AUDIO
Posted by Aston Avery
Autism show – January 2026
First All Things Autism in Essex show for the year took place in January on Daytime as Aston was joined by his regular contributor Anna Kennedy OBE founder of autism charity Annakennedyonline. They spoke about the Autism Hero Awards which will be taking place in May. Also Aston and Sam Hayter are doing a fundraiser to help raise funds for Annakennedyonline in February which Aston has announced.
the first guest who Aston and Anna spoke to was Tess Eagle Swan.
The second guest who Aston and Anna spoke to was Kim McDermottroe.
The third guest who Aston and Anna spoke to was Maamoon Khan.
Anna had this to say after the show:
“Aston and I once again had a busy show for our first ‘All things Autism in Essex’ for 2026!
We chatted about the year ahead for AnnaKennedyonline and our first guest was Tess Eagle Swan who is one of our AKO charity Ambassadors and judge for the second year for one of our Autism Hero Award categories the Human Animal Bond Award.
Here is an article which gives more information about this special award:
Our second guest was Maamoon Khan:
An experienced educator with a go passion for supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Coming from a family with two nephews on the autism spectrum -one verbal and one non-verbal.
He has seen firsthand the power of understanding, patience and tailored learning.
Maamoon has 14 years of experience in education, including 12 years working closely with SEN students in mainstream settings and 4 years teaching specifically in SEN.
Our final guest was Kim Mc Demottroe:
Kim McDermottroe has worked under the business name Greener Lavelle since 2003.
A leading outdoor arts provider in the Tees Valley, developing skills, knowledge and experience within the community carnival sector and establishing strong relationships with the public, educational and heritage organisations, local authorities and businesses.
Kim works across most cultural sectors such as theatre, dance outdoor arts, museums & heritage, TV/film. She also works with businesses who want creative solutions and has had four solo exhibitions of her illustrations.
Since receiving a Developing Your Creative Practice Grant (DYCP) form Arts Council England, she has been focussing more on her own work and characters. She’s had four solo, illustration exhibitions and has been teaching herself animation for which she has had two award nominations at the Tees Valley International Film Festival and had been selected twice for screening at the North East International Film Festival.
Recent work includes a costume for Smoggie Queen’s Series 2 (Hat Trick Productions), large scale lanterns, Walkabout characters such as Sarga the Sea Turtle and Terry The Turkey for Middlesbrough Christmas Parade, South Shields parade and the re opening of the boating Lake at Redcar. She has made a Lady Lemon Top character costume and presented her own short dance piece at Durham Fringe Festival with Abbott Dance Theatre based on her own sketchbook of characters.
In October 2025 Kim was a speaker at Tedx Teesside with her talk about why she wears odd coloured shoes and navigating freelance as an autistic artist.
On the show I spoke to Aston about a new colloboration this year with Ciara Lawrence.
‘ Ciara Lawrence is hosting her Brand new Live Podcast Event and her first guest is Anna Kennedy OBE, we will be bringing some of our past Autism’s got Talent Performers to speak about their life since AGT and they will be showcasing their talent on the night️.
The event is at Epsom Metropolis on Thursday 26th March 7-9pm … tickets now availablehttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980545683454?aff=oddtdtcreator
What a great first show. To keep upto date with the work of the charity please see www.annakennedyonline.com
Sending best wishes and positive vibes for 2026 to you all!
Anna Kennedy OBE”
All Things Autism in Essex will return soon.
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