Knowing yourself -to function at your best

By Rosie Levy, Project Coordinator, Your Voice

Being diagnosed with autism can be daunting especially when you don’t know how to understand your needs.

We recently held a neurodiverse network group on the topic of Executive Function which highlighted the many different aspects of being on the autistic spectrum. It is not just about understanding your needs so you can function but knowing yourself and how best to uniquely tailor strategies for you to live and function on a daily basis.

Autism is a spectrum condition which means no two people are the same. I like to use the rainbow analogy to try and explain to others struggling with the concept. There are many different colours in a rainbow, each one with it’s own colour code, a precise make up of what makes it unique and special. There are millions of different colour combinations, each one different to the one before. This is like the autistic spectrum, just because one person has a select sensory need doesn’t mean all people with autism share this. 

The colour range is huge just like the autistic spectrum!

This is why, you really have to know yourself in order to understand the best ways to function. This can be a long journey and takes self-acceptance, love and courage to know and accept all parts of you. I have been diagnosed for nearly 8 years now and it is only in the past few years that I have really begun to understand what autism means for me.

I have a huge family and four siblings, I am so lucky that they accept me for who I am.

Throughout my childhood, I have always felt different to other people and didn’t really understand why. As I have grown to understand myself, I have realised different doesn’t mean less. We all have our unique gifts, talents and quirks to give back to the community. It is a joy to be completely myself around those I trust and let others share that joy with me. The acceptance and love of others has definitely helped me to get to know myself better and has made me feel more comfortable knowing who I am.

My mum has always been my number one supporter, and also fought for others to see the creative fun person I am!

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Even though, I have begun to accept myself, I do find myself masking in some social situations. The feeling of emotional exhaustion and dysregulation when I take the mask off is tiresome. I think it does take time to gradually take the mask off with those you feel close to. It can be hard to let someone in to your vulnerable self when you don’t know whether you will be accepted or not. 

“The best advice I can give, in order to know yourself better is, you have to let others know you too.”
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