“Autism Teen/Adult Life”: Wrexham author to share his experiences at public event

A Wrexham author will be sharing his experiences of living with autism at a public event at Wrexham’s new arts and markets development.

Andrew Edwards, from Gwersyllt, was diagnosed with autism at the age of four in April 1989.

Upon diagnosing him, the specialist brutally told his mother, Hazel Davies, to “go home and watch Rain Man. In all probability your son will be institutionalised.”

Determined to prove the specialist wrong, Andrew’s mother set out to give her son the best life possible.

Raised in a single parent household and encountering bureaucracy, bullying, and a lack of understanding from many around him, Andrew emerged from a turbulent childhood to give speeches on his condition, secure his dream job as a Broadcast Statistician at Manchester United Television, where he worked for eleven and a half years; along with receiving invites to attend both Buckingham Palace and The Houses of Parliament.

Andrew will provide an in-depth insight and of his experiences of autism at a public event at Tŷ Pawb on Wednesday 19th September.

Speaking about the event, Andrew said: “I have been planning to give a speech for Kerry Roberts at The Wrexham NAS Branch since March.

“I hope at the end of the evening that mine and my family’s eventful life of dealing and managing my autism resonates greatly with those present, even if anyone attending may be cognisant with a small part of my background story.

“The talk will be one of the most in-depth that I ever given with it encompassing my entire adult life from leaving school to the present day, including my daily battles with anxiety and depression, which has occurred periodically throughout my adult life.

“During the talk, I will impart how I best attempt to manage this on a daily basis. I also hope it helps those present understand a little better the autistic people in their lives.”

Andrew’s autistic memoir “I’ve Got a Stat For You- My Life with Autism” was released in October 2015. It has sold well over 800 copies since release and Andrew will be selling and personally signing copies of his book priced £9.99 after his speech.

In April 2018, Andrew released his third book entitled “A Vision of Exercise” again on Bennion Kearny Publishing, which he will also be selling and personally signing copies of on the evening priced at £5.99.

Kerry, chairperson from NAS Wrexham added: “We are so grateful to Andrew for providing this talk to us for free, it’s helps us with our goal of trying to make as many people aware of what Autism is and how it effects everyone differently.

“As a volunteer led branch run by volunteers, we have to raise all of our own funds to be able to support our members. Without the support of Andrew we would not have been able to offer this talk”

You can book tickets to attend the event here.

More information about Wrexham NAS please can be found on Facebook and Twitter @WrexhamNAS

For more information about Andrew, his life and work please visit www.andrewedwardsautism.co.uk.