Growing Up With Autism And Finding Belonging and Purpose
Growing Up With Autism And Finding Belonging and Purpose
All Autism Talk
Andrew Moore serves as Directory Administrator for Autistic Minds, an educational charity and resource center in the UK joins us to share his story of finding meaningful employment, mentors, and friends as an autistic adult. For Andrew, connecting with the organization Autistic Minds opened a whole new world. As he shares, "I just needed guidance and support for the fundamentals."
-
https://autisticminds.org.uk/
-
Richie
Andrew, welcome to our show. Thank you so much for being here.
Andrew
thanks for having me as a guest. It's a pleasure to be here.
Richie
One of the things I really want to talk about is the organization you work for, Autistic Minds. But before we get into that, I really want to hear about you as a person and sort of your journey through life that brought you to this moment.
Andrew
Well, that's a great question. That's a very deep question. I'd say my journey, obviously through school and education, I went to middle class RADA. Brynderry was the primary school and then I went to comprehensive. All of that was a failure on the educational systems part because they didn't understand. And I looked recently on my primary schools website and they have ALN. So, you know, special educational needs, it's more additional learning these they use now instead of the word special which is more very un-PC in the UK and so they have that in place but back in the day when I was in primary school in 1990s we didn't have any of this support and I just stumbled my way through being mischievous and getting into trouble and I'm very good at sport though so I can do complex things with sport you know but I didn't I can't pursue a sports career I'm obviously-
Richie
Hmm.
Andrew
38 now and I can't do that because I didn't have the guidance and sport isn't made for like autism unless you're very particular and you have a good circle around you. So there was that and it was just a lot of like issues with school and people because my I'm not very good with people but I've learned to be better and I struggled with bullying-people's misunderstanding of my behavior and my traits and I would just do that like faux pas and social issues I wouldn't know boundaries and then I would get into trouble and I've made friends which is an incredible thing for me because I talked to my friends and I made you know I play FIFA with them online the new version and we play pro clubs but I've made friends which is one of the best things I'm proud about-
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
-because there's this thing with autism about loneliness and not having friends. So I'm not the stereotypical autistic person to have those issues. I've all, was, my friend said to me before, she's lucky, like I was lucky to have them still, because I used to say some savage things and cutting comments, because I didn't know the social rules and the etiquette. And I would just be like, brutal, you know, brutally honest. And it would end up having very awkward moments in social situations, but through... No, no, you carry on, yeah.
Richie
I'm envisioning you, sorry I interrupted you Andrew. I'm envisioning you as like a nine year old trying to make friends and having a really hard time and sounds like, you know, making some of the mistakes that a lot of us made as kids but they were a big challenge for you and led to bullying and other things. Did that carry on through high school or through higher education?
Andrew
Yeah, I... Yeah, yeah, basically. Yeah, basically. Yeah, pretty much, because I only recently found out how my brain works and life skills, which is from autistic minds, you know, and people skills and understanding. I had to learn the hard way and it was brutal.
And it's quite emotional for me and I'm getting a bit not too emotional now, but I won't like, you know, cry or anything. It's just the, it was a life experience. I was lucky I went to a middle-class school as opposed to a really hard school. Cause there are some hard schools in Cardiff, you know, where I would have been destroyed, you know, cause I'm not street smart. You know, I'm very like formal and rules-based and everything has to be done a certain way. So I'm not street smart, but I'm very analytical and I know when I know danger because I've been brought up quite strictly and protected from a young age. Like I remember, you know the film Goonies, right? I wasn't allowed to watch that because my mum and dad were so strict. They were like, I'm not old enough. So I had to sit, this is ridiculous now, I had to sit on my own in unit four, right? Because we do it in...
Richie
Yeah, yeah, great film.
Andrew
-units and then there's years isn't it, your system's different in high school system as opposed to our comprehensive. And then I, everyone went in right, into watch this film in this like the room with the musician and everything like that and then the first five minutes there's a swear word in the film and I'm like why is everyone coming back out and the teacher was like why didn't you tell me there was this bad swear word and these kids are like 10. So they all came back out and I was like yay I got like people to come back to see me now. It was like that.
