‘Why fit in when you were born to stand out?’ – Autistic Pride Day 2022

Autistic Pride Day is a celebration of people on the autistic spectrum, a day to celebrate their neurodiversity and differences. Taking place on June 18th each year, Autistic Pride Day was created by Aspies For Freedom group(AFF) so that those on the spectrum can celebrate their neurodiversity and differences. It also an incredible opportunity to raise public awareness and celebrate the similarities and differences of autistic people.

Fortis therapist Gemma, has been very fortunate to work with many children and young people who have been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. She has also discovered along the way, all of the beautiful differences and abilities these children bring to the world. This Autistic Pride Day Gemma shares her experiences with one particular client Joseph.

"Autism it is not a disability , it is a different ability"

Joseph is a neurodivergent individual I work with supporting him through trauma experienced during his younger years that stemmed from being ‘different’ due to being autistic.

He felt judged, like an outsider, somehow lost in the world as well as lost in how society viewed him. Joseph was unsure of his identity, and felt that his voice didn’t matter or wasn’t heard. He was masking to the point that he’d perfected his mask to cope, which meant putting others before himself, triggering anxiety, irrational thoughts, break downs in friendships and with teachers, heightening, sensory overload as well other elements which were very damaging to him and his identity.

I always will remember how he would tell me his autistic brain was impacting him; however, it wasn’t his brain, it was the people and experiences around him. The themes we worked on were anxiety, goal setting, gradual exposure to various settings and places, and performing arts to express himself freely. We devised a coping toolkit, worked on his emotions, letting go of traumatic experiences that held him back, self-worth, defence mechanisms, friendships, self-esteem, confidence, to enable him to feel heard, know his identity and shape his thinking patterns.

Ultimately, I was able to share his journey and share his superpower of unique abilities. Joseph has taught me in various ways too, such as how to connect on a deeper level, how to emphasise more, to be more mindful of triggers – triggers of the words we use in everyday society – and to be more mindful overall.

The sessions, and working, with Joseph enabled me to upskill myself in developing coping tools and strategies that were realistic, bespoke for him and raise the awareness of how imperative gradual exposure to transitions and changes are for individuals like Joseph, that are autistic.

As well as being part of Joseph’s journey, I am very thankful for getting the time to spend with his wonderful and authentic self and how he allowed me to be part of watching him grow. He is proud of who is, embraces everyday who he is rather than who society wants him to be, has overcome all these barriers that once affected his identity, and mental and emotional wellbeing, for such a long time, as well as from from a very young age.

Joseph, you bring so many positive changes and increased awareness to society, thank you for being you.