Andrew has attended Autism West Midllands adult support groups and our autism confidence course. Here he talks to us about the impact these sessions have had on him…
What made you want to start to attend group sessions?
I needed support. The doctors weren’t helpful, they couldn’t support me, I felt they had left me in limbo. I attended primary care in Penn, where Mike, who had 40 years’ experience with helping neurodivergent people in care told me about AWM. He thought that it would be good for me, because there was nothing and nowhere to go. I wanted to come to AWM for support and to be with people and meet other people like me and learn some skills. Also, for help and information to understand myself as I was newly diagnosed in February 2024 and found it a struggle to identify who I am.
Can you give some examples of sessions attended activities and discussions?
I came to most of the sessions within the Black Country. We did a wide range of art and craft activities from different, brilliant professionals who made me feel relaxed by being, welcoming, patient and understanding and being knowledgeable of neurodiverse and autism. I learned a lot of new skills from
drawing from start to finish, crafts with wire and beads and many more. The discussions were informative and helpful to learn more about autism. The craft session before helped with my anxiety and made me feel more relaxed to open up about myself and my diagnosis of autism. It was also nice to meet other people with autism and it has made me feel more normal and I felt that I fit in more because of my differences.
“Its been a lifeline for me”
What did you enjoy about the sessions?
I enjoyed meeting the people that worked for AWM because they were friendly, informative and helped me to feel relaxed, welcomed and not feel judged. The crafts have been phenomenal- I learned new skills, had fun and enjoyed meeting other people and making new friends. I learnt more about autism. Its been a lifeline for me.
What impact did attending the sessions have for you?
They had a massive impact on my mental health and wellbeing to go somewhere for an afternoon- it has been lifechanging for me. Not to get judged for being myself has helped my social anxiety. Before I came I found groups of strangers intimidating and tended to avoid social situations. It has now given me more confidence to attend other places. It has also made me realise there is nothing wrong with me it’s just that my mind works a bit differently and I have learned to embrace my autism.
I think AWM staff have been invaluable and desperately needed within the quickly growing autism community.
