About Autism & ADHD

Annie’s story

13 years ago, Annie founded a social enterprise here in Ipswich to support those living or working with Autism and ADHD. It is now a thriving organisation that offers practical advice, support and training. Since its inception it has supported thousands of neurodivergent people, their families and professionals.

Annie’s association with Neurodivergence started long before the company was founded as back in 1992, Annie’s son Tom was born. At that time, very little was known about Autism and most people diagnosed with it were placed in long term, residential institutions away from their families and out of sight of social communities. Annie was determined that this was not going to happen to Tom, who was diagnosed at 2, is 24/7 care, and so alongside her husband Peter, became part of the first generation of parents who fought not only against exclusion and segregation but also for the recognition of rights of their Neurodivergent sons and daughters

Tom’s diagnosis was a catalyst for change in the Clements household. Somehow, they had become members of an exclusive club that they neither recognised nor applied to join. Hungry to learn anything and everything she could, Annie immersed herself within the world of special educational needs and disability, fighting for the rights of her own son and other disabled children and young people. She became actively involved with the Local and County Councils and the National Autistic Society and was soon involved in setting up initiatives that enabled parent’s voices to be heard and effective parent partnerships created.

Annie has never been one to conform to societal norms. If she sees a problem, she will try and fix it. If she sees a barrier, she will try to remove it or find a way around it. Applying the same drive and enthusiasm with regard to challenging the norm, she began to break down social barriers for people in her community. Tirelessly, she drives projects forward, making significant differences in thousands of people’s lives, not just here in Suffolk, but nationally and internationally. Her energy, enthusiasm and passion knows no boundaries, and according to her husband, if Annie joins a project, within 6 months, she’ll be running it due to her passion to be involved in change!

Annie’s background knowledge in marketing, business and banking, alongside Youth Work and Psychology, has supported her to establish and shape the not-for-profit Social Enterprise that is Autism and ADHD. Harbouring ideas of setting up a company that offered support, resolved problems and broke down social barriers faced by those with Neurodivergence, their families and those working in the sector, she signed up for a 1 year course at the Eastern Enterprise Hub at the University of Suffolk which she attended one day a week. Not having a plan, but finding herself surrounded by ‘can do’ people, she was positively encouraged to set up a Social Enterprise, that included having a fully Neurodivergent staff team. Much hard work and determination paid off and it all soon became a reality. Working with purpose, the company gained local recognition and very quickly went from strength to strength, winning a local Community Action Suffolk award and then a National Award for a youth project ‘We have a Voice’. This was a pivotal moment for the enterprise as it became a national and international platform for Autism and ADHD, the roots of which were built firmly on local and personal knowledge. This was then followed by recognition from the RSA that her innovative approach to how families needed to be supported actually influenced other organisations to follow her lead and so realised that small changes can have a wide reaching impact.

Annie now works regularly in an advisory capacity with families, in schools, colleges, universities and business alongside other professionals who support ND children, young people and adults. She has worked with the Armed Forces, Civil Service, has been involved in research projects and been regular visitor and keynote speaker at the University of Suffolk, the University of Essex and at international conferences. She has also been invited to consult with Lego as a play expert and was invited to a Garden Party to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace at a Third Sector Charity Day in recognition of her Work and the positive impact she has had for the neurodivergent community.

Annie would say that she often reflects on her journey thus far and when she is in meetings with CEO’s from internationally renowned companies such as Lego, Colgate, ETSY, The New York Times and Oxfam, she pinches herself, wondering what on earth she has done to gain a place at that particular table. Those that know her would say she is bold. She is not afraid to step outside of the norm. She takes risks, makes the journey, embraces difference, and never shies away from a challenge. She believes that change begins with the courage to acknowledge reality and her passion and integrity know no bounds. Annie’s sense of purpose comes straight from her heart, and this is what she invests in the culture of her work, and people would say she very deserving of a place at that table!

Despite all she has achieved, when you meet her, you will quickly see that her main priority is her family, who including herself, are all Neurodivergent, and who inspire her every day to make a difference for others at the beginning of their Neurodivergent journey. The fight for positive acceptance and inclusion is still huge, but Autism & ADHD, continues to be part of the this battle making differences every single day.