All About Autism

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Aspy World! I'm D, and if you're new here, I make weekly videos about autism, ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia. Today, I want to dive into a topic that's close to my heart—three common mistakes that autistic individuals often make, and how we can turn these learning opportunities into strengths. So, stick around because this one's packed with insights! --- Don't Apologize for Being Autistic First things first—let's talk about apologies. One of the most common mistakes I see among autistic individuals is apologizing for who they are. Whether it's apologizing for autistic behaviors or feeling like they need to explain themselves, it's important to remember that being on the autism spectrum is nothing to apologize for. It's a unique part of who you are, and it should be celebrated, not regretted. In a world where neurodevelopmental conditions like autism sometimes face skepticism or misunderstanding, it's u...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Aspy World! I'm D, and if you're new here, I make weekly videos about autism, ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia. Today, I want to dive into a topic that's close to my heart—three common mistakes that autistic individuals often make, and how we can turn these learning opportunities into strengths. So, stick around because this one's packed with insights! --- Don't Apologize for Being Autistic First things first—let's talk about apologies. One of the most common mistakes I see among autistic individuals is apologizing for who they are. Whether it's apologizing for autistic behaviors or feeling like they need to explain themselves, it's important to remember that being on the autism spectrum is nothing to apologize for. It's a unique part of who you are, and it should be celebrated, not regretted. In a world where neurodevelopmental conditions like autism sometimes face skepticism or misunderstanding, it's u...

Hey everyone! Today’s video is a bit different—I’m answering your questions with the help of Carla, a valued member of our team. Carla is a healthcare professional specializing in autism and therapy. She’s here to address questions that many of you have asked in my previous videos. If you want a chance to have your question answered by Carla in future videos, drop your questions in the comments below! Carla also offers therapy services, and you can find booking details through The Aspy World—links are provided below for your convenience. Without further ado, let’s dive into the questions and hear what Carla has to say! --- Introduction to Carla: "Hi everyone, I'm Carla Pitus, a registered therapist specializing in neurodiversity. I've been in the field for over 20 years, and as a neurodivergent individual myself, I bring a unique perspective to my work. Today, I want to address a common question that many of you have asked." Q: I’ve been on the autism...

For years, I struggled with understanding myself and finding my path, having been diagnosed with autism at 26. That diagnosis explained the 26 years of fumbling in the dark, going from one doctor to another, searching for answers that seemed elusive. Despite the challenges, those years taught me invaluable lessons about life and struggle. As an autistic individual, I’ve always been a problem solver. I view problems not as obstacles but as opportunities for solutions. Each problem encountered is a sign of progress. Standing still means no problems, but also no growth. Today, I’m sharing my journey and the 10 steps I designed to create success in my life. 1. Journaling Everything Journaling has been transformative for me. I carry a small notebook where I jot down every emotion, thought, goal, and worry. This practice helps free my mind from the constant chatter and stress. By putting my thoughts on paper, I gain clarity and peace, making it easier to tackle daily challenges. ...

Do you struggle with starting tasks even when you really want to? You’re not alone. Many autistic individuals face this challenge due to a concept known as inertia. Today, let’s explore what inertia is, how it affects our daily lives, and, most importantly, how we can overcome it. What is Inertia? Inertia, in the context of autism, refers to the difficulty of starting or stopping tasks. If you’re engaged in a task, you might find it hard to stop. Conversely, if you’re not doing anything, starting a new task can feel impossible. This can be particularly challenging for autistic individuals, making it difficult to initiate tasks even when highly motivated. The Challenge of Inertia Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a list of things you want to do but found yourself unable to begin any of them? That’s inertia at work. Despite having numerous ideas and plans, starting can be a significant barrier. Before we dive into the solutions, I want to take a moment to thank a...

Do you struggle with starting tasks even when you really want to? You’re not alone. Many autistic individuals face this challenge due to a concept known as inertia. Today, let’s explore what inertia is, how it affects our daily lives, and, most importantly, how we can overcome it. What is Inertia? Inertia, in the context of autism, refers to the difficulty of starting or stopping tasks. If you’re engaged in a task, you might find it hard to stop. Conversely, if you’re not doing anything, starting a new task can feel impossible. This can be particularly challenging for autistic individuals, making it difficult to initiate tasks even when highly motivated. The Challenge of Inertia Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a list of things you want to do but found yourself unable to begin any of them? That’s inertia at work. Despite having numerous ideas and plans, starting can be a significant barrier. Before we dive into the solutions, I want to take a moment to thank a...

