Transcript

ALEX:

I'm 21, and I live in Crawley, which is next to Gatwick Airport. I any currently work a part time job, but I also study. I'm doing pharmaceutical science, because that's the route I would like to go down, to do pharmacology or pharmacy.

ILONA:

So you have an autism diagnosis?

ALEX:

Yep.

ILONA:

And do you remember how old you were when this was made?

ALEX:

I was actually one of the lucky ones, very young. I was about 2 and 1/2, 3.

ILONA:

So you wouldn't be able to remember what it was like to be diagnosed. But what about your family? How do you think they reacted?

ALEX:

Well, I think my dad was all right, but my mum was quite upset about it and that. And she thought, would I be able to do things on my own independently and all that. But obviously, I am now.

ILONA:

Were your parents particularly helpful in encouraging you to do things independently?

ALEX:

Yeah, I meant now I'm pretty independent. I drive, I work, obviously. I'm studying. So I've got a busy lifestyle.

ILONA:

Do you live at home?

ALEX:

Yeah, I do at the moment. But I do one day hope to have my own place.