"My brain has always worked differently, and I always assumed that there was something “wrong” with me as to why I felt so different. I just got on with life, masked my struggles and would let it out when I got home. Think of a bottle of fizzy drink being shaken up all day, then taking the lid off at home. That was me.

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Looking back on my childhood I struggled socially, and have experienced sensory difficulties and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Autism wasn’t as well known back then, and certainly for girls it is even harder to receive a diagnosis - which is a whole other story.

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Fast forward to my early 30’s where after my two children are diagnosed, everything about my entire existence starts to make sense. I finally receive the diagnosis of being autistic myself (with a side of ADHD and c-PTSD!).

 

Since affirming my own identity as an autistic person I’ve never felt more “myself”. I am an elected member of council in the City of Tea Tree Gully, run a successful business, have a supportive family and a handful of great friends, and am overall pretty happy! 

 

I wish for children to never grow up feeling as though they are not good enough, and I believe it is important to explain neurodiversity to ALL children from a young age, in language that is age appropriate, so that no neurodivergent child ever has athe chance to feel as though there is something wrong with them; or experience bullying by children who don't understand them."