Latest news with #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Derbyshire nurse's autism diagnosis aged 50 was a 'huge relief'
"Hearing those words was a huge relief in many ways," says Graham Spencer, a psychiatric research was 50 when he was diagnosed with autism but he suspected he was neurodivergent for many years beforehand, so it came as "no great surprise" when he was 53, Graham said he found social situations difficult as a young man but also had a deep passion for things he was interested in."I'm the same person but I am happier. You get comfortable in your own skin as you get older... we're all on a voyage of self-discovery," he told the BBC. Speaking after Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Graham said he could relate to Chelsea and England full-back Lucy Bronze, who recently spoke for the first time about her own diagnosis in who is a clinical lead at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and works at Royal Derby Hospital, said his work in mental health has helped him, like Lucy who said her condition helps her as an elite his own journey, Graham said: "Something was different... slightly different in the way you think than people around you and perhaps when I was younger that was an uncomfortable feeling."The diagnosis has been incredibly helpful in understanding how you think. Happiness in life is the relationship with your own mind." 'Clarity' Graham explained that he noticed he had repetitive behaviours and "likes a routine". He would "get a little bit stressed" if his routine was changed at the last minute."People have methodical minds, they are pattern seekers and system thinkers," he knowing he was different, Graham said he is glad his diagnosis came later in life."It is clarity. What we know about autism is expanding all of the time... the timing [of my diagnosis] came at the perfect time."As a young man, I don't think my mind would have processed the information as regularly as I have done now. "I don't think I'd have been ready for it many years ago." What is autism? People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience core difficulties which are common across the spectrum. These may include:Difficulty interpreting the behaviour and intentions of other peopleIntense interestsA tendency for compulsive or repetitive behavioursFinding relationships challengingFinding changes to routines difficultHaving trouble describing emotionsHaving difficulty with back-and-forth conversation.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It's my superpower' - Ex-Everton and Liverpool star Lucy Bronze opens up on her autism and ADHD diagnosis
Former Everton and Liverpool women's player Lucy Bronze has spoken about her diagnosis with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Lioness and Chelsea Women's star says having autism is her 'superpower'. She told BBC presenter and pundit Alex Scott it's been an advantage in her football career, and though she was only diagnosed four years ago, it didn't come as a shock. Bronze said: "Everyone always says, 'oh you're so passionate about football'. I don't know if I'd say I was passionate. I'm just obsessed, that's my autism. It's my hyper-focus.' READ MORE: Liverpool contracts situation is coming to a head - Arne Slot needs answer now READ MORE: 'It's unlikely' - Everton sent Carlos Alcaraz transfer warning as clarity nears over £15m deal Bronze has played for many clubs in her decorated career, but in the early stages of it, she had stints at both Everton and Liverpool. Her time with Everton began in 2012, two years after the Women's Super League (WSL) was established. At the same time, she was working at Domino's and studying sports science at Leeds Beckett University. In two years with the Blues, she made 20 appearances. Bronze then made the switch to local rivals Liverpool, alongside team-mates Natasha Dowie and Fara Williams. In 2013 and 2014, she was part of the Liverpool side that lifted the WSL in back-to-back seasons. Since then, the 33-year-old has gone on to win a further 20 major club trophies, representing Manchester City, Lyon and Barcelona. Of course, she's also a European champion with England. But Bronze always knew she was different. She said: 'I can remember when I was younger, I was treated a bit differently because of how I was acting. 'My brain is like a hundred miles an hour all the time and I really struggle with sleep. I always have. 'I've just got to exert some energy, I've always got too much energy all the time.' Bronze's revelation came on Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Having autism has worked to my advantage in football
Lucy Bronze always knew she was she was growing up, the England international, who has won almost every accolade in women's football, attempted to copy her team-mates' behaviour in order to fit 2019 Ballon d'Or runner-up has since enjoyed outstanding success both at home and abroad, winning 22 major trophies while representing Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona and Chelsea.A Euro 2022 winner and 2023 World Cup runner-up with England, the 33-year-old is an inspiration to millions of young players and fans. But stats and honours aren't the only things that make a mum had long suspected she may be autistic, but it wasn't until four years ago that Bronze was officially diagnosed as having autism, external and ADHD , external(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport before Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Bronze opened up for the first time about her diagnoses and the impact they have on her life on and off the pitch. 'I saw things differently to others' Although Bronze was only diagnosed as autistic in 2021, the news did not come as a huge surprise to her."It was something I always knew about in a way," she says. "My mum had spoken about it from a very young age and noticed things in me."At school her condition manifested itself in her struggle to read and spell, and she was diagnosed with childhood Bronze has struggled to sleep, something a sleep expert suggested could be remedied by writing in a journal before bed."I'd end up writing a book then," Bronze says with a smile. "My brain is like 100mph, even when laying in bed."Bronze struggles to make eye contact with people during conversation, while her habit of touching her hair during games has been noticed by team-mates and fans alike."People think 'she's always messing about', but that's just me calming myself down without even realising it," reflects was during a Lionesses training camp that Bronze learned she had ADHD and autism."It didn't change anything essentially, but it was a bit of an eye opener," Bronze says."I just learned more about myself, understood why in certain situations I saw things differently to other people or acted in a different way to other people."Getting to sit down and actually speak through my traits and how it affects me, situations that make me feel good or bad, that was the thing that really clicked in my head and made me feel so much better." 