Autistamatic video on YouTube

[Autistamatic]

Hi all

I have just published the first video on the Autistamatic channel on YouTube. I am hoping to convey a taste of the duality of Asperger's and HFA - both the benefits and the deficits. In order to also reach the NT audience I have done it on camera, which I'm not entirely comfortable with, but it's a means to an end.

Please offer any constructive criticism, I do want to be as representative of as many of us as I can without making too many generalisations. I hope to present a genuine and favourable picture of both our struggles and our triumphs to others on the spectrum, and those outside the spectrum.
I will shortly post the second in the series and I hope to produce 2 to 3 a month in future.

If you genuinely like the video or it's message please share it with others and subscribe to the channel, it will help me a great deal because I would like to make a success of this channel. It is not currently monetised so it will not be delayed or interrupted by advertising.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy.

EDIT: Following feedback from this forum the following wording has bee added to the video description:

Warning: There is a short section including static between 9:18 and 9:25. If you are sensitive to static noise or images please skip these few seconds.

 

[Monachopia]

I loved your video! Your delivery was calm and informative and the visuals were so beautiful! I found the way you spoke about the difficulties we have to be very endearing. Well done on making this, even though it wasn't an entirely comfortable experience for you.

You described a few things that I didn't know related to ASD - such as not needing or even wanting to take credit for things achieved. I know from personal experience, I really don't care about praise or approval, I just do what I want or what needs to be done because I like improving or just DOING them and leave it at that. And you're right - nothing is ever really finished!
You also hit the nail on the head with social bonds... That we tend to choose to "specialise" on a person or two, learn their behaviour and be able to predict and analyse what they need or want. This makes them "safe". Any more than that and it becomes a maze of uncertainty and overwhelming amount of often useless information. I often felt like a failure when I had just one friend at a time... but since you put it this way, I understand that it's just the way that makes sense to my brain and there's nothing wrong with that.

At the beginning of your video you also touched on the DSM-5 definitions and the limitations therein. I found those problematic as they generalise mild autism spectrum too far and I didn't even believe I had it as almost none of those 'traits' applied to me (as apparently women's characteristics differ and there just isn't much information on that). You are right, there is far more to an Aspie or HF than just the 'lack of' certain things NT's take for granted. And the fact that most of us can pass for "normal" it's hard to explain when we struggle with social or sensory overload - I believe you put it really well - when we're outside of our comfort zone is when we are truly "autistic". NT's don't expect it or don't understand that it's an ongoing condition rather than a feeling we'll "get over" - because we're just so "normal" otherwise, right?

Also:
On side note on the 'loud, raucous, rebellious music' - I absolutely relate to this, it made me laugh! Noisy, chaotic environments like restaurants and bars are distressing, but loud metal music is soothing and calming. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! All I can equate it to is that the music spoke to me and explained how I feel when no one else could, as I have been a loner most of my life. Do you ever get comments "Why haven't you grown out of this yet?" though?

As a last note, I'm sure you know of this: The Aspie World , maybe in the future you could contact him and spread the word about your channel too.

 

[Monachopia]

Sorry, I was writing as I watched the video twice to give you some feedback. I hope it wasn't all absolute drivel!
I liked your word for the AS productivity zone too! It's not always easy to sink into it, but I know I get there when I draw, the whole world melts away and it's just me and the paper. It's truly amazing. ^_^

 

[Pats]

Loved it!!!! Very informational and I love the way you bring out our positive qualities. I do plan to share this video and appreciate you going to the effort and sharing it with me.

 

[Pats]

You described a few things that I didn't know related to ASD - such as not needing or even wanting to take credit for things achieved. I know from personal experience, I really don't care about praise or approval, I just do what I want or what needs to be done because I like improving or just DOING them and leave it at that. And you're right - nothing is ever really finished!

I found that really interesting, too because I have a major problem with praise and approval. I have given gifts anonymously just to avoid just this. And I'm always not wanting anyone to see what I'm working until I finish and satisfied with it.

 

[Monachopia]

I found that really interesting, too because I have a major problem with praise and approval. I have given gifts anonymously just to avoid just this. And I'm always not wanting anyone to see what I'm working until I finish and satisfied with it.

