Anna Kennedy (born 12 March 1960) is a

disability Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be Cognitive disability, cognitive, Developmental disability, dev ...

neurodiversity Neurodiversity refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition, for instance in sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions. It was coined in 1998 by sociologist Judy Singer, who helped popularize the concept alo ...

campaigner who has worked to provide improved education and other services and support for children and adults described as being on the

autism spectrum The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

as well as other

neurodiverse Neurodiversity refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition, for instance in sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions. It was coined in 1998 by sociologist Judy Singer, who helped popularize the concept alon ...

conditions. In pursuing these activities she has (among other things) helped establish two schools, a college, a respite home and a website with over 100,000 international followers. Kennedy was given an OBE (Royal Reward for Inspirational Mother) Award by

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...

in 2012 for her services. Kennedy is the special education correspondent of the psychology website Psychreg. She speaks fluent Italian.

Early life

Born in

Middlesbrough Middlesbrough ( ) is a town on the southern bank of the River Tees in North Yorkshire, England. It is near the North York Moors national park. It is the namesake and main town of its local borough council area. Until the early 1800s, the a ...

to Maria and Antonino Sammarone, she studied at Sacred Heart School

. Before leaving for Italy, she had set up a dance school, which was owned and run by her for a number of years. She married Sean Kennedy who has been given a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. Sean is practicing

barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...

and is also from

from a working class Irish-catholic background. They have two sons, Patrick and Angelo; when the boys reached school age, Anna Kennedy discovered that they are

autistic The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

. It was difficult for Anna and Sean to find a suitable education for their eight-year-old; they started a support group in their home, which grew rapidly and was joined by 275 families. They remortgaged their house to raise funds to open a school with special educational needs for their children.

Hillingdon Manor School

Anna and her husband prepared a feasibility report to convert a local school, which was apparently due to be demolished, into a school for

children and young people. Volunteers were also coming out to help them, including carpenters, electricians and painters. Anna also approached the probation service for volunteers to come and help. Hillingdon Manor School for autistic children opened in 1999, with only 19 pupils. Initially, this school had places for 14 children, later increased to 63 places by 2002. The funding for places by the local authority was based upon the condition that parents of autistic children select this school as a suitable place for their special children's needs. Anna Kennedy stood down from all school management in May 2013 leaving this to others. She now focuses exclusively on her charitable work.

Online presence

She has more than 100,000 online followers through her website including the parents of autistic children, professionals, media and those who are concerned with Autism. She is constantly creating awareness about Autism and making efforts to raise funds to continue their work. Kennedy is committed to inclusion and empowerment. A very popular part of what the charity does is offer free online legal seminars using fully qualified, practicing lawyers; these workshops are generally applicable autism and indeed all disabilities, their objective being to make what in legal terms appears complicated look simple

Training

Anna also provides training for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Child line with regards to the disability bullying issue and create awareness about autism all over the UK.

''Not Stupid''

In 2009, Anna wrote a book named, Not Stupid which was about the struggle she had to set up the school for her kids. Based on the story of a mother who fights to rescue the lives of her children from autism this bestselling biography is available on Amazon.

DVD

A fitness DVD, 'Step in The Right Direction' was a groundbreaking project which features a dance DVD, offering a clear picture of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). It has been launched in Birmingham at the British Institute of Learning Disabilities Conference.

Daisy Chain

Anna accepted a role as Patron in a bid to boost the profile of a charity called the Daisy Chain Charity which helps support families with autistic children. She has visited Calf Fallow farm, the home of Daisy Chain, to meet staff and see for herself the work being done there. "This is really very good, I am very impressed," she said afterwards. ''The space available here is fantastic and just what is needed as we move forward and develop the services Daisy Chain provides. I am really excited about coming on board at this stage of development."

Autism Got Talent

It was the first talent show organised by Anna on 12 May 2012. In this show, autistic children and adults performed on the stage at London's Mermaid Theatre. A performance from James Hobley, an autistic dancer, was also included in this show who had appeared on Britain's Got Talent.

Other activities

During Autism Awareness Month, April 2013, the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Anna launched their 'Give Us a Break' campaign. This campaign aimed to raise awareness about the bullying of autistic children in school and colleges, particularly during break times, highlighted the need for autistic children to feel safe by providing them opportunities to indulge in positive activities and to encourage schools and colleges to share the ways they can improve their social skills and keep them safe too. She highlighted the activities that can keep children from bullying during lunch times. She also emphasised that there should be a strong communication between the parents and school which comes up with a 24-hour curriculum for the children to get a better idea about their behaviour all day and to prevent them getting mixed messages by parents and teachers. In 2001, Anna also set up a community college for adults. The former Prime Minister's wife, Samantha Cameron, was invited to the official opening of a special school set up by Anna Kennedy with others in Kent, South East London. Anna appeared on the BBC's Peoples Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. Kennedy's focus is now exclusively on her charity work, this includes working with others in the autism and neurodiversity community. In 2023 Anna worked with

Metropolitan Police Service The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), formerly and still commonly known as the Metropolitan Police (and informally as the Met Police, the Met, Scotland Yard, or the Yard), is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement and ...

on producing the document: "Stop and Search guidance for autistic people". Anna is also a patron of Autism Support Crawley, Kilmarnock Horse Rescue, Cheshire Autism Practical Support, Square Peg Foundation, Camp Mohawk Autism Early Support and an ambassador for Special Dreams Foundation, Autism Anglia Born Anxious, and Includability. Also a committee member of LOANI, Ladies Of All Nations International Group.

Awards

Kennedy was awarded an

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

in the

Queen's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the reigning British monarch's official birthday by granting various individuals appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals. The honours are present ...

by Queen Elizabeth II at

, for her services and campaigning work for autistic children. She won an award named, 'Woman of the Year' in 2009 which runs with the collaboration of The Observer and Smooth Radio. Kennedy received the Institute of Directors chairman's special award for her contributions to the community. She is the "Achieving Mum of the Year" of Tesco Mum of the Year Awards 2013 for her campaigning work for autistic children. In 2013 Anna was awarded an honorary doctorate from Teesside University, the university most associated with her hometown of

Media

Anna's story has been published in various magazines and newspapers, and appeared as 'pick of the day' an hour long Video Diary Documentary on BBC. Anna's story and the work she has been involved with was also discussed in depth in an episode of The Autism Podcast. Anna Kennedy hosts a weekly show on Women's Radio Station in addition to a monthly show on Gateway 97.8 FM.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy, Anna 1960 births Autism activists Living people Special education in the United Kingdom National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children people British women activists People from Middlesbrough