That's why I know it's like, because my mum and dad are very strict. Like cool people that restrict with rules. Yeah.
Richie
Yeah, Do you think that was them trying to protect you from other people or is that just the rules that they had put in place?
Andrew
yeah. It's just their generation. My grandmother's a very independent woman, but ahead of her time. She had a shop in a district in Cardiff and she had her own shop and she's eccentric, there's a lot of eccentricity in my family, funny enough. And my granny had her own shop and then retired at I think it was 45 years of age. And then she lives with my cousin who's undiagnosed, he's highly intelligent, like ridiculously intelligent, he just doesn't have any social skills so it's awkward. But so she, I brought up with him and I talked to him about web design and he'll be like this, this and this and I'll be like Dave I don't understand this and he'll be like is this this and this and it and in like 100 miles an hour and he's musical. Yeah my family's creative you know.
Richie
Amazing. I want to get back to you. You mentioned that you just recently learned how your brain works. Was that you getting a diagnosis? Was that you going through some psychological evaluations? What was that process for you?
Andrew
geez, this is a complex one. I was lucky because I could use my wits and my intelligence to get into jobs through interviews because I would know what to say and give them the right answers analytically. And then I wouldn't last in the jobs because I didn't have the social rules or the fundamentals. So I get sacked from call centers to Tesco's to I worked in the banking industry and HBOS before the financial crash.
That was difficult. An autistic person on the phone talking to other people. Yeah, that doesn't go down well. Sometimes, you know, take up this credit card and I'd be like, I don't want to be like, okay. I don't hit your target then. Yeah. And I, I'm, I've been doing sales with the charity when we went to the Hay Festival. Have you heard of that in the UK? Yeah. We're famous, you know, Stephen Fry goes there and you know, incredible people in British culture.
Richie
Yeah. So sales wasn't for you, Andrew, it sounds like.
Andrew
in this, it's Haon Wives, it's full of book shops, it's an amazing place. And I just let the charity understand there and I just let the people see the products and just let, you know, and then they bought them. I never do, I don't want to be, I'm not the type of person who'll be like, buy this or hard sell in a kind of wolf of Wall Street way, it's crass, I don't do that way. And I had, got, you know, I went to college and did an IT course, but I'm not an IT person.
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
My friend is a web developer and she's like, you're not like these people in like in any way. just, I, my brain is stumbling. So I get obsessed with things. So I've got Aldous Huxley novels. I've got a lot of those. I've got hundreds of books. I've got so many CDs and collecting like video games because it's my special interest. And I just obsess over it. And then I, my brain needs to master.
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
So I just get really obsessed and need to know the ins and outs about how everything works in a very obsessive way. Like, and it's mastering. And I, what was it, with the education, I went to college and got through. I wasn't expecting to get the grades I got because I never have the awareness. So I just like live and, you know, you just live basically. And if things go well, it's like, whoa, you know, in a surprise, it's never like expecting things to go well.
So there's no arrogance. It's literally just let life flow. And then I went to education and dropped out. was in computer science. I dropped out of Aberystwyth University because I couldn't cope with the social stuff. And I used to drink alcohol lot because that was a masking, because autism has masking. I used to just play the fool and make people laugh and do daft things to get their attention approval, like a Joker character, like a Harlequin. And then I dropped out of university and went back.
So went to university twice and dropped out after I did film, because I couldn't cope, which I just need, I wasn't diagnosed. I somehow managed to get through the cracks of the British diagnostic system. And then I remember, I didn't know I was autistic until my friend said, you've got, you're like the most autistic, non-autistic person he's ever met. Yeah. Because my friends are, they went to top universities in the UK. They're very intelligent people. Like not being out boasting, it's just they are, they very clever and I was the misfit, the atypical one. But we didn't see, my friends didn't go, as I talked about this recently, they didn't go, what is it, ADHD, autism, and go for a diagnosis, they just saw me as I am. So in a way that's good, but in a way it's bad because life got harder. Because if society doesn't understand, you're basically a misfit and outsider. And then I was unemployed for years doing, like, I had lots of jobs.