What is Happy Stimming and Why Do Thousands Do It Without Even Realizing? Welcome back, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating and often misunderstood topic: happy stimming. What is it, why do people do it, and how can we support those who engage in this behavior? Let's get into it. --- What is Stimming? Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a common activity among individuals on the autism spectrum or those who are neurodivergent. This includes people with ADHD, autism, or both—like myself. Stimming involves repetitive movements or sounds that help regulate sensory input and emotional states. It's an involuntary response to built-up energy, excitement, or anxiety. Types of Stimming: - Physical Stimming: Rocking back and forth, flapping hands, or jumping. - Vocal Stimming: Repeating certain sounds or phrases, singing, or making noises. Happy Stimming Explained Happy stimming occurs when an individual experiences joy or exci...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Aspie World! I'm Dan, and on this channel, I tackle topics related to autism, ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia to educate and empower individuals on the spectrum. If you're new here and eager to join the conversation, hit that subscribe button and click the notification bell so you never miss a video. Today, I want to dive into a topic that's close to my heart—autism and schooling. It's a discussion that needs to be had because, like many of you, my own experiences in school were distressing. In fact, they left me with what I can only describe as PTSD, particularly from my high school years. I share a lot more about this in my book "Autism for Adults," which you can find [here](link to your book). Before we delve deeper into this topic, I want to thank today's sponsor, Brilia. Brilia offers a non-prescription, homeopathic, non-addictive medicine designed to enhance clarity, reduce stress, anxiety, and impulsivity, and i...

Hey everyone, welcome back to the ASP World! I'm Dan, and I have autism and ADHD. My passion in life is to empower individuals on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. If you're new here, join me on this journey by subscribing and hitting the notification bell so you never miss a video. Let's dive into a topic that's crucial for understanding autism: the importance of routine. Why Routine Matters Autism is a neurological condition characterized by certain traits, one of which is a strong affinity for routine and repetitive behaviors. But why is routine so important for autistic individuals? Let's break it down. Predictability and Comfort Imagine your day unfolds predictably, with each activity following a familiar sequence. This predictability provides a sense of comfort and security for autistic individuals. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and helps in managing emotions. For example, sticking to a morn...

Hey everyone! In today’s post, we’re diving into an online Autism test available on my website. This test can help you determine if you might need a formal autism assessment or if certain behaviors you’re experiencing are just unique quirks. Let’s get right into it! Welcome Back to The Aspie World Hey guys, welcome back to The Aspie World! My name is Dan, and I have autism, ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a test on my website. Yes, that’s my face up there! This questionnaire is designed to help you understand where you or your loved one might fall on the autism spectrum. While it’s not a definitive diagnosis, it’s a useful tool to consider before seeking a professional assessment. Before We Begin: Mental Health Resources Before we jump into the test, I want to mention that if you’re struggling with mental health issues, BetterHelp offers fantastic online therapy services. You can communicate with a therapist via phone, text, or video ca...

Hey everyone! In today’s post, we’re diving into an online Autism test available on my website. This test can help you determine if you might need a formal autism assessment or if certain behaviors you’re experiencing are just unique quirks. Let’s get right into it! Welcome Back to The Aspie World Hey guys, welcome back to The Aspie World! My name is Dan, and I have autism, ADHD, OCD, and dyslexia. Today, I’m excited to introduce you to a test on my website. Yes, that’s my face up there! This questionnaire is designed to help you understand where you or your loved one might fall on the autism spectrum. While it’s not a definitive diagnosis, it’s a useful tool to consider before seeking a professional assessment. Before We Begin: Mental Health Resources Before we jump into the test, I want to mention that if you’re struggling with mental health issues, BetterHelp offers fantastic online therapy services. You can communicate with a therapist via phone, text, or video ca...

Hey everyone, welcome back to the aspie World! I'm Dan, and I have autism and ADHD. My mission in life is to help individuals on the autism spectrum achieve their full potential and lead successful lives. If you're new here, join me on this journey by hitting the subscribe button and clicking the notification bell below. Let's dive into something fascinating today that you probably haven't heard about before: the connection between autism, stimming, and white noise. Understanding Stimming Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a repetitive behavior that many autistic individuals engage in. This could be rocking back and forth, humming a tune, flicking fingers, or other repetitive movements. These behaviors help autistic individuals regulate their sensory input and manage their emotions. Stimming is often a comforting and self-soothing mechanism. The Role of White Noise Now, let's talk about white noise. You know that fuzzy sound your TV ...

