Anna Kennedy
I am the mother of two young men, Patrick and Angelo, who are both affected by autism. In 1997, in response to the growing need for support for parents of children with autism I co founded the registered charity Hillingdon Care and Support (HACS). Two years later in 1999 having been turned away by no fewer than 26 special needs schools when searching for appropriate educational facilities for my sons we transformed a derelict council building in Middlesex, West London into Hillingdon Manor School. The school, which is now a centre of excellence, has earned considerable recognition for its outstanding work, and caught the imagination of Esther Rantzen who is now its patron.
In 2008 I co-authored the best selling biography “Not Stupid” which poignantly portrays my struggle to find appropriate provision for my sons – a story which will be familiar to many parents who feel they could not get what they felt their children needed from the local education authority.
My story appeared as an hour long BBC ’pick of the day’ Video Diary documentary and my story has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers, including the Times Educational Supplement, The Times, The Observer, The Guardian, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Mail.
I am regularly invited to speak at conferences on living and working with Autism and I have also taken part in numerous TV talk shows and news programmes.
In 2009 I won ‘Woman of the Year’ an award run in conjunction with the Observer and Smooth Radio and I have recently been awarded The Chairmans Award for last year’s prestigious ‘Director of the Year’ award.
I’ve also received the Daily Mail’s Most Inspirational Woman Award through which I met Samantha Cameron in 10 Downing Street to discuss my work. I am currently involved in many campaigns with Act Now, Anti Bullying Campaign and Strength in Numbers.
Great website…inspiring stuff Anna
Thanks Kiran, look forward to hearing more from you
Thank you please share.
I am so happy I found your site and your blog, I did not know that anyone had a site out there as informative as this one. My boyfriend is 38 years old and he was recently diagnosed with adult Asperger’s syndrome. We were clueless on what this meant for our lives. We had been having communication issues between us and on the verge of throwing away a long term relationship. We had tried counseling and then finally went to a couple of doctors who gave us his diagnosis. Having his diagnosis was very helpful. We have been looking for networking sites so that we can speak with other people who live with a similar situation. My boyfriend owns his own Personal Training studio in the city we live in and he is a highly functioning individual. We had no idea this was the root of most of our communication problems. I love all of the up to date news postings you put up on your site about what’s happening in the world. I am always wondering what to cook for us and we always strive to be healthier, it is so nice that I can just go to your site and get a variety of healthy recipes and ideas. We are health nuts and I love that all of the recipes you are posting are things that will improve our health and quality of life. From the fashion advice to the travel tips you have definitely thought of it all. We appreciate what you are doing. This is the first site I have seen that has an E-bay option to make donations. I have an E-bay store and would really love to be more involved with you as far as helping goes.
Anna, your blog is GREAT!! There are so many awesome people pulling together. I have added your blog page to my favorites on my computer desktop. I look forward to ordering your book so that I can enjoy it and read your personal story.
Leslie
We had Open Day today at our new school in Kent over 60 parents and some Professionals attended . Hopefully I have given some of the parents a boost and the courage to keep on fighting for the quality education that there children deserve. Sad to hear parents struggling with Local Authories whether it be through Health for diagnosis, Education for statementing or going to Tribunals or Social Services for Respite.
Book Review: Not Stupid. Autism Leads to School for Special Needs by Debbie Marsh for Disaboom
Anna Kennedy has written an autobiography that doesn’t hide the pain of being the mother of two autistic children, but the bulk of the book is about triumph. In 1999, she and her husband opened a special-needs school in order to ensure that the needs of her children would be met.
The author felt overwhelmed when her first son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism. That was before she discovered that her second son had autism and would need a lifetime of care.
Although Kennedy resides in Great Britain, American readers will relate to her struggle to raise and educate her children. The book covers her courtship with husband Sean, through the birth of their sons and the boys’ teenage years.
