Abbey

Yeah.

Yeah.

My song I like to sing the most is Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. Oh, yeah. I sing the original one and the new one.

My song I like to sing the most is Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. Oh, yeah. I sing the original one and the new one.

Halle Bailey's version. She goes a little higher, and I got to go to that premiere.

Halle Bailey's version. She goes a little higher, and I got to go to that premiere.

Two years ago, I went to the premiere. That's pretty wild.

Two years ago, I went to the premiere. That's pretty wild.

I think the animated version's more right for me.

I think the animated version's more right for me.

I think I like them both, but about the same. Okay.

I think I like them both, but about the same. Okay.

Was the Beast really a prince?

Was the Beast really a prince?

What was his name? Adam? I think it was Adam. Was it Adam?

What was his name? Adam? I think it was Adam. Was it Adam?

Yeah, he was like 12. He was misunderstood. He was. I think he was like in his late teens, early 20s.

Yeah, he was like 12. He was misunderstood. He was. I think he was like in his late teens, early 20s.

21.

21.

So when he was, he was just a little boy.

So when he was, he was just a little boy.

And you never met his parents.

And you never met his parents.

Yeah. Speaking of that, do you know anything about Shrek?

Yeah. Speaking of that, do you know anything about Shrek?

Princess Fiona turned into an ogre because she was cursed.

Princess Fiona turned into an ogre because she was cursed.

I don't know, because she fell in love with Shrek. Oh, see, that's not fair. Because the prince was allegedly rude. Shrek sinkhole slammer. Tell them what that is. DreamWorks Water Park is a water park. It's in the American Dream Mall in Newark, New Jersey.

I don't know, because she fell in love with Shrek. Oh, see, that's not fair. Because the prince was allegedly rude. Shrek sinkhole slammer. Tell them what that is. DreamWorks Water Park is a water park. It's in the American Dream Mall in Newark, New Jersey.

We've gotten pretty used to it.

We've gotten pretty used to it.

i do okay what's your favorite part about just talking about you guys being on tv your story what is your favorite thing to discuss when you my favorite thing to discuss is what my life has been like okay what has it been like my life um i have a daily routine like i warm up my voice every day um i walk my dog and i'm even on zoom calls right now and what is that like for you Zoom calls.

i do okay what's your favorite part about just talking about you guys being on tv your story what is your favorite thing to discuss when you my favorite thing to discuss is what my life has been like okay what has it been like my life um i have a daily routine like i warm up my voice every day um i walk my dog and i'm even on zoom calls right now and what is that like for you Zoom calls.

Now, but you remember when you didn't know how to do a Zoom call? I didn't know how to do a Zoom call at first until now.

Now, but you remember when you didn't know how to do a Zoom call? I didn't know how to do a Zoom call at first until now.

I practiced my listening skills on Zoom calls.

I practiced my listening skills on Zoom calls.

It was during the pandemic. I had to do it on the computer, not in person.

It was during the pandemic. I had to do it on the computer, not in person.

Find it more challenging to do it in person because sometimes we get slow internet technical difficulties.

Find it more challenging to do it in person because sometimes we get slow internet technical difficulties.

We are. We are.

We are. We are.

Our favorite thing we do about when we help each other out, we go over if we ever need a break. David needs to go on his phone and do his everyday game, and I need to go on my phone and do Candy Crush.

Our favorite thing we do about when we help each other out, we go over if we ever need a break. David needs to go on his phone and do his everyday game, and I need to go on my phone and do Candy Crush.

When I first met him.

When I first met him.

And what did we do on our third year anniversary last year?

And what did we do on our third year anniversary last year?

Did we see something special?

Did we see something special?

You know the answer. 30th anniversary of Lion King. Yeah. 30th anniversary. Of course. Fine. 30th anniversary. Of course. Of course.

You know the answer. 30th anniversary of Lion King. Yeah. 30th anniversary. Of course. Fine. 30th anniversary. Of course. Of course.

Yeah. Yesterday was. So when did you guys get married?

Yeah. Yesterday was. So when did you guys get married?

Wow. That's what we're going to do for our fourth year anniversary. Go to the Roaring Snore.

Wow. That's what we're going to do for our fourth year anniversary. Go to the Roaring Snore.

Burgers and fries, but... Love.

