A rollercoaster: neurodivergent and in the media

I only heard the term ‘neurodiversity’ a few years back, but in reality, it’s dominated my whole life. Subconsciously, for years, I thought different, I felt different and, in 2017, being diagnosed as autistic changed my life for the better.

Ever passionate about journalism and television, I’m now incredibly lucky to be doing my dream job as an on-screen reporter – if only for a few days a month at the moment. It’s reliant on discovering the extraordinary and that takes a lot of mental stamina.

That said, if you had told me 15 years ago I would report on the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Sky, I’d have been ecstatic. But there was only ever one option… a career in broadcasting.

For me, being autistic has only ever been a positive in my career. A ‘special interest’ has served me well.

An observational mentality combined with an obsessive eye for detail has meant journalism is the perfect fit. It’s structure but it’s also exploration. There’s a safety behind that camera, it exists as a barrier between me and the world.

At home, where there is less structure and a pressure to relax, it’s a different story. Those ‘easy things’ are anything but. A miscommunication, an unexpected noise, a sudden change and wave of anxiety has the power to rip away my mask as an adult.

Perhaps at work, there is a desire to prove people wrong. Every day is an unwritten social exam.

I’m thrown into small talk, phone calls, jokes between colleagues. Face-to-face communication will never feel natural but there is a social rulebook and a purpose. At home, I’m no longer observing and being challenged. I’m just living.

Generally, the media needs to do so much more when it comes to talking about neurodiversity. Very often we talk about individualised conditions, and whilst this can be helpful at times, we are still scoring own goals, focusing on medical ‘deficits’ and often creating damaging narratives and stigmas about people who think differently.

My work as an assistant producer on Inside Our Autistic Minds (BBC Two) solidified my view that you absolutely have to collaborate and engage for representation. We’ve seen so many examples of this is not happening over recent months across neurodiversity and disability related issues.

There’s a lot more the media need to do to change. I’ll spare you the list but realistic portrayals of neurodiversity are critical.

We have to inspire young people and tell them neurological differences CAN, at times, be advantageous.

We also have to remove the barriers that exist within media and create inclusive practices that suit everyone from the start. The other day someone proudly told me ‘unions’ had signed off the working conditions – but you do wonder though how much thought about diversity went into that.

Right now, all I crave is regular opportunity. Being autistic you feel like an outsider and being a freelancer doesn’t help with that.

Finding that feeling of belonging is tough – but not impossible.