I am interviewing Jay, age 30. Jay is from Newcastle, England,
but
soon to be living in sunny LA. I was officially diagnosed as having Autism
Spectrum Disorder last year, a short process considering that despite not
informing my mother or myself the therapists I had seen in my teens had
determined I was on the spectrum, and by the time I went for an official
diagnosis I had been part of the autism community for around two years.
What is your life like as an Autistic
person?
It’s
hard to say what life is like as an autistic person, I’ve spent most of my life
living as a neurotypical person and it’s only now that I know I’m autistic that
I know for certain I’m different from those around me. Despite being severely
affected as a child I wasn’t diagnosed, it was assumed my problems were due to
childhood abuse, this was a blessing in a way as it meant I was mainstream
schooled so had a good chance to catch-up to my peers. Of course not knowing
why I was different made things a struggle and like most autistic people I
faced bullying in school along with a lack of academic support, lack of
progression and aggression from coworkers in the workplace, and loneliness in
my personal life...but then autism is also what saved me, made me thicker skinned,
more open-minded, and more accepting of my own differences. Life as an autistic
person is like life as anyone else, a constant struggle worth fighting for.
What is the most difficult about
being Autistic, for you?
The most difficult thing about being autistic for me is the idea of friendship. As an adult you inevitably lose friends and the older you get the harder it is to establish new friendships, yet I see people who have the same close friend groups since high school and wonder why I can’t have that. The ability to just hang-out whenever you want with people who understand you is just something I’ll never have. I can go day or weeks without needing to be around others, but then when I want to go out to a nightclub or if I need someone to talk to I realise that I have no one. I had friends once, so I know at some point I must have had the ability to maintain friendships, but once I became unemployed my autism worsened and of course unemployment itself kills any sort of social life you may have had anyway. Of the few friends I have left I’ll meet them for coffee once every few months but that’s it...no hanging-out, no talking to each other online in the meantime, it just doesn’t feel like what I think a friendship should feel like and I’ve no idea how to change that.
What is the most joyful, fun,
exciting thing about being Autistic?
Right
now the most exciting thing about being autistic is simply being autistic, I
always knew that I was different but figured it was okay and I’d discover why
this was at some point in the future, now I know why I’m different. I didn’t
expect that in finding out why I was different I’d also find so many others who
are different right along with me, other autistic friends, advocates, and I met
my autistic partner via the autism community. I like the sense of identity and
pride in being part of this group, I love to see the progress advocates make in
improving how we’re treated and support is available to us. Sure there is a lot
of prejudice and ignorance, but I just love that all of us outcasts can be so
active in standing-up for our rights.
How has the Autism Acceptance
Day/Month effort over the past three years affected you personally?
Autism
Acceptance Day/Month hasn’t had an effect on me, except for last year when I
chose this day to ‘come out’ as autistic on Facebook, although for the record
no one was surprised and it was all rather anticlimactic. I’ve yet to firmly
establish how I feel about Autism Acceptance Day/Month, I think it’s because in
the UK being autistic isn’t as much of a big deal as it is in the US, where
there is a lot more in the way of politics and prejudices surrounding autism.
In the UK I have no problem being open about autism, however in the US I’m
worried because of what it could mean, there’s a real need for awareness and
acceptance in the US. Once I move to the US I suspect I’ll be more motivated to
become more active in Autism Acceptance Day/Month, especially as once in the US
I plan on pursuing a career mentoring young autistic adults.
Yay! I am glad you are thinking about being active in the Autism Acceptance Day/Month efforts.
What is one thing about acceptance that would make a difference in the world?
What is one thing about acceptance that would make a difference in the world?
It’s
all about equality. Autistic children lose grades for not being able to work in
groups or give presentations, I lose out on jobs because during interviews I
can’t make eye-contact or perform role-play, on the street when a child or
adult has a meltdown it’s a count against them as a human being, and if they’re
non-verbal they may as well not exist. Accepting us not only means equality for
us in a wide range of situations but also brings about a better society where
differences are accepted and strengths are recognised, where people think
before they judge, and when out-the-box thinking is utilised rather than
shut-up.
Do you have children or other family
members who are Autistic?
I’m
the only autistic person out of large families on both my fathers and mothers
side. My finance is an aspie, although he’s more severely effected than me his
autism has been invaluable in his success in business, so we’re definitely
pro-autism in this house. Interestingly one of my fiance’s children is also on
the spectrum, he’s yet to be tested and his parents have yet to tell them that
he’s autistic, also they don’t know that dad and stepmom are autistic. There’s
no doubt that my finances child is autistic, it’s interesting seeing him
experiencing similar things as we did at that age, until his mom agrees to
testing it means his dad is helping him the best he can, and dropping hints
that being on the spectrum is kind of awesome.
Thank you, Jay, and a warm welcome to the U.S. I hope you enjoy being here!
Thank you, Jay, and a warm welcome to the U.S. I hope you enjoy being here!
