r/MadeMeSmile • u/imgonnamissuman • 21d ago
Autistic girl who loves insects got some packages Good Vibes
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u/Lightheart86 21d ago
I too was once an autistic kid (though I didn't know I was autistic until my 30s) who was really passionate about insects. I wanted to research them when I grew up and was definitely a pro bug catcher in pokemon, but my family ridiculed me for it so badly that I gave up on it and have basically just wasted my life on video games and depression ever since. This melted my heart. I hope her dreams succeed where mine did not. Godspeed little lady. Godspeed.
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u/SrslyNotAnAltGuys 21d ago
I'm sorry. That wasn't right of them. We need people who are passionate about stuff, especially things few others are. That's how we learn!
I feel you: I too have spent way too many years self-medicating depression with video games and stuff. And it's an awful feeling, that time has slipped away.
But ya know what, it's never too late. I just turned 40, and I'm going to college (pursuing a degree, not just taking the odd music class I mean) for the first time. Going for my Bachelor's in computer science. Hoping to transfer to a university in a year 🤞You know what they say: the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; the next best time is right now.
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u/fullstack40 21d ago
40 year old nuerodiverse person here too! ☺ I just finished two bootcamps, one for programming and one for cyber security. I'm also pursuing my B.S. in Cyber Sec (starting in Oct.) and I just landed a teaching gig at a local HS teaching IT fundamentals.
Congratulations to you both! I wish you success, peace, and fulfillment.
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u/Lightheart86 21d ago
Good on you, friend! Had I the time or funds I'd be right there too! In another life perhaps.
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u/Kidd5 21d ago
Yo! I just turned 40 this year too and I'm getting my bachelor's in Business Information Systems after this semester! This was a painful five years in the making. Quitting my job, going to community college, then transferring to a university for the last phase. I feel you on the "spent way too many years self-medicating depression" and I hope that aspect of your life is getting better (mine isn't but I'm working on it, seriously considering therapy now after all this years of thinking I can do this alone). I'm just always happy to hear similar aged people doing college stuff like me. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.
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u/JessTrans2021 21d ago
What's spurred you both to do these things now you're 40? How have you managed to move away from the depression etc. I only ask because I think I need to do the same. Did you have therapy?
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u/fullstack40 21d ago
Honestly? I spent 20 yrs doing what I HAD to do in order to have my and my kiddos basic needs met. She will be 18 next yr. It occurred to me I had no post-child plans. That coupled with chronic pain/health issues and I decided it was time. Time to start doing things I WANTED to do. I did a coding bootcamp because it was high pressure, pass/fail. I used my FoF to my advantage and now I'm ready to finish my B.S. It's never too late to change your life.
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u/JessTrans2021 21d ago
I am loving hearing you talk about this. I need to do the same. A coding bootcamp would be awesome, Ive always regretted not going into software. What kind of bootcamp did you do?
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u/evosaintx 21d ago
I had a bit of an ego death/midlife crisis nearly a year ago, and since I have broken down weekly realizing that all that time was wasted on the same shit.
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u/SrslyNotAnAltGuys 21d ago
I know the feeling. It's tough. I mean, as upbeat as my tone was up there, part of it is me trying to push back against the part that's grieving the lost time (or what feels to me like lost time).
But you do what you can with what you've got. How many people out there are going through the motions, not even stopping to think about what they want or how they'll live the rest of their lives? Or hell, maybe they have the same crisis that you had, but at age 85 or something.
You're not dead yet, 'cuz.
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u/evosaintx 21d ago
Thank you friend. I hope all is well with you and continues to be so. If you ever need an ear to talk to to get things off your chest, my DMs are open for you.
And thanks for the award!!
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u/kwozzies 21d ago
I just want to hug you 😞 I have 2 neurodiverse children, and I've always told them they have superpowers. They are learning to master them but they're there, and not to be afraid of people not understanding their gifts and passion. You are loved and unique. Don't let those who can't see your superpowers erode you.
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u/kerouacdesbois 21d ago
Don't give them too much "chosen one" attention either. As a neurodiverse/"gifted" kid I was more or less told I would succeed no matter what and I now battle mental illness.
