Isabella's Story: being deaf and autistic

Summary

This transcript shares the experiences of a deaf autistic individual navigating a world that often struggles to accept differences. The speaker reflects on challenges such as stimming, sensory overload, and the pressure to conform to societal norms, particularly from hearing and neurotypical people. They discuss how the deaf community provides a safer space for expression, but acknowledge the difficulties with eye contact in sign language for autistic individuals. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the importance of acceptance and self-love, advocating for a world that embraces diversity without forcing people to change who they are.

Takeaways

• 🧩 Many deaf autistic people exist, but the world doesn't always accept them openly.
• ✋ As a child, the speaker was told to 'quiet their hands,' which suppressed their natural stimming behavior.
• 🌀 Stimming is a common behavior for autistic people, used to release energy, and it's not inherently bad.
• 🤝 The deaf community offers more acceptance because American Sign Language (ASL) embraces 'loud hands' as part of communication.
• 👂 Hearing people often assume that deaf individuals want to hear, but sameness doesn't equate to equality.
• 🧠 Autism is part of the speaker's identity, not a pathology, and they experience sensory overload, especially with sounds.
• 🎧 Hearing aids cause discomfort, anxiety, and stress for the speaker, but in the deaf community, they can remove them and relax.
• 📊 Both deafness and autism exist on a spectrum, with varying communication styles and sensory experiences.
• 👁 Eye contact, crucial in sign language, can be difficult for autistic people, leading to communication challenges.
• 🌍 The world is evolving, and it's important to create an environment where people feel loved, accepted, and don't need to change themselves.

Q & A

What challenge does the speaker describe in existing openly as a deaf autistic person?

The speaker explains that it's difficult to exist openly as a deaf autistic person because society doesn't always accept differences and may expect people to conform to norms that don't accommodate their unique needs.

What does the phrase 'quiet your hands' mean in the context of the speaker's experience?

The phrase 'quiet your hands' refers to people telling the speaker to be still, suppressing natural stimming behavior, which involves moving the body to release energy.

What is stimming, and why do autistic people engage in it?

Stimming is a behavior where autistic people move their bodies to release energy, and it’s a natural coping mechanism to manage emotions and sensory input.

How does the deaf community make the speaker feel more accepted?

The speaker feels more accepted in the deaf community because American Sign Language (ASL) embraces the use of 'loud hands,' which contrasts with the hearing community's expectation for stillness.

What misconception do hearing people have about deaf individuals, according to the speaker?

Hearing people often believe that deaf individuals wish they could hear, but the speaker points out that this assumption is incorrect and that sameness is not equality.

Why does the speaker describe hearing aids as uncomfortable and stressful?

The speaker explains that wearing hearing aids causes anxiety, stress, and physical pain in their ears, particularly due to being overwhelmed by sounds.

What is a key difference in communication between the deaf and autistic communities?

A key difference is that deaf people rely on eye contact for communication, which can be challenging for autistic people who may find eye contact uncomfortable or unnatural.

Why does the speaker find the deaf community a safe space as an autistic person?

The speaker finds the deaf community a safe space because they can communicate and socialize without experiencing sensory overload, particularly when signing without hearing aids.

How does the speaker compare the experiences of deaf and autistic individuals?

The speaker notes that both communities are diverse, with deaf people existing on a spectrum of hearing abilities and communication styles, and autistic people having varying sensory needs and behaviors. Each individual's experience is unique.

What is the speaker's overall message about societal expectations and personal identity?

The speaker believes that societal expectations, such as wanting autistic or deaf people to conform to 'normal' behavior, are misguided. People should be accepted for who they are and not pressured to change themselves to fit into a narrow definition of normalcy.