Poet hopes his work will dispel myths of autism

A man with autism says writing poems about neurodiversity has helped him gain a greater understanding of his condition.

Matthew J Fowler, from Derby, has published his work in an anthology and performed some of his poems before a live audience.

His work includes a poem about sensory overload and how people with conditions like autism can find background noise in a city centre overwhelming.

The poet hopes sharing his work with a wider audience will help dispel myths and challenge preconceptions of the condition.

Mr Fowler's poems cover a range of topics, including one about how he was perceived before he was given a formal diagnosis of autism by doctors.

Lines in his work include: "I was alone and lost. The kid in school who had no clue. And teachers; they didn't know what to do. We didn't know there was a name for my differently made-up brain."

Mr Fowler hopes bringing his work to a wider audience will help others who live with similar conditions.

"A lot of the book comes from lived experience of autism and also a lot of pop culture," he said.

"I listen to a lot of music and I write to music. I will listen to a song and it inspires me and then I make it into a poem."

He said he would often change the words to what he called "neurodiverse language", and added: "It's more simple and there's a lot more empathy.

"It's more emotionally driven to resonate with an autistic audience. It's a chance for people to see into my world."

Mr Fowler has been mentored by Jen Sumner, the founder and artistic director of Hubbub Theatre Company in Derby.

"It has been one of the most rewarding projects. We know how hard it is to develop your creative practice," she said.

"When we met Matt we could see a real talent but a talent that needed some support and some scaffolding and a place where Matt could feel safe to create."

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