AUDIO
Posted by Aston Avery
Autism show – March 2026
All Things Autism in Essex returned for the month of March ahead of Autism Acceptance Month in April. Aston was joined on Daytime by his regular contributor Anna Kennedy OBE founder of autism charity Annakennedyonline to chat about the latest charity news which includes the recent announcemet of the Autism Hero Awards shortlist for 2026, plus speak to guests within the community.
The first of Aston and Anna’s guests was Leah Beech.
The second of Aston and Anna’s guests was nutritionist & clinician Florence Gardam.
The third of Aston and Anna’s guests was Clare Mortimer from The Craft Shed.
Anna had this to say after the show:
“Another busy show for Aston and I talking ‘All things Autism ‘ for the month of March.
We announced all our finalists for the Charity Autism Hero Awards which will take place on May 9th.
Please see our charity link:
“We had three amazing guests on the show our first was Leah Beech.
Leah is a mum to 9-year-old Jude, who was diagnosed with ASD when he was four. If you know Jude, you know one thing for sure: football is his whole world. It’s the first thing he thinks about when he wakes up and the last thing on his mind at night. It’s more than a game to him it’s where he feels alive, focused, and happy.
Then we heard about a local team. A team that said it wasn’t about ability, winning, or being the best but about giving children a place to play, grow, and build confidence. It sounded like everything I’d ever hoped for.
So I took him along.
He was nervous, we’d already had to cancel twice, but once the ball was at his feet, something magical happened. He gave it everything he had. When he came off the pitch, his face was glowing.
Then the message arrived.
“Unfortunately, we think that with the players we have, Jude doesn’t meet what we’re looking for.”
Please listen to what Leah did next ……
Our second guest was Florence Gardam a fully qualified Nutritional Therapist trained at the college of Naturopathic Medicine, London.
She is also Certified Functional Medicine Health consultant as well as Movement, Sound and Oxygen practitioner, with a specialisation in paediatric neurodiversity. She worked at Harley Row Clinics, Harley Street, London, a clinic that adopts the Functional Medicine approach of nutrition and lifestyle to support neurodiversity.
She also works at her private clinic, “FLORENCE GARDAM Clinic” in Hertfordshire, where she has practised for over 20 years. Florence has worked with many children and families over the years and has gained most of her knowledge through clinical practice in the field applying science-based programmes, nutrition and lifestyle to improve children and family’s quality of life.
Our final guest was Clare Mortimer. She shares:
We are a craft studio offering pottery painting, foam clay and craft a bear. We also offer additional workshops which can be found on the website www.thecraftshedessex.com
We welcome all ages and abilities into the studio and we are often told how lots of people especially those with Send.
We have a lot of repeat customers – young adults with additional needs come in with their carers to craft and have recently welcomed several classes from Glenwood School which is a special needs school come in to craft too. It helps with their socialising, independence, experiencing the community and some even help tidy up which enhances life skills.
I also have one to one messy play once a month with Daisy who has cerebral palsy and wheelchair bound. Daisy has been coming to sessions since she was about 7 years and seeing her progress each session is very humbling and a privilege to be part of.
It is World Autism Acceptance Day on April 2.
Please see this amazing event with Dolly Dolittle’s Wildlife Adventure for World Autism Day in Billiericay.
Date: 2 apr • 12:00 -2 30pm
Looking foreward to our next ‘All things Autism in Essex’ for April where I will be in the studio.
Enjoy your Easter break everyone and here’s hoping for more sunny days .
Anna x”
All Things Autism in Essex returns soon.
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