Young Catalan Educates on Autism through Social Media
Thirteen-year-old Pau Brunet from Catalonia has amassed over half a million followers on social media, but he isn’t your typical influencer. Rather, Pau uses his platform to share his experiences with autism, aiming to educate and connect with others.
Through his videos, more than 519,000 viewers have learned about topics such as visiting Disneyland Paris with autism, occupational therapy sessions, and what stimming—repetitive movements or sounds—entails. Pau also offers life lessons, stating, “Before you judge, observe.”
His content creation is a family affair; his father Felix and relatives assist in managing his accounts. They recently participated in the Buenavista Diversa event in the Canary Islands, which promotes inclusion and community development.
Pau’s relationship with Tenerife is not new. He describes the island’s beauty and variety, contrasting its lush scenery with drier landscapes. The family has previously spoken in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and plans to return to La Palma for another conference this November.
Initially a hobby, Pau’s social media presence attracted requests for talks and appearances. His father noted that what started as a casual activity has evolved into a potential career path for Pau, who jokes, “These social outreach jobs will never be replaced by Artificial Intelligence.”
While Pau enjoys his online popularity, he remains cautious about social media. He emphasises that their content is focused on awareness, sharing personal insights rather than clinical advice. “We have many followers, but they mostly understand our message. We aim to show that those with disabilities are not alone,” he explained.
The idea for creating content arose during therapy sessions. His father recalls Pau’s natural ability to articulate his experiences. Their initial attempts on TikTok gained traction quickly, but they faced hurdles with the platform. However, their journey has become therapeutic for the family: “If we can explain something in two minutes, we’ve understood and overcome it,” Pau expressed.
The tone of their communication is very approachable, resonating with families and professionals alike. They engage audiences through interactive presentations and sensory experiences, advocating for more inclusive events like Buenavista Diversa.
Pau’s parents are central to his journey, having invested significant time and effort into the project. “It’s a huge sacrifice for us, but it has also taught us many lessons as a family,” Felix shared.
Despite his large following, Pau remains a typical teenager who enjoys video games, and his parents focus on fostering his emotional intelligence. He actively seeks to educate others about autism, aiming to change perceptions. Pau recognises the challenges of making new friends as he transitions to a new school year, but he remains optimistic about facing changes head-on.
This perspective often surprises his parents, who find themselves learning from his positive outlook. “While we worry, he’s already considering new opportunities, reminding us that sometimes the fear lies more with adults than with kids,” they noted.
