Hi! A friendly introduction from an autistic blogger.

Hi, This is my introduction blog.

I have never written a blog before, so this is quite an interesting opportunity for me.

I am a 30-year-old primary school teaching assistant with autism. I enjoy my job, and I feel privileged to be part of a school that promotes a caring and pastoral ethos. A school that places children at the centre of everything it does. A school that values well-being as much as it does academia. Our school family aims to nurture children as individuals.

Children are often more open and forgiving to eccentricities. They are naturally curious and will ask questions. Sometimes very bluntly, without meaning to offend. I think a lot of autistic people retain child-like qualities.

My autism has made me more compassionate towards children with additional needs. It helps me to see the joy in the simplicities of life. I find sitting and swinging on a swing to be very therapeutic (If I can find a swing that will hold my weight). I enjoy video games (I bought a Nintendo Switch last Christmas). I can engage in playground talk. I can talk in the language of Fortnite, and superheroes. I enjoy the games of Tag and Duck-Duck-Goose. I also enjoy more sophisticated pursuits such as Mathematics, Computer programming, chess, and playing the piano. I also enjoy Drama, singing, and creative writing.

After graduating from university, I started a career as a stage actor. It was very low pay but I was lucky enough to find seasonal work. When the work began to dwindle, I got a job in retail (Like a lot of resting actors). I worked in Marks and Spencer and I was eventually moved from the Food hall into their Cafe. I was enjoying the job, and I always tried to go the extra mile to talk to the customers. I would ask about their day. Sadly I got made redundant when it was announced in a meeting that the branch was soon to close. 

I was out of work for several months, but I found a part-time job as a kitchen porter. Someone commented on how well I interacted with children and suggested that I should train as a teaching assistant. I volunteered two days per week in a local primary school and then I went back to college to train as a teaching assistant. I have never looked back since. It is such a rewarding, challenging, and very fulfilling job, where every day is different and there are always new challenges arising.

Having autism has helped me to succeed as a teaching assistant. It has made me much more understanding.

One thing that saddens me is the lack of support for autistic people. Particularly In adults. Common sense suggests that children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. Suddenly the challenges of surviving the noise of the playground, studying for exams, reading social cues, and navigating boisterous parties, are replaced with the challenges of holding down a job, getting into a relationship, paying bills, driving a car, commuting to work, and maintaining friendships.

Many autistic people and their families end up isolated. This can lead to the development of many other mental health issues.

Hopefully, this online community will enable autistic people to help and support each other and offer advice on various situations and challenges that they may be facing. Having autism is not easy, there are many parents who have just started their journey with their autistic child. Thankfully, there is much more awareness and support for autistic children than there was when I was growing up.

In my next blog, I will write about my personal education values, the prejudice and stigma of autism, my personal experiences of my own school days and surviving in a mainstream school, and my hope for a more inclusive and accepting society.

Thank you for reading.

See you soon.

Trance