Burgers and fries, but... Love.

I have to tell you something. Okay. Do they have... I wonder if they have octopus at Island's. I can get octopus.

I have to tell you something. Okay. Do they have... I wonder if they have octopus at Island's. I can get octopus.

I want to get octopus somewhere. Okay. We gotta find some octopus.

I want to get octopus somewhere. Okay. We gotta find some octopus.

Milk? Well, think about it. I also ate snails, too.

Milk? Well, think about it. I also ate snails, too.

Altadena milk is good.

Altadena milk is good.

I have eaten some slimy foods like escargot, octopus. You're adventurous. What did you eat in Mexico? Cricket.

I have eaten some slimy foods like escargot, octopus. You're adventurous. What did you eat in Mexico? Cricket.

Spicy red hot chili peppers.

Spicy red hot chili peppers.

When I was little, my mom and I went to a woman's house. Her son was on the spectrum. She had a son with autism. And she had these chili peppers on the wall. I picked one up, put it in my mouth, and I ran around the house screaming. My mouth was on fire. Oh, my gosh.

When I was little, my mom and I went to a woman's house. Her son was on the spectrum. She had a son with autism. And she had these chili peppers on the wall. I picked one up, put it in my mouth, and I ran around the house screaming. My mouth was on fire. Oh, my gosh.

Who should I give it to?

Who should I give it to?

I think in categories, I put good things with good things and bad things with bad things. What do you have, David?

I think in categories, I put good things with good things and bad things with bad things. What do you have, David?

And you know what? I played the old dial-up internet sound with the phone number, and David said the colors of the numbers.

And you know what? I played the old dial-up internet sound with the phone number, and David said the colors of the numbers.

I put all the good things together and all the bad things together. Like I put all the things I like go in one category and all the things I don't like go in another category.

I put all the good things together and all the bad things together. Like I put all the things I like go in one category and all the things I don't like go in another category.

That's just how, that's just the way I am. Everyone is different. That's how you learn language. Yeah. But not everyone thinks that way. Everyone is different. That's part of your autism, right?

That's just how, that's just the way I am. Everyone is different. That's how you learn language. Yeah. But not everyone thinks that way. Everyone is different. That's part of your autism, right?

He did? Yes.

He did? Yes.

Ursula watching kid shows. Because of her, she acts like a child because of her behavior. Okay. Because of the behavior. And Ariel watches shows for teenagers and adults because she acts more mature.

Ursula watching kid shows. Because of her, she acts like a child because of her behavior. Okay. Because of the behavior. And Ariel watches shows for teenagers and adults because she acts more mature.

I worry about things in life that if the world's gonna, Earth is gonna blow up.

I worry about things in life that if the world's gonna, Earth is gonna blow up.

Right, but I'm worried that, do I worry too much?

Right, but I'm worried that, do I worry too much?

Yeah, I could sing before I could talk. Really? I started music therapy at three years old.

Yeah, I could sing before I could talk. Really? I started music therapy at three years old.

Yes.

Yes.

I don't like the Disney villains. I like the Disney princesses more because they're more girly-ish. And the villains are more boyish.

I don't like the Disney villains. I like the Disney princesses more because they're more girly-ish. And the villains are more boyish.

Yeah, I used to identify with Ariel because Ariel felt isolated and alone. Just like how I wanted to be a typical kid, Ariel wanted to be a human. And when she became human, she couldn't talk. That's how I felt.

Yeah, I used to identify with Ariel because Ariel felt isolated and alone. Just like how I wanted to be a typical kid, Ariel wanted to be a human. And when she became human, she couldn't talk. That's how I felt.

And I do remember going to Africa, Kenya, Masai Mara.

And I do remember going to Africa, Kenya, Masai Mara.

What were y'all for Halloween?

What were y'all for Halloween?

Well, do you want to go to India and see the tigers?

Well, do you want to go to India and see the tigers?

I'm not sure. Probably I am.

I'm not sure. Probably I am.

With my fans. I used to feel isolated and alone as a kid. Okay. And I always wanted to be a grown woman because I knew this would happen.

With my fans. I used to feel isolated and alone as a kid. Okay. And I always wanted to be a grown woman because I knew this would happen.

Just didn't know how.

Just didn't know how.