Parents of autistic children will relate to the multiple doctor visits for testing and evaluation, the tantrums, the lack of physical affection. Kennedy tells her story in a down-to-earth style that makes her seem like an old and cherished friend. She doesn’t hide her frustration and sorrow.
“He was obsessed with shapes and patterns and worst of all, he’d scream if I touched him,” she writes of her first son, Patrick. “His refusal to show his love was heartbreaking.”
When her second son, Angelo, was diagnosed with autism, she says, “I was devastated and cried for weeks.” Her honesty makes her more relatable to readers.
By the time the boys were eight and five, they had been turned away from 26 schools for children with special needs. All of them had waiting lists. So she decided to start her own.
“It all started from sheer desperation,” she writes. “There were times when I rang my mum and just cried and cried over the phone.”
Although Kennedy discusses the process of getting the school up and running, this isn’t a how-to manual on starting your own educational institution. The emphasis is on her children, their development and how she and her husband were able to cope with problems they encountered.
Sometimes, it was exhausting just to physically care for Angelo, who sleeps about three or four hours a night and routinely wets the bed, even when he’s awake.
“Do I ever think, `Why me?’” she writes. “Only for a second. The thing I crave most is a little peace and quiet – and some sleep!”
But the book also exposes a rich array of friendships that Kennedy gained through her networking with parents and educators. A favorite teacher is highlighted for his work, and the growth of the school is outlined in terms of new needs and changing staff. The author doesn’t avoid discussing growing pains with the school, or her own sadness over a miscarried baby in 2004.
In all, “Not Stupid” is a frank, hopeful account that is recommended reading for adults and teens.
I was having a discussion with my husband about adults who have been given a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome later in life. He is coming across more and more that it does not always benifit the person to share this information with their employers since they tend to discriminate and make life harder for the individual. It would appear that discrimination is more common for people with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome who work for public bodies
Hello, my name is Angelo and I am 18 years old.
I live with my parents and attend Hillingdon Manor School. I enjoy watching DVD’s, & busing the computer.
I have autism which means that I find communicating difficult, understanding others and how to express my own emotions. I sometimes find it difficult imagining situations outside of my routine difficult but love trying new experiences.
I access WLSSS for outreach support so that I can gain confidence within the community accessing activities which I enjoy.
My support worker is called Gloria, I meet with her once a week. In the school holidays we meet more often.
She drives and has her own silver car and I get to sit in the front. I have a support plan that is ‘all about me’ and helps Gloria to understand why I need support and how I would like to be supported.
I like to go for walks in the countryside and have lots of space and fresh air. It’s a good job Gloria likes keeping fit and enjoys the countryside too!
Gloria and I have been on lots of outings together as my confidence is growing. We have visited shopping centres and also the city farm,Gloria reassures me about the noises and crowds. Should I become anxious, Gloria understands how I would like to be supported.
Gloria and I have also been to the bowling alley, I let her win!
Gloria accompanies me to the barbers to get my haircut and beard trimmed, I always look very smart when the barber has finished.
I like eating out in restaurants and cafes, Gloria knows all the good places to get my favourite food.
I received this as an email and When I first read the first few lines I just was not expecting it to be written from Angelo and I felt a wave of emotion and sadness come over me. This is due to Angelo’s significant language and communicatio…n difficulties, these are words I would love to hear coming from Angelo himself.We as a family crave to be able to have a two way conversation with Angelo .Only at the weekend Patrick asked if there was an operation that we could perform on Angelo’s brain that would help him talk, so they both could go out together like regular brothers. eedless to say I had a lump in my throat after that was said. You think you are ok then something comes around and bites you.See More
Look out for my Autism and Dance DVD trailer ‘Step in the Right Direction’ in the next couple of days on http://www.annakennedyonline.com and Amazon.
I will be speaking in Kenilworth on September 8th at The Holiday Inn. Hope to see you there at 7pm. http://www.annakennedyonline.com/page.aspx?id=933