A Way of Describing Autism

[Catherine8here]

My son Michael is 9 and has to be the last one, tiger eye! He is yet to be discovered, and it hurts! Tiger eye, also being the eye of a little tiger who strangles us, rips everything, and causes alot of stress for his family, yet he is strong and powerfully built, and sees a different world to us. At times he is just a fury cute thing, I want to cuddle, always has been good looking and loved.

[angelinaisback]

This is the very theory I am using for parents to learn about autism on my channel,I love the way those of us (with the Nerotypical's who see as we do also)and relate to other's so that we understand.Thank you sir for this video

[peaceandloveletsblow]

quick answer is they don't have imitation ability, which help us learn and socialize and exist according to the outside world.

learn to paint if your blind, learn to play music deaf.

[mindlessponderer]

I everyone watching this! I have been trying to message individuals but I think this might be quicker... I am writting a short story about Autism and I need references! if you are friends or family of someone who is Autistic, or you are autistic and would like to help me, please message me! Any help would be really appreciated!

[angelinaisback]

I am autistic high functioning 46 and not diagnosed until 46,I am there for you without question. You now have my attention as well as youtube address,I can prove that I am all the stones no matter what the doctor's say that it is not possible,that is why I was misdiagnoised for so long..Let me know. Thank you.

[p717]

I like the analogy. It seems appropriate because most autistic folks including myself are fascinated with gems and minerals.

[Dragontail1992]

That was amazing. Very good explanation^^

[Devilishish]

funny voice

[personfromafar]

heheehehee

She did something hidden.

She described autistic people but the traits she listed are all traits of many people if not all to some degree.

x = the stone traits

If Autistic people = x

and Non-Autistic people = x

Then Autistic people = Non-Autistic people

We're the similar and all exist with life.

[KEOFFRYX]

Alas, Autism is a blessing and a curse, while you have quite an advanced mind, you will never fit in socially. What good is a very high IQ if nobody can test you?

What good is an advanced vocabulary if your communication skills are terrible?

[MissMolly32]

amazing thankyou.

[2darbit]

thats a wonderful way to understand. I have many rocks and stones thru-out my house.

I would be the complex stone, but I am the tiger eye too because I like to keep moving.

I have a question for anyone interested in answering. Where are the older others, the seniors with aspergers.

[miraclevoice]

What a wonderful video.

I have ASD and am 27 and appreciate the such a simple, but poweful, explanation.

[mwr0585]

Great vid man my older brother has autism and its great to see somebody that cares and takes the time

[ghjab4]

Dave and Amanda,

Thank you for putting so simply the complexity and beauty of autism.

I am reminded of a diamond;

ORIGINALLY a living organism

TRANSFORMED into "just" a lump of coal

COMPRESSED to expose its inner beauty

CARVED into a jewel with many facets

VALUED by many but

MOST precious to its Creator.

THANK YOU!

[LucyShy]

Fourth stone, definitely.

[posthumanfetus]

I may only have a small tiny hint of autism, if any, but my brother ended up getting it in the worst way. He didn't really start walking until he was 2, and that's pretty much as far as he developed. It took to age 10 just to get him to stop destroying everything in sight or putting everything in his mouth. He hasn't said a word yet, and wears diapers. He is very limited in motor skills, likes to hit surfaces, dangle string, makes noises, and laughs uncontrollably. Which stone is that?

[Catherine8here]

I don't like the description, wheres the feelings in a stone? Where is all the screaming and the frustration I hear? Autism is not all about structures or different characters, many autistic children are deficient in nutrients due to severe probs with wheat/milk. I accept my child and love him, yet I want him to be well. I have found chagning his diet helped alot. Where is the reality, autism is autism, everyone is a stone. Every child with autism is beautiful with autism

[silentmiaow]

It was a description of different people's autistic traits, written by an autistic person. His name is Dave Spicer if you want to look him up and ask him, he has a website. Just make sure to include autism in the search because there are a few different Dave Spicers.

[neoyojo2]

i have autism i am stone one three and four

[skycladwow]

Loved this video but once again do not like the language used. I used to say that my son was a diabetic. i cringe now bcos he is my son who has diabetes. Please put the person b4 the diagnosis ;0

[silentmiaow]

Many autistic people, including the man who wrote the text, don't see saying "autistic person" as any worse than saying "Catholic person". Nobody assumes that calling someone a Catholic person or even a Catholic is, in that context, "putting the religion before the person," so it's the same with autism for some people. In this context it's better to call people what they prefer to be called, and that varies from person to person.

