Goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel has shared her Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis publicly, saying building LEGO helped her adjust.
20-year-old goalkeeper for Manchester United Safia Middleton-Patel was motivated to seek a diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when she gained her first Wales cap at the age of 18, in the same week as she joined Coventry United on loan. Speaking to BBC Sport, the footballer said that she 'couldn't function, couldn't speak, couldn't regulate my temperature'.
"I was being so hard on myself and struggling with simple daily activities," she explained. "I said 'I think there's something wrong with me' but now I look at it, there was nothing wrong with me, it was just the way my brain worked."
Middleton-Patel publicly shared her diagnosis in September 2023 and has since described it as similar to a superpower, with it bringing the ability to hyper-focus while she's in goal. However, it's also required a period of adjustment, which is where building LEGO has helped her cope.
She has even formed an unofficial LEGO club with teammates and friends Jess Simpson, Leah Galton and Rachel Williams, with the quartet often gifting each other LEGO sets and building alongisde one another at training and away games. Middleton-Patel has shared a lot of their brick-building antics on a dedicated 'LEGO' highlight on her Instagram.
Middleton-Patel has even immortalised her love of LEGO as a tattoo on her arm, alongside the Welsh daffodils, the date of her debut, and a Harry Potter reference.
Featured image: Safia Middleton-Patel on Instagram
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