I Have High Functioning Autism. This is me.

Steph you are an inspiration to me. I dont have autism but I have social anxiety problems. And the only way I can leave me home is either putting my headphones in and listen to music, or go out with someone I know and they keep me grounded whilst out and about.

Everything you said resonated with me from feeling like you have no identity, to feelings overwhelmed in social situations and preferring 1 to 1 interactions, feeling like you’re mimicking people/learning how to be human and feeling suicidal. I’ve always struggled with putting it into words/explaining what I’m dealing with and seeing you speak about this so openly honestly makes me feel really proud of you despite not knowing you personally, I know how hard it is to even understand what it is you’re feeling for yourself let alone explaining it to someone else so for you to do this is so incredibly brave and helpful to ppl experiencing the same thing! it gives me hope seeing that if you can live a fulfilling meaningful life and find joy in the small things so can I and everyone else struggling with this, thank you for sharing your experience and all the best (p.s. let us know if you find any good coping strategies lol)

Well done. I suffer with lupus, arthritis, osteoporosis and a whole load of other chronic pain disorders. (Yay...) I also suffer with extreme anxiety and depression and after watching your video I absolutely can relate to so much of what you have spoken about. I like how 'normal' you are. Your not acting it up or dressing it down. It's hard to describe your self never mind look into and recognise traits and actions that aren't the norm and/or what other people see as the norm. Never mind beginning to analyse yourself. It's so confusing picking apart what makes you, you. And picking apart yourself into categories of normal or not. Adhd or not. I hope I have explained that right. After watching the video it has opened my eyes to other aspects of my mental health. Which I am going to look into. I have a lot of traits of autism which is something I never thought I would have said about myself. Not that I am ashamed. But a lot of the aspects you have spoken about I also have the same traits. I'm not saying I do or I don't but I think it's opened my eyes a bit more about myself. Don't be so hard on my self. I'm not (always) been awkward and odd. Makes me feel a bit more happy in my own head. Thank you very much. I am glad you did this video. It's very admirational (I don't even know if that is an actual word) 🤦‍♀️ Thanks again. Klaire xxx

Should be so proud of yourself! You’re raising so much awareness to this and it’s really going to be helpful for people who are struggling also

I watched this video 3 years ago when you first posted it and it sent me on my own journey. Now 3 years on I finally have an appointment for the beginning of my autism assessment. I have no doubt that this video changed my life. Thank you a thousand times over for sharing this. Edit: 2023 I got my diagnosis!! Thank you for this video. It truly has changed my life.

This really helped me realise what I’ve been going through thank you I related to you so much,, it’s helped me see my own reality that I was trying to avoid

This was so lovely of you to open up, and it was helpful for me as I’m similar to you :) glad you’re in a good place now xx

You are absolutely bloody amazing. The amount of courage this takes to put out there online is huge and we are all so proud of you. You have an army of people backing you up❤️

I watched this from start to finish and I just want to give you a massive cuddle. Well done darling your one amazing woman!

You’re so lovely. What a beautiful person you are. Wishing you nothing but love.

Thank you for being so strong! I have struggled so much growing up and even now at 28 I've always felt I wasn't good enough and I don't belong. I've been on and off medication but now you've inspired me to really get help. My anxiety gets so bad at the silliest things like being in groups, seeing people that I know don't like me for me, going new places, driving places I don't know, things that people take for granted but I find them so so hard. What I find helps me is writing a diary as my head gets so jumbled up but writing it down makes me think straight. I also write a list of all the things I feel bad enough and then on the page next to it I would write the same amount or more of things I'm happy with or proud of. I am also a huge fan of writing lists, to-do lists, plans for the day. It helps to keep me grounded and not overthink things. Thank you so much for you video for saying that you are proud of who you are. It makes me want to try harder to believe that I do belong and I am worthy. Becca xxx

Well done Steph. It’s not easy, so many of us get a late diagnosis of autism. It was a massive relief to me to get answers for why I didn’t fit in growing up and I struggled so much in my 20s. Much love to you xxx

Plain and simple - you’re amazing Steph 💖

I have autism and your very brave to give the advice and your thoughts over how you feel and it's great you should be proud ❤

I commend you for being so open Steph. Following your journey over the years, I think our mental health problems are similar and it's very brave of you to speak so openly about how you're feeling. It's on thing that really helped me in my journey. Just know that you've got so much support behind you. 👌🏼🥰

I was lucky in the respect my daughter got diagnosed with autism at an early age and she's now 19 well done on been so open about it

Thank you so much for sharing this❤️

Omg I love you so much and I’m so proud that you have opened up about it xx ❤️❤️❤️

💖 well done Steph, love this video, so open and raw ! Took so much courage to do this. Keep it up. X

Thank you for sharing. I’ve recently discovered I have high functioning autism. Your description of not being able to process someone else’s emotions in a 1:1 situation describes my experience. It’s worried me for a very long time. I’m going to cut myself a break now. 😊