Welcome to my new mini-series Autism Profiles, where a few Neurodivergent adults share some information about what it’s really like to be an Autistic/ND person. I sent them a range of personal questions and have compiled the answers below. I know that most people would assume all Autistic people are the same, and that misguided thinking is what has inspired me to start this series. As you will see in my previous blog, the basic criteria are what ties us together in that we are on the Autism Spectrum, but the ways in which these things are expressed can vary a lot!
Thanks to all the participants for making these posts possible.
My name is Asten and I’m 27 years old. I’m from Suffolk, UK. I grew up with my mum, step dad and two brothers. I currently live with 24 hour support in my own house.
I was diagnosed really young. Four years old, to be precise. Obviously I don’t remember much about life before my diagnosis but my Mum always thought there was something ‘different’ about me. I didn’t discover I was autistic personally until I was 9. Before that I had always felt different from other people and didn’t really understand why. I used to get bullied a lot in school. I just didn’t understand why I couldn’t be like other people. It was such a relief when I found out I was autistic, even at such a young age.
I prefer to identify as an autistic person, but I’m not really that bothered if people call me a person with autism/Asperger’s, etc. But I personally like to identify as autistic because that is what I am, because autism affects me in every single aspect of my life. But I don’t get mad if people misidentify me. Life’s too short to worry about language, at least that’s what I think.
My passion in life is writing. I haven’t always been good at writing; I used to struggle in English lessons when I was at school. I just didn’t have the confidence to write. But since then I have really honed in on my writing skills and have actually self published a novel, Rainbow Balloons. Speaking of balloons, this is one of my special interests. I have done a few courses on balloon decorating but I didn’t have a clue how to start a business so they never really followed through. But I love having balloons around and almost always have some in my bedroom. My other special interest is the children’s TV character, Basil Brush. I love seeing him live and have even met him a few times!
I love going to concerts and shows so my ideal way to spend a day would be going to a concert or show. When I can’t be doing that I love spending time with my family, boyfriend and the few friends I have.
As an Autistic person I find it hard to make and keep friends, and I have a bad temper, which isn’t something I’m proud of. I also have problems with sensory issues like when things are too loud, or with certain smells.
I am both sensory adverse and a sensory seeker. I like to stim by spinning around in circles to my favourite music. When I do this I usually think about my special interests. As I mentioned before I am sensory adverse to loud noises and strong smells.
I love how creative I am, and how I see the world. And I love having my special interests because they bring me great joy.
I also have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Because of these conditions I can be very obsessive. My BPD makes me emotionally unstable and it also affects how I view who I am.
The autistic stereotype I least relate to is that Autistics do not have a sense of humour. As my Mum would say, ‘I have a wicked sense of humour!’ I’m also very empathetic.
The stereotype I most relate to would be the inability/difficulty making friends. I would love to have more friends but I suck at making and keeping them!
Everyone on the spectrum is different, if you’ve met one autistic person you’ve met one autistic person!
Thanks for reading this blog post! I really appreciate it.
Asten x x x
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