In this episode Alan talks to Andrew Best.  Andrew originally studied in leisure management, but ended up on a different route following an injury, which gave him an opportunity to work in schools. He's worked in mainstream schools special education, and briefly worked in home support. He went into adult support services, and then finished a master's  degree in autism and education. He's worked in management now for several years and moving on to practice support and development teams where he's currently working.We hope you enjoy the conversation and take something of value from this chat. Please like and support.

In this episode we meet Enda Dodd, CEO of Animated Language Learning. Having occupied senior global leadership positions within the medical device industry for 20 years, Enda founded and incorporated  Animated Language Learning in 2012. Enda initiated a fundamentally new and effective research approach to the treatment of paediatric neurological disorders, focusing initially on language disorders associated with Autism and related conditions. The project benefits from Disney Pixar imagery and Adobe technical support. Enda divides his time between San Fransisco and Galway, Ireland, with his wife Valerie and twin sons Conor and Eoin, he's an active parent, avid sailor and award-winning fundraiser.

In today’s episode, Alan talks to Dr Amy Pearson, a senior lecturer at the University of Sunderland. Her primary interest is how we use information from the world around us to communicate and socialise with other people, as well as the experience of the world affecting people with autism. Amy co-wrote an article with Kieran Rose, that was published in the academic journal, Autism in Adulthood in January 2021. The article focused on what is known as masking, and the illusion of choice that autistic people feel by trying to fit in wider society, caused by the perceived stigma of autism. 

Amy describes how masking occurs, specifically where autistic people imitate the mannerisms of non-autistic people, which often starts at primary school, and explains why they do this. Alan and Amy also discuss the pitfalls of masking, and how it can negatively affect an autistic person’s mental and physical health. Amy finally gives her advice as to what parents and caregivers can do to make things easier for autistic people.