A TEENAGER from Pontypool has made an animated film in a bid to explain some misconceptions over autism.

Lauren Gilbert, 17, created the short film with the help of the charity Fixers, after she felt isolated as a result of the condition.

At just over three minutes long, the animation attempts to explain the difficulties and challenges that sufferers feel and face on a regular basis.

Lauren said: “I find maintaining a conversation very hard and I get severe anxiety in social situations.

“It can be difficult because I also don’t understand sarcasm or jokes which can make me look boring.”

Autism is a developmental disability that can affect the way in which a person with the condition communicates and interprets the world around them.

“Being a teenager, it’s hard not being able to communicate the same as others because it means I don’t have friends to go out and socialise with,” Lauren added.

“I’ve been bullied most of my life because others don’t understand why I can’t speak in front of everyone or why I can’t play games.”

Her film was launched at the Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff last month, and has been uploaded and shared across YouTube and Facebook, receiving 86,000 views.

The Torfaen teenager has worked with the charity since June last year.

She said: “I wish people knew how difficult it is and how they could help someone with autism if they knew more about it.

“The things some might take for granted are struggles for other people.”

“If you know someone with autism, support them and be patient,” she added.

To view Lauren’s film, visit facebook.com/FixersUK/ or youtube.com/watch?v=fuUpS8YlADg

For further information on the charity Fixers, who help 16-25 year olds across the country with a range of issues from cyber-bullying to self-harm, and suicide to transphobia, visit fixers.org.uk