I have been working for decades in the autism field, in capacities ranging from practitioner to researcher to trainer. I worked for The National Autistic Society (NAS) as a Service Co-ordinator assisting in the development of a residential service for young adults with autism. I worked within this service supporting young adults with a range of complex needs, from those with high dependency needs and severe learning disability, to individuals with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome; prior to this I worked in the voluntary sector in the learning disability field. I have run a Project developing autism services within a specific Local Authority, been involved in the setting up and running of two Asperger Social Groups, and have also been employed by the NAS as Regional Development Officer co-ordinating developments over a large geographical area. This has given me the background experience to work at a strategic level within Local Authorities to develop good practice in the field of autism. The Project included the development of diagnostic services, day provision, residential provision, and transition services. My most recent post is with Sheffield Hallam University, as Senior Lecturer in autism. I run courses at different academic levels in autism, including a Masters qualification, while continuing to research and consult in the field of autism.

I am the course leader for the Post Graduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome, run in collaboration with the NAS, and supervise several students at Doctoral level, many of whom are on the spectrum. I am proud of my two autistic (ex) students who successfully completed their Doctorates. I work closely with the community supporting families and individuals with autism and Asperger Syndrome, and act as a non clinical consultant on a wide range of issues, including the education of children. My interests are anything related to autism and Asperger syndrome, pretty much to the exclusion of everything else.