Chris Packham opens up about Autism: 'Nobody should go through the difficulties I faced'

Virgin Radio

6 Feb 2023, 12:18

Chris Packham has spoken about his experience of being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome for a new BBC Two documentary.

Inside Our Autistic Minds will follow the presenter as he meets other autistic people in the UK and helps them create short films to help their family and friends understand what it is like to living inside their mind.

Speaking about the project to PA News Agency, he said: “I don’t want anyone else to have to go through some of the difficulties that I faced myself.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been given a small voice by my work in television and I think I have to do something positive with that.

“For too long the autistic community hasn’t had a voice or the capacity to articulate some of its problems, and so if I’m able to contribute towards that, then it’s important.”

The presenter was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in his 40s and explained how he had struggled to fit in his whole life.

He said: “I was surprised by the way that my peers suddenly started to respond to me when I got to about 11 or 12 and then it intensified quite quickly.

“I was initially very confused, then I was very frustrated by not being able to understand them, communicate with them, fit in with them.”

Packham continued: “I quite rapidly got used to my own company, and I lived in a world-of-one for about 15 years because even if I was … in a public space or at school, I really wasn’t there. I just locked into myself because that’s the only place that I felt safe.”

Chris hopes his documentary will help more people understand autism and become more accepting of it.

He added: “Autistic people have an enormous amount to offer in times of crisis – sometimes clear thinking, clear speaking, can be enormously beneficial.”

Inside Our Autistic Mind airs on BBC Two on 14th February.