Together we grow - Jess' story
Jess, who is 15 years old, attends Inscape House School and has autism, ADHD, Irlen Syndrome and dyslexia.
This year Jess, who has been at Inscape for 7 years, helped us to launch an exhibition about our 150-year history by talking about her experience at Inscape to guests at our opening event.
This is what she said:
Before I came to Inscape, I was in a primary school and I hated it. I even had no words – I couldn’t speak.
When I first came to Inscape, I was really scared – but when I walked into the classroom, they welcomed me with open arms. I quickly learnt that I can be myself here.
In my old school I used to be treated differently because they didn’t know what autism was. Here at Inscape, I have learnt all about my autism.
I am able to learn in class because of the way the school has taught me to manage myself. I am doing English, Maths, Science, Food Tech and Art. I recently did my Art GCSE and I think I have done well.
The school has taught me life skills – how to be more independent with people and life in general. They have let me have the freedom I need by trusting me. Sometimes, I need to leave the classroom because it is too much, but I always know when this is now, and I always come back after a short time.
Some people think kids with autism haven’t got the ability to do what other kids can do because they have different brains. It is nothing to do with autism, it’s to do with who the person is. So no, I am not ashamed of having autism because, at the end of the day, I can do what you do, maybe in a different way, maybe even better.