Autistic Talent: Adam Harris on Inclusion, Identity and the Future of Healthcare

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 peopleWhy autism should be understood as an accessibility issue, not a deficitThe barriers autistic people face when accessing healthcare — and how relatively simple changes can make a significant differenceThe 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.