Having autism has worked to my advantage in football – Bronze

Lucy Bronze was always aware of her uniqueness.

The England international, who has almost every medal in women’s football, made an effort to imitate her team-mates’ behavior when she was younger to fit in.

The 2019 winner of the Ballon d’Or has since won 22 major awards while representing Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona, and Barcelona, both domestically and abroad.

The 33-year-old inspires millions of young players and fans by winning the Euro 2022 championship and finishing second in the 2023 World Cup behind England. However, stats and honors are not the only characteristics that define a person.

Her mother had long suspected that she might be autistic, but it wasn’t until four years ago that Bronze was officially diagnosed with autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Although Bronze was only diagnosed with autism in 2021, she didn’t expect it to come as a big surprise.

She claims that she was aware of it from the beginning. My mother noticed things in me when she first heard about it when she was a young child.

She was diagnosed with dyslexia and began to struggle with reading and spelling at school.

A sleep expert suggested that writing in a journal before bed since Bronze has struggled to sleep since childhood.

Then, Bronze says, “I’d end up writing a book.” Even when I lay in bed, my brain is pounding 100 miles per hour.

While her habit of touching her hair while playing soccer has been spotted by team-mates and fans, she struggles to make eye contact with people when speaking with others.

People mistakenly believe that she is always messing up, but I’m just doing it to relax myself, according to Bronze.

Bronze was exposed to autism and ADHD while attending a Lionesses training camp.

According to Bronze, “It didn’t change anything essentially, but it was a little eye-opening.”

“I just came away with more insight about myself and understood why I sometimes saw things differently or acted differently than other people.”

Bronze describes how, throughout her 20s, she “could the behavior of others to hide her autism.”

Masking is a practice employed by the National Autistic Society to “consciously or unconsciously appear non-autistic” in an effort to “fit in” with a neurotypical society.

It can have a devastating effect on one’s ability to identify autism, feel good, and have a sense of self.

When I first joined England, I was unable to communicate with anyone, according to Bronze.

Casey Stoney once said to me, “You’ve never looked me in the eye when speaking to me,” and I responded, “It’s not because of you, it’s me.”

“I would watch Jill Scott and how she speaks to people.” I envisioned a little imitation of her. I’m getting better at it right now, but I occasionally feel a little uneasy.

Because they are perceived as the norm and were so challenging, I had to learn the two things I had to learn: hugging people and making eye contact when you speak.

Thankfully, Bronze has always had close friends and family who are aware of what bothers her.

She continues, “I’ve come to a point where people don’t judge me for not doing it,” she continues.

Before, it was so frustrating because I felt forced to do it to comfort other people, but it made me feel even more uncomfortable.

Bronze has discovered that her strengths have contributed to some of her differences.

“How I process things while being extremely focused. People constantly say, “Oh, you’re so passionate about football,” according to Bronze.

“I’m obsessed, but I’m not sure if I’d say that.” My autism stems from my hyper-focus on football.

It is remarkable that Bronze, who started playing senior football at age 16, is still at the highest level.

She claims that her longevity is attributable to her having autism.

Exercise is a “truly effective treatment for autism and ADHD.” She claims that having that concentration, something to do, and moving forward.

According to Bronze, “knowing who you are is a good thing, but a diagnosis won’t change who you are.”

She has served as the National Autistic Society’s ambassador, helping to “raise awareness” and “get rid of the stigma” surrounding it.

According to Bronze, “there were times in my life where things might have been simpler for me if there hadn’t been a stigma or if I had felt more open about it.”

Being misunderstood when you’re younger is so challenging, which is why I decided to join the charity.

Bronze claims that football has given her a daily focus and the opportunity to be active all the while. What transpires, however, when she retires?

People worry about what I’ll do when I’m not playing football, but she says, “I’ll find something else.”

“Because I’m so obsessed with football, my head is always with it.”