Autism

Just a brief explanation of Autism. I'll try to make a better video during the day when I have some time.

Hello my name is Rachael and I have Autism.

Autism is a developmental disability affecting, communication, social interaction and patterns of repetitive behaviour. Autism affects about every 1 in a thousand people. Sometimes up to 1 in 150 people. I was diagnosed with autism as a child, I am borderline autistic and I have traits of Aspergers Syndrome as well. People with autism tend to have obsessions that they become intrigued in over the years; my obsessions over the years have been paper, drawing, reading, gymnastics, dancing, computers, internet, All Saints, NCIS my favorite TV Shows and Evanescence my favorite band. These obsessions shape my life, I find it difficult to talk about much else because I find it hard to keep interest in other peoples conversations, its not because I dont care, its because I have trouble understanding. Im usually not interested in the latest news and gossip because I spend my time in my own little world. I prefer to be alone and I find it hard to make and keep friends because of my trouble communicating. Some people with Autism lack in empathy for others. People with autism may take things literally such as if you say its raining cats and dogs we may not understand and start looking for the dogs and cats. Its best to be clear about what you wish to communicate to a person with autism. Most people with autism love to have a routine and follow it. If the routine is disrupted we may get upset and angry. I have a very strict routine especially on Tuesday nights and I get very upset if it is broken. Autism can affect our sensory department in the brain as well, you can be over sensitive to things or under sensitive. Things like itchy material may be a trigger to these issues. I cant wear tags on the back of my clothes because of my sensory issues, and I dont like being touched because my senses go into overdrive, I dont like certain smells such as a jacaranda tree, or mud, I dont like certain tastes such as spicy food. Sudden noises frighten me, or sound such as the vacuum cleaner and fire detector. People with autism often have allergies. I find it hard to keep eye contact with people and often look away from people. Often we may seem hearing impaired or like we are ignoring you but we are in our little world thinking of other things, we may not respond to our name. Other disorders may be linked with autism such as Aspergers Syndrome, Depression, ADHD, ADD and Anxiety. A lot of teenagers with autism become depressed and anxious because its a time of discovering themselves, forming relationships and seeking out there personality all the things that autism makes it hard to do. People with autism may intentionally harm themselves and have repetitive movements such as head banging and hand flapping. This is because they cannot express themselves in more positive ways. 40% of people with Autism never speak. Im one of the lucky ones. Sleeping problems occur in 40- 70% of people with autism. We find it hard to get to sleep and stay asleep and may awake easily. Some people with autism find it hard to fit in there own age group and prefer to hang out with people older or younger than them. I love my computer because I dont have to fit in an awkward situation and show eye contact, read emotion and understand as much as when Im in a group situation. I find it hard a lot of the time but I manage to cope and I am learning new strategies all the time. Autism can make my life difficult at times, but I have autism, autism does not have me! Thanks for watching!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Autism
• All Saints
• NCIS
• Evanescence
• Aspergers

[Madadder2]

HURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR­RRRRRRRRR DURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR­RRRRRRRRR

[AllSaintsAngel]

@Madadder2 WTF?

[mcwalte]

I agree with the comments above. This video is fantastic! IYou are able to articulate your feelings very well and I think this video could really help people without Autism (like me) understand it better.....thanks for sharing

[AllSaintsAngel]

thank you :)

[Auriclama]

Very well explained, i kinda know what it is like with the routines and stuff because I have OCD and all the time i feel like i am stuck thinking about past and future events when i really just wan't to live in the present! And even though it's easy to speak on camera for me, in real life sometimes i get that thing where you can't look someone in the eyes.

[AllSaintsAngel]

thank you, routine can drive you nuts even if the slightest little thing is out of order. there's a lot of ocd traits that are similar to autism, like i have to walk on my toes up the stairs, i have to line things up, it must be tough living with ocd having to do things heaps of times over and over again. i get people all the time saying, why dont you just look at me when you speak?!

[CecilyHeron]

@HelpCureAutism In the most respectful way, that kind of comment, though well-intentioned, can be perceived as patronising. I have a sister with a physical disability and people go up to her all the time and say things like that, and "you're beautiful" or "keep positive". It's the thing she hates most about going out. Hope this doesn't sound rude.

[CecilyHeron]

@CecilyHeron And the issue of obsessions that you mention. That is of course a trait of OCD. So I wonder if both disorders are just variants of the same thing.

[CecilyHeron]

Hi, good of you to share this. I wonder how much of a crossover there is between OCD and autism. I have moderately severe OCD, but not autism or even Asperger's - I am very much someone who thrives on human contact. However I've always found loud noises very unpleasant in a way that I've recently become aware other people don't, and I take a while to recover from having been startled. Also I hate certain smells like those of certain chemicals, and burning materials in a way that others don't.