Podbit · Modern Wisdom
Masking — performing neurotypicality — is exactly what stand-up requires: saying something you've rehearsed a thousand times as if it's the first time. Vittorio argues being a touring comedian makes him a world-class masker, which is partly why his autism went undetected for so long.
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At 23:45 · chapter starts 17:57
Vittorio's autism diagnosis came gradually — starting with friends casually calling him autistic, then getting messages the morning after social interactions from people explaining how much he'd upset them. He describes the experience not as blissful ignorance but as constant anxiety with no feedback mechanism: apologizing when he didn't need to, and patting himself on the back when he'd ruined someone's day. He reached out to his GP, was referred to a specialist, and was told the waiting list was 4 years. [1] — Vittorio Angelone "Vittorio was told the NHS waiting list for autism assessment was 4 years. He got 5 free private offers from practitioners who attended his …" 18:01 During his tour, 5 autism practitioners who attended his shows offered to assess him for free. His results came back: slightly elevated on many traits, but extraordinarily high on masking — which explained the lower scores elsewhere. He theorises his masking ability is turbo-charged by being a stand-up comedian, where the job is to perform scripted reactions as if they're spontaneous. He adds that he also received an ADHD diagnosis in the same assessment, which he jokingly calls 'buy one get one free'.
Vittorio Angelone received his adult autism diagnosis at age 29, after years of unknowingly upsetting people socially.
Vittorio was told the NHS waiting list for autism assessment was 4 years. He got 5 free private offers from practitioners who attended his tour shows. His assessment came back: traits slightly elevated everywhere, masking score through the roof — which is why he wasn't diagnosed sooner.
People assume autism means blissful unawareness. Vittorio says it's the opposite: constant anxiety about whether you've upset someone, with zero ability to tell. You apologize when you didn't need to, and pat yourself on the back when you've ruined someone's day.
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