Matthew

Photographing Matthew was really special for me, as he is one of my best friends. Me and Matthew first met in York 5 years ago, we were both pretty shy and apprehensive at the time, but throughout the years we both grew in confidence and supported each other immensely throughout our time at university. It was so important for me to have a friend that understood my anxieties, and although me and Matthew are very different in so many ways, we both have a fundamental understanding of each other that is not so easily shared with neurotypicals. Matthew is hilarious without even trying to be, and would make me laugh until my stomach hurt even in my worst times of anxiety. We have had some hilarious nights out and parties together with our friends, and share some amazing and precious university memories. I made a friend for life in Matthew, and we are both always there for each other, no matter where we are in the world.

‘My name is Matthew Skidmore. I am 23 years old. I am a graduate of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics at York St. John University, graduating with a 2:1 in 2019. I was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old and was non-verbal until I was 6. This therefore made communication with other people difficult as I didn’t know how to speak or how to communicate properly. However, I was able to attend mainstream education and managed decent grades throughout my time at school, so it’s safe to say I didn’t struggle academically. Being diagnosed early helped for various measures to be put in place to help me with my studies.

I also struggle with anxiety issues, mainly regarding trying new things even if it is something trivial like food. I always worry that people would never understand me, something that I think goes back to when I was in school. However, my time at university has helped me to overcome these anxiety issues while also reducing the number of meltdowns that I’ve had. I’ve learned to let my feelings out privately and have developed coping strategies through talking with wellbeing that I still use to this day and has been a massive help to me in the pandemic where any form of certainty seems to have been eradicated. I haven’t punched myself in the head since shortly after turning 21 so I guess that’s a positive.

I am now currently studying a master’s course in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion at York St. John University (though all teaching has been online so far) and am hoping to eventually get myself into a position where I can help children and young adults on the autism spectrum achieve their full potential when going through the educational system. My eventual goal is to work in the council, helping with the policies that go into the local offer and provisions for children in schools. I feel like it would be nice if someone with real world experience of the measures put in place by schools was in this position as I feel it will help reduce the stigma that people on the autism spectrum are unemployable. After all, I believe that people who are autistic are the best people to give guidance on how provisions should be laid out and what services to prioritise.

As for outside interests, I enjoy playing video games and listening to music as it helps me to relax, and certainly has helped keep me sane during the last year. I also enjoy spending time with the family, playing board games and watching films from time to time. I also used to enjoy going out for walks but anxiety surrounding the pandemic has put pay to that somewhat, first at the start of the pandemic when I only left the house once in April and then again in November 2020 when I caught Covid 19. However, I am slowly trying to pick myself up and go out for some walks again soon. My hope is to eventually build up the confidence to go outdoors again on a more regular basis, maybe doing a walk twice a week around my local area.’ - Matthew