Categories
Columns

Dr. Anna Kennedy OBE Column

Dr Anna Kennedy OBE is back with her monthly column giving you her opinions and answering your questions.

Home

Great to be back and this month I would like to address a question people keep asking me:  how do people get diagnosed when they are sure they are on the spectrum or are living with autism? 

A good resource is the NHS website here is the link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/getting-diagnosed/

Be prepared for a long wait depending on where you live. You can also go for a private diagnosis which can cost between 1k to 2k.

“It’s becoming trendy to say you’re on the spectrum.”  

Is it becoming trendy? I think it is more a case that autism awareness is now much more widespread, especially with celebrities now sharing their diagnosis to the public. People are recognising that they may be on the autism spectrum due to past struggles in their day-to-day life.

Dear Anna, 

My daughter is nearly 24 and living with autism. I raised her by myself with help from my parents who passed on over the last year. The Government stops helping with her at 25 and my health is not great. What can I do to secure her a future?

Penny, Edinburgh.

Hello Penny,

Thank you for sharing your story. Once autistic adults reach 25 it can be difficult to find suitable services for our loved ones. I am in the process of looking for a day service my son Angelo since his college is closing July 19th and we were only given 28 days’ notice.

A good organisation to ask for help – and it’s a free service – is Living Autism. They can help you search for a suitable provision for your daughter. Their website link is www.livingautism.com 

They have supported our charity in the past and also share useful resources that may help you. Wishing you lots of luck!

Anna and husband Sean at number 10 .

Anna, How can people help sponsor Autism’s Got Talent?

We are in our 13th year of Autism’s got Talent and it’s the highlight of our charity year! 

Our small charity with devoted volunteers relies on support from the community, companies and the public. To find out more about sponsoring Autism’s got Talent please contact Steven Smith our Charity Patron or my PA Lisa.robins@annakennedyonline.com

Part Sponsorship is £500 where you receive 2 VIP tickets, your logo appears on our red-carpet brand board, programme, and shared across my social media made up of over a 100k followers.

A show not to be missed on October 12th at Mermaid Theatre Blackfriars. Door opens at 6pm and show starts at 7pm.

Dear Anna, 

My son is very talented and was diagnosed with a Autism several years ago.  He is 14 and wants to go to theatre school.  

My worry is he is deeply sensitive and has a lot of issues. Is it really wise to guide him into a world that may hurt him? 

Dorothy, Southend. 

Hello Dorothy,

Thank you for your message about your talented son. There are many amazing performing arts schools across the country. Only yesterday I attended such a fantastic show in Leighton Buzzard. So many wonderful performances and happy families. 

A good idea if you’re on social media is to share a post asking for recommendations of performing arts schools in your area. Facebook can be a useful place for recommendations by other parents.

Dear Anna, 

I am convinced my son is being bullied at school. He is autistic but goes to a mainstream school. 

He has become more introverted and does not want to do other school activities. He says I should not talk to the school 

David, Brighton. 

Hello David,

Sorry to hear about your son being bullied as I know this is both stressful for your son and the family. Yes, do speak to the school It is best to nip it in the bud asap for your son’s own wellbeing. Speak to his teacher or the headteacher. Schools take bullying extremely seriously. 

Sending you best wishes and hope this is dealt with quickly.

Anna, thank you for everything you do. When is The Autism Hero Awards? 

The Autism Hero Awards will take place in March 2025 at The Holiday Inn Regents Park. You can still nominate your Hero at www.autismheroawards.com . It’s such a wonderful event where 36 finalists travel to London for a 3 course meal. There is dance and entertainment from a few of our Autism’s got Talent performers. Winners are announced on the night.

Anna with Sons Angelo and Patrick .

Please contact Lisa.robins@annakennedyonline.com for any further information.

Anna Kennedy OBE 

Chairperson

Brook House

54 A Cowley Mill Rd

Uxbridge

Middlesex

UB8 2FX

Office : 01895 540187

www.annakennedyonline.com

Registered Charity Number 1143630

Steven Smith.'s avatar

By Steven Smith.

Steven Smith was born in Coatbridge in Scotland. He was brought up in Whitley Bay, before briefly moving to London. He then moved to the seaside town of Brighton, where he was first receiver recognition for his hairdressing skills. Steven moved to America for eight years, working in Beverly Hills, and on his return to London in the late 90s, rose to fame working in fashionable Knightsbridge. He has styled model Katie Price, actress Denise Welch, David Hasselhoff and the cast of Baywatch. Steven had his own column in The Sun newspaper advising on hair and beauty, and was a regular on the Lorraine Kelly show, transforming GMTV viewers into their favourite stars. He made over Lorraine herself, transforming her into movie legend, Elizabeth Taylor.

Steven has been a freelance writer for the last ten years, combining showbiz interviews and travel with his eye for styling. He has written two books: Powder Boy, looking at the dark side of showbiz, and an autobiography: It shouldn't happen to a hairdresser, offering a witty and sad look at his life. He is currently penning a third book to be titled Happy in Chennai.

He has a monthly column, Tales of a single middle-aged gay man that looks at not only the light side of gay life, but also darker aspects such as rape, addiction, and chem-sex. Steven also runs his own beauty/aesthetic blog and is a patron of Anna Kennedy online; a charity that not only supports the autism community but educates the public about those that live with autism.

Leave a comment