Dan Bird:Living with Autism

Name: Daniel BirdAge / Live: 24 / Prestwich, ManchesterSports: Tennis and RunningWork: Gym Instructor / Sports CoachStudying: 3rd Year BA Honours Sports Coaching and School Sports Degree

Age 5: Primary School

Sport has changed me as a person because it's given me a chance to develop my social skills while being active. (To manage my Autism).

Age 18 (Final Year): Alderwasley / Callow Park College

Since the age of 5: I have been diagnosed with Autism and Severe Receptive & Expressive Speech & Language Disorder.

At Primary: I was anxious about talking to people and I was worried about change!!

What is Autism?Signs Of Autism:• Understanding Social Interaction Skills / Literal Meaning

–Speaking, Listening, Eye Contact, Language Processing

•Classic Autism – likely to have learning development delays in the brain. •High Functioning Autism – can have keen interest in certain areas (Developing special talents / high ability in chosen areas)

The Autism Spectrum:•Autism Speech and Language Disorders

(High – Severe)

My Experience of Autism

Day to Day Difficulties:

• People can’t see my Autism (Learning Disorder)

• I have difficulties with (Processing Incoming Information)

• Social Interaction – (Group Discussion)

• Communication Understanding (I’m a Visual Learner)

• I may stutter in my speech (If Anxious)

Positives:

• Being who I am,

• Kind and Caring (Understanding people with disabilities)

• Developed my Independence when I’ve been away from home

• Highly Motivated in everything I do (Sports and Career).

Alderwasley Hall SchoolLiving in Derbyshire - (Age 10-18)

My School Football Team Won the Learning Disabilities

Midlands League

Speech & Language Therapy:

Improved Communication, Language Processing, and Life Skills.

How Good Parents and Autism Changed my Learning: I put good stress pressure on myself to go the extra mile (Perfectionist) (Achieved - B Grade in Maths GCSE)

Why I chose the Specialist School:Mainstream School Life: (Large Crowds & Lack of Specialist Support!!). Specialist School Life: (Suitable Class Size & More Support!!).

SUPPORT: Checking Understanding, Helpful TA’s, Realistic Targets,

Regular Learning Breaks, Relaxed Group Environment, Enough Space.

Queen Alexandra College Living in Birmingham (Age 18-21)

Education: BTEC Sport Level 2 & 3 Diplomas (Double Distinction Grade) Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths, English and ICT Learnt Makaton Sign Language and Braille (Passed Stage 1)

Experience at QAC: 2011 Successful Year as (Student Councillor) 2012 Student Ambassador for QAC

Sport Experience at QAC: I set up a Lunchtime Running Club (Coach) 6x Total Cycling – 3x Bikes in 24 Hour Spinning Challenge (£1200) Many Inclusive Sports (Sports Hall / Outdoor Sports) Visit Wembley, Twickenham, Wimbledon Finals Day

The Manchester College University Life at Home (Age 22-Present)

Education: Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching (Distinction Grade) 2015/2016: 3rd Year - BA Honours Degree

Sports Coaching and School Sports

CPD Experience at The Manchester College:

2013-Present (Student Representative) 4 Month Work Experience (PE Assistant):

Elms Bank Specialist College (Portfolio = 90%)

Support Required: Notetaker (NAS Personal Assistant) Study Coach (Weekly Session to Help) Olympus Dictaphone Recorder Dragon Headset (Talk into Words) Claro-read Software (Reading Words) Inspiration Mindmap Software (Ideas) Extra Time on Work Deadlines and Exams

Special Achievement:Higher Education

Student Of The Year Award 2015

My Volunteering

Special Volunteer Achievements:

Nominated - Bury’s Volunteer of the Year Award (2008 & 2012)

Bury Sports Development (2007-2014 Holiday Terms)Assistant Coach - Multi Sport Camps Indoors & Outdoors to Young Children (Groups of 15-30)

My Benefits: 1) Having Fun in Sport, 2) Confidence Meeting New People, 3) Team Member.

Jigsaw Charity – Group Assistant (Started April 2012)

Social and Sporting Activities for Disabled People (13-30 Year Olds).

e.g. Pizza Express, Bowling, Walking, Athletics, Aerobics, Basketball, Boccia, Kurling and GYM.

InstructAbility Programme (July – September 2015):

Level 2 Gym Instructor / Level 3 Exercise & Disability

12 Weeks at Bury Castle Leisure Centre Gym (Summer)

Sport England – Granted Paid Work with

2x Disability Groups (Until December 2015)

My Sporting Interest:Tennis & Running

•Tennis - Under 17’s singles competitions: Three times when I was 14,15 and 16 . 1st & 2nd attempt - Runner up in finals,

ON MY 3rd ATTEMPT… (I WON!!) •Won the Prestwich Tennis Open 2007

I Started Running at 14. “I’ve Loved Running Ever Since”.

Running Records:

My 1st Marathon in Manchester (2012)

Time:

Position: 50th out of 575040th in Age Category

Charity: Challenging Behaviour Foundation

Money Raised: over £2000

Qualified for 2013 London Marathon!! (Good For Age Category Under 3:10 Hrs)

The Honour to Carry the Olympic Torch 24th June

Torch Relay: Marsh, Huddersfield, YorkshireNominated: Volunteering, My Sports Passion

London 2012 Torch Bearer ExperienceMy Torch Day Schedule:• 10am Meet Torch Bearers• 11am Intro on Olympic Bus• 11:45am Share Our Stories• 12:17pm MOMENT TO SHINE!!• 12-2pm (Marsh – Halifax)• 2:30pm Press Photos (Town Hall)• 3-5pm Meet QAC Supporters (In Park)Crowds (40,000)

Special Achievements:•Running (Swinton RC):Best Newcomer 2009Most improved Runner 20115 Full Marathons (All Under 3 Hours)

Bury Sports Awards:Nominated - Volunteer of the Year Award (2008 & 2012) Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year (2012 & 2014)Prestwich Special Recognition Award (2013)

London 2012 Olympic Torch BearerHigher Education Student Of The Year 2015 – The Manchester College

What I Think About My Disability Now?

•I find my condition tough, but I don’t let it become a barrier for my future.•I have a positive attitude to overcome anything that gets in my way. •I give 100% into everything I do. And with my passion for sport it has been volunteering which has benefited me and the community.

My Future:Education: 2016: Finish 3rd Year of Sports Coaching Degree

Work: Continue - Sports Coaching (Holiday Sports Camps) Progress - Specialist Disability Gym Instructor 2017: PE Teacher (In Specialist Education Schools)

Sporting Goals: Overall Improve Personal Bests Marathon Elite Level (2:30hrs) Famous Marathons Abroad

Please Come and Visit Me at the Gym

You Can Go Anytime: (To Be Confirmed?..)Thursday (10am-3pm), Friday (10am-3pm), Sometimes Weekends

You can contact the centre to book a visit or gym induction (Fitness Centre Number: 0161 253 6516 or 0161 253 7000)

Bury Directory Page: (Autism Role Model as Exercise & Disability 'Gym Helper'

at Bury Castle Leisure Centre)

‘Living with Autism Video’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbjsUuWDQ50

Bury Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton St, Bury, BL9 0EZ

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS??..