And in various different like, you know, call centre and Tesco's, like kind of everyday jobs which are social. And I, yeah, I was just getting sacked from them, you know, and then I was in the job centre and I had to see like a disability advisor because they have job coaches and she didn't talk to me about what disability is, what skills or anything. I just had to apply for jobs and I went through organisations like Remployee which is a government paid service, but they shut it down, the Tories did, because they've done a lot of bad stuff with disability in Britain. like PIP and yeah, it's really bad what they did recently. We've got Labour now, so hopefully they can make amends and be better. And I got assessed by an educational psychologist. I wasn't prepared for it and I was sleep deprived because I have sleep issues.
but I'm much better than I was before. And she said, it's not autism, it's probably ADHD. And you've got like top 2 % for spelling and being able to do things fast, because I'm really hundred miles an hour. They have to slow me down in work because otherwise I'll burn out. And then she said, just do boxing. And I'm like, I don't want to get punched in the head. It's not good. But that's a stimming thing, a sensory stimming thing, boxing for me. And then I...
The day which changed my life, I said to the job coach in Cardiff, I think I might have autism because it was on my mind all the time, know, and it was driving me nuts. And the lady goes, we have a charity coming, you know, once a week. And so I, I sit there with former manager and he goes to me in the first five minutes, autism, you know, that level. Yeah. And I...
Richie
Wow. How old were you at this point, Andrew?
Andrew
This was 2018. So this is six years ago. Which ties in with another thing I'll talk about a year later, which is big news with a charity. And then I sat down, went on employment programme for the charity, he's a neurotypical guy who could talk to the job centre about autism and bridge the gap between neurotypical and autism and then get...
Richie
Wow.
Andrew
you know, the service working. So I was on employment program with other guys and then I got CV skills, employment skills and I had a mock interview and this where it ties in, which is really uncanny at the moment with the charity. I have a mock interview with New Law Solicitors, right? I have a guy called Henry Field from New Law Solicitors and he is now the new CEO of Autistic Minds.
I know it's insane isn't it? It's gone full circle.
Richie
That's, that's so yeah. I was going to say how it all ties together, man. I, I gotta say, Andrew, I'm listening to this story. I'm listening to you share about, the struggles you had through school and how those carried into work. And, and I just, I feel like this, I'm getting this sense of like, persistence from you of like, I'm not going to give up. I'm just going to keep going, which kudos to you for that. That's great. But also just this story that I've heard so many times of.
The social skills were really hard. The social aspects were really hard. You had the technical skills, you could get the jobs, but then you said you couldn't keep them. And then, gosh, that must have been so frustrating for you.
Andrew
Yeah. Yeah, and that's where, honestly, that's where the darkness and the emo comes in. And I ended up listening to Marilyn Manson music, who I still listen to because it talks to me, because I think he's probably on the spectrum because he mentioned it in interview. He's a controversial one. So, you know, he's a very, very controversial character. So I don't I don't like him as a person. I just like the song radicalism-
Richie
Mm-hmm.
Andrew
-like Lady Gaga, I like the eccentric, like Sparks and Lady Gaga, the bold ones, the Mavericks, you know, they're gonna push the world forward, you know, but there's gonna be edgy stuff go with them, because they're eccentric. And I just, yeah, I just got clinically depressed. My friend, my friend just helped me out. And we used to just go to coffee shops and play football, because I used to play football on a Sunday with neurotypical guys and some eccentrics. And they were like, why aren't you working?
And I was like, because I don't have the awareness of the world around me. I've got the smallest awareness. My friend went through it and they were like, what? They just don't know what neurotypicals, they're not sweeping generalisation out, don't know how to deal with the people, like neurodiverse people like autism and ADHD, don't do what's expected. So they get confused and they have this expectancy. And if you don't do what's expected, they're shocked. So there's a lot of that which needs to be, you know, unwound and...
promoted with the inclusion. And then, yeah, just like, I just listen to like The Clash or, you know, America's Got the Beach Boys, you know, and what's the other ones like? Yeah, you know, and Frank Zappa is a hero and Sparks, Sparks are genius. Bandron, you know, Sparks are amazing. Yeah, for me.
Richie
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So here you are, a young adult, you walk in and you say, I think I have autism and your life has changed in that moment. Because now you're connected with this organization called Autistic Minds, correct?
