In this inspiring episode of NDV Podcast, I am joined by Alex Richardson, a 22-year-old autistic ambassador for the National Autistic Society. Diagnosed at the age of five and told about his autism at ten, Alex shares his journey growing up autistic—from lining up his toy cars in colour order to thriving as a young adult raising awareness for autism.
Alex opens up about the challenges he faced, including sensory struggles, bullying at school, and difficulty fitting in. Despite these obstacles, he had a supportive family who embraced his autism and used role-play to help him navigate difficult situations. Alex reflects on his achievements, including completing college, getting his driver’s license, getting a job he loves, and driving a van (which left me amazed!).
As an advocate, Alex has used his voice to make spaces more inclusive, including at Reading FC and music festivals. His awareness video, My Autism Journey, has reached over 6,000 views on YouTube, and he’s been featured on radio and TV, sharing his story and advice.
In this episode, Alex discusses the importance of being open about autism for mental health, seeing autism as a positive influence rather than a disability, and offering heartfelt advice for others: “Talk to your friends and family—they can support you better.”
Join us as Alex shares his empowering story of resilience, acceptance, and advocacy. Whether you’re autistic, a parent, or just curious to learn more, Alex’s story is one you won’t want to miss.
Inside our autistic minds:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47
Unmasking my autism:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k31t
Reading FC:
Follow Alex on social media:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexrichardsonautism/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexrautism
X: https://x.com/alexrautism