Hey everyone, welcome back to the aspie World! I'm Dan, and I have autism and ADHD. My mission in life is to help individuals on the autism spectrum achieve their full potential and lead successful lives. If you're new here, join me on this journey by hitting the subscribe button and clicking the notification bell below. Let's dive into something fascinating today that you probably haven't heard about before: the connection between autism, stimming, and white noise. Understanding Stimming Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a repetitive behavior that many autistic individuals engage in. This could be rocking back and forth, humming a tune, flicking fingers, or other repetitive movements. These behaviors help autistic individuals regulate their sensory input and manage their emotions. Stimming is often a comforting and self-soothing mechanism. The Role of White Noise Now, let's talk about white noise. You know that fuzzy sound your TV ...

Hey guys, today’s video is a bit different. I’m excited to introduce you to one of my team members, Carla. Carla is a healthcare professional specializing in autism and therapy. She’s here to answer some of the questions you’ve asked in my previous videos. If you have a question you’d like Carla to answer, leave a comment on this video! Carla also offers therapy sessions, and you can find the booking links below. Without further ado, here’s Carla to address some of your questions. Enjoy! --- Meet Carla Hi, I’m Carla Pitus, a registered therapist and a neurodivergent individual myself. Thank you for being here. Today, I’d like to address a question we received about sensory diets. Question on Sensory Diets One viewer shared: “I get so much flack from family and others who don’t get why I’m willing to warm up noodles for one kid, let another only eat raw carrots because cooked ones are gross for him, and why the other one gets to make her own liftover plate how sh...

Hey everyone, welcome back to the ASBY World! I'm Dan, and today we're diving into a topic that's often misunderstood: can autistic individuals have sex? Before we get into it, if you're new here and want to learn more about autism and related topics, be sure to hit the subscribe button so you don't miss out on future videos. Dispelling Myths and Exploring Realities In my book, "Autism for Adults," I dedicated a chapter to intimacy and sex because there's a prevalent misconception that autistic people can't or don't desire relationships. This couldn't be further from the truth. Like everyone else, autistic individuals have varied experiences and desires when it comes to intimacy. We even have dedicated dating websites that cater to autistic individuals, where many seek relationships that include physical intimacy. Understanding the Spectrum of Needs Autistic individuals have diverse needs, which can range from sensory sens...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Aspie World! I'm Dan, and today I want to dive into a topic that's close to my heart: loneliness among autistic individuals. If you're new here, I make weekly videos about autism, ADHD, and other related topics. Don't forget to hit that Subscribe button and the notification bell so you never miss an update. Loneliness: A Personal Reflection Recently, I stumbled upon an article discussing loneliness among autistic individuals, and it really struck a chord with me. As someone on the autism spectrum, I began reflecting on my own experiences. Despite being a YouTuber and having an online presence, I spend most of my days alone. Working from home, doing Zoom meetings, and creating content in isolation can sometimes lead to a sense of loneliness. Before the pandemic, I used to travel frequently for events like VidCon in LA, which provided social interaction. However, since COVID-19, those opportunities have diminished. While 2024 b...

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Aspy World! I'm Dan, and today we're diving deep into a topic that's crucial for understanding autism: repetitive behaviors and routines. If you're new here, I make weekly videos discussing autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, and more. Hit that Subscribe button and the notification bell to stay updated with all things neurodiversity!   What Are Repetitive Behaviors in Autism? Repetitive behaviors, often referred to as "stimming," are a hallmark characteristic of autism. These behaviors serve various purposes for autistic individuals, from managing sensory input to providing comfort and predictability in their daily lives. Stimming can manifest as hand-flapping, rocking back and forth, spinning objects, or making repetitive sounds—each behavior serving a unique sensory or emotional regulation function. A Word from Our Sponsor: Magic Mind Before we delve deeper into the complexities of autism and repetitive behaviors, ...

Hey guys, welcome back to The Aspie World! My name is Dan, and I have autism and ADHD. I make weekly videos all about these topics, so if you're new here and want to learn more about autism and ADHD, remember to hit the subscribe button and click the notification bell. In this blog post, we’re diving deep into the effective age to diagnose someone professionally on the autism spectrum. We’ll explore everything from the average diagnosis age to interesting facts about the youngest individuals diagnosed with autism. The Average Age of Autism Diagnosis One of the most common questions I get is, “What is the best age to diagnose someone with autism?” The truth is, this can vary significantly from person to person. Some people are diagnosed later in life, while others are diagnosed as children. However, data shows that most individuals are diagnosed around the age of three. Let’s dive into why this is. Why Three Years Old? The age of three is often considered the optim...