Andrew
It was the Autism Directory but they rebranded to Autistic Minds in 21 and now it's and I work for the directory which is an enterprise, social enterprise because there's a lot of them in the charity. So that's another thing we can talk about because we've got, yeah. I, yeah, I then got a, I worked, had an interview with Henry and I talked to him the other day because he came in to have a chat with everyone. He's a lovely guy. Yeah, he's a great guy.
Richie
Got it.
Andrew
and he sat down with me and we talked about Final Fantasy and work and then I got an interview because the mock was setting me up for work skills because they knew what they were doing you know it's just I wasn't aware and then I had an interview with New Law Solicitors for an MI analyst role and I wasn't expecting to get the job they knew I needed the questions beforehand because legally I'm allowed adjustments you know they have to otherwise you know you get into major criminal you get into major lawsuits and stuff and legal aspects but I wasn't diagnosed so it's a grey area. was the thing.
Diagnosis is the most one of the most important things you can give for someone who's autistic because without society it's like why are you autistic then? You know there's no proof because it's very right-wing at times and old-fashioned with the views of some employers and society and I got the job. wasn't Henry rang me while I was in shared accommodation with drug addicts you know and edge ex-convicts you know and I live with some dangerous people but I know how to not trigger them so and they were pretty cool guys, male heads and creatives but you know I'm living with young guys who do a lot of drugs you know so you don't want you have that every day and it's annoying and then I got Henry rang me and said Andrew got something to tell you and I was like predetermined pessimism because I do go there sometimes.
I was like, I haven't got this job, know, all these people have got masters, it says on the job description. He goes, you got the job. And I was like, holy, you know, I got a job in like an analyst. Yeah. And I, before that I applied for O &S, the Office of National Statistics, an apprenticeship, and I missed it by one mark to get into the apprenticeship because I was going too fast. I have to slow myself down. And then I replied and I was a reserve for a £28,000 apprenticeship, but these people went to Cambridge University in the UK. Yeah, one of the guys there I remember, went to Cambridge. These were like, you know, these could be politicians or prime ministers. They're that intelligent people. It's just he had no social skills and he was quite annoying.
And yeah, funny enough, it goes with the territory of the job, analysts and statistics, isn't it? You know, there's patterns. And then I was at New Law on a trial-
Richie
Yep. Yeah, yeah.
Andrew
-for a month and I got sacked because they didn't understand. Henry was saying to me the other day, they didn't even like me wearing my headphones as an accommodation. They were moaning about it in a pathetic way. So Henry was fighting for me, but he had his hands tied. He can't be there on the floor going, you know, do this and this and this to the manager because of his conflict. So it's a lot of...
Richie
Wait, you got the job and then they didn't want to give you the accommodations you needed to do your job?
Andrew
They did, but I didn't know they didn't like it. Yeah, because they wouldn't say that because they're social. It was all very repressive. My friend, who's a project manager in the civil service, he was saying they were vile, they were rude to me, they weren't understanding, they were mean. There was one girl who I made a mistake because she was definitely on the spectrum. And she then went off and complained to the other girl and said, Andrew's made a mistake. It's really funny.
Richie
They didn't like it. Okay, okay.
Andrew
that kind of behaviour. So I learnt life, yeah it's toxic, but it's good I left that, but that was a huge life lesson and also experience. changed, that gave me great experience.
Richie
It's a not good work environment. Yeah. And so then tell us about the work that you're doing now and the organization you're working for now.
Andrew
wow. Okay, so I volunteered at Autistic Minds after getting sacked by the civil service. So I talked to that manager and he said, come and work for us. You know, we've come into money, come work for us. So I started May when the charity had new staff coming in with the, because they have support workers, a different organization called TAS, the Autism Support Service. And they then, linked to the charity so I get support on you know time and breaks and mental health because they are very switched on you know without they're very meticulous is the nicer way of putting it with everything you know and then I go on the directory so I add listings because we've got the biggest directory in the UK and the second biggest in the world the biggest is in India Autism Connect so it's-
I'm talking to them at the moment, maybe we could do something with them. And I was manic, I couldn't plan with executive functioning skills. I burned out because I went 100 miles an hour because I was trying to prove myself. I was there to prove. Because if you're vulnerable and you haven't proved, and you go into a workplace where people have succeeded and you haven't, you have to prove yourself.
