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Hi, my name is Max. I’m 13 years old, and I’m both autistic and ADHD. For a long time, I didn’t know why I was different. I got into trouble a lot at school, struggled with learning, and felt frustrated with myself. People thought I was being difficult, but the truth was – I just didn’t understand myself yet.
This is my story. It’s about what life was like before, during, and after being identified. It’s about confusion, frustration, and finally, understanding. Getting identified didn’t fix everything—but it gave me the tools to understand who I am.
I am really proud to be working with Max.
I have worked with families across the world, and over many years. Often they are on individual journeys but often they experience common feelings and emotions from fear and confusion through to knowledge, acceptance and growth.
Every journey is different but it is essential that we help people understand themselves, in order to be the best they can be. As parents, as educators, as children, as family members and as members of the community.
Everyone has skills and abilities – sometimes the neurodiverse have skills and abilities that others don’t. But every is needed and we can all learn a lot from each other.
This is a little bit about Max’s journey!
If you’re someone who’s been through something similar—or you’re trying to understand someone who has—this story is for you.
Before I got identified with ADHD and autism, I thought I was just being difficult. I got into trouble a lot at school—more than other students—and I couldn’t understand why. Now, it makes more sense. I have ADHD (combined type) and autism, and both were affecting how I experienced the world.
ADHD was especially hard for me. I didn’t know I had autism until I was 12, but I got an early ADHD identification. Before that, I was known as the “naughty” kid—the one who got into trouble almost every day. I didn’t understand what was going on. I also got identified with dyslexia, but at first, I just thought I was lazy or bad at writing.
Back then, I thought I was just a “normal” kid who was always messing up. And I was a normal kid—I just didn’t have the information I needed to understand myself. Getting identified changed that.
One of the hardest parts was not knowing why I was acting the way I was. I got into fights, I would argue a lot, and I was seen as the “mean” boy. But deep down, I was struggling.
When we moved back to Dubai, my mum and dad knew something was going on. They took me and my brother to the Insights Psychology office for testing. I remember feeling confused. They asked me, my family and my school lots of questions and they also checked my heartbeat and even took blood. Then they told me: I had ADHD.
I was surprised. I didn’t know what ADHD meant. I was given something called Concerta, but I didn’t understand why I had to take it. I didn’t pay much attention to it in Year 4 and Year 5. I thought having ADHD made me weird, so I didn’t tell many people.
Then, at age 12, I was also identified with autism. That one hit me hard. At school, “autistic” was used as an insult. People said it when someone acted “weird.” So when I heard the news, I froze. I didn’t tell many people—just my best friend at the time.
After hearing both identifications —ADHD and autism—I started doing intense research. I wanted to know what it all meant. I also realised how hard it had been for my family. We were going through a rough time. There was a lot of shouting, a lot of confusion.
Then we met Louise.
She changed everything.
Louise had also been identified as neurodivergent, so she understood what I was going through. She helped me and my family understand that it wasn’t my fault. I didn’t need to change—what needed to change was how people saw me, especially teachers.
Before, teachers didn’t get it. I used to tap my pencil because I needed to fidget, but instead of understanding, I’d get detention—or worse. I’ve even been suspended 2 or 3 times. I knew it was wrong to get in trouble, but I didn’t know how to stop it. The frustration was huge. I used to get really angry with myself, and really sad too.
Now, I understand myself. I’ve even written a short book about my journey. I’ve become much more open. When I introduce myself, especially in talks or events, I proudly say that I’m ADHD and autistic. It helps people understand me—and gives me the chance to understand them too.
My mum and dad didn’t know much about neurodiversity at first. They weren’t identified themselves, so they were learning too. At the beginning, they were frustrated. They didn’t always understand why I behaved the way I did. But they tried their best, and they spent a lot of time and money getting me the right help. I’m really grateful for that.
Things that help me are really small and really make a difference. I like teachers to give me time to talk, time to move, and focus on having a relationship with me. We don’t need to be friends but I need to feel that you have my back!
I got my official identification in Year 7. That year was especially tough. I didn’t want to tell anyone. Then I changed schools—which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’d been at my old school for years, and I didn’t know what the new place would be like. I knew bullying and misunderstandings could happen, so I was nervous.
Eventually, I took a big step: I wrote something about myself to share. It was my way of helping others understand me.
Now I work with Louise. I’m her intern—my job title is “Apprentice of Awesomeness.” I help with social media, I talk to students, and I help spread awareness. I recently went to a conference in Oman, and it was amazing.
Louise has been one of the best things to happen to me and my family. We still have ups and downs (everyone does), but things are better now. I’m not constantly getting into trouble. I feel more like me—and that’s a really good feeling.
This is my story—thank you for reading my page.
P.S Louise didn’t know I was writing this and I made her cry! She also said ‘it takes a team to get it right’. She reminded me that my teachers, my Head of Inclusion, my Counsellor, my parents, friends and students have all followed the journey to help me be me!
The pictures are of me working at the centre, teaching a visitor about AI and having lunch with our amazing Office Manager.
