Speakers

Amanda has a unique perspective of autism as she is late-diagnosed autistic, her children (young adults) are autistic, she specialises in teaching autistic children, and she is an autism researcher.

She is a highly experienced teacher; having taught in mainstream primary and secondary schools and specialist provisions. She is also a qualified SENCo. Amanda is no longer school-based, and specialises in SEND tutoring for children of all ages, and mentoring for neurodivergent adults, young adults, and teenagers. She is also a study skills tutor for autistic university students receiving DSA.

Amanda is an experienced autism speaker, trainer and consultant, having travelled across the country to deliver talks and training sessions on a wide variety of topics to a range of attendees, including parents and professionals from education, health and the care sector.

Amanda is keen to explore the impact of intersectionality on marginalised groups. Early in 2023 she passed an MSc in Psychology, which included a research project on autism in Black and Black mixed-heritage late-diagnosed autistic women, including Amanda herself. She first presented her findings at an international autism conference in Poland in autumn 2022, and subsequently at other events in England. She started a PhD in September 2023, with her research further exploring the impact of a later diagnosis of autism in Black and Black mixed-heritage women and girls.

Amanda has won a prestigious Black Futures scholarship for her PhD.

In October 2023, Amanda won the Diversity Award at the University of East London Alumni Achievement Awards.