autism act has taken me on a journey and that’s just to make it to the start line!
I think we get comfortable in our work environment. I had been working for the local authority for 5 years in a job I loved, with a M Ed in my pocket and good relationships built with the local schools, I felt secure in my work life. I could not envisage this discontinuing because everyone I provided this service for was always so appreciative and I had seen knowledge in the local schools growing, staff members feeling confident to run sensory breaks, support emotional regulation and a whole host of other challenges their autistic youngsters were facing.
It’s hard to use any word other than DEVASTING to find out I had lost my job and the highly experienced team I had been working within was being disbanded and schools would no longer be able to access our support. And it begged an answer to the burning question ‘what am I going to do with my work life?’ Yes, I could have gone back into the classroom, it’s where I started 25 years ago and I’ve always loved it. But now I felt I had a new focus and mission in my life and I had to pursue that. However, I knew that was going to be independently.
So autism act, a tiny seed of an idea, started to germinate. What did I want to provide? What image and ethos did I want to portray? How could I use my knowledge and experience to date to continue to provide a good service?
And choosing a name – well that was probably the hardest part! All the ‘good ones’ had already gone. I may be biased but I think autism act is pretty good! A nod to the Autism Act 2009, initials standing for advice, consultancy, training. And me acting on my own work life, acting on my work destiny and ensuring I am still acting for schools and their autistic pupils.