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u/kwozzies 21d ago
One is gifted. One has challenges (Dyscalculia, anxiety, Spatial Processing). The neurotypical child appears gifted but I'll support him as I do the others without pushing. I want them to be their authentic selves. I want them to also embrace society perception of "weakness" as nothing to feel any shame about. We all have uniqueness and offerings. As long as I raise kids who see value in themselves and those around them, who are kind and caring, and a light shining the way for others when needed, I'll die happy.
As someone who has battled myself with mental challenges and low self worth, I want more for them. Kindness to self and others is key.
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u/evolvaer 21d ago
There's nothing wrong with video games my dude! That's their words calling them waste of life. Video games are beautiful things made by magic people.
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u/Lovenevershuns 21d ago
🥺🥺🥺I hope you can pick it up as a hobby again so you can be happy too
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u/sexy-melon 21d ago
How do you get that checked? I thought it will be apparent or is their a test for it?
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u/agamemn-off 21d ago
Many autistic people can mask well and/or are on the mild end of the spectrum, and/or high functioning. Also, autism in girls and women manifests very differently and many doctors are not too knowledgeable about autism. It is possible to pursue a diagnosis yourself when you are an adult. Depends on the country of course but in the UK you can ask your GP to be referred for a diagnosis.
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u/GirthyBirther 21d ago
Hey! Coming from a similar background here. I was way into video game music and I would replicate it on every instrument I could, and just got openly mocked for it by my family, so I leaned away from it in my adult life. Much later found out I have ASD. I'm trying to reclaim that love and passion without feeling spite for my family.
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u/babycakescooksbird 21d ago
So it was YOU that talked to me about wearing shorts year-round when I was on my way to Mt. Moon???
Sorry for the bad joke. Couldn't resist. Hopefully you can still live out your dream. I'm on the same path but with slightly different interests. I'm rooting for you!
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u/gloomwithtea 20d ago
She’s actually ~25 and is an artist! She paints gorgeous, realistic insects. Her channel is super wholesome.
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u/swonstar 21d ago
She is too good for this world. What a sweet, wonderful heart and genuine appreciation.
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u/ZackAmante 21d ago
She surely like those packages and also her wonderful smile is irreplaceable.
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u/ucefkh 21d ago
Yeah ☺️ pure smile and happiness
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u/dmglakewood 21d ago edited 21d ago
It's the rocking/hand movements after she opened the ant that got me.
I have autism as well, and when I get excited it's hard to hide it. I feel it in my entire body and it makes me move in silly ways like this. I can almost feel her excitement through those movements. The older I get the better I am at hiding it, but it's still there.
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u/average-unicorn 21d ago
As a follow autistic, I'm not hiding my stims anymore. The excited movement are part of me and there's no reason for me to be ashamed of them.
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u/Addamsgirl71 21d ago
That's fabulous! My son is on the spectrum and we hide nothing! His is a bit different as he often turns them into a sort of "dance". But it's just joy and excitement! How can I squish that! I'd never want to! And this young lady! OMG... My son's 11 now....I'm hoping he finds a girl like her!
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u/average-unicorn 21d ago
Yes mine are sort of dances too!!! Especially with good food. My boyfriend calls it the nuggets dance because he first witnessed it when I ate my fav food, chicken nuggets.
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u/Addamsgirl71 21d ago
Well I'm not on the spectrum but I'm a chef so heck yeah food makes me dance! Lol! Best dances are when we don't make it any further than the sink and we're dancing and eating! Keep on dancing
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u/Cranksta 21d ago
I stim like that too haha. It's kind of a wiggle- much more subdued than it used to be because I've been masking for years- but my husband gets a goofy smile when he sees it and he knows I'm happy. Says it looks like I'm wagging my tail but have no tail to wag.
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u/dmglakewood 21d ago
I feel like it's less pressure from society to be more normal, but my own failure to accept that I'm different. I don't really see it as a negative thing for me though. I kind of see it like learning a new skill. I'm pretty bad at it, but through practice I'll get better. I'm able to mostly blend in with society through years of practice, and that makes me feel good.
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u/snowsoracle 21d ago
FR the happy stims were the best, I'm neurodivergent (not on the spectrum though), and seeing my friends make happy stims is a blessing. I hope that you are able to get to a point where you feel comfortable, whether or not you stim 💚
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u/RaulLach 21d ago
Not just a small presents that worth to say thanks, that smile in her face show's her innocence and just pure happiness.
