Chair of Board of Directors

Parent

Retired School Principal

I am married to Alice, and we have three children, Andrew, Laura and Christopher.  Christopher has High Functioning Autism.

Christopher is totally obsessed with trains and steam engines, and most Saturdays he and I go to the Model Engineers Society Northern Ireland, in the grounds of the Transport Museum, Cultra, to work at and drive miniature steam engines.  Christopher has become a respected member of the society, and can regularly be seen lighting up and driving a variety of locomotives either his own or those belonging to the club or other individual members.

I have been involved with Autism NI since October 1998, five days after Christopher was initially diagnosed with ASD, 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 the communications 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.  From November 2005 I have been Vice Chairperson of the charity with a portfolio for Policy. In February 2011 I became Chairperson of the Charity.

Since its establishment I have chaired the Parents Autism Lobby.  This group represents all parents and carers in the AutismNI membership.  We have been very active in the fight for Legislation and against the lack of openness and transparency in government policy towards ASD.

My commitment to Autism NI is sincere and I foster a  very strong 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 and that is why I am constantly fighting for the Autism (NI) Act.

david@autismni.org

« Go Back