As part of our Neurodiversity Celebration Week we’re shining a spotlight on the diverse voices within our community. Hear from different voices as they share their proudest moments, exchange tips and tricks for the workplace and discuss their strengths and challenges!
Founder at the Chinese Autism UK and multiple award-winning autism awareness campaigner.
I am an AuDHDer
My lightbulb moment was twofold: first, realising that my neurodiversity doesn’t limit my potential but rather unlocks unique opportunities for growth and success.
For instance, my hyperfocus isn’t just a trait; it’s a superpower that enhances my efficiency and productivity. Coupled with my attention to detail, it elevates the quality of my work and fuels extraordinary creativity.
Secondly, discovering my ability to sense people’s energy without the need for spoken words, eye contact, or physical proximity was equally profound.
This intuitive understanding of others transcends conventional communication barriers, allowing me to navigate social interactions with depth and insight.
Embracing these aspects of my neurodiversity has not only empowered me but also deepened my connections with others and enriched my understanding of human behaviour and emotions
Strengths – able to think about a situation from different perspectives; able to see positives in negative situations; able to think creatively and dynamically; lived experiences fuel you to challenge and eradicate injustice; honest to others and to self; kind and loving with people’s best interests at heart; wise and intelligent; powerful; convincing; compassionate; I never give-up.
Challenges – being overwhelmed from over-masking/over-doing things and the impact this has on my wellbeing; being overly impulsive can lead to guilt and regret; time-management (such as being late!) can sometimes be tricky especially if already overwhelmed; take on/committing to too many things at once due to genuine interests in lots of things, but this can sometimes lead to burnout and overwhelm.
For me, working in a shared space is impossible. The distractions from others and the environment would significantly affect the flow and quality of my work. I’ve learned to advocate for my needs at the work place and have proven that with the flexibility with time and space for accommodations has create high-quality of work results.
Additionally, I aim to set a positive example for the organisation and colleagues by creating an inclusive workplace.
In a personal context, I break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps for better focus. I prioritise tasks and set realistic deadlines, and I use a lot of colourful post-it notes to stick around my wall for organisation and reminders.
One of the moments I hold dearest to my heart is when I fully embraced my identity as neurodivergent. It wasn’t just about understanding myself better; but it opened my eyes to a whole new way of accepting both myself and others.
I actively run campaigns and engage in conversations, challenge misconceptions about neurodiversity, and I strive to change stigma into strength. Despite the challenges, I remained steadfast in my commitment, fueled by a deep sense of purpose.
Winning national recognition including a personalised compliment letter from the UK prime minister for these efforts was more than just validation; it was a testament to the power of staying true to yourself, even when it’s tough, I take great pride in my unwavering determination to continue following my heart despite facing numerous obstacles along the way.
This journey has been fuelled by courage and determination, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far it has taken me and the impact it continues to have.
Another proud moment came when I was announced as the champion of the Chwarae Teg Women’spire Awards, which celebrate the genuine effort and achievement of women.
Deep down, I had never seen what I was doing as an achievement, but being recognised at such a national level made me reassess this.
Chinese Autism Community Interest Company (CACIC) aims to promote better and more positive connotations of the meaning of autism in the Chinese community. By affirming that autism is not a ‘disease’, families can be more open to sharing their stories and unafraid to seek help to further understand their children.
It was established by Hazel Lim in response to her lived-experience. She noticed too a lack of support and information about how to help her son, who had been referred for an assessment. To better understand she began her own research and determined to find the answers she needed and began her studies for an MSC in Autism and Related Conditions at Swansea Univesity. Through this, Hazel came to learn a great deal and began to recognise the particular challenges that exist within the Chinese community regarding autism and related conditions.
With a Malaysian Heritage she sought out to connect with her local Chinese Community in Swansea, only to find herself shut out. Hazel was told the reason people at the Chinese Community were avoiding her and didn’t want to talk to her, was because she was being so vocal about autism. She learned that in the Chinese culture, there is great stigma associated with autism, a societal perception that it is an embarrassment and should not be discussed.
Coming face to face with significant misunderstanding and resistance within the Chinese community, Hazel grew determined to change things. Knowing there must be many other parents like herself within the Chinese community, Hazel sought to establish a support system for any families in the Chinese community who needed help or information around autism and neurodiversity.
Learn more about Chinese culture and its understanding of autism.
