Getting my autism diagnosis at 16 changed my life

By Mandy Te

“You actually have a sense of knowing who you are when you get that diagnosis.” 

Autism NZ says at least 128,000 New Zealanders have autism but the number could be higher because of underdiagnosis. 

When Charlotte Billings was six, her mum tried to get her an autism diagnosis. 

But she says she was dismissed by a psychologist. After that, Charlotte grew up feeling different - leading her to mask and pretend to be someone more neurotypical. 

When she finally got her autism diagnosis at 16, it changed her life - helping her figure out how to put her strengths into things like advocating for more support in the regions and calling for a more inclusive education system in Aotearoa. 

The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.

Watch the series now on TVNZ+ and YouTube.

Made with the support of NZ On Air. 

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The Regions

The Regions is a docuseries that gives a snapshot of the lives of regional rangatahi in Aotearoa and what matters to them most.

Made with the support of NZ On Air.

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