David Heatley BSc (Hon)
Retired School Principal
My interest in ASD stems from being the father of an individual on the Autistic Spectrum. I have been involved with the charity since October 1998, firstly as a member of the East Antrim Branch, then as a committee member of that branch and then being put forward for Council. After serving on Council for a year during which I was an active member of a sub committee, I was elected onto the Board of what was then PAPA. In 2003 I worked full time with the charity on a voluntary basis for about six months, taking on the role of Branch Officer. Since November 2005 I have been Vice Chairperson of the charity with a portfolio for Policy. I have served on the Policy Committee and regularly meet with members and staff to push forward the Charity’s Political lobby. This has included memorable visits to Whitehall and Cardiff.
I am married to Alice, and we have three children, Andrew, Laura and Christopher. Christopher has High Functioning Autism and is a pupil at Dunfane Special School, Ballymena where I serve as a member of the Parents and Friends Group. Christopher is totally obsessed with trains and steam engines, and most Saturday’s he and I go to the Model Engineering Society Northern Ireland, in the grounds of the Transport Museum, Cultra, to “play” with engines. Christopher has become a respected member of the society, and can regularly be seen lighting up and driving a variety of locomotives belonging to the club or individual members.
My commitment to Autism NI is sincere and I foster a desire for all individuals with an ASD and their families living in Northern Ireland to get a fair deal. I feel that the only way to get this is to have it enshrined in law that is why I am determined to fight for a Northern Ireland Autism Act.
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