[assanep]

I am not alone anymore!! I am touched by this video. It was difficult for me, now i just understand that I am the stone that catches attention(which made me very affraid at times), but also the one that hides everything!! I want to be myself now, like D.Mammet! great, I do feel good now!! thanks for the video.

[JonahTorn]

I have Tourettes and I have used my poetry to express hoe it affects me on my youtube Channel JonahTorn with poems Like Poetry of Tourettes and Tourettes Thunder. I therefore

appreciate your use of metaphor. Very inciteful.

[RecoveredAutism]

beautiful explaination.

[DudeismMedia]

Favorited and loving it. im autistic and i succeeded in life. im a graphic designer i have plenty of friends and i think any medication is bullshit. autism cant be cured. its in ur head not in my blood/stomach

/any other part of my body.

[aspiegirl1130]

im the 3rd the 4th and the 5th

[dkhottwheels]

I am starting an organization with one of its goals to spread autism awareness and acceptance in middle to high school students.... this video would be a great intro for me to use at my presentations... how can I get permission to use it?

[silentmiaow]

Google Dave Spicer, include autism in the search, and you can find the man who wrote the text, which is also on the Autism Network International website. You can ask him for permission to use it, just as I asked him permission to use it in this video.

[internetsrock]

Great way to explain it indeed.

Anyone looking for up-to-date news and articles about autism should check out: autism (dot) joshgould (dot) net ... the links to books on the right side have helped me become a lot more informed.

[moltres234]

i have aspergers and i just want you guys to know u are not alone i a 23

[hyperstorm55]

this is wonderful! i'm both the 1st and 4th stone. bravo!

[Hinata194]

This video got me very emotional. Some people dont have the patience to get to know someone with autism and not only miss out on getting to know a great person, but that person soon starts to feel isolated. Having autism must be tough. This really touched me. =)

[MissStyx]

I am stone 2. Good analogy.

[maytabulous]

Prolific, poetic, insightful...

[momtoreezles]

One of my top three favorite autism videos of all time. Awesome! I am the first stone.

[rhondadbe]

Amanda, your video is excellent. I've worked with several Autistic students over the years as an Assistant Teacher and your descriptions describe them very well.

Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into these, they are all very well done.

[rhondadbe]

This is an awesome way to explain autism. I work with disabled kids, some have Autism. I loved the way you used the different stones,it made perfect sense to me! You made me think of the different students I've had over the years and which stone they are, that was awesome!

[alyssamuch]

you are a very strong person i saw you on tv and decided to look at your channel

i like your video and the way you express your self and your happines

♥♥

[bonita63]

A beautiful video, Amanda. And a brilliant explanation of autism. Also a great exercise in truly being present to the stones and experiencing them.

[katiepot]

I am definatly the 2nd stone.

[AisForAutism]

Very basic yet very insightful! THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL lesson into the unique qualities and challenges of autism.

Joanna K-V, Author

A IS FOR AUTISM, F IS FOR FRIEND...A Kid's Book on Making Friends with a Child Who Has Autism. (Check out my YouTube for more information on autism written in a kid-friendly format)

[jakerdog13]

Is it OK if I used your videos for a Public Service Announcement? I'm doing it for a class I take and I'm doing one for Autism. Just to let you know, I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, so I had Special Education as well.

[jakerdog13]

This video was probably made by a non-speaking autistic person as well. I can tell the voice is synthesized.

[silentmiaow]

Yes, the words were originally written by an autistic person who speaks (at a time when I would have been able to speak them for this video, in fact, had I thought of making one at the time), and then I got his permission to make a video of it, which at this point requires a synthesizer.

[jakerdog13]

I'm doing an ESA (Educational Service Announcement)for Autism. Would you mind if I used it for a project for class? I want to make people aware that Autism is not a disease, but a difference, just like you said. That would be great if you did.

[jakerdog13]

Oh, OK. Is it okay if I used your videos in my Public Service Announcement? I have to do one for school and I'm doing it for Autism. Like you, I have seen how Autistic people are mistreated. That would be great if you allowed me. By the way, just so you know, I was diagnosed as Asperger's Syndrome.