Accepted, like Cinderella at the ball. You feel seen, right? I feel seen and accepted.

Accepted, like Cinderella at the ball. You feel seen, right? I feel seen and accepted.

Oh, yes. And I feel more, I can do a lot more things. But not everything. No one can do everything. That's true.

Oh, yes. And I feel more, I can do a lot more things. But not everything. No one can do everything. That's true.

Going to Italy.

Going to Italy.

I want to get, am I going to float if I went in space? Yeah.

I want to get, am I going to float if I went in space? Yeah.

Well, no. No, no, no.

Well, no. No, no, no.

But are you going to see the atmosphere?

But are you going to see the atmosphere?

Have you been to space before?

Have you been to space before?

I really want to go to space like what Katy Perry did.

I really want to go to space like what Katy Perry did.

Like what Katy Perry did?

Like what Katy Perry did?

I would love to go to space.

I would love to go to space.

I need to be an astronaut and fly in space.

I need to be an astronaut and fly in space.

Oh, David doesn't want to. But I'm scared to go in space, because this is my first time.

Oh, David doesn't want to. But I'm scared to go in space, because this is my first time.

And then what do you do, Abby? Go to water parks because I used to be afraid of the water and I felt very jealous. But how big is the one you like? Very tall. It's like 14 stories high. How did you get over that fear? But it was scary at first and I was like, oh!

And then what do you do, Abby? Go to water parks because I used to be afraid of the water and I felt very jealous. But how big is the one you like? Very tall. It's like 14 stories high. How did you get over that fear? But it was scary at first and I was like, oh!

By doing it more times. And you know what? My brother Ben did it and he was terrified.

By doing it more times. And you know what? My brother Ben did it and he was terrified.

Because her mom said she had seizures. Because her mother said.

Because her mom said she had seizures. Because her mother said.

A blessing in disguise. I want to overcome fears.

A blessing in disguise. I want to overcome fears.

Because I thought I would probably drown if I couldn't swim, but I figured it out my own.

Because I thought I would probably drown if I couldn't swim, but I figured it out my own.

I used to be afraid of the water because of my autism. And I got very, very jealous of other girls. Like I had a girl living next door and I was very jealous of her swimming. So I would call her a mermaid.

I used to be afraid of the water because of my autism. And I got very, very jealous of other girls. Like I had a girl living next door and I was very jealous of her swimming. So I would call her a mermaid.

17, I learned how to swim. How? Now, Jenny Farrell taught me. Oh, thank you, Jenny.

17, I learned how to swim. How? Now, Jenny Farrell taught me. Oh, thank you, Jenny.

I go backwards, too.

I go backwards, too.

Wow. David goes like this. Did you ever do this at Camp Ramah?

Wow. David goes like this. Did you ever do this at Camp Ramah?

He used to do it at Camp Ramah.

He used to do it at Camp Ramah.

Yes, that makes sense. I've always wanted to be a mermaid. How cool. That's why I've always loved mermaids, because I really wanted to be one. And besides, they couldn't talk, and that's how I felt. Both of those reasons. Do you think it's both reasons? You tell me. I think it's both.

Yes, that makes sense. I've always wanted to be a mermaid. How cool. That's why I've always loved mermaids, because I really wanted to be one. And besides, they couldn't talk, and that's how I felt. Both of those reasons. Do you think it's both reasons? You tell me. I think it's both.

Be your true self and not compare yourself to anyone else.

Be your true self and not compare yourself to anyone else.

I learned to have conversations. I have more language as a grown woman. And as a little kid, I was life was the hardest. Like life when I was two and three, life was the hardest.

I learned to have conversations. I have more language as a grown woman. And as a little kid, I was life was the hardest. Like life when I was two and three, life was the hardest.

Because I had echolalia and I put everything in my mouth, including rabbit poop. My daughter does that too. I put rabbit poop in my mouth.

Because I had echolalia and I put everything in my mouth, including rabbit poop. My daughter does that too. I put rabbit poop in my mouth.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We cannot guarantee your safety. She's putting everything in her mouth.

We cannot guarantee your safety. She's putting everything in her mouth.

And my mom's older brother, Uncle David, had sensory integration dysfunction. He put sawdust in his mouth.

And my mom's older brother, Uncle David, had sensory integration dysfunction. He put sawdust in his mouth.