'I couldn't speak to anyone' Bronze describes how she "copied the behaviour of others" all through her 20s to mask her National Autistic Society defines masking as a strategy used to "consciously or unconsciously appear non-autistic", in an attempt to 'fit in' in a neurotypical can have devastating impacts on mental health, sense of self and access to an autism diagnosis."When I first joined up with England I could not speak to anyone," Bronze says."[I remember] Casey Stoney said to me, 'You've never looked me in the eye when speaking to me', and I was like, 'It's not because of you, it's me'."I would watch Jill [Scott] and how she speaks to people. I thought I'd copy her a bit. I'm better at it now but I feel a bit uncomfortable sometimes."Hugging people, making eye contact when you speak, those two things I had to learn because they're seen as the norm, and I found them so difficult."Luckily for Bronze, she has always had friends and family around her who understood what makes her feel uncomfortable."I've got to a point now where people know I don't like hugs, so they don't judge me for not doing it," she adds."Before it was so frustrating because I felt I had to do that to make other people feel comfortable, but it made me feel more uncomfortable."It's important for everyone to understand the differences in people." 'I'm obsessed with football - training is amazing for me' Bronze has found that some of her differences have been her strengths."How I process things, being super-focused. People always say, 'Oh, you're so passionate about football'," Bronze says."I don't know if I'd say I'm passionate, I'm obsessed. That's my autism, it's my hyper-focus on football."As someone who started playing senior football at 16, it is remarkable that Bronze is still performing at the highest level at says she partly has autism to thank for her longevity."Something that is really good for ADHD and autism is exercise. Having that focus, something to do, keeping moving," she says."Training every day is amazing for me. Some of the other girls will be like: 'Are you sure you're 33 because you don't stop?' All the things I have because of autism have worked in my advantage." 'It's about getting rid of the stigma' Bronze says that "a diagnosis is not going to change who you are, but understanding who you are is such a good thing".She has become an ambassador for the National Autistic Society to help with "raising awareness" and "getting rid of the stigma" around it."There were times in my life where things might have been easier for me if there wasn't a stigma, if I felt I could be more open about it," Bronze says."Being misunderstood when you're younger is so difficult, which is why I wanted to join the charity."Bronze says football has helped her, giving her something to focus on every day and the chance to be constantly active. But what happens when she retires?"People say they're worried about what I'll do when I don't have football, but I'll find something else," she says."Even now with football, my head is everywhere with it because I'm so obsessed."Not even just playing but the boardroom, the coaching, the physios. I'm obsessed with it all."
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: What is it all about?
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is from 17 - 23 March in 2025. It's when people all over the UK are encouraged to think about and celebrate neurodiversity, as well as challenge stereotypes people might have about is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that influence how people communicate with the world around is an umbrella term - a word that sums up lots of different things. It includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Tourette' of schools have signed up to take part, to celebrate and raise awareness about what it means to be neurodivergent. Siena Castellon started Neurodiversity Celebration week in 2018, she said: "People often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. "I wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths." What does neurodivergent mean? The word neurodivergent comes from two parts - neurological and is a term for things to do with our brain, and divergent is about moving away from a set is a term used for lots of people who have different thinking or communication include conditions like, autism and ADHD, which can influence how people communicate with others and the world around also dyslexia, which influences how people read and spell, or dyspraxia, which can influence movement and co-ordination. Neurodivergence can refer to a number of different people might like to refer to specific conditions instead. However, there can also be some crossover within neurodiversity such as autism and 15-20% of all the people living in the world are thought to be neurodivergent. There are lots of famous people who are neurodivergent, including superstar gymnast Simone Biles who has ADHD, presenter and conservationist Chris Packham who is autistic, space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock who is dyslexic, and singers Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi have Tourette's. Mateo, Riley and Lucy-Lu all go to the same school, and they are all is autistic, and says he struggles with certain foods. He wears ear protectors when things are noisy. Lucy-Lu has ADHD and dyslexia, and says she finds it hard to focus in school, and will often fidget. She also uses ear protectors has ADHD, and says he finds it tricky when he can't deal with his emotions if something he does not like in their school, they have lots of different things to help them throughout the day, including stand-up desks, sensory walls and activities, and places to go if they feel not everyone has access to the same support. Riley, Mateo and Lucy-Lu's tips to make sure EVERYONE feels included: 1. Never tease or make fun of someone for being different or finding something difficult.2. Be kind, encouraging and understanding.3. Remember that you have the power to make a BIG difference to someone who could be having a difficult time. If you are neurodivergent, you can get support in school, from family and friends and if you need it, from the you can always talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling. If you're not sure who you would like to talk to, you could ring Childline on 0800 1111.
