Love on the Spectrum's Abbey Romeo Recalls Feeling 'Isolated and Alone' Growing Up with Autism

Love on the spectrum star Abby Romeo shared what it was like growing up with autism, explaining that “When I was a kid, I felt left out in the cold.”

26-year-old Romeo and her mother Christine joined Twilight alum Taylor Lautner and his wife, Tay Lautner, on the latest episode of their podcast Grip, where the Netflix star discussed how difficult it was to have autism as a child.

“I felt very isolated and lonely, because as an adult I knew that I would no longer feel left out, that I would be accepted and that I would be able to fit in.”

‘Love on the Spectrum’ star Abbey Romeo and her mother Christine joined ‘The Squeeze’ with Taylor Lautner and Tay Lautner.

The Squeeze/YouTube

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“Was it difficult growing up with autism?” Tay Lautner asked.

“Yes, because my brain didn’t want to do what I was telling it to do. I identified with Ariel and The little mermaid because she wanted to be where the people were – just like I wanted to be where the typical kids were.”

Romeo continued, “when she finally reached land and became human, she could not speak. That’s how I felt — I felt like I couldn’t speak.”

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Romeo, who said she was diagnosed at about two-and-a-half years old, and her mom, Christine, discussed how the treatment — and diagnosis — of autism has changed since Romeo was a child.

“Business training and life skills were much more important,” her mom, Christine, said of the priorities when Abbey was young.

Abbey Romeo with her mom, Christine, on ‘Love on the Spectrum’.

Courtesy of Netflix

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“Abbey had problems with communication – learning the language, communicating and fitting in was very, very difficult. What we see now is not where we were.”

Romeo – who documented her romance with boyfriend David on the Netflix hit – said that if someone is looking for their “perfect match”, they “have to find someone who understands the way their mind works.”

She said that she does not mind being recognized because of the feeling of acceptance. “People recognize me everywhere I go,” she said.

“I feel so satisfied when people do that. It makes me so excited,” she said, adding that it makes her feel “part of the group.”

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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education