In this Autism News Network segment, C. Magnus interviews William M. about what it’s like to have Autism. Are you an adult with autism and looking for a way to build social skills and learn about the workforce? Email Annabel Franz at franza@musc.edu to join us.

 

Transcript

C. Magnus: Hello, this is C. Magnus. This is Will, who I will be interviewing today.

William M.: Yes, that is me.

C. Magnus: It is him, the one and only.

C. Magnus: Anyway, Will, is there a particular time in your life when you kind of thought you were a little bit different than the other kids?

William M.: All the time.

C. Magnus: All the time? Yeah, I think, me too.

William M.: Every single day.

C. Magnus: Okay.

William M.: Well, it’s just because that’s what makes you unique though, is the different … I mean, if everyone was the same, then that would kind of be boring, I guess.

C. Magnus: Yeah, that’s very true. Is there any challenging parts of your life, just having autism in an everyday world situation?

William M.: Oh, bullying, bullying was huge. I would get picked on every day of my life, basically, especially in elementary school, on through middle school. I just felt like they didn’t really understand what autism was and what it’s like to have autism because they didn’t have it, so they just picked on the … It also could be the fact that they didn’t … that I was weird. But, anyway …

C. Magnus: Oh, yep, yep, yep. Just imagine if you were around back then when social media was bigger, so you’re lucky.

William M.: Yeah.

C. Magnus: I was going to ask the next question, what is it like being in a social situation and you’re not quite clicking with the other person? That’s my problem, myself.

William M.: It’s awkward.

C. Magnus: It is awkward.

William M.: It’s very awkward.

C. Magnus: It’s very awkward.

William M.: You mean what it’s like when …

C. Magnus: Let’s say you’re talking to just a normal guy, and you just don’t know how to keep the conversation going, you know?

William M.: You got to just kind of roll with it, I guess.

C. Magnus: Roll with the punches.

William M.: Yeah, roll with the punches. You don’t really have to, you know, I guess …

C. Magnus: All right, are you fascinated with video games, something like that? [inaudible 00:02:13]-

William M.: Oddly enough, I do video game videos for a living, but I’m more of a film buff. It’s just like the fact that playing video games is so … I mean, it’s not like I don’t like video games. Video games are great. They’re fun. They’re a great part of our society, but film, to me, is just something I’ve known longer because, I mean, it’s just I feel like it’s a part of my DNA.

C. Magnus: I’d say you grew up in that right generation with the whole … Just the technology these days, you know?

William M.: Yeah.

C. Magnus: It’s just so easy just to go online and search something up, and you’re learning.

William M.: Yeah, Google searching is-

C. Magnus: Yes, Google is your friend.

William M.: … [crosstalk 00:02:53] your … I wouldn’t say friend, but …

C. Magnus: It could be your friend, an ally, or enemy.

William M.: Yes.

C. Magnus: Next person.

Narrator: Here you go.

Leo D. Glover: Hi, I’m Leo D. Glover from the Autism News Network. Thank you for watching this video, and I hope you liked it.