Sophie Boid

Update to fundraiser

I'm walking for all late diagnosed Autistic Females!

I am doing a challenge! I am attempting to raise awareness (and potentially some funds) for Autism. I am aiming to complete at least 120,000 steps in 8 days between the 26^th of March – 2^nd of April. This is a particularly important challenge for me as it was this time last year that I received my AuDHD diagnosis.

Unfortunately, like many other females, I was let down by professionals all the way through my childhood. I was misdiagnosed with various mental health conditions and given inappropriate treatment which, funnily enough, did not work. I have always known I was different, and I even told my school and professionals that I thought I was autistic, but unfortunately, nobody took me seriously. Instead, I was told I was broken and needed fixing. I was told if I tried hard enough, my anxiety would improve, if I just thought more “positively” than I would be happier, If I wasn’t so sensitive, then things would be better in my friendships. In fact, one professional’s response to me, when I struggled with friendships because I felt like my friends and I would miscommunicate all the time, was that all I needed to do was “toughen my skin”.

After being diagnosed, I know that I do not need to be fixed. I am not broken. My brain is wired a little bit differently to many. I’m not anxious, I just can’t process my sensory environment in the same way. I’m not stupid, I just need a bit more time to process my environment. It’s okay to need a bit of help here and there. It does not mean there is anything wrong or broken within you! In fact, God made me this way, just the way I am.  

I have met so many Autistic people, and they are all awesome! They all have such amazing abilities and strengths, and everyone should be able to showcase and use their strengths, even if they need support in some other ways.

One of the main reasons why I want to raise awareness, is that I never want anyone to face what I had to growing up. I want everyone to be taken seriously and feel listened to. So many of my female friends have also faced similar things, and it’s time for change. Thank you for reading my long message!