I’ve spent years not knowing who I am and why I don’t fit in. I always knew that I was different. People would just say: 'You’re bubbly' or 'You’re crazy exciting'. 

As the years went on, my autistic traits became more and more evident. I began to struggle with food shopping, maintaining friendships, money management, social participation, sleep, sensory overload and many other things.  

I felt like I couldn’t maintain romantic relationships, friendships and some jobs or actively engage in life. I was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 35 years old, and after reading my report, everything kind of made sense to me.

As an occupational therapist, I assist people with interventions to work towards their physical and mental baseline and help them in achieving their goals. I want to help people understand where they can access help and support in the world when it appears that there isn’t any. Autistic people do not ‘have’ a disability – it is the lack of accommodations in society that can disable them.

If somebody required a ramp in the workplace, it would be put in place as soon as possible to support that person. We need changes, too. However, our adaptions aren’t as physically obvious, and people need to listen to us to understand what adaptations we need.  

If you don’t know, just ask. If that person can’t respond, accept it. Just be kind and human. We are not aliens. Build a whole-person approach to their current situation, problem solve, get creative in terms of interventions and their environments and, importantly, support people in adapting to a new way of living.

In terms of my own work, I’m able to manage my own diary of my appointments, which helps me on a daily basis at home. If there are things I can’t manage, I can sometimes ask for help, and sometimes they are filled up, and that’s just life.  

I’m no longer too hard on myself because life is hard enough. I do not approach things as ‘I can’t do that’; I approach them as ‘How can I do that?’ It makes me understand that not everything is out of my reach. 

I am also a mum to a now teenage daughter. I feel like I’m the teenager, and she’s the adult – ha ha! I’m able to be open with her. She’s understanding, caring and kind, and she knows how to help me during a meltdown or a burnout. I couldn’t live without her.  

I have some amazing friends who have been with me for many years. I’ve also lost quite a few friends, but that’s something I have to learn to live with. I would like people to help each other understand and navigate a world where we feel that we constantly do not belong. 

I want people to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that they are not stupid or unworthy and are capable of achieving their goals just like I did. 
 

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