In this episode, Guy is joined by Alex Manners, a 28-year-old autism advocate, speaker, and author. Alex shares what it was like growing up autistic, getting diagnosed at 10 (Asperger’s at the time), and navigating school when support wasn’t always there.

We talk about masking, bullying, anxiety, and why meltdowns often happen after school, once the stress has built up all day. Alex also shares the coping strategies that genuinely helped, including using special interests as a calming reset.

We also look at what schools and workplaces can do better, and why reasonable adjustments and autism training should be standard, not something families have to fight for.

Alex Manners: www.thealexmanners.com

If you have found this episode helpful and would like to support Transforming Autism’s work, you can make a donation here.

Every contribution means we can support even more young Autistic children to fulfil their potential and, with their families, live happy, fulfilling lives.

This episode is shared for information and support. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing, contact your GP or relevant professional support.

Follow Transforming Autism:

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Music: My Starwing by Nathaniel Weilein

Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here

About Transforming Autism:

Transforming Autism is a UK charity focused on early autism support for children aged 0–12 and their families, with a strong emphasis on the earliest years (0-4). We help parents reconnect with their autistic child through strong trust-based relationships and create environments where children and the whole family can flourish. To learn more or access support, visit transformingautism.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 2 of The Beautiful Reality of Autism, Guy is joined by Anna Kennedy OBE to discuss what happens when families are left without the right support, and what determined advocacy can achieve.

Anna shares her journey from diagnosis delays and school exclusion to opening specialist provision, building support networks, and creating platforms like Autism’s Got Talent to raise confidence and challenge stigma.

You will hear practical advice for parents on early intervention, preparing for meetings, planning for adulthood, and celebrating small but meaningful milestones.

If you are supporting an autistic child and feeling overwhelmed, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone and that progress is possible.

Anna Kennedy Online: www.annakennedyonline.com

Autism’s Got Talent info and auditions: https://annakennedyonline.com/applications-open-for-autisms-got-talent-2026/

If you have found this episode helpful and would like to support Transforming Autism’s work, you can make a donation here.

Every contribution means we can support even more young Autistic children to fulfil their potential and, with their families, live happy, fulfilling lives.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Opening reflection: a hard but rewarding journey
• 00:22 - Introduction and Anna’s wider impact
• 01:36 - Diagnosis in the 1990s and early family challenges
• 04:46 - Discovering the diagnosis and school struggles
• 11:33 - Running a school while parenting without enough respite
• 13:47 - Adult provision, trusts, and long-term planning
• 17:00 - Building the school: funding, staffing, and persistence
• 26:29 - Why Autism’s Got Talent began
• 29:47 - Global impact, confidence, and friendships
• 33:46 - Practical advice for parents
• 39:04 - Final message: your child can help you find your voice
• 17:00 - Building a school with community support
• 22:57 - Expanding into adult services and residential care

This episode is shared for information and support. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing, contact your GP or relevant professional support.

Follow Transforming Autism:

Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website

Music: My Starwing by Nathaniel Weilein

Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here

About Transforming Autism:

Transforming Autism is a UK charity focused on early autism support for children aged 0–12 and their families, with a strong emphasis on the earliest years (0-4). We help parents reconnect with their autistic child through strong trust-based relationships and create environments where children and the whole family can flourish. To learn more or access support, visit transformingautism.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beautiful Reality of Autism, Guy is joined by Tony Attwood, a clinical psychologist with 50 years’ experience supporting autistic children and their families. Together, they unpack five pieces of advice that can change the feel of day-to-day parenting: consistent love (and understanding autistic love languages like proximity), supporting emotion regulation and anxiety, building independence through small steps, becoming your child’s “social mentor”, and learning to advocate as a translator between autistic and non-autistic worlds.

Along the way they explore the double empathy problem, why bullying targets difference, and how peer support inside schools can be one of the strongest protective factors. You will also hear practical tools you can try at home, including backward chaining, social stories, and a simple “GPS” approach for staying calm during meltdowns.

What you will learn

• What “autistic love languages” can look like (and why proximity matters)
• The double empathy problem, and why misunderstanding works both ways
• How to model calm problem-solving so children can borrow your strategies
• Building independence with backward chaining and social stories
• A parent’s role as social mentor, advocate, and translator between cultures

Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett’ website: www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com

Tony Attwood’s book: From Like to Love for Young People with Asperger's Syndrome

This episode is shared for information and support. It is not medical advice. If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing, contact your GP or relevant professional support.

If you have found this episode helpful and would like to support Transforming Autism’s work, you can make a donation here.

Every contribution helps us keep creating practical resources for families.

Follow Transforming Autism:

Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Website

Music: My Starwing by Nathaniel Weilein

Prefer to watch this episode on YouTube? Click here

About Transforming Autism:

Transforming Autism is a UK charity focused on early autism support for children aged 0–12 and their families, with a strong emphasis on the earliest years (0-4). We help parents reconnect with their autistic child through strong trust-based relationships and create environments where children and the whole family can flourish. To learn more or access support, visit transformingautism.org.

To enable us to help more families, please consider a donation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.