I would physically copy typical kids. I would copy them, girls especially. Like whenever a typical kid would sneeze, I would sneeze. I also would call typical girls like Ariel or Lava Girl. And what did you say? You said you felt like my brain wouldn't do what I was telling it to do. That must have been really frustrating.

I would physically copy typical kids. I would copy them, girls especially. Like whenever a typical kid would sneeze, I would sneeze. I also would call typical girls like Ariel or Lava Girl. And what did you say? You said you felt like my brain wouldn't do what I was telling it to do. That must have been really frustrating.

Oh!

Oh!

And also, one of my songs I wrote is called Girl Inside. It's about how autism feels like there's a person living inside me and she was afraid of the water, not me.

And also, one of my songs I wrote is called Girl Inside. It's about how autism feels like there's a person living inside me and she was afraid of the water, not me.

It's not me. I'm aware of you now. It's not me. I'll close my eyes and breathe. It's not me. Every exhale I know you'll leave. We might fight, but you're all of me. We must love each other to be free. That's beautiful.

It's not me. I'm aware of you now. It's not me. I'll close my eyes and breathe. It's not me. Every exhale I know you'll leave. We might fight, but you're all of me. We must love each other to be free. That's beautiful.

And I used to also say that mermaids eat ice cream when I was growing up. I bet they wanted to. Is that a category? Yeah, also. And also people who don't know how to swim are on a gluten-free diet. That's another category. Because when I couldn't, didn't know how to swim, I was on that diet. Right, right.

And I used to also say that mermaids eat ice cream when I was growing up. I bet they wanted to. Is that a category? Yeah, also. And also people who don't know how to swim are on a gluten-free diet. That's another category. Because when I couldn't, didn't know how to swim, I was on that diet. Right, right.

Your first word. I don't remember.

Your first word. I don't remember.

Mama?

Mama?

What was it?

What was it?

She said, like... Bubbles! Who's that?

She said, like... Bubbles! Who's that?

Bubbles is also the name of a character from Finding Nemo. That's what I said.

Bubbles is also the name of a character from Finding Nemo. That's what I said.

By the way, mom.

By the way, mom.

So like, they're all like miracles. I wonder if since Ben has ADHD, should he join Epic? Yeah. Well, that's a whole different topic, Abs. I'm sorry. What's Epic? Epic is a theater program for neurodivergent people, and I have a big cabaret on the 30th, and two days is the big cabaret.

So like, they're all like miracles. I wonder if since Ben has ADHD, should he join Epic? Yeah. Well, that's a whole different topic, Abs. I'm sorry. What's Epic? Epic is a theater program for neurodivergent people, and I have a big cabaret on the 30th, and two days is the big cabaret.

You said, when I'm singing, my autism goes away and I feel more like an average person. And then what happens? Comes back once I'm done.

You said, when I'm singing, my autism goes away and I feel more like an average person. And then what happens? Comes back once I'm done.

I should rest my voice, but... Any more questions?

I should rest my voice, but... Any more questions?

My favorite thing about David is that he's very kind and patient with me. He makes my stuffed animals talk and he covers my ears when there's a certain noise I don't like.

My favorite thing about David is that he's very kind and patient with me. He makes my stuffed animals talk and he covers my ears when there's a certain noise I don't like.

Babies crying.

Babies crying.

Even nonverbal autism.

Even nonverbal autism.

And I would come home and say, I have Asperger's.

And I would come home and say, I have Asperger's.

Why?

Why?

I used to say, I wish I had Asperger's and I wish I had brown eyes. That's all kind of jealousy and sadness, right? Yeah, because you know why I wanted brown eyes? Because they're the most common eye color. You wanted to feel accepted. You wanted to fit in.

I used to say, I wish I had Asperger's and I wish I had brown eyes. That's all kind of jealousy and sadness, right? Yeah, because you know why I wanted brown eyes? Because they're the most common eye color. You wanted to feel accepted. You wanted to fit in.

We want to love everyone.

