I have Asperger’s, sometimes I’m a bit different – being different is a superpower – Greta Thunberg

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg has opened up about her Asperger’s diagnosis, explaining why she does not frequently speak publicly about living with the condition.

Earlier this week, Thunberg arrived in New York City after spending 15 days at sea in order to attend a climate change summit in the Big Apple.

On Saturday, days after her arrival in the city, the 16-year-old took to social media to address some of the malicious comments she has received with regards to her appearance and “being different”.

“When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re winning!” Thunberg wrote on Twitter and Instagram.

“I have Asperger’s and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And – given the right circumstances –being different is a superpower.”

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When haters go after your looks and differences, it means they have nowhere left to go. And then you know you’re winning! I have Asperger’s syndrome and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And – given the right circumstances – being different is a superpower. I’m not public about my diagnosis to “hide” behind it, but because I know many ignorant people still see it as an “illness”, or something negative. And believe me, my diagnosis has limited me before. Before I started school striking I had no energy, no friends and I didn’t speak to anyone. I just sat alone at home, with an eating disorder. All of that is gone now, since I have found a meaning, in a world that sometimes seems meaningless to so many people. #aspiepower #neurodiverse #npf

A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Aug 31, 2019 at 3:01pm PDT