Autism show – June 2026

On Daytime, Aston was joined by his regular contributor Anna Kennedy OBE founder of autism charity Annakennedyonline as they highlighted Autism Pride Day, update on what the charity Annakennedyonline is up to and also spoke to guests to chat All Things Autism.

The first guest on the All Things Autism was Clair Earrey & Franc Tundidor who spoke to Aston about their neurodivergent peer support group that is held every 1st weekday at the Chantry Centre in Billericay.

The second guest on All Things Autism was Mark Arnold from Urban Saints who spoke to Anna and Aston.

The third guest on All Things Autism was Autism Hero Award Liftetime Achievement recipient Jonathan Andrews who spoke to Anna and Aston.

The fourth guest on All Things Autism was Heidi Simm who spoke to Anna and Aston.

Anna had this to say after the show:

“Aston and I had another busy ‘All things Autism’ on Gateway for the month of June. 

We had three wonderful guests and the running theme for all three guests that their projects or blogs were created during covid times 5 years ago.

Our first guest was Mark Arnold who is the Additional Needs Ministry Director at leading National Christian children’s and youth organisation Urban Saints and is Co-Founder of the Additional Needs Alliance, a vibrant and fast-growing online community.

He is an enthusiastic national and international advocate and ally for children and young people with additional needs. Mark blogs as the national award winning ‘The Additional Needs Blogfather’, and is father to James who is Autistic and also has Learning Difficulties, Epilepsy, and Social Anxiety.

To find out more about how Mark and his work can help you, contact him at: [email protected] or @markjarnold.bsky.social

Our second guest talking ‘All things Autism’ with Aston and I on Gateway 97.8 was Jonathan Andrews

Jonathan has advocated for autism (and wider disability/neurodiversity) inclusion in the workplace/wider society since 2014 (12+ years).

When first considering a legal career, Jonathan found no one willing to speak openly about being autistic in law

He resolved to change this, speaking directly with firm’s sector-wide, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the importance of removing barriers and promoting autism-friendly recruitment.

Completely open about being autistic when applying for legal jobs, Jonathan’s become a qualified City solicitor-advocate in his department of choice (Reed Smith’s market-leading Entertainment and Media team), and since promoted.

A strong visible role model for autistic people in law/business, Jonathan’s disability/neurodiversity/autism inclusion advocacy has reached 30,000+ people, tangibly improving autistic people’s lives. Jonathan’s sustained commitment to autism/neurodiversity/disability inclusion since 2014 has been recognised nationally/internationally, including by key professional bodies like the Legal 500,First-ever co-chair, Commonwealth Youth Disability Network: secured official accreditation; chaired Parliamentary/United Nations launches; advised on neurodiversity inclusion pan-Commonwealth; drafted autism awareness/acceptance toolkits translated into multiple languages, reaching 150,000+; Board Member of The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust, supporting autism inclusion Commonwealth-wide, and has spoken about neurodiversity inclusion with King Charles/Queen Camilla several times.

Jonathan won our charity  Lifetime Award at The Hero Awards 2026!

Our final guest was Heidi Simms talking ‘All things Autism’ on @gateway978fm

Heidi had a few technical issues at the start we finally got there in the end.

‘Hi, I’m Heidi.  Age 18! @hideart.1

I’m a local, Essex artist. 

I have incorporated and invented my own characters,into my own acrylic paintings card game.

My card game is called Horizon Hero’s.

I have created 2 planets called Disco City and Sci-Fi Kingdom. 

These planets are incorporated into my paintings and the characters 

from these two planets are showcasing in my card game. 

Disco City – is a 2D platforming word full of colour and creativity, with characters. 

Sci-Fi Kingdom is a stormy electric, Kingdom, full of victory warriors. 

The two planets Disco City and Sci-Fi Kingdom have become unstable. 

Four other galaxies wait in the distance. The names are revealed

Cosmic Universe, Mythical Kingdom, Power Galaxy and Bonus League!

One of my characters is called Robo Red. Robo Reds description, she is half Robot and half dog. 

She can transform into flying mode.’

Heidi’s website will be created soon.

Aston and I also spoke about our Autism and Art Show in July. Closing date is July 11th.

Please see link for more information:

Autism Art Show

“Looking forward to our  Autism Show on Gateway in.July where we will announce our performers for Autism’s got Talent for our 15th year. We are all so excited!!!

Take care everyone and enjoy the sunny warm weather.

Anna x”

All Things Autism will return soon.