He is 20 years old, he is autistic and he launched a book about his experience: “I was the opposite of a genius, I needed help”

The world is full of diversity, but often the voices of those who see and experience life differently are drowned out. Ena Venturo, a young 20-year-old writer and autistic, decided to build bridges with her first book: “From me, to you”, a guide that covers the emotional facet of autism spectrum disorder (TORCH).

Known for her candid and humorous approach to social media, Ena initially found TikTok the perfect platform to share her insights as a neurodivergent person. “At home, I preferred not to talk about it, but when I posted a video talking about my condition in an open way, the response was overwhelming.”, he confesses. “People identified with me, told me that I inspired them. It was then that I realized that there is a lot to say about this subject and that it is not talked about enough.”.

The audience, eager for more and more testimonials, was the boost he needed to put his personal journey on paper. “My goal is for neurodivergent people to feel understood, to know that they are not alone”, he comments. “But I also wanted to raise awareness for those who don’t understand our perspective.”.

— It is said that the generation that is on TikTok [plataforma en la que creas contenido] she is more open to talking about mental health and neurodivergences. Do you think that people your age are more empathetic to these issues?

No, for the most part, they have a hard time understanding. It was only when I started writing this book that I noticed some changes, more patience on the part of some people. It’s hard because they and even my family see me as just another person. They compare me to people who have more severe cases or tell me I’m not “so” autistic. That is a negative and very stereotypical perspective. It’s complicated. They don’t understand that there are different levels and that we are not all the same.

— There is also the other extreme. The stereotype of the autistic genius and independent that is portrayed in movies or series.

In fact, the only accurate representation I’ve seen of an autistic character has been in a series called “Learning to Live” (2020) on Netflix, where an actress is actually autistic, not a person pretending to be. I feel like they should cast more people with neurodivergences for these roles as it feels more natural. For example, I can’t identify with characters as closed off as Sam from “Atypical” or Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory”. It’s hard.

— How different is your experience in relation to these stereotypes?

I was the complete opposite of a genius, I needed help. I wasn’t even allowed to go on school field trips without someone taking care of me until I was 15 years old. Despite the fact that I was the oldest in my class (I had repeated a year due to problems with educational requirements), the teachers considered it necessary. My colleagues didn’t understand why it was different, so I prepared a PowerPoint for them with my psychologist to explain autism, but it didn’t work. They never showed empathy or solidarity, they were never empathetic. And well, that was one of the reasons why I decided to change schools.

— I understand that the bad experiences continued. Were they problems of the educational system?

yes, in [ese otro] school treated me like one more and did not receive any kind of help; That didn’t do me any good. They made me go on Saturdays to do overdue tasks. I was desperate and had no help. I feel that they lacked a lot, they believed that we are all equal and that was not easy. It was very overwhelming. School is not a place I would like to return to. The truth is that I had a very bad time. But [cuando llegó la cuarentena] and I started studying on my own it became easier, especially in my last year: 2021. There was no more bullying and I felt a little better.

— What changes could be implemented to provide a more understanding environment adapted to the needs of neurodivergent students?

They might be more considerate when a student is under a lot of stress and give them permission to get out of class for a while. They should not demand too much with the tasks, but go step by step. It was terrible for me to have to go every Saturday, I felt that they didn’t give me any respite. It was horrible. They can’t force them to work twice as hard when they know it’s hard for them. They shouldn’t take away their free time and make them be at school all the time. Maybe they could help with tutoring instead of grounding someone and forcing them to stay at school on the weekends.

— It is not a subject that is exhausted in primary or secondary education.

No, I was studying Performing Arts for two cycles and it was very difficult because they didn’t listen even though I explained it a thousand times. I’m not sure they really understood what it means to be autistic. I don’t know if they took it as an unimportant fact, as if it told them my skin color. They had no patience and were rude. Now I’m going to study in the United States, I haven’t started yet, but they already contacted me with an adviser and they told me that there is an entire department for people with neurodiversity. It’s a completely different world and it’s one of the reasons I’m leaving.

— In “From me, to you” you narrate your experiences as an autistic person, but why do you consider that it can also be a guide for other neurodivergences?

I think other people could identify with the situations I’ve been through. Also, the message I want to convey is that they understand that it is normal, that they are not the only people and that there are many more people who identify with these situations. In the end, my real advice is to be yourself and surround yourself with people who really want to be with you. There is no justification for not fitting into social norms, that is also learned over time. But my advice is basically that. I believe that it is the most important thing in life, to surround yourself with people who are worthwhile and who make life more bearable.