FOR Paul Isaacs, life often did not make sense when he was growing up.

The schoolboy was unable to say full sentences until he was seven and found it difficult to read emotions in other people.

It led to years of bullying and confusion before things finally became clear last year when he was diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism.

The 24-year-old is now helping others in Oxfordshire to learn more about the condition.

He said: “I was severely autistic as a child. I do not interact with people properly and as a very young child, I used to parrot things from the TV like theme tunes.

“My parents did not have any information about it at all. But they were very concerned, they knew something was wrong.”

Mr Isaacs left school in Thame at 16, after years of bullying.

He went to work in a supermarket, but said he left there after more bullying.

He suffered a period of depression and eventually had a nervous breakdown.

But, despite showing all the classic symptoms of autism, Mr Isaacs was not officially diagnosed until November last year.

He said: “Now I can put things into perspective.

“I understand why I perceive things the way I do.”

Mr Isaacs said he saw the world in a very sensory way, suffering “visual fragmentation” and “object blindness”.

He said: “I often can’t see things the way they are.

“I see them in a mosaic way or focus on small things rather than bigger things.

“If a train is coming towards me, I can’t process it. I can only see colours flying towards me.”

He now gives regular speeches for Autism Oxford, the charity which finally gave him the chance to be diagnosed.

Mr Isaacs said: “I am trying to get my story out there, to let people know what it is like. I want to use my personal experiences to try and raise awareness and get some sense of acceptance.”

Autism Oxford manager Kathy Erangey said: “Paul’s experiences are not uncommon and this is a countrywide problem.

“A lot of people with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome are not recognised as having the condition until adulthood.”

“People with autism don’t have the social instincts most people are born with. They think in a logical and factual way.

“But you can’t work out people with a calculator.”

She added: “Life would be a lot easier for them if it was picked up as children.

“In a lot of cases, their potential isn’t realised, as they don’t have the support they need.”

Mr Isaacs will be speaking at an event at Headington School on June 11 about Asperger’s Syndrome and unemployment.

It is estimated that only 15 per cent of people with the condition are in employment.

To talk to Autism Oxford and find out more, phone 01844 353292. To attend the event or find out more email info@autismoxford.org.uk