Why Lucy Bronze revealing her neurodivergent diagnosis is so important | OneFootball

While women’s football has increasingly addressed taboo topics in the modern age, neurodiversity remains an area that has often been overlooked. Lucy Bronze has spoke openly about being neurodivergent, during a time where it matters more than ever.

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and Bronze sat down with BBC Sport’s Alex Scott to discuss her autism and ADHD diagnosis journey and raise awareness of the cause.

This conversation is important because it highlights the realities of neurodivergence in professional sports. It also reinforces that neurodivergent individuals can be successful, earn university degrees, and thrive at the highest level.

Championing neurodiversity as a strength

Lucy Bronze is a leader and a force for change in women’s football. She has supported and participated in the sport as it evolved and developed into what it is today. While she is an iconic player, her advocacy is crucial to her work.

When someone like Bronze — a UEFA Women’s Euro winner — openly shares her diagnosis with the world of women’s football, it sends a powerful message to everyone. As a neurodivergent person, I feel proud that I am wired differently, and her openness reminds me to not hold back from achieving my dreams.

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Reflecting on her diagnosis, Bronze says: “It didn’t change anything, but it was an eye-opener. I just learned more about myself and understood why, in certain situations, I saw things differently or acted differently from others. Getting to sit down and speak through my traits and how they affect me, situations that make me feel good or bad, was the thing that clicked in my head and made me feel so much better.

“I’ve always felt that my differences are like my superpowers. How I process things, being super-focused. People always say, ‘Oh, you’re so passionate about football.’ I don’t know if I’d say I’m passionate; I’m obsessed. That’s my autism. It’s my hyper-focus on football.”

Lucy Bronze on embracing her diagnosis and finding balance

When asked about the possibility of medication for her ADHD, Bronze said: “There was medication for ADHD. At first, I thought maybe it would be a good thing. But then I was like, ‘I like the way I am.’ I think it’s made me who I am.”

While the Lioness did not think medication was best for her, it does, however, positively impact others.

“Casey Stoney said to me, ‘You’ve never looked me in the eye when speaking to me,’ and I was like, ‘It’s not because of you, it’s me.'”

She spoke about how exercise has helped her manage both conditions, saying: “Something that is really good for ADHD and autism is exercise. Having that focus, something to do, keeping moving.”

Reframing neurodivergence

As someone who is neurodivergent, it is always presented as something that needs to be fixed or changed. To hear Bronze call her autism her ‘superpower’ reiterates that being neurodivergent is not something we have to be ashamed of.

Neurodivergence should never stop you from achieving your dream. It certainly didn’t for Bronze, who has won 33 trophies across her decorated career so far.

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“A diagnosis is not going to change who you are, but understanding who you are is such a good thing,” Bronze said.

As someone who was told to aim lower with my dreams because of my neurodivergence, I know how harmful those misconceptions can be. When more top professionals share their struggles with neurodivergence, it helps break the stigma that being neurodivergent makes you less intelligent or incapable of success.

Accepting neurodiversity in women’s football

Lucy Bronze is at the top of her field and being neurodivergent does not hold her back. The more advocates in the media who can express that message, the less shame and stigma young people feel.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) completed a survey of 700 of its members. Preliminary results showed that players with certain neurodivergent traits have not disclosed them to their team or club.

The survey included players from the Women’s Super League. Only 5 percent of those players have been diagnosed with a neurodivergent condition. Meanwhile, about a quarter have reported having certain neurodivergent traits. 26% reported difficulties with attention and focus, while 22% reported issues with social interactions.

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Wales goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel received her autism diagnosis two years ago after joining Manchester United. She told BBC Sport: “I am not surprised at all. I know what it’s like to be dropped from a club because they say you’re too argumentative and difficult, and we can’t handle you.

“I’m not trying to be complicated. They [the club] are very, very understanding. And if they don’t understand, they will always pull me aside for a chat. They won’t ever have a go and be like, ‘Why’ve you said this? Why did you say it like that?’ They want to understand me more than anyone else.”

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