I wonder if “But you don’t look autistic!” is so common because non-autistics tend to think it’s possible (for them, at least) to “just know” everything about someone by looking at them. When they somehow don’t “just know” that we’re autistic, that calls into question one of their big assumptions about what makes autistic people “flawed” (because we don’t always “just know” things about people the way they think they do).
I’ve definitely heard several of these (including “But you don’t look autistic!” and “I never would’ve guessed!”, and “But isn’t it over-diagnosed?”) and I’m more forgiving when they come from people who are maybe not as informed, but when it comes from people who should know better… Anyway, thank you for making this!
I was recntly diagnosed at 25 and when I told my mom she just couldn’t fathom how that was even a possibility; and she said “Well I have worked with people who have that and your nothing like them”
Yeah mom, probably because I had to learn to act a certain to not constantly have others treat me negatively because I was dubbed “weird” very early on by my peers- also, did you forget about all the issues I had with sensory things as a kid? Like clothing, sound, temperature, and physical contact?
Love this video!
Did you ever hear “Well why can’t you just do insert any activity that causes anxiety and sensory overload here?”
I wonder if “But you don’t look autistic!” is so common because non-autistics tend to think it’s possible (for them, at least) to “just know” everything about someone by looking at them. When they somehow don’t “just know” that we’re autistic, that calls into question one of their big assumptions about what makes autistic people “flawed” (because we don’t always “just know” things about people the way they think they do).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this video! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for educating!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve definitely heard several of these (including “But you don’t look autistic!” and “I never would’ve guessed!”, and “But isn’t it over-diagnosed?”) and I’m more forgiving when they come from people who are maybe not as informed, but when it comes from people who should know better…
Anyway, thank you for making this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂 I love the “my friend has an NT child and you’re nothing like them” comeback! 💯 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
The format is engaging and interesting. Will definitely share this with others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this! Thank you so much.
LikeLike
I was recntly diagnosed at 25 and when I told my mom she just couldn’t fathom how that was even a possibility; and she said “Well I have worked with people who have that and your nothing like them”
Yeah mom, probably because I had to learn to act a certain to not constantly have others treat me negatively because I was dubbed “weird” very early on by my peers- also, did you forget about all the issues I had with sensory things as a kid? Like clothing, sound, temperature, and physical contact?
Love this video!
Did you ever hear “Well why can’t you just do insert any activity that causes anxiety and sensory overload here?”
LikeLiked by 1 person