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
-because there's always that feeling of not good enough. So you get that imposter syndrome and insecurity. yeah, we talked about this because the people used to, the sport was the adverse in psychology. So I was like, what does this mean? And they went into all the details and I'm like, it's just like sponge to it because I love psychology. It's just like, I don't psychoanalyze people like I used to. So I've turned that down now going into people's, yeah, trying to solve people, you know, like Sherlock Holmes.
Richie
-Imposter syndrome, yeah.
Andrew
And then I met the team. We used to have video calls once a week because the directories all autistic people who got degrees and masters in history, IT. One guy's working on a PhD in religious studies. He's ridiculously intelligent. Yeah, this is progressive. This is why I'm doing this to raise more awareness because I want the world to and the charity wants to grow. So the more we can do the better. And I then learnt I burnt out in that September 21.
Richie
Wow.
Andrew
-and then they understood and then worked on health because I didn't know I was scared of the NHS and doctors and work because I didn't know what to do because I was so mentally ill and then I built up they built my confidence built my skills they I did a test on me and from that because they are trusted it's not just like Mickey Mouse someone going let's go on the internet and do a test you know you've got this skill it's literally the reasons why so I did a listening test you know where you have to follow the details not sure if you know that one and I couldn't see the monkey in the test because I was zeroing in on all I counted every single one and the monkey popped up and I missed it and that's like yeah that and then the other ones were attention to detail that hits a hundred sometimes hundred percent and recall is like ninety odd percent
It's just my brain is like a machine just firing all the time. So with ideas, they just rain me and my manager. So I don't go off like, let's do this and this and this and this and this. And he'd be like, what's the reality of it Andrew? It's like, yeah, we need that. And he's like, we don't have that yet. Like that kind of thing. And then I start doing events with the processes because everything with the listings is with the autistic mind of the team leaders and the team is planned for.
And it has to be perfect. So I did events for a period and then with my analytical skills in April 23 I start working on Google Analytics. So I've done reports on that. So I did a report recently saying the competitors, what we need to improve on every aspect of the, the technicals from Search Console to Analytics to get Power BI, you know, and all this stuff. And we, I've done that and I've done, I'm certified by Microsoft. So that's the transformation I was saying to you in the email. I've gone from a guy who can't plan, who had poor social skills would say some edgy stuff, which is pretty like stuff, you know? And then I would now, I can talk to Henry, because he came in the other day and he'll be like,
Why have we jumped from this number to this number? And I can go on the exact page and then find solutions to why we're doing it. Yeah, that level. And that's all.
Richie
That's so incredible. But that took, that took a lot of work on your part. hear that piece of it. And also, I hear a lot of support from the organization. sounds like, it sounds like what I'm hearing is autistic minds. The organization is run by all autistic people who are able to, create a supportive environment, not all autistic people, but a lot of, and, and, and create a supportive environment for you to get the help and support you needed so that you could be successful. And.
Andrew
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Richie
I think that's the transformation in you that I'm hearing is that you found this place that supported you.
Andrew
yeah, that's what I've always needed. I just needed guidance and support for the fundamentals. And then to slow me down from doing a hundred things at once, just to focus me, you know? And like, because the history of the charity is like Nadine Honeybone, she has an autistic son who's non-verbal and he's like, there's no capacity and it's extreme. it opened my eyes to realize how lucky I am because technically autism is language is either a disorder, disability, I see it as a difference which needs accommodating but he can't even talk or do everyday functioning or express himself, pain so Nadine started this through, because I looked at the history recently, through volunteers and they would add listings because you couldn't get the support she needed and then she'd have listings with friends and volunteers like my team leader was volunteering-
And then we started the employment program and then the employment program brought in team leaders, autistics who were up to the standards because the thing with autism there's the spectrum of you know you can have I'm not using the word which society some says you know mental handicap I think is probably a nice way of saying it from low low IQ to a genius level, know, like Bill Gates level, and Elon Musk level. They're autistic and they are, you know, he's the richest man in the world. And I'm not for Elon Musk. I don't like his stance, his politics and Trump. What he's doing at the moment is dangerous, but he's done it, you know, he's done it through his autism and his, you know, how his brain works. yeah, and then we brought in more team, cause I looked at the history.
