Content warning: Mentions of ableism and internalised ableism.

Hi everyone, today I’m sharing how I experience life as an autistic girl with OCD. I’m sharing why autism and mental illnesses need to be recognised as disabilities. So, here we go.

Living with autism and OCD: The perks and the challenges 

Living with autism and metal illness can be difficult, especially at this time in my life. I’m about to go into high school next year and right now I just want to fit in.

Autism and OCD make that difficult because I see things from a different perspective. I always try to think positive thoughts and accept myself but I’m not going to pretend like I’m not ashamed to be autistic sometimes. I’m not perfect.

Below are my pros and cons of being autistic girl with OCD.

Challenges: 

  • I don’t adapt well to change.
  • Nothing can go out of routine.
  • I have thoughts rushing through my mind all the time.
  • People have trouble seeing things from my perspective.

 Pros: 

  • I’m able to see from a different perspective, so I can see little details that other people might not pick up.
  • I can easily see between the lines.
  • I have the little things every day that make life beautiful.
  • I have special bonds that other people will never be able to experience.
  • I can always see both sides to a story.
  • I have no trouble keeping things clean most of the time.
  • I have lists and routines that give me familiarity each day.

Why autism and mental illnesses need to be recognised as disabilities

Well, when most people think of disabilities, they think of people in wheelchairs or something similar. What most people don’t see is that disabilities like autism, or mental illnesses like OCD, PTSD or any other mental illness you can think of, are also disabilities.

Even though I know I do have some disabilities, a lot of the time I still feel bad if my Mum parks in a disabled parking spot for me.

Even most of my family members make me feel bad for things I can’t help, like meltdowns. I live in constant fear of having a meltdown in front of my young cousins, because as one of the oldest children I’m always told to “Be a role model for my younger cousins.”

It frustrates me because I’m made to feel ashamed for things I can’t help.  

On a more positive note, I like to think of myself as a fire, with different eternal flames of passion and anger and determination. I like to think that these flames can’t be put out, no matter how much water is poured on them.

I think of all humans as fires, but I think that there are good flames and bad flames.

Sometimes the bad flames put out the good flames for a certain amount of time. But good and bad balance each other out. The water that is poured on the flames is like all the abuse and criticism that people say to one another. 

I believe that no matter what you struggle with, everyone has a right to a voice and to be themselves.

I hope that if you’re having a bad day or just not feeling good about yourself at the moment, you can read this piece and be proud to be who you are. Everyone should be proud to be themselves.

Thank you for reading this piece. I really needed to vent my emotions and this was the perfect opportunity. I hope that you enjoyed reading my piece and I hope that this piece of writing educated you. Thank you again. 

About the author

My name is Rose. I’m 12 years old. I have autism and OCD. I like reading, playing with my pet, and acting/drama/singing.