We want to love everyone.

that there are many different levels of autism. The kind of autism I have is a communication disorder, which means I had a speech delay. And I'm sure people, there are some people with autism who have no speech delay, perfect language. That's what I've always wanted. But now as an adult, I feel more like

that there are many different levels of autism. The kind of autism I have is a communication disorder, which means I had a speech delay. And I'm sure people, there are some people with autism who have no speech delay, perfect language. That's what I've always wanted. But now as an adult, I feel more like

asperger's more as a grown-up well i felt more um asperger's more like a teen but more typical as an adult to me in my case and you're saying that because you felt like you could have conversations with people in ways that you couldn't before yes but like when i was a teen life wasn't Easy or hard? It was medium.

asperger's more as a grown-up well i felt more um asperger's more like a teen but more typical as an adult to me in my case and you're saying that because you felt like you could have conversations with people in ways that you couldn't before yes but like when i was a teen life wasn't Easy or hard? It was medium.

It was medium. Was it in the middle? What do you think? I think it was in the middle.

It was medium. Was it in the middle? What do you think? I think it was in the middle.

Easiest.

Easiest.

When I was a kid, life was hard. It was.

When I was a kid, life was hard. It was.

Um, like whenever, I don't know, because they have better language.

Um, like whenever, I don't know, because they have better language.

And I used to call typical girls mermaids. Okay. Because mermaids felt isolated and alone.

And I used to call typical girls mermaids. Okay. Because mermaids felt isolated and alone.

Sadly, like when Ben and Mary are having a conversation. How do you feel? Left out. Because why? Because I feel, because it feels like I'm in my own world in La La Land.

Sadly, like when Ben and Mary are having a conversation. How do you feel? Left out. Because why? Because I feel, because it feels like I'm in my own world in La La Land.

I don't know. Like if I see Mary taking care of herself, I pretend to take care of herself.

I don't know. Like if I see Mary taking care of herself, I pretend to take care of herself.

It's like that movie Inside Out when anxiety took over joy. Have you seen Inside Out 2? No.

It's like that movie Inside Out when anxiety took over joy. Have you seen Inside Out 2? No.

Do you love your blue eyes now? Yes, they are a blessing in disguise. But if they're brown and blue mixed together, I call them hazel eyes. Like the Kelly Clarkson song. Just like the Kelly Clarkson song.

Do you love your blue eyes now? Yes, they are a blessing in disguise. But if they're brown and blue mixed together, I call them hazel eyes. Like the Kelly Clarkson song. Just like the Kelly Clarkson song.

And also, can I tell her about the gesture from childhood and explain it? If you want to, if they're interested.

And also, can I tell her about the gesture from childhood and explain it? If you want to, if they're interested.

Just doop!

Just doop!

Probably a baby crying. I went,

Probably a baby crying. I went,

Inside Out 2, anxiety took over joy.

Inside Out 2, anxiety took over joy.

And Riley says, I'm a good person. And Riley says, I'm not good enough. And we see all of Riley's memories from when she was younger. There were these new emotions. She had to put the new emotions away. She had to push them away.

And Riley says, I'm a good person. And Riley says, I'm not good enough. And we see all of Riley's memories from when she was younger. There were these new emotions. She had to put the new emotions away. She had to push them away.

Anxiety, envy, embarrassment, and ennui.

Anxiety, envy, embarrassment, and ennui.

Joy. That's the new one. Sadness, anger, disgust, and fear. Those are the main characters.

Joy. That's the new one. Sadness, anger, disgust, and fear. Those are the main characters.

I also would call it the dog. I'd call it nuzzle. Yeah, because you'd be mad at the dog.

I also would call it the dog. I'd call it nuzzle. Yeah, because you'd be mad at the dog.

I call the dog barking nuzzle, and I call a cat hissing at me sizzle. Who are they from? The Puzzle Place. But they're puppets.

I call the dog barking nuzzle, and I call a cat hissing at me sizzle. Who are they from? The Puzzle Place. But they're puppets.

What would Leon say as an animal?

What would Leon say as an animal?

Wow.

Wow.

You know what? Every time I hear a dog bark, I'm going to have to tell the dog, I'm calling Cruella de Vil.

You know what? Every time I hear a dog bark, I'm going to have to tell the dog, I'm calling Cruella de Vil.

And speaking of Cruella de Vil, Mary, my cousin, was dressed up as Cruella de Vil one year on Halloween during COVID.

And speaking of Cruella de Vil, Mary, my cousin, was dressed up as Cruella de Vil one year on Halloween during COVID.

It was just her costume.

