dan bird: living with autism name: daniel bird age / live: 24 / prestwich, manchester sports: tennis...
TRANSCRIPT
Dan Bird:Living with Autism
Name: Daniel BirdAge / Live: 24 / Prestwich, ManchesterSports: Tennis and RunningWork: Gym Instructor / Sports CoachStudying: 3rd Year BA Honours Sports Coaching and School Sports Degree
Age 5: Primary School
Sport has changed me as a person because it's given me a chance to develop my social skills while being active. (To manage my Autism).
Age 18 (Final Year): Alderwasley / Callow Park College
Since the age of 5: I have been diagnosed with Autism and Severe Receptive & Expressive Speech & Language Disorder.
At Primary: I was anxious about talking to people and I was worried about change!!
What is Autism?Signs Of Autism:• Understanding Social Interaction Skills / Literal Meaning
–Speaking, Listening, Eye Contact, Language Processing
•Classic Autism – likely to have learning development delays in the brain. •High Functioning Autism – can have keen interest in certain areas (Developing special talents / high ability in chosen areas)
The Autism Spectrum:•Autism Speech and Language Disorders
(High – Severe)
My Experience of Autism
Day to Day Difficulties:
• People can’t see my Autism (Learning Disorder)
• I have difficulties with (Processing Incoming Information)
• Social Interaction – (Group Discussion)
• Communication Understanding (I’m a Visual Learner)
• I may stutter in my speech (If Anxious)
Positives:
• Being who I am,
• Kind and Caring (Understanding people with disabilities)
• Developed my Independence when I’ve been away from home
• Highly Motivated in everything I do (Sports and Career).
Alderwasley Hall SchoolLiving in Derbyshire - (Age 10-18)
My School Football Team Won the Learning Disabilities
Midlands League
Speech & Language Therapy:
Improved Communication, Language Processing, and Life Skills.
How Good Parents and Autism Changed my Learning: I put good stress pressure on myself to go the extra mile (Perfectionist) (Achieved - B Grade in Maths GCSE)
Why I chose the Specialist School:Mainstream School Life: (Large Crowds & Lack of Specialist Support!!). Specialist School Life: (Suitable Class Size & More Support!!).
SUPPORT: Checking Understanding, Helpful TA’s, Realistic Targets,
Regular Learning Breaks, Relaxed Group Environment, Enough Space.
Queen Alexandra College Living in Birmingham (Age 18-21)
Education: BTEC Sport Level 2 & 3 Diplomas (Double Distinction Grade) Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths, English and ICT Learnt Makaton Sign Language and Braille (Passed Stage 1)
Experience at QAC: 2011 Successful Year as (Student Councillor) 2012 Student Ambassador for QAC
Sport Experience at QAC: I set up a Lunchtime Running Club (Coach) 6x Total Cycling – 3x Bikes in 24 Hour Spinning Challenge (£1200) Many Inclusive Sports (Sports Hall / Outdoor Sports) Visit Wembley, Twickenham, Wimbledon Finals Day
The Manchester College University Life at Home (Age 22-Present)
Education: Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching (Distinction Grade) 2015/2016: 3rd Year - BA Honours Degree
Sports Coaching and School Sports
CPD Experience at The Manchester College:
2013-Present (Student Representative) 4 Month Work Experience (PE Assistant):
Elms Bank Specialist College (Portfolio = 90%)
Support Required: Notetaker (NAS Personal Assistant) Study Coach (Weekly Session to Help) Olympus Dictaphone Recorder Dragon Headset (Talk into Words) Claro-read Software (Reading Words) Inspiration Mindmap Software (Ideas) Extra Time on Work Deadlines and Exams
Special Achievement:Higher Education
Student Of The Year Award 2015
My Volunteering
Special Volunteer Achievements:
Nominated - Bury’s Volunteer of the Year Award (2008 & 2012)
Bury Sports Development (2007-2014 Holiday Terms)Assistant Coach - Multi Sport Camps Indoors & Outdoors to Young Children (Groups of 15-30)
My Benefits: 1) Having Fun in Sport, 2) Confidence Meeting New People, 3) Team Member.
Jigsaw Charity – Group Assistant (Started April 2012)
Social and Sporting Activities for Disabled People (13-30 Year Olds).
e.g. Pizza Express, Bowling, Walking, Athletics, Aerobics, Basketball, Boccia, Kurling and GYM.
InstructAbility Programme (July – September 2015):
Level 2 Gym Instructor / Level 3 Exercise & Disability
12 Weeks at Bury Castle Leisure Centre Gym (Summer)
Sport England – Granted Paid Work with
2x Disability Groups (Until December 2015)
My Sporting Interest:Tennis & Running
•Tennis - Under 17’s singles competitions: Three times when I was 14,15 and 16 . 1st & 2nd attempt - Runner up in finals,
ON MY 3rd ATTEMPT… (I WON!!) •Won the Prestwich Tennis Open 2007
I Started Running at 14. “I’ve Loved Running Ever Since”.
Running Records:
My 1st Marathon in Manchester (2012)
Time:
Position: 50th out of 575040th in Age Category
Charity: Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Money Raised: over £2000
Qualified for 2013 London Marathon!! (Good For Age Category Under 3:10 Hrs)
The Honour to Carry the Olympic Torch 24th June
Torch Relay: Marsh, Huddersfield, YorkshireNominated: Volunteering, My Sports Passion
London 2012 Torch Bearer ExperienceMy Torch Day Schedule:• 10am Meet Torch Bearers• 11am Intro on Olympic Bus• 11:45am Share Our Stories• 12:17pm MOMENT TO SHINE!!• 12-2pm (Marsh – Halifax)• 2:30pm Press Photos (Town Hall)• 3-5pm Meet QAC Supporters (In Park)Crowds (40,000)
Special Achievements:•Running (Swinton RC):Best Newcomer 2009Most improved Runner 20115 Full Marathons (All Under 3 Hours)
Bury Sports Awards:Nominated - Volunteer of the Year Award (2008 & 2012) Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year (2012 & 2014)Prestwich Special Recognition Award (2013)
London 2012 Olympic Torch BearerHigher Education Student Of The Year 2015 – The Manchester College
What I Think About My Disability Now?
•I find my condition tough, but I don’t let it become a barrier for my future.•I have a positive attitude to overcome anything that gets in my way. •I give 100% into everything I do. And with my passion for sport it has been volunteering which has benefited me and the community.
My Future:Education: 2016: Finish 3rd Year of Sports Coaching Degree
Work: Continue - Sports Coaching (Holiday Sports Camps) Progress - Specialist Disability Gym Instructor 2017: PE Teacher (In Specialist Education Schools)
Sporting Goals: Overall Improve Personal Bests Marathon Elite Level (2:30hrs) Famous Marathons Abroad
Please Come and Visit Me at the Gym
You Can Go Anytime: (To Be Confirmed?..)Thursday (10am-3pm), Friday (10am-3pm), Sometimes Weekends
You can contact the centre to book a visit or gym induction (Fitness Centre Number: 0161 253 6516 or 0161 253 7000)
Bury Directory Page: (Autism Role Model as Exercise & Disability 'Gym Helper'
at Bury Castle Leisure Centre)
‘Living with Autism Video’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbjsUuWDQ50
Bury Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton St, Bury, BL9 0EZ