[shishi613]

ha! i like how the cast is the rocks

[cosmanthony21]

this video describes everyone.

[GrailcodeDotNet]

Amazing, thank you.

I love my Son so much.

[ottawahomes]

Thank you. I appreciate the work you are doing to help people understand autism better.

[Warsie]

Not to be a biased asshole, but isn't 'unusual' a biased loaded term? Meh, forget it. Cool vid.

[miniheli]

Very good video! Im worried I might be autistic. Im 18 now and always had strange rituals, banging my head on the side of the school bus, tip toeing when i walk. Focused on only one thing. When young, I used to take everything apart to see the inside. Im still currently in special ed and when I was about 7 they said I had add but I believe theres something more to it. I also had 3 autistic friends at one point. One went to Australia then when he came back he said he had aspburgers, he was 16.

[OpinioNate]

Perhaps you already know this, but other people might like to know as well.

The stones are (to the best of my knowledge):

1. Quartz

2. Jet

3. Hematite

4. Picasso Jasper

5. Amethyst

6. Tiger Eye

I really enjoy your videos, thank you.

[Warsie]

nerd. +1 to you

[letto2103]

You really explained it to me. My son was just diagnosed as in the light to moderate spectrum and i couldn't understand how 'cause to me he is just like me : "normal" but, thanks to this video now i know so i can help him better.

Thank you so very much!!

[corinnederella]

i loved this video - 1. i love rocks. 2. i love autism. using rocks to describe autism is amazing. i look forward to showing this to my friends who know how much i love both rocks and autism!!!

[charlieglebby]

Genius, absolutely genius.

[CaliforniaWeddings]

Very nice video. Thank you. My 15 yr. old son is Autistic. He is a combination of a couple of the stones you described. I can relate to him in some ways as I am very sensitive to sounds, textures, and do not handle changes very well.

[thechoccybiccy]

Superb! Beautifully done too.

[Yakshinian]

well, that explains people in general, doesn't it? not only autistics.

[DonZabu]

I only have asperegers, so I'm not sure if I count, but I think your videos are inspiring in many ways. Plus I cant say I've seen such a creative metaphor for autism in the past. Win.

[silentmiaow]

I don't differentiate the same way a lot of people do. The guy who wrote the words to this has an AS diagnosis I think.

[ijustpostcomments]

Actually, I do believe they also call Asperger's Disorder, sometimes, High Functioning Autism.

They're both related, but Asperger's has a few differences, such as it doesn't have the language deficits.

[MewFushisDad]

It's generally call "Aspergers Syndrome" and you are correct, it is often referred to as "High Functioning Autism".

I have two daughters, one has Aspergers and the other has Autism.

Both Aspergers and Autism fall under an umbrella referred to as A.S.D.,, Autism Spectrum Disorder

[purplemutantas]

People with Aspergers can and do have difficulties with verbal speech. I have Aspergers (official diagnosis by 2 psychs) and I have some difficulties with verbal speech. Nowadays I sometimes use text to speech on my PDA or laptop. And FYI, aspergers is related to autism because it's a form of autism.

[purplemutantas]

Of course you count. Aspergers is a form of autism. I have Aspergers too.

[gilgrapegrl]

the video is a rly creative way to explain autism. i was amazed at how easy it was to understand this analogy and loved how u combined dave spicer's words with the scenes to create such an insightful video. great job it was beautiful!!!

[LucyShy]

Which one are you?

[silentmiaow]

Others *react* to me most often like the amethyst: They see one side or the other but can't see it's the same person. If they do see both, some of them get mad at me for "acting purple" or "acting white" (whichever one they saw first).

[gwydion56]

I have only seen three of them, but I am amazed and delighted by your videos. I am learning so much from them, that I want to thank you for your effort. Keep up the good work.

[prfctchins]

I'd say you're closer to the Tiger Eye... Beautiful,but even more beautiful(and intricate) when you take the time to admire it closer.

[nllmki]

I love the way you interact with the stones.

[copiousken]

Brilliant explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[4Christ4ever]

I love this video. Thank you so much for making it.

[chuatakoon]

What a beautiful and creative way to articulate differences in people with autism. Genius! Keep making the videos, we all enjoy them so much :)

[AD2080]

Go to Iraq U fat mong.