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u/RuthaAugustine 21d ago
Yeah right , she just made my day . What a positive attitude she has , just stay lovely .
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u/Basic_Garage_7742 21d ago
Yes she is , Too sweet for us to watch her . She will turn into a Lovely lady one day . So cute !
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u/UnfinishedThings 21d ago
Shes 24
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u/veryblueparrot 21d ago
I thought she was like ~18 😯
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u/BlazingFiery 21d ago
I thought she was 16 so you aren't alone
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u/jucmalta 21d ago
I’m autistic as well and i think autistics don’t age, every one i know looks younger than they really are including me
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u/Efronczak 21d ago
Also as an autistic I agree with that statement. I feel like I'm mentally 16, 17 when in reality I'm actually 20 ugh lol.
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u/jucmalta 21d ago
I’m 21 and i feel like i’m 17, and i look 17 too
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u/Efronczak 21d ago
Lol I look like I'm 30 🤣🤣. I feel like I don't really click with the normal groups on anything anymore, but the groups im with im told im wrong for liking and that I shouldn't like them for rumor or reason A, or for this explanation B, or any other reason. I wish I could just fit in normally with ppl.
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u/JinxShadow 21d ago
That sounds hella creepy, dude.
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u/ThatNeedleworker8553 21d ago
He didn’t meant to be creepy tho.
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u/scottleonard40 21d ago
Who is she and how can we send her stuff? She seems so nice.
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u/imgonnamissuman 21d ago
She’s @soundoftheforest on TikTok!
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u/Khranbairye 21d ago
For the older ones here: does she have a YouTube channel?
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u/killer8424 21d ago
How about MySpace?
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u/Happybit784 21d ago
What about an AOL Instant Messenger account?
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u/DatBluRex 21d ago
where in the woods do I have to go to read smoke signals from her
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u/Jude01449 21d ago
Maybe a link to her geocities website!
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u/DDdannyG 21d ago
.-- .... . .-. . / -.-. .- -. / .. / --. . - / .. - / - .-. .- -. ... .-.. .- - . -.. / - --- / -- --- .-. . .-.-.-
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u/Rabbit_Suit 21d ago
So I'm sure her TikTok name is a reference that is personal to her about when the forest is still you can hear all the insects chirping and buzzing around you and let nature surround you....
....but damn is that not an awesome name for a band!
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u/AddressIntelligent60 21d ago
When autistic individuals find their passion they become a beacon of that thing, a superpower worthy of respect.
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u/voicesnotvictims 21d ago
Awww she’s precious. I would love to have her zoom with my students with autism to have someone positive to look up to
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u/meatwads_feet 21d ago
I like her tik tok stuff. I can't be in a bad mood and watch it, it's not possible. It's also informative on autism related topics.
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u/micronippl3s 21d ago
I hate seeing most “influencers” opening the dumb shit they get from their wish lists but i could actually get behind this one. Super genuine/passionate and even throws in some cool facts.
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u/Kidd5 21d ago
I love the cool facts! She reminds me of a show I just finished watching on Netflix called "Atypical"
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u/kortneebo 21d ago
I agree, she reminds me of Sam a lot. But I saw someone else make that same comparison in her TikTok comments and that person got kinda slammed for being offensive. I don’t understand how, but I’d be open to hearing how that comparison is uncool.
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u/queerassoddity 21d ago
I'm sure someone would have explained in the replies?? But think of it this way. Say you're a redhead and everyone is telling you "hey you remind me of redheaded character!" It gets annoying. It's like that but they're boiling your neurological disorder and huge chunk of your identity down to "wow you're like this character!" And half the time the character is Sheldon. The character in question isn't even autistic sometimes, so it's just "wow, you're a socially awkward nerd!" And that's you're entire identity according to them. Source: I'm autistic
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u/Dulcar1 21d ago edited 21d ago
I want this woman to master the bug like a pokemon master catches em’ all.
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u/RealJimcaviezel 21d ago
I’m told the creator of Pokémon is an autistic man that enjoys bug catching
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u/purpletealstar 21d ago
yeah! the creator of Pokémon is autistic and his two special interests were bugs, and video games. so he mixed those two together to make Pokémon!
