i'm not an alien i'm just autistic :)

Summary

In this video, Savannah Brown shares her personal journey of receiving an autism diagnosis at 26. She reflects on her childhood struggles with social cues and sensory sensitivities, the emotional impact of her diagnosis, and the relief it brought to understanding her lifelong experiences. Savannah also discusses the challenges of masking her autism and the positive aspects of self-acceptance, offering hope and solidarity to others who may relate to her story.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video's creator, Savannah, humorously introduces her autism diagnosis and the impact it has had on her life.
• 🔍 Savannah was diagnosed with autism at age 26, which confirmed her earlier suspicions and brought a sense of closure.
• 😢 She experienced sadness and emotional turmoil after the diagnosis, reflecting on how autism has affected her from a young age.
• 🧠 Savannah discusses how her childhood behaviors, such as sensitivity and social struggles, were indicative of her autism.
• 📝 She shares a personal essay and her father's observations, which highlight her unique traits and challenges growing up.
• 🏫 Savannah describes her school years as traumatizing, feeling socially awkward and unable to connect with peers.
• 🤯 She talks about the exhausting effort of masking her autism to fit in and the sense of being fundamentally different from others.
• 🌐 Savannah found solace and a sense of belonging on the internet, which became a crucial space for her identity and expression.
• 🔄 Post-diagnosis, she is reevaluating her life, focusing on self-acceptance and removing shame associated with her autistic traits.
• 🌟 Savannah emphasizes the positive aspects of her life, such as her happiness, curiosity, and the joy she finds in simple pleasures.
• 🤝 She acknowledges the fear of how others might react to her diagnosis but also the support she's received from understanding communities.

Q & A

What was Savannah's initial suspicion about her condition before getting a formal diagnosis?

Savannah initially suspected she had a hint of autism, but later realized it was more than just a hint, as she described it as 'the whole damned case'.

At what age was Savannah diagnosed with autism?

Savannah was diagnosed with autism at the age of 26.

How did Savannah feel emotionally after receiving her autism diagnosis?

Initially, Savannah felt very sad, but then she experienced a profound sense of closure and was able to move on from a pain that had affected her since her youth.

What kind of childhood behaviors did Savannah exhibit that were later recognized as autistic traits?

As a child, Savannah showed traits such as sensitivity, emotionality, clumsiness, severe food pickiness, and a tendency to withdraw from social interactions.

How did Savannah's social experiences in middle school affect her?

Savannah struggled socially in middle school, feeling unable to say the right words and often experiencing nervousness and confusion. She felt socially rejected and was sometimes perceived as making her peers uncomfortable.

What was Savannah's approach to dealing with her perceived differences during her school years?

Savannah tried to 'become good and likable' by adopting personality traits she found attractive in others, essentially curating a persona to mask her true self.

How did Savannah's undiagnosed autism affect her mental health?

Savannah experienced significant mental health challenges due to her undiagnosed autism, including feelings of social rejection, exhaustion from constantly acting in different social roles, and contemplation of not being alive.

What positive aspects of her life does Savannah highlight after her diagnosis?

After her diagnosis, Savannah highlights her happiness, curiosity, strong interests, and the joy she finds in simple pleasures such as reading, being with her cat, and enjoying her own company at home.

What is Savannah's perspective on the concept of 'masking' in relation to her autism?

Savannah acknowledges that her ability to 'mask' her autistic traits has been useful in certain situations, but she also recognizes the importance of not having to do it all the time and is working towards a place where she feels comfortable being herself.

How does Savannah feel about the autism community and the support she has found online?

Savannah expresses gratitude for the internet and the community she has found there, noting that it has been a 'godsend' and has helped her feel less alone in her experiences.

What does Savannah suggest as a potential area of research regarding autism and certain personal interests?

Savannah suggests that there might be a higher incidence rate of autism among people with specific fetishes, hypothesizing a connection based on hyper fixation and sensory seeking behaviors.