Sam Thompson has opened up about his decision to seek a late autism diagnosis and what it means for him going forward.
The TV and radio personality, 32, was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) age 30 after undergoing tests for a Channel 4 documentary.
At the time, he was told that autism was also a possibility, but that he would have to undergo further tests.
Last week, he took to Instagram to reveal that it had finally been confirmed and says it came as a relief.
Speaking to The Standard as he prepared to set off on the first day of his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for Unicef, he said: “I just had to dig into it and I thought this year has been so wild and I’ve done a lot of therapy and I wanted to get to the bottom of myself as much as I could, so here we are.
“He’s out, I’m autistic - we all knew it. It hasn’t changed anything, every time I get these things it’s just a bit more of the weight lifted off my shoulders and you know yourself a little bit more.”
The former I’m A Celebrity winner has become a passionate advocate for ADHD and hopes to raise similar awareness for his new-found ASD (autism spectrum disorder) community in the future.
“There’s a lot to be done and I think also I’ve never had a community and UNICEF, ADHD UK are the only two charities that I have worked with, and I care so much about neurodiversity that I didn’t really know I would.
“There have been a lot of adults who have been like ‘oh my god, late diagnosis’, because it’s really hard getting a late diagnosis, it’s really tough.
“You’re like ‘god I wish I had done this when I was a bit younger’ and you’re trying to learn about yourself when you’re in the midst of life.
“We all know there are challenges, autism, ADHD, there are so many challenges - it’s not easy sailing, it’s absolutely not. I think if we can instill a bit more positivity around it, because there are some positives, then I’ll be over the moon with that. I feel like a real community family is forming around it.”
In the meantime, the Staying Relevant podcast host has another type of challenge ahead of him.
Thompson has been tasked with transporting the Soccer Aid for Unicef match ball more than 260 miles from last year’s venue at London’s Stamford Bridge to this year’s stadium at Manchester’s Old Trafford, over the course of five days.
He is expected to run a marathon a day, as well as cycle, to ensure his important cargo is delivered on June 6 ahead of kick-off on Sunday, June 15.
Along the way, the Hits Radio presenter will be visiting popular UK football stadiums including Goodison Park in Liverpool and Villa Park in Birmingham, in a bid to raise as much money as he can for Unicef.
He called being offered the opportunity to take part “an honour” and although “absolutely terrified”, hopes he can do everyone proud.
You can get behind Thompson and donate to his Match Ball Mission for Soccer Aid for Unicef now, by visiting https://www.socceraid.org.uk/challenge
This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled – up to £5 million.