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u/ReplacementOptimal15 21d ago
I literally want to slap myself for being this kind of person, but she's not a little girl, she's 24. Her name is Nicole Parish :)
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u/BlueEyedBrunet 21d ago
My heart stopped when she said, “did you know....”
No I didn’t thank you for being so excited and sharing your interest with me. 🥺
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u/chefjay71 21d ago
I typically hate social media, but when I see things like this I feel that there are genuinely nice people out there.
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u/SillyRub9606 21d ago
Same here, i dont have instagram, snapchat, Twitter or ticktok because of the people on there, but this warms my heart
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u/COMPLETED_APPLICANT 21d ago
As someone on the spectrum, I appreciate seeing someone who loves getting packages as much as I do lol. Not knowing what's in a box, and then finding out, is the best thing ever.
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u/GreenAppleLady 21d ago
I really hope her parents screen the packages beforehand to avoid having idiots ruin her enjoyment :/ She's such a treasure!
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u/ReplacementOptimal15 21d ago
She's 24 so I'd assume not lol (she has a baby face and is obviously super enthusiastic about life though, so I get the confusion) but I agree, I really hope people aren't being dicks
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u/JamSkones 21d ago
I think I would be happier spending money on sending her a cool insect related thing than I would be buying myself some new shoes or something.
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u/rockamish 21d ago
I totally want to have lunch with this person in a tea room like can you please pass me the jam and tell me more random bug facts? I just love how honestly excited they are about everything. Bless up wonderful bug buddy.
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u/DiscordantScorpion_1 21d ago
I just checked out her TikTok, I LOVE HER AND I WANT TO BE BEST FRIENDS WITH HER
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u/listentomybeats 21d ago
I feel like autistic people are smarter, and more aware of the life they are part taking in. I think there is something accelerated about them.
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u/_bobbyTables 21d ago
Eh, it's a hard topic. Autism is a spectrum, depending on your position on that spectrum you may be extremely intelligent (intelligence = ability to make models, smartness = ability to reach goals) - or not. Smartness is something that a lot autists struggle with deeply, because their mental depth and thought process often don't translate well into meatspace.
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u/SrslyNotAnAltGuys 21d ago
intelligence = ability to make models, smartness = ability to reach goals
That makes a lot of sense, actually.
TIL that I am intelligent but not very smart 😐
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u/listentomybeats 21d ago
You and me too. I can 3D print and make models but actually doing stuff on time and to completion, meh forget about it
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u/NuTsi3 21d ago
I watched a few of her videos she's really amazing. In her case the way she explained it, (I don't know the correct lingo so forgive me). But some people in her shoes will hyper focus on a subject.. like it will become all consuming. In this case hers is currently bugs. She had one before the bugs but I don't remember what it was. While she is pretty much up to date on her bug knowledge, she would be average in other subjects. It is pretty amazing to watch her talk about bugs. I have 0 interest in it but watching her talk about it and the passion she gives off makes me want to learn lol.
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u/Commercial_Pitch_950 21d ago
i mean essentially. we utilize our brains in completely different ways. so maybe we arent necessarily smarter but smart in a completely (or somewhat depending on the level of the spectrum) way
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u/SrslyNotAnAltGuys 21d ago
I could watch her open bug gifts, while interspersing occasional insect facts, all day.
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u/thesmilingmercenary 21d ago
Awww! My daughter is 10, and she reminds me so much of this girl. Watching this makes me love this girl and my own daughter so much more.