Richie
Right.
Andrew
and more people came and then enterprises started because we had the directory with the listings which we've got 30 odd thousand now like events, articles, listings we're getting people I'm connecting with on LinkedIn right who want to be who want to write for us you know and they write and we've had a few recently and they're really good writers you know and they just volunteer to write you know and it's great and then we've got the other enterprises, which is Green Valley Workshop, is up-cycled wood made into bird houses. And we sell them. And we've got 3D printing. I talked to one of the team leaders about putting one of my favorite comic book artists' picture onto a cup, and she was explaining the process, all the detail. It's really complex. And what's the other ones? Ambition prints, that's the design. which does pre-printing prints on t-shirts and they come up with cool autistic friendly and cool designs.
Richie
I'm going to interrupt you, Andrew, because there's one I really want to hear about. So I'm sorry I'm interrupting you. It sounds like there are so many things happening in the organization, but you mentioned a show. And I'm particularly interested. You mentioned before we got on the air, you mentioned that there are a couple of shows. And so I want to make sure that we hear about those.
Andrew
Go on. No, no, no, by all means. Okay, Autistic Minds, an autism director before that, does two shows. One in, I'm not the best at Welsh pronunciation, I think it's Clanddynno, because I'm from Southern Wales, I'm more English Wales instead of Welsh Welsh, you know. And that's in Maytime, that just happened this year. And I'm not sure when it officially started, but we stopped in COVID time, obviously, for common sense reasons. And then we have a show which was last month in Cardiff City Stadium, so Cardiff City Football Club, my team which are on the way back up after six losses in a row, you know, I know. They, we have, it's grown, so we have YouTubers doing chats, seminars, we have exhibitors, which are businesses and charities, we have, we've had talks about PIP, all the things which a community of mothers and sons will need for their family.
It's more family orientated. then all the enterprises are there, you know? And I was there last year, I didn't go this year, but I went last year and I talked to mothers, the Welsh footballer Aaron Ramsey's teacher was there, so I talked to her and I talked to a mother about his son who's angry and he's taking Reddit literally.
the mum reached out to me and held my hand and said, thank you. And it was really heartwarming. And I just talk to people because I'm autistic and I can relate, you know, and about the struggles and because there's, it's a condition which is so complex, but underemployed, under understood, and just needs protecting and nurturing and understanding. if society would do that, our brains, which are so complex, not all though, not generalising now, would be able to solve a lot of the problems. Because we just, we're so focused in our skill sets and so creative. like even the web designer, the head of design, Raj Chand, his art and designs for the show for the website, because you'll be on Autistic Mind's website, is incredible.
I talked to him the other day and he's, the guy's a visionary. The guy's like insanely brilliant. And like it's amazing, because I always, through my naivety and, I'd say it's depression talking. I just thought everything around me was rubbish, you know, and depressing. And I was just like, I went to gothic thinking. And then I went to autistic minds and understood about, you know, my mind opened up then and then I saw how brilliant autistic people can be and with the support it's been incredible, you know, it changed my life. Yeah, you first.
Richie
It's so interesting. The thing I'm hearing from you is, You said the protecting the understanding and the coaching were things that you really needed and things that other individuals with autism or other autistic individuals would benefit from. And I just, I'm hearing this from you, like, I just so appreciate that you stuck through some of the challenges and then were able to get the help. For me, the thing I would wish is that more people are able to get that help sooner so that they don't have to endure some of the bullying and some of the other things that you had to go through.
