This video dives deep (literally—there’s scuba gear involved 🦑) into why autistic people aren’t broken, why anxiety and trauma are so common in our community (we aren't born with it), and most importantly—how we can stop adapting to the world and start adapting the world for us.
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WATCH NEXT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKP60CMaGM
VIDEOS MENTIONED:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1StsdcUJupA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpIYYCGAi-s
*Research Sources:*
1. "Anxiety Disorders in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Population-Based Study" - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6946757/
2. "Autism: The Impact of Anxiety on Daily Life" - https://www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com/blogs/news/autism-the-impact-of-anxiety-on-daily-life
3. "Anxiety" - National Autistic Society - https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/anxiety
4. "Sociodemographic Factors, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Risk of Bullying Exposure" - JAMA Pediatrics - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2792743
5. "Autism and the Built Environment" - https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30121/autism-and-the-built-environment
6. Additional research on environmental factors affecting autism from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573608/
🎵 Music licensed from Lickd.
Conversations With Angels by Luke Richards, https://t.lickd.co/exZRxwOAr3l License ID: rjN7v8jBlw4
Elysium by Luke Richards, https://t.lickd.co/arn8vkyrXe7 License ID: vNgnJqBbgb4
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👨⚖️ Disclaimer:
I am not a healthcare professional or psychotherapist. If you are watching this and feel that you need immediate mental health support, please see the list of mental health helplines at [HelpGuide.org](http://helpguide.org/) here:
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm
If you have met one autistic (and or ADHD) person, you have met one person. This is a spectrum condition, and many traits may be different, or have alternative explanations for your symptoms. If in doubt, refer to a psychologist, and not a YouTuber.
Self-diagnosis is valid (because: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwKP60CMaGM)
Chapters
00:00 What if Autism Isn't the Problem?
00:28 Autism is a valid way to be in the world 🍀
03:16 The Deep-Sea Fish 🐠
06:28: Level 99 Autism?
08:02 Environment Determines Support Needs
09:35 Adapting to Environments vs. Adapting Environments
11:11 Anxiety Isn't a Symptom of Autism
14:25 Masking, Trauma and Mental Health Risks
18:01 Self Employment
18:59 Creating a Sensory-Friendly Home
19:57 Socialising on Our Terms
20:59 Why Predictability Matters
22:25 Changing the Environment Changes Behaviour
23:26 Intersectionality
25:29 Watch this video next (self identification) 👀