Emily

From a very early age, I’ve always understood that my family were ‘different’. Why couldn’t we go out and do ‘normal’ family activities such as go shopping or to a theme park? As I grew older, I learnt that this difference wasn’t something to be ashamed of, as both my brother and father have Aspergers which is a form of autism.

Autism is a neurological disorder characterised by a difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with others. Autism affects 700,000 people in the UK alone. Together, these 700,000 people have 2.8 million relatives who are just like me. Mental health is more common amongst autistic people than within the general population however, this is often overlooked. People with autism often experience high levels of anxiety, including vulnerability and stress from new senses, experiences and situations which can lead to depression and sadness.

If someone with autism experiences anxiety, they are more likely to try to escape from the situation or seek help or advice, creating a cycle where anxiety builds on and reinforces itself. If there’s someone you know or meet, whether a colleague, someone at university or someone in the street who shows signs of being autistic or is autistic, understand that they aren’t ‘different’ or ‘weird’ it’s just part of who they are.