Autistic man motivates others with public talks
AYOUNG autistic man whose family were told he 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 in his stride.
His mother, 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 non-verbal 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, 23, lives in Newton, Swansea, where – along with 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 talking to big audiences doesn’t bother me. I don’t know what’s to worry about.”