It was just her costume.

Moorpark Zoo. And guess what? I have to tell you something. I know it's going to be a little inappropriate.

Moorpark Zoo. And guess what? I have to tell you something. I know it's going to be a little inappropriate.

I know it. I saw the lion's testicles.

I know it. I saw the lion's testicles.

speaking of that word there's this funny scene in the simpsons movie where bart simpson was skateboarding naked and there was this restaurant this guy was eating french fries and he says boys before we eat don't forget to thank the lord for this bountiful penis

speaking of that word there's this funny scene in the simpsons movie where bart simpson was skateboarding naked and there was this restaurant this guy was eating french fries and he says boys before we eat don't forget to thank the lord for this bountiful penis

Dirty jokes are pretty funny.

Dirty jokes are pretty funny.

What was his name? Baby Oliver. What would you say if I saw a white... There was a white Persian cat in my backyard. This is where I'd be like... And what would you say during when I'm walking my dog and there's a King Charles Spaniel?

What was his name? Baby Oliver. What would you say if I saw a white... There was a white Persian cat in my backyard. This is where I'd be like... And what would you say during when I'm walking my dog and there's a King Charles Spaniel?

There was a King Charles Spaniel and an underdog played by Amy Adams. Oh, really? Yeah.

There was a King Charles Spaniel and an underdog played by Amy Adams. Oh, really? Yeah.

How does Romeo laugh?

How does Romeo laugh?

Yeah.

My song I like to sing the most is Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. Oh, yeah. I sing the original one and the new one.

Halle Bailey's version. She goes a little higher, and I got to go to that premiere.

Two years ago, I went to the premiere. That's pretty wild.

I think the animated version's more right for me.

I think I like them both, but about the same. Okay.

Was the Beast really a prince?

What was his name? Adam? I think it was Adam. Was it Adam?

Yeah, he was like 12. He was misunderstood. He was. I think he was like in his late teens, early 20s.

21.

So when he was, he was just a little boy.

And you never met his parents.

Yeah. Speaking of that, do you know anything about Shrek?

Princess Fiona turned into an ogre because she was cursed.

I don't know, because she fell in love with Shrek. Oh, see, that's not fair. Because the prince was allegedly rude. Shrek sinkhole slammer. Tell them what that is. DreamWorks Water Park is a water park. It's in the American Dream Mall in Newark, New Jersey.

We've gotten pretty used to it.

i do okay what's your favorite part about just talking about you guys being on tv your story what is your favorite thing to discuss when you my favorite thing to discuss is what my life has been like okay what has it been like my life um i have a daily routine like i warm up my voice every day um i walk my dog and i'm even on zoom calls right now and what is that like for you Zoom calls.

Now, but you remember when you didn't know how to do a Zoom call? I didn't know how to do a Zoom call at first until now.

I practiced my listening skills on Zoom calls.

It was during the pandemic. I had to do it on the computer, not in person.

Find it more challenging to do it in person because sometimes we get slow internet technical difficulties.

We are. We are.

Our favorite thing we do about when we help each other out, we go over if we ever need a break. David needs to go on his phone and do his everyday game, and I need to go on my phone and do Candy Crush.

When I first met him.

And what did we do on our third year anniversary last year?

Did we see something special?

You know the answer. 30th anniversary of Lion King. Yeah. 30th anniversary. Of course. Fine. 30th anniversary. Of course. Of course.

Yeah. Yesterday was. So when did you guys get married?

Wow. That's what we're going to do for our fourth year anniversary. Go to the Roaring Snore.

Burgers and fries, but... Love.

I have to tell you something. Okay. Do they have... I wonder if they have octopus at Island's. I can get octopus.

I want to get octopus somewhere. Okay. We gotta find some octopus.

Milk? Well, think about it. I also ate snails, too.

Altadena milk is good.

I have eaten some slimy foods like escargot, octopus. You're adventurous. What did you eat in Mexico? Cricket.

Spicy red hot chili peppers.

When I was little, my mom and I went to a woman's house. Her son was on the spectrum. She had a son with autism. And she had these chili peppers on the wall. I picked one up, put it in my mouth, and I ran around the house screaming. My mouth was on fire. Oh, my gosh.

Who should I give it to?

I think in categories, I put good things with good things and bad things with bad things. What do you have, David?

