Richie Smith, from South Shields was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 33 years old and says that growing up without a diagnosis was extremely difficult.
"I struggled immensely with everyday life and didn't understand where I fit into the world. I developed different behaviours that at the time I didn't understand but really struggled to stop doing them. I have felt throughout life that I have had to hide away and compress everything deep inside."
"I have learnt a lot about myself and become very self aware which I feel puts me in a very good position to help families, businesses, schools or the general public learn more about ASD and how they can change their environment or their behaviour to help people that have ASD."
