'll get diagnosed sooner, while LSN children and adults may have to wait years to access a diagnosis, because HSN people come first, and rightfully so. What we can't have is people continuing to push down on the voices of LSN autistic people and saying "oh but families are suffering." to try and suggest that we shouldn't be diagnosed because we're "not autistic enough" and therefore are "using up resources". We're not using up any resources. If anything, undiagnosed LSN autistics are using up a lot of mental health resources, because going undiagnosed with autism is traumatic, and a huge struggle that causes a lot of people, especially teenage girls and young women, to become majorly depressed, anxious, even suicidal. If they could simply have the label of autism to describe their life experience, it can help them to be more accepting of themselves, more accommodating to themsleves, and therefore lead much happier lives. Before I ever discovered I was autistic I was at rock bottom mentally, i felt invisible, ignored, a ghost to society. It was so isolating. And then I realised I was autistic, and suddenly everything came together, everything made sense. I was kinder to myself, and accommodating to myself, and it's helped me get to where I am today. I still struggle daily, I'm struggling to find a job, and don't have many friends, but i'm much happier than I was. Videos like this, autistic celebrities like her reach out to the undiagnosed women and teen girls who are at rock bottom like I was, and help them come to this realisation, and pull them afloat again. The existence of LSN, high masking autistic people in no way detracts or steals from the resources that should rightfully be going towards HSN autistic people and their families.
@carolinebarnes2520 Thank you , you explain very well the points I was trying to make. It is the impacts on more serious people with Autism who need day to day support.
I’d have this reaction if someone told me I can speak another language fluently, when I say “I don’t” They speak in another language and I respond .. fluently. That would warrant this reaction.
I was given an autism diagnosis in my 40s. Now, 15 years on I don’t believe it was correct at all. I was depressed at the time which made eye contact difficult. Sure, I’m sensitive to certain sounds, smells etc., but so what. As for ‘masking’…. Well, everyone masks to some extent. It’s not confined to autism and I actually question whether it’s symptomatic of autism.
…10 mins in with this stranger, He thought I was expressive, talkative, I could go off track in the conversation….I’m autistic. JESUS H CHRIST! I’m glad I’m at an age that I won’t be around in 30 years from now.
As an Autistic woman who has also many relatives diagnosed plus I have been on a mental health journey surrounded by many Autistic people who like myself have comorbidity mental illness and ADHD and during the years I was well and stabilised I have worked with many Autistic people, attended courses and worked alongside Autism Professionals and specialists, what more education do i need. Melanie Sykes I do not believe is Autistic or if she is it is so far down the line into miner the diagnosis if she has one is to my Autistic mind dubious. Her version of Autism is likely to reduce the seriousness of the condition. That's enough now I have no more intention of commenting on this thread. Over and out. THE END