Home / Sports / Saints' Issy Watts: Autism is my superpower
Saints' Issy Watts: Autism is my superpower
2 Apr
Summary
- Football provided comfort and helped manage anxiety.
- Diagnosis at 15 brought clarity and self-acceptance.
- Autism aids hyperfocus and unique on-pitch strengths.
Nineteen-year-old Southampton player Issy Watts has found strength and clarity through her autism diagnosis. For years, Watts struggled with feeling different and anxious, finding solace and a sense of self only on the football pitch, where activity helped her regulate. School life often required her to mask her true feelings to fit in, a challenging experience that contributed to her anxiety.
Her life changed significantly at age 15 due to an injury that temporarily removed football from her routine. This period led her and her family to seek professional help, resulting in an autism diagnosis. This revelation provided Watts with a profound understanding of herself, offering permission to be kinder to her differently wired brain.
Watts now embraces her autism, viewing it as a powerful asset. She highlights how her neurodiversity allows for exceptional hyperfocus, enabling her to immerse herself completely in her football. This unique cognitive ability, she explains, sets her apart and is a significant strength on the field.
