I wanted to share in this article about my autism. I was diagnosed with autism at the Caudwell Children Centre in 2023. They helped me to see that it is OK to have autism, and they continue to provide me and my parents any help and support when it is needed.
I have always had people look at me nastily and like I am different. People have said things that have upset me about my autism such as ‘you don’t look autistic’ or ‘look at the naughty child’. I wish they could see the world like I do.
When the world feels overwhelming
To me the world can look scary. Like for example going to the supermarket. There are lots of people in there, loud noises, bright lights and not knowing what is around the next aisle. It can make me have a sensory overload, and causes me to have a meltdown. It does not mean I am being naughty, but just that I cannot cope at that time, and it comes out in that way. When I have a meltdown sometimes, I do not know I am having them, and they can be scary for me.
I can struggle to communicate verbally so I use talking apps, Makaton and visuals cues when I need to. People think because I do not speak to them or make eye contact that I have nothing to say or I am being rude. However, this is not the case. I have found ways to communicate what I want to say by writing books which have been published, making YouTube videos, information posters and now, writing these articles for East Anglia Bylines.
How my support dog helps me
I have a support dog called Boo who helps me so much as she helps keep me calm when I am out, and I can communicate my needs through her. I could not be without her, and I use her as the main character in my books. Having my support dog makes me feel safe and happy.
I love being out in nature because it is an open space and quiet. When I am on the beach, I feel free. I love to help nature whenever I can as I feel not everyone else does. I love hearing the birds and the waves crashing down and the feeling of the sand in my hands.
I feel like sometimes animals are like me and misunderstood, which is why I like them when others don’t, for example jellyfish and hedgehogs. This is why I try to help them, as well as that they are important to our ecosystem.
I feel my autism has given me my passion for nature because I can feel free and calm in it. But also I can help it by showing people what they can do to help it too.
Proving them wrong
Before I was homeschooled, I was told by the school that I was in, that I would not amount to anything because of my autism. However, I am showing them I can achieve anything, as I have had 5 books published, I volunteer for the RNLI, and I am able to write these articles.
I like Winnie-the-Pooh as he says, “The things that make me different are the things that make me, me” and that is how being autistic is. I will finish this article by saying happy World Autism Awareness Day. Remember, it does not matter what people say. You can, with courage and determination, achieve anything you want to.
