LAST WEEK, IRISH illustrator, comedian and author, Aoife Dooley, uploaded a lengthy Instagram story, detailing her recent diagnosis of autism.

aoife_dooley / Instagram aoife_dooley / Instagram / Instagram

Fighting back tears throughout the uploads, Aoife, who is best known for creating Your One Nikita and writing How To Be Massive and How Deal With Poxes, gave her followers an insight into the struggles she has endured since childhood.

Unable to fit in, Aoife was constantly ridiculed – memories of which she shared in last week’s footage.

aoife_dooley / Instagram aoife_dooley / Instagram / Instagram

I couldn’t go out on my own road to play without bullies literally jumping up and down on my face and my hair being pulled out in clumps in my own front garden.

Explaining how she sought solace in art and music, Aoife admitted she felt like she was wearing a mask, but until April 30th this year, she didn’t know why she felt like she was out of step with the rest of the world.

On the 30th of April 2018, my life changed. It all finally made sense to me. It was like a darkness or brick being lifted from my heart after many, many years struggling and plodding alone. People doubted me, but I knew, I knew deep down. For the first time in my life I could lift the mask I’ve been wearing everyday for the last 27 years and breathe for the first time ever without anxiety. On the 30th of April, I found out I am autistic.

Aoife has said that the response to her diagnosis has been utterly overwhelming, returning to Instagram the following day to thank the public for their messages of support in the hours that followed her emotional upload.

This week, Aoife uploaded a diagram reminiscent of the ones she creates of Nikita, which she says she hopes will help people to understand her.

Usually I draw diagrams of other people to understand the world in my own way but today I made a diagram based on myself for people to understand me a little better. Traits vary from person to person but these are some of mine.

Aoife_Dooley / Twitter Aoife_Dooley / Twitter / Twitter

“If you want to watch my story you can at @aoife_dooley in my highlights and it’s called ‘this is me’,” Aoife added.

The response to Aoife’s post has been wholly positive, with many thanking the Dubliner for shining a light on her struggles.

So much online content about autism comes from other parties such as parents or doctors, but autistic people are the best to explain how they feel and what they need from others, especially as it varies from person to person! Great to read this from someone as prominent and talented as you!

Maybe u will feel more part of a larger group than u even realise, as I can connect and relate to nearly all of those things. You can be helping others with your sharing & illustrations too.

I can relate to a lot of what you’ve written. Keep loving yourself and any aspects you might perceive as “shortcomings” are just another stitch in your beautiful tapestry.

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