Autism: Swansea mother studying neurodiversity realised she had condition herself

  • Hazel Lim shares her experiences with ITV News Cymru Wales with the hope of encouraging others to spot the signs of autism

A woman with autism has said she "understands herself" more after receiving a diagnosis for the condition later in life.

It comes as research shows women often get diagnosed much later than men.

Hazel Lim lives in Swansea with her son Noah, who also has autism.

It was only when Hazel started studying Neurodiversity at Swansea University that she herself discovered she had ADHD as well as autism.

She said she appreciates herself more after learning she has the condition and encouraged other women to spot the signs to get diagnosed early.

Ms Lim told ITV News: "I got to know myself better and I appreciate myself better.

"Now I spend more time on self care, I spend time and my energy with people knowing me and people who understand and accept who I am."

Autism is a neurological condition that can be different for everyone, but can tend to affect thoughts, feelings and interactions.

In childhood, three boys are diagnosed for every one girl.

"I can manage it and turn it into a strength", Hazel said.

"I've got strengths other people might not have. I hope by me getting a diagnosis that will help other woman open up doors to give themselves an opportunity to understand themselves better."

What are the symptoms of autism in adults?

Common signs of autism in adults include:

  • finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling

  • getting very anxious about social situations

  • finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own

  • seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to

  • finding it hard to say how you feel

  • taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "break a leg"

  • having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes

(NHS.uk)

The condition tends to affect thoughts, feelings and interactions Credit: National Autistic Society

What are statistics showing?

  • More than 30,000 people are autistic in Wales

  • 58% of women did not receive diagnosis until over the age of 18

  • 42% of autistic people are misdiagnosed with another condition

  • Waiting for a diagnosis can take up to two years

Ms Lim has created a website to break down barriers such as language and cultural stigmas for people from minority groups, which has been linked to even longer waits for diagnosis.

Ms Lim has just created a website to tackle misconceptions

Sarah Morgan, from the National Autistic Society, told ITV News that not having the autism diagnosis confirmed to them can "really affect mental health".

She added there does need to be "a lot more done to support this".

"From young education going right into those masking abilities to break those down to be able to help them to get that early diagnosis and to break those barriers down."

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