Atypical Life

I’m a Welsh, Autistic, Educator; living in Saudi Arabia!

Writing about myself is difficult. I don’t want to say too much or too little. At the moment, you can call me Rose (My Psuedonym). I am a young millennial who is still trying to figure out how the world works and how I fit in to it. Being on the Autism spectrum is an important aspect of my identity, much like my nationality: Welsh. I am currently self-diagnosed and have had confirmation from other professionals. The diagnosis journey is a long one, especially as I am in a foreign country. 

I have always felt out of place. I identified with an alien more than my fellow humans and I could never figure out why until my “light bulb” moment whilst studying an MSc in Autism and Related Conditions, in 2016. My behaviours, difficulties thoughts, feelings and other conditions: Depression, Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder and Tics, all fitted nicely in to one neat, little package: Autism.  

My background is education and care. Since graduating from my BA Hons Education degree in 2012, I have worked in various roles in school, nursery and home environments. I find that children are much easier to get on with than adults I work with. Work politics and socialising with cliques of women inevitably leads to my downfall. I can only wear a mask for so long and when it comes off, it is clear that I am not the person they employed. 

In my current community, I am thought of as an “Autism Expert”. Admittedly, my master’s degree has given me invaluable knowledge, but I mainly work on my instincts. A lack of empathy is a myth. I can empathise well with my students and I know what needs to be done to support them to be successful in school. 

There are a few things I would like my blog to achieve: 

• A guide to life in Saudi Arabia, specifically living in KAUST. Moving is scary for anybody but I have no doubt that a fellow Autist may arrive here one day with the same questions as me. 

• Autism awareness, especially within an education environment. I hope that I can give meaningful insights and tips that will help others in their teaching and planning. 

• Sharing my experience as an Autistic (new) parent, in a foreign country.