In this episode, Marie Kilduff speaks with Adam Harris, CEO of As I Am, Ireland's national autism charity. Adam is autistic himself, and that lived experience shapes everything he does — from founding As I Am over twelve years ago to leading the organisation's work across healthcare, employment, education and community inclusion.

Adam speaks candidly about growing up autistic in Ireland in the 1990s, navigating a system that had little awareness of autism, and the isolation he felt as a teenager before finding his voice as a writer and advocate. From that starting point, he built one of Ireland's most respected disability organisations — one that places autistic people at the centre of everything it does.

In this episode, Adam and Marie discuss:

• What it means to move beyond awareness towards genuine acceptance of autistic people
• Why autism should be understood as an accessibility issue, not a deficit
• The barriers autistic people face when accessing healthcare — and how relatively simple changes can make a significant difference
• The policy landscape shaping autism support in Ireland includes the Autism Innovation Strategy and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.
• The Same Chance Report — As I Am's annual state of the community report on autistic life in Ireland

Contact As I Am

https://asiam.ie

17-21 Temple Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, A94 DN40

If you would prefer to contact As I Am by phone to discuss your query, please call (01) 445 3203

Leading with Hearts and Minds is a podcast from the National Clinical Leadership Centre for Nursing and Midwifery.