Andrew
Yeah. But that's the societal understanding, awareness of the bigger picture, the confidence and strength to say you're autistic. Because a lot of people, if you look at the statistics, I think it's only 30 % say it because there's a lot of issues in employment, you know, which needs to be solved. We're at this, I'd say in the UK, we're ahead of some countries I've connected with on LinkedIn some countries I was looking for autism in Africa and I can't find anything on LinkedIn of Africa with autism. You know I've connected with thousands of people because I'm on a mission to get one person autistic connection around the world in the hundred and what do I say I think it's 195 countries I was like me I made a list this is how nerdy I am A to Z right and I was like I'm in 80 countries now and some countries like they won't have it but I've been talking to a lady from Africa and-
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
-India at the moment because I'm my brain just like you know if I don't more or nothing it's either if you do something you just do it to the maximum you know just give it all and that's why you were saying like just then about some people would give up and I have up to a point sometimes because I do you know spiral so they think it might be ADHD as well and they do get gothic and I haven't been like-
Richie
doing all the work.
Andrew
-fighting as much, you know, before as much as I am now, but through the help of the help hub, which is lady called Louise, she just unraveled, she got me diagnosed. You know, I was the NHS there, H-A-S in Cardiff, just the doctor said, it's for children. And then I don't give up because I'm getting feathered for being unemployed and, you know, issues. And then I go to this centre and they didn't even have the qualifications. It was a junior doctor and Louise fought for me. And then I go with my sister, who's neurotypical and very clever.
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
and I get diagnosed because I was getting sacked all the time and then I got it on paper now so that's official my diagnosis and I got I'm not gonna put it up on the wall like like some memento but I got it my drawer by the side you know
Richie
Yeah, yeah, well, it's just it's so and you know, I so appreciate you sharing your story and and you know, the fact that you were able to get a diagnosis, which I imagine has now allowed you to get some of the the supports that you had asked for before that, you know, again, you mentioned it was a gray area, right? Like they wouldn't give it to you because you didn't have the diagnosis, but now you do. And now you're getting the supports. And and I just appreciation for you sharing your story, but also for the organization you work for for giving you the time and building that environment, right? For not just you, but for others.
Andrew
Well yeah, they do a lot. I think, because Nadine's wrote a book and I haven't read it, but Henry said the reason, because Nadine's neurotypical. And actually not, neurodivision. Which is fair enough, and she did great to do this. Because I wouldn't be here, if you think about time now, I wouldn't be here sat in this call talking to you if she didn't do this. I would probably be unemployed or applying for jobs, manically go into interviews, might get the job six weeks, a month later or less and that would be sacked again. It would be a vicious cycle for the rest of my life if I didn't have a diagnosis or this charity, you know? And that's why, yeah, you first.
Richie
Yeah. And I think there, there are lot of, there are a lot of statistics that show that, right? That individuals with autism, just, can't keep the job. And to, to your point, right? This, the social skills are the part of it and the social communication is a big piece of it. it's disheartening too, because I think that's something that, can be, can be taught and there, there are ways that can, there's support that can be offered. I just-Hopefully not everyone has to wait until they're an adult to get it.
Andrew
It's, I think it's changing now with politics in the UK, because there's more awareness and there's more fight. And we live in a culture of TikTok and social media and there's like, there's a huge diagnosis weight in this because there's so many people who are masking for their life. You know, just be like, they'd be said, they're a bit quirky and they'd, you know, they just struggle through and then they'd have a meltdown at home and have a...
Richie
Yeah.
Andrew
I have them and I cry my eyes out and it's terrifying for me and I don't like showing people it but when I'm overwhelmed and I just come home and then I shadow box, that's my stimming. So I don't punch anyone, I'm not violent, I just punch the air and it calms me down. Or I listen to Slayer, Rain and Blood, that works.
Richie
We're both. we're both. Well, Andrew, I'm looking at the clock and I'm recognizing that we've taken up a bunch of your time and just want to say thank you so much for sharing your story from young, you know, young childhood up to, you know, early adulthood and certainly, you know, appreciate what you're doing and what the organization Autistic Minds is doing. We'll make sure that the links get put up in the show notes, but thank you so much for coming on.
Andrew
That's okay. yeah, it's been a pleasure. It's been great, just to be brutally honest.
Richie
We appreciate having you.
Andrew
Yeah, I appreciate it. I appreciate it.
Richie
Well, take care. Thanks, buddy.
Andrew
Okay.
All autism talk (allautismtalk.com) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (learnbehavioral.com).