And you know what? I played the old dial-up internet sound with the phone number, and David said the colors of the numbers.

I put all the good things together and all the bad things together. Like I put all the things I like go in one category and all the things I don't like go in another category.

That's just how, that's just the way I am. Everyone is different. That's how you learn language. Yeah. But not everyone thinks that way. Everyone is different. That's part of your autism, right?

He did? Yes.

Ursula watching kid shows. Because of her, she acts like a child because of her behavior. Okay. Because of the behavior. And Ariel watches shows for teenagers and adults because she acts more mature.

I worry about things in life that if the world's gonna, Earth is gonna blow up.

Right, but I'm worried that, do I worry too much?

Yeah, I could sing before I could talk. Really? I started music therapy at three years old.

Yes.

I don't like the Disney villains. I like the Disney princesses more because they're more girly-ish. And the villains are more boyish.

Yeah, I used to identify with Ariel because Ariel felt isolated and alone. Just like how I wanted to be a typical kid, Ariel wanted to be a human. And when she became human, she couldn't talk. That's how I felt.

And I do remember going to Africa, Kenya, Masai Mara.

What were y'all for Halloween?

Well, do you want to go to India and see the tigers?

I'm not sure. Probably I am.

With my fans. I used to feel isolated and alone as a kid. Okay. And I always wanted to be a grown woman because I knew this would happen.

Just didn't know how.

Accepted, like Cinderella at the ball. You feel seen, right? I feel seen and accepted.

Oh, yes. And I feel more, I can do a lot more things. But not everything. No one can do everything. That's true.

Going to Italy.

I want to get, am I going to float if I went in space? Yeah.

Well, no. No, no, no.

But are you going to see the atmosphere?

Have you been to space before?

I really want to go to space like what Katy Perry did.

Like what Katy Perry did?

I would love to go to space.

I need to be an astronaut and fly in space.

Oh, David doesn't want to. But I'm scared to go in space, because this is my first time.

And then what do you do, Abby? Go to water parks because I used to be afraid of the water and I felt very jealous. But how big is the one you like? Very tall. It's like 14 stories high. How did you get over that fear? But it was scary at first and I was like, oh!

By doing it more times. And you know what? My brother Ben did it and he was terrified.

Because her mom said she had seizures. Because her mother said.

A blessing in disguise. I want to overcome fears.

Because I thought I would probably drown if I couldn't swim, but I figured it out my own.

I used to be afraid of the water because of my autism. And I got very, very jealous of other girls. Like I had a girl living next door and I was very jealous of her swimming. So I would call her a mermaid.

17, I learned how to swim. How? Now, Jenny Farrell taught me. Oh, thank you, Jenny.

I go backwards, too.

Wow. David goes like this. Did you ever do this at Camp Ramah?

He used to do it at Camp Ramah.

Yes, that makes sense. I've always wanted to be a mermaid. How cool. That's why I've always loved mermaids, because I really wanted to be one. And besides, they couldn't talk, and that's how I felt. Both of those reasons. Do you think it's both reasons? You tell me. I think it's both.

Be your true self and not compare yourself to anyone else.

I learned to have conversations. I have more language as a grown woman. And as a little kid, I was life was the hardest. Like life when I was two and three, life was the hardest.

Because I had echolalia and I put everything in my mouth, including rabbit poop. My daughter does that too. I put rabbit poop in my mouth.

Yeah.

We cannot guarantee your safety. She's putting everything in her mouth.

And my mom's older brother, Uncle David, had sensory integration dysfunction. He put sawdust in his mouth.

I would physically copy typical kids. I would copy them, girls especially. Like whenever a typical kid would sneeze, I would sneeze. I also would call typical girls like Ariel or Lava Girl. And what did you say? You said you felt like my brain wouldn't do what I was telling it to do. That must have been really frustrating.

Oh!

And also, one of my songs I wrote is called Girl Inside. It's about how autism feels like there's a person living inside me and she was afraid of the water, not me.

It's not me. I'm aware of you now. It's not me. I'll close my eyes and breathe. It's not me. Every exhale I know you'll leave. We might fight, but you're all of me. We must love each other to be free. That's beautiful.

