Leicester dad’s book on struggles with autism
Added: (Thu Mar 23 2023)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A night-time security officer from Leicester is shining some light on the struggles of growing up and living with autism.
Paul Matthews was only diagnosed as being on the disorder spectrum in his late 30s – and it took until two years ago for an additional diagnosis of ADHD to be made.
But from an early age, the 48-year-old knew he was different from other children.
Despite the lasting problems caused by being an outsider during his schooldays, the father-of-two has gone onto have a happy family life.
And he hopes his memoirs, My Adult Life: Living with Autism will give others who face similar challenges the inspiration to also succeed.
Paul explained: “The message I would like readers to take from My Adult Life: Living with Autism is to know that is that it’s still possible to get up and achieve goals.
“As far as I can remember I always struggled to fit in with other children from school - I had no friends of my own.
“There were also problems at home, that I didn’t fully understand until recently, but I have still been able to achieve something in my life.”
The latest research estimates that just over one in every hundred people are on the autism spectrum.
During the 1970s and 80s, when Paul was growing up, there was little understanding or recognition of the condition.
And, as he lucidly describes in his book, became a target for bullies, thieves and others who looked to exploit his vulnerability.
While My Adult Life: Living with Autism is a brutally honest account of trying to make sense of being different, it is also a story of overcoming hurdles.
Paul, who admits to enjoying a Danielle Steel romance from time to time, beautifully describes his relationship with his wife, Alberta.
He said: “It was in 2008 that I met the love of my life.
“I was fed up so I decided to go and play bingo at a place in Leicester.
“She walked past me with a smile – I somehow found the courage to ask her out.
“I must have gotten lucky that day – although I didn’t win any money, I won the heart of the most beautiful woman in the world.”
At the second time of asking, Alberta said ‘yes’ and the couple are now happily married with two children.
Following the successful launch of My Adult Life: Living with Autism, Paul is considering writing further books.
For more details, visit Amazon and search for Paul Matthews, where the paperback and Kindle formats of My Adult Life: Living with Autism are both available.
Notes to the editor
PublishNation was formed in London in 2011 to provide high quality services to writers at affordable prices.
Since its launch, the company has assisted in the publication of around 2,000 books in a variety of genres for clients throughout the world.
For more details on PublishNation, visit their website at www.publishnation.co.uk