[bAdamzoo]

AD2080, I have read your profile. why so much hate? I guess I am just having a bad day the things are not going the way i want them to.

[Dannilion]

All the stones were beautiful. All people (not just autistic people, but everyone) can be beautiful. Maybe not on the outside, but in the way they approach life.

[Tanfeliz]

You pose amazing questions about consciousness -- I deeply appreciate your perspective.

[Mormo]

Where'd you get all those stones? Could a person have autism but never diagnosed with it?

[silentmiaow]

1. At a store

2. Yes

[purplemutantas]

Sure. I wasn't diagnosed with Aspergers(which is a form of autism) till I was 23. There are people who weren't diagnosed until their 50's

[Leahlambchops]

Great description! The stones makes it very easy to see exactly what you mean. You all are important people in this world! My son is 7 and has PDD, he has some Aspergers characteristics and then some of them don't describe him at all. He is a special child trying to express himself the best that he can. I love you all! Keep Smiling!

[Treemeadow]

yay! I'm autistic and proud! I just did an oral presentation for my class and got to encourage neurodiversity!

[aspiegirl1130]

these stones are pretty

[skywalkerneo]

I liked the way you compared the stones with different kinds of people in the autism spectrum. It was great.

[theofficeisawesome]

good video, im autistic myself

[fatandslat]

a very elegant analogy. i love the description of autism as yet another "way of being". as a label, the word "autism" may be a handy way of lumping certain behavioral/cognitive characteristics together, but as a label it alos severely handicaps our ability to understand and appreciate the whole spectrum of human life, of human consciousness, in all its beautiful varieties.

[princessputter]

this is a perfect way to describe autism.. my autistic son would be a tiger eye stone thanks for posting

[KittiesRock46]

I'm a clear stone. I expose my real mind to everyone, even if people will make fun of me for it. This of course worried my family, for they didn't want people to think i'm weird. But in reality, most people are glad to know somebody who praises autism for once, and has good reasons to oppose a cure.

[Director555]

You are brighter then most of the human begins!

[drmaier]

Very, very useful way to illustrate the differences.

[avaruuskissa]

just so pretty. :)

[KevLeitch]

Thank you Dave and Amanda.

[angiecat33]

great video and beautiful stones

[ThePamster]

This was really a great video Amanda, thank you for doing it, Dave really made use of the stones charactericstics and helped us to compare them to autism in a enlightening way. Thank you and thank you Dave for doing this! I am very impressed...

[jerjorju]

This video should be shown in schools. I would say to junior high school and up.

[ksol1460]

I second that. Or even younger.

[gilgrapegrl]

i think that would be a great idea...im in high school, just left middle school, and in middle school, students didnt hav that much tolerance or understanding about those that were different

[run3sc4p3n]

very nice

[twosidesoftara]

thankyou for opening my eyes:)

[periurban]

Great, as always.

[gelertgirl92]

Beautiful... just beautiful... :)

[alarthur]

Beautiful words and video - Thanks

[sharlynnv]

Amazing video, amazing explanation, and gorgeous rocks.

[janasle458]

very niiice

[mclaren122]

good to hear. very good

[moviemakingbook]

Nice work! Enlightening and enjoyable!

[emeraldglow]

That is so wonderful.

[lordalfredhenry]

Very cool! I have a star of india and a few other special rocks.

[jmemerk]

Awesome video!

[ok4realz]

Thank you! I really appreciate all that you have shared in your videos. It is inspiring to see how evolved your self-awareness is compared to those of us who misuse our inconspicuousness as a license for apathy toward ourselves and others.

[casualchris]

Thank you for your insights, I always look forward to your videos!!

Christopher

[Nashville2Cats]

A beautiful integration of Dave Spicer's words and your visuals, Amanda. You are helping people appreciate everyone's uniqueness. Thank you!

[kenrg]

Fascinating and and beautiful. A simple analogy that goes quite deep. I really appreciated it.

[jesmalu]

good video!

[mixedpixel]

Amazingly beautiful.

[Berkeleyappho]

My son says that there should be a video on how to understand neurotypical people, because he really needs it. He says they are a complete mystery to him. I really liked the stones and that you gave them credit. Great video!

[DavidlyMe]

Keep up the good work. These videos are really challenging people (including myself) to see others in a different way.