Healthwatch Kingston chats to Katy for neurodiversity celebration week

I have been diagnosed with autism.

My parents noticed that I was on the autism spectrum when young, but was not officially diagnosed until I was 30 years old.

It was very difficult for my parents to find someone who would listen and make a diagnosis of my autism.  It was only when I worked with the Health Team from Kingston that someone picked up that I had autism and asked to go through my childhood history.

I find most day to day living a challenge. Choosing clothes, helping with planning my day, times etc.  I find that talking to professional, such as the bank, doctors, optician or hospital very difficult so ask a member of my family to help.

I find it all very hard, so do not like living with it.

My family and close friends understand me but some other people like in shops and on the phone; they do not understand. My mum often says: please speak nicely to my daughter as she has a learning difficulty and autism.

Cinema, meeting friends, watching comedy such as ‘Fools and Horses', colouring, painting by numbers, my teddies and dolls.

People should be more understanding and tolerant towards autistic people.  If I ask someone to explain something, I ask them if they could they do it an easy way.  Maybe businesses and schools should be made aware of people with neurodiversity.  It would be beneficial if someone with neurodiversity could speak about their experiences to these organisations.