It's a weird one, I'm the same with that. It's almost as if - if I show it before it's finished or I tell people I'm working on it then the expectation from their side will be too great and I will stop working on it because I can't fulfil that expectation. I automatically fail (in my head) somehow.
Or even when I am waiting for something to happen, I won't talk about it before it actually happens. i.e. I was buying a house, but did not share the information until the contract completed. It was
a) to avoid people asking me information
b) to avoid expectations
c) not to jinx it
d) people asking this stuff is just stressful on top of stress already !?
e) to avoid having to explain why something didn't work out as that's stressful too.
--- Yet NT's don't seem to understand this concept and often find it weird that I don't discuss things I'm doing or waiting for, until they're done...

 

[Autistamatic]

Thank you for the encouraging and positive comments. It is very helpful. I know not everyone will be so positive, but to have such friendly initial comments is very heartwarming.

 

[OkRad]

Wow. I really liked this. I will certainly follow! Great presentation and great information. I loved how you differentiate between NT and ND experience. Valuable information

 

[TheFreeCat]

It is very good. You said many things I agree with. I am very autistimatic. The only hard part was the music. I have trouble with music playing in the background in general, so that was a bit hard for me. But other than that is was great!

 

[Autistamatic]

Thank you for your feedback @OkRad & @TheFreeCat , I appreciate you taking the time.

 

[Theta.G]

Great production value... your voice reminds me of a BBC documentary narrator so there is an element of familiarity which the brain loves, it will help you get tons of views once the ball gets rolling. When it comes to the "niche" that is autism awareness i noticed in the past that most videos were typically people i front of their computers with a medium resolution camera just casually chatting about it and if most of the other videos are still like that yours may even be promoted by Youtube above the others due to their newer guidelines and algorithm. Background music and voice volume is good, sound effects well placed.
Even the title is great for SEO.

This rarely ever happens but... i don't have any constructive criticism for you. If you keep at it i see you and your channel being a big success.

It's that good!

 

[Autistamatic]

WOW! That's really unexpectedly high praise @Hdphn33 but very welcome indeed. I try my best to make the production values as high as I can manage given my limitations of circumstance and budget so your comment is very appreciated.

 

[Autistamatic]

The only hard part was the music. I have trouble with music playing in the background in general, so that was a bit hard for me.

I did umm and aah a bit about whether to use background music and I did quite a bit of research into it to help me decide. I did consider that some Aspies might find it off putting so it was an awkward choice. In the end it's down to the sound quality of the narration. This project is the first time I've put myself in front of the camera and the sound quality is not as crisp as when I've narrated behind the camera when I can optimise conditions. When I play the video back without background music it sounds quite dead and lifeless in comparison, so I decided to follow the advice of the pros and to use as unobtrusive and low key a piece of music as I can to make it sound a little less like I'm recording it in my dining room

 

[Progster]

9/10. You are an excellent presenter. The only thing that I didn't like was the special effects which accompany the word 'disorder', I have visual and sound sensitivities.

 

[Judge]

Bloody brilliant. Well done.

I'd feel very comfortable- and confident allowing your presentation to be seen by Neurotypicals in my own social orbit to better explain who and what we are.

 

[Pats]

9/10. You are an excellent presenter. The only thing that I didn't like was the special effects which accompany the word 'disorder', I have visual and sound sensitivities.

I thought it was very appropriate for what most people think when they disorder.

 

[Progster]

I thought it was very appropriate for what most people think when they disorder.

Yes, it is... but it wasn't just uncomfortable, it was impossible to look at and listen to, it hurts and I can't watch videos with these kinds of special effects at all. I'm aware though, that this is just my personal reaction and not all people who watch will have the same sensory issues as I have.

 

[Monachopia]

In general you are right Progster, such effects usually should carry a warning for people who are sensitive or are epileptic.

 

[Autistamatic]

That's really useful feedback about the "disorder" cut-away guys. Thank you. @Pats hit the nail on the head as to why it was done that way, but I will try to edit in a warning about the flashing effect or come up with a different way to convey the same concept.

EDIT: It seems YouTube have done away with annotations so I can't add in a warning at the beginning, however I do take what you guys pointed out seriously so I'll look into re-uploading it either with a hard-coded warning or an alternative method of conveying the same idea.

 

[Iamnotarabot]

What does autistimatic mean? I mean I cant find the word online.