We are thrilled to announce that stand-up comedian, actor, writer and presenter George Lewis, alongside his wife, education consultant Harriet Brettall, are Autistica's two newest Ambassadors.
George and Harriet are proud parents of three children, two of whom are autistic. They know first-hand how challenging it is to navigate the UK autism assessment and diagnostic process. We are so excited to work with George and Harriett to advocate for better diagnostic and educational outcomes for autistic children.
I'm beyond proud that my wife and I are now official ambassadors for Autistica, the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity. Hopefully, together we can try and change things to make sure the process becomes easier, families get the support that they need, and kids can be comfortable being the people they truly are.
George shared the following message with his Instagram followers
When our son got his autism diagnosis it was a huge relief.
Because we’d accepted it years earlier. With both of our kids, we’d been through the denial. The horrible questions every parent in this situation asks. Why doesn't my kid behave like the others? Why does everything seem so much harder? Will they ever talk? Are we failing them? Why don't they show affection like we see the other kids do with their parents? Do they even realise we exist?
But then we accepted it. My wife learnt everything there is to know. She taught me. We changed our behaviour to support the amazing way their minds works instead of treating them as if they should work like everyone else’s. And we saw them flourish. They became more comfortable in themselves and most importantly, happier.
Then came limbo. Because the time between someone telling you your child might be autistic and actually getting a diagnosis can take years. And once you’ve accepted it, you just want the diagnosis so you can move on.
You find yourself fighting every day for something you never asked for. Constantly trying to prove how bad things can be in order to get your child the support they need in life. You question every interaction with other people. When I tell people about the autism, do they believe me? When they say, “They’ve been absolutely fine in school” are they really saying “See, there’s nothing wrong with them”.
So when our son finally got his formal diagnosis, we were finally able to fully and enjoy his successes. I know some people will say a diagnosis isn’t important. (‘Why does everything need a label these days?’) But a diagnosis is an acknowledgment of who someone really is. As parents it stops you stressing about things which are bound to be difficult and take longer. It makes you more tolerant and understanding of certain behaviour. The acceptance of who they really are lets you appreciate and celebrate all of the amazing things about these children. Autism isn't something that they've ‘got’, it's what makes them the special incredible beautiful children they are and so I love it. But it shouldn’t be so painful to get to this point.
Our daughter is still waiting. Things can be less clear cut with girls and while she’s been waiting, she’s learnt to mask her clearer autistic traits to fit in. But even writing this, I feel a bit of a fraud because she hasn’t yet been diagnosed.
I'm beyond proud that my wife and I are now official ambassadors for Autistica, the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity.
Hopefully together we can try and change things to make sure the process becomes easier, families get the support that they need, and kids can be comfortable being the people they truly are.