Autism Berkshire is delighted to announce that our Bracknell Forest Support Worker Gemma Coventry has organised a speaker event this October featuring Dean Beadle, who talks about his experiences of life as an autistic person.
The event is for autistic adults and young people, their parents and carers, and anyone with an interest in autism.
Dean, who is an experienced journalist as well as a public speaker, has been giving talks for more than a decade in the UK, Europe and further afield.
He said: “I fell into speaking by accident 14 years ago, but very quickly realised that I could really use my experiences to help educate schools staff to better meet the needs of autistic students.
“It’s often difficult for parents, as so much that is written about autism is so negative, medicalised and pathologised and that leads to unnecessary stigma. I’ve always seen it as my job to counter that negativity; to promote the skills and abilities autistic people have because they are autistic and not despite it.
“I tell humorous stories from my life to give a very real and personal account of being autistic. Whilst I never claim to represent all autistics, I hope that audiences can relate to what I share.
“I have an autistic brain, it’s how I see the world. It’s how I experience life. Yes, being autistic presents me with challenges and difficulties, but it also provides me with profound joy. It’s who I am. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
After his presentation, Dean will be answering questions from the audience.
Following a recent appearance by Dean in Sussex, one parent told the organisers: “Finally my son has opened up to me about what it feels like having Asperger’s. I never knew he felt like this. We have had a breakthrough and I understand him a little more, I am delighted.”
Click on the video for a taste of what to expect from Dean, featuring a presentation he gave at an Autism Cymru conference in 2011.
The event will take place at the Coppid Beech Hotel, in John Nike Way, Bracknell, just off the A329(M), on the evening of Monday, October 8, from 7pm to 9pm.
Click here to buy tickets, which are priced £5 per person, plus a booking fee.
Click here to visit Dean’s Facebook page.
