Hi, I’m Sophia
Age: 19
A bit about me
I like going to the youth club which gives me the chance to play lots of sports. I enjoy listening to music. I live at home with my younger and brother who is autistic and who likes playing with trucks and buses. He always has a lot of energy.
What do you love about being a sibling to someone autistic?
I enjoy learning about people. I find it interesting to learn about their diagnosis and how it affects them. My brother likes running and being active sometimes I can’t keep up with him.
What have been some challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?
My brother can be very noisy. This is sometimes hard because when we are out in public people will stare at us. They don’t understand his differences and what he is trying to communicate. Sometimes my brother gets very cross and he throws things around the room. When this happens I go in to another quiet room and try to relax. I play games or watch the Ipad. If he is loud and throwing things, I close the door. This helps me calm down.
If you could give one bit of advice to someone who just learnt they were autistic what would it be?
I think it is important to remember that you can also speak to a trusted adult. This might be
- Your parents
- A therapist
- Your teacher
It can be very useful to share your experiences with someone else and talk through any problems. Also take your time to relax and stay calm. Sometimes spending some time with yourself is useful.
