What is an Autism-friendly community?
Adam Harris |
TEDxBallyroanLibrary
• October 2018
Adam is AsIAm’s Chief Executive Officer, having held the position since he founded the organisation in 2013.
Adam set up AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as a young autistic person in Ireland. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, the condition was far less understood or even known as it is today. Having spent his initial school years within the special education stream, he moved to a mainstream school in Second Class and was supported by an SNA.
By secondary school age, Adam began to began to socialise independently in his teenage years. He was nonetheless frustrated at the lack of any real understanding of autism and the many examples of social inclusion which the community are subjected to. This inspired him to establishing AsIAm whilst studying for his Leaving Cert – with the aim of giving autistic people a voice and starting a national conversation.
Over the past five years, he has had the huge honour of meeting so many members of the community around the county who want to help build a more autism-aware and understanding Ireland. A self-confessed workaholic, Adam enjoys public speaking, blogging about all things autistic and helping the many organisations and committees he’s a member of working for autism and inclusion. When he’s off, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, not to mention Harry and Bobby (his dogs!).