From non-verbal to daunting task of public speaking

A YOUNG autistic man whose family were told would never speak has forged himself a career as a motivational speaker.

Robert Parton was diagnosed with autism at the age of three when his family were told he would struggle to ever speak, and faced profound sensory issues.

But through early intervention and intense therapy he has started on a path that none of them ever thought possible.

And thanks partly to his work with a Cardiff project, he even took the daunting leap into the world of public speaking easily in his stride.

Mum Anna said: “When Robert was diagnosed we were told he would probably never speak, never know his mother, never be out of nappies.

“But we did one-to-one therapy with him, and he has gone from being nonverbal to being a public speaker.

“It has had a massive impact on his life. He just wants what everybody else has; his own personal mates, a part-time job, but this is what he finds difficult.

“He is now able to speak publicly about his condition and the challenges he faces.

“He’s spoken all over the country to doctors, nurses, teachers, parents, carers and individuals with autism.

“He was supposed to be completely locked in, but it is something that he has learned to do and is able to do.

“And he doesn’t realise that that in itself is a skill. Not everyone can get up there and speak to a large audience.”

Robert, aged 23, lives in Newton, Swansea, where – alongside giving his talks – he enjoys surfing, acting, is part of the Ostreme Theatre Players, and enjoys photography, cooking and art. He’s also teaching himself Japanese.

Through his public speaking, he aims to provide an overview of autism and challenges faced by those diagnosed with the condition.

His talks – the latest of which takes place at the Ostreme Centre in Mumbles at 7.30pm today – are filled with jokes, imagery, impressions and anecdotes, and are aimed at families with a recent diagnosis within the family, students, teachers and anyone interested in learning more about autism.

He said: “I started public speaking at the age of 17. I got involved in a project based in Cardiff called ‘The A Factor’ which was helping people become public speakers.

“It was run by people diagnosed autistic themselves. It wasn’t that difficult because I’m a bit of an actor.

“The most challenging aspect is we have to travel sometimes and the places we stay mean I don’t sleep before I talk.

“I have sensory issues so often can hear, smell and see things much more intensely. But I always seem to push through.

“Strangely, talking to big audiences doesn’t seem to bother me. I know my subject, I prepare, so I don’t know what’s to worry about.

“I have had really positive feedback. A nurse from Great Ormond Street Hospital said I had changed the way they see children with autism.

“People need hope, especially at the start of finding out their child has autism. I don’t pretend to know everything, I do my best. I just tell my story and this is my take on things.

“I am frustrated I wasn’t able to succeed in school; sometimes I feel a bit let down no-one really got it right.

“I hate people patronising me and also I do sometimes get really anxious, but I guess that’s true of everyone, isn’t it?

“I just want what everyone wants. Just to get a job, some mates, to live independently maybe, and for everyone to just accept autism. We are all just people after all, just a bit different.”

Anna added: “For many, a diagnosis of autism can be a challenging thing for a family to face, but Robert is living proof that a diagnosis of autism shouldn’t be a barrier to life experiences.”