And I used to also say that mermaids eat ice cream when I was growing up. I bet they wanted to. Is that a category? Yeah, also. And also people who don't know how to swim are on a gluten-free diet. That's another category. Because when I couldn't, didn't know how to swim, I was on that diet. Right, right.

Your first word. I don't remember.

Mama?

What was it?

She said, like... Bubbles! Who's that?

Bubbles is also the name of a character from Finding Nemo. That's what I said.

By the way, mom.

So like, they're all like miracles. I wonder if since Ben has ADHD, should he join Epic? Yeah. Well, that's a whole different topic, Abs. I'm sorry. What's Epic? Epic is a theater program for neurodivergent people, and I have a big cabaret on the 30th, and two days is the big cabaret.

You said, when I'm singing, my autism goes away and I feel more like an average person. And then what happens? Comes back once I'm done.

I should rest my voice, but... Any more questions?

My favorite thing about David is that he's very kind and patient with me. He makes my stuffed animals talk and he covers my ears when there's a certain noise I don't like.

Babies crying.

Even nonverbal autism.

And I would come home and say, I have Asperger's.

Why?

I used to say, I wish I had Asperger's and I wish I had brown eyes. That's all kind of jealousy and sadness, right? Yeah, because you know why I wanted brown eyes? Because they're the most common eye color. You wanted to feel accepted. You wanted to fit in.

We want to love everyone.

that there are many different levels of autism. The kind of autism I have is a communication disorder, which means I had a speech delay. And I'm sure people, there are some people with autism who have no speech delay, perfect language. That's what I've always wanted. But now as an adult, I feel more like

asperger's more as a grown-up well i felt more um asperger's more like a teen but more typical as an adult to me in my case and you're saying that because you felt like you could have conversations with people in ways that you couldn't before yes but like when i was a teen life wasn't Easy or hard? It was medium.

It was medium. Was it in the middle? What do you think? I think it was in the middle.

Easiest.

When I was a kid, life was hard. It was.

Um, like whenever, I don't know, because they have better language.

And I used to call typical girls mermaids. Okay. Because mermaids felt isolated and alone.

Sadly, like when Ben and Mary are having a conversation. How do you feel? Left out. Because why? Because I feel, because it feels like I'm in my own world in La La Land.

I don't know. Like if I see Mary taking care of herself, I pretend to take care of herself.

It's like that movie Inside Out when anxiety took over joy. Have you seen Inside Out 2? No.

Do you love your blue eyes now? Yes, they are a blessing in disguise. But if they're brown and blue mixed together, I call them hazel eyes. Like the Kelly Clarkson song. Just like the Kelly Clarkson song.

And also, can I tell her about the gesture from childhood and explain it? If you want to, if they're interested.

Just doop!

Probably a baby crying. I went,

Inside Out 2, anxiety took over joy.

And Riley says, I'm a good person. And Riley says, I'm not good enough. And we see all of Riley's memories from when she was younger. There were these new emotions. She had to put the new emotions away. She had to push them away.

Anxiety, envy, embarrassment, and ennui.

Joy. That's the new one. Sadness, anger, disgust, and fear. Those are the main characters.

I also would call it the dog. I'd call it nuzzle. Yeah, because you'd be mad at the dog.

I call the dog barking nuzzle, and I call a cat hissing at me sizzle. Who are they from? The Puzzle Place. But they're puppets.

What would Leon say as an animal?

Wow.

You know what? Every time I hear a dog bark, I'm going to have to tell the dog, I'm calling Cruella de Vil.

And speaking of Cruella de Vil, Mary, my cousin, was dressed up as Cruella de Vil one year on Halloween during COVID.

It was just her costume.

Moorpark Zoo. And guess what? I have to tell you something. I know it's going to be a little inappropriate.

I know it. I saw the lion's testicles.

speaking of that word there's this funny scene in the simpsons movie where bart simpson was skateboarding naked and there was this restaurant this guy was eating french fries and he says boys before we eat don't forget to thank the lord for this bountiful penis

Dirty jokes are pretty funny.

What was his name? Baby Oliver. What would you say if I saw a white... There was a white Persian cat in my backyard. This is where I'd be like... And what would you say during when I'm walking my dog and there's a King Charles Spaniel?

There was a King Charles Spaniel and an underdog played by Amy Adams. Oh, really? Yeah.

How does Romeo laugh?