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u/TheMelonSystem 21d ago
I love her TikTok so much. She had a genius idea on how to deal with hate comments by giving herself a reward after she has to block a certain number of people. She has now bought herself a beetle as her reward and she was so excited it was amazing
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u/anonyiguana 21d ago
I wish people found me infectiously happy and not just obnoxious loud and weird :')
Seriously though joy to her, there's nothing like getting to indulge your special interests and share them with people who share your excitement
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u/antsunleashed 21d ago
Protect her at all costs. No harm must come to that precious soul
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u/queerassoddity 21d ago
...she's 24. Sorry, there's just a lot of people babying her in these comments
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u/wellherewegofolks 21d ago
people say that about their favorite 40 year old male celebrities. people say that about cute 90 year old grandparents in viral videos. anyone who seems wholesome and not ruined by the shittiness in the world yet really
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u/queerassoddity 21d ago
Yeah but they aren't subject to constant infantilisation. I don't know what your intention was with this comment but it bothers me because autistic and disabled people are infantilised all the time. I've been baby-talked because I'm autistic. The girl doing it wasn't that much older than me either. It was weird
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u/wellherewegofolks 21d ago
my intention wasn’t to minimize the shittiness of that, just to provide context for this specific phrase, which is used for anything wholesome or beloved on the internet, regardless of age/gender/circumstance. “sweet cinnamon roll” is another common one (or “sweet cinnamon roll, too precious for this world”). it’s like “doggo” or something, it’s just people being cutesy for the serotonin
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u/ThGhstlyGrmr121567 21d ago
I wanna send her something TT we love in the south and there are a shotload of cicada shells and cicadas around
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u/SpiritBadger 21d ago
Her excitement seems so delightfully genuine every time. I love how she kinda babbles little facts and then collects herself as if we wouldn't happily listen to her talk about bugs.
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u/The-Figure-13 21d ago
I love this because it shows the absolutely wholesome side of autism. I’m not officially diagnosed but I’ll randomly drop factoids about the things I’m very interested in in general conversation. I absolutely did not the little fact she dropped about insects in that video, about breathing through the skin using trachea tubes
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u/annixilator 21d ago
It’s videos like these which make me feel so sad and unhappy. Yet, I feel happy for this girl. She is amazing.
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u/Cinemaslap1 21d ago
Lets not forget to tag the creators so that it can bring them people
This is soundoftheforest
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u/i_want_that_boat 21d ago
She's like the golden retriever of humans. Perfectly sweet and sincere and you can't help but feel warm inside when she's happy.
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u/shoobuck 21d ago
My gosh how lovely is she ? So cool to see a such a happy person on here. Dumb question on my part, are the ear muffs to reduce stimuli ?
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u/mikony123 21d ago
I love seeing someone who loves the little critters this much. Warms my heart. I wish I could learn more about all the beautiful bugs of the world.
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u/Ok_Pay1106 21d ago
I worked alot with Autistic kiddos, both high functioning and severe conditions, I love the hand spasms or hand flaps they have. It's the purest form of joy you can see, seriously makes me smile 😊
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u/Tiiimbbberrr 21d ago
I would encourage you to take a look at this
https://themighty.com/2018/07/autism-functioning-labels-low-functioning-high-functioning/
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u/Character_Past5515 21d ago
She is one of only 5 people I follow on tiktok!
She paints insects for a living!
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u/Willerrr 21d ago
i follow her on tik tok and everytime her video comes up i just feel so happy. she rules
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u/Rabbit_Suit 21d ago
She kinda seems like the perfect date. None of that: "Well, I like all music really" small talk.
"So, um what are your hobbies?"
"Ants don't have lungs!"
I'm not mocking her. She legit seems like a fun interesting person who has an interest and is super excited to talk about it. I'd rather listen to someone unapolagetically bubble excitably about their passion than try to hold up a conversation about who had a worse day at work.
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u/Knuckles316 21d ago
I don't know why people have to specify "autistic" with posts like these. Her excitement and appreciation is good enough to enjoy without having to add in some kind of sympathetic angle. If anything, that kind of diminishes the experience because it's presented in a way that we're supposed to feel sorry for her or something.
Stop exploiting her position on the spectrum and let us just enjoy her joy.
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u/Tiiimbbberrr 21d ago
Maybe because she’s very open about it herself, identifies this way, and because maybe not everyone is trying to kowtow to your idea that the default for everyone is to be neurotypical just because you are?
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u/-VRX 21d ago
Quite interesting how diffrent autism can be. For me she acts really normal, I wouldn't even recognize that she has autism.
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u/Tiiimbbberrr 21d ago
Why do you think it’s relevant whether or not you recognise she has autism?
What is your definition of normal?
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u/Maxsdad53 21d ago edited 21d ago
She's from Utah, her name is Nicole Parish, and she's actually 24 years old (she'll be 25 in Sept). She is adorable and her enthusiasm is infectious. Google "autistic girl who loves insects" (or anything remotely close).