Ryan Hendry talks Autism & ADHD

15.11.25, Edenmore House Grateful to our amazing photographer Stephanie who has sent us through some preview images to enjoy!

@Ankaman616 Going to be lots of very confused people this summer wondering why on earth there's a football in the fridge

If you see me with one of these over the summer, don't ask questions...

@Carolin55162028 @AlanStout19 Parents also getting labelled as "pushy" for trying to get their kids support in education is also an increasing problem, I've noticed.

@AlanStout19 Parents are being blamed. Sent to "parental" courses, to deal with behaviour when all some need is intervention with the children and young people! Between the trusts and organisations it's awful. They deny its parent blaming of course.... its just courses to help.

I genuinely can’t remember the last referral I made that didn’t bounce back. The solution seems to be creating higher and higher hurdles when everyone else involved knows there is a problem. ‘Breaking point’ is understating it from only one part of the total service

@AlanStout19 Alan, when you say "bounce back", what does that mean, out of interest?

And those who are, as you say, "successfull" are getting diagnosed in their 40's and 50's, because they have just been completely burnt out and left to cope on their own, due to the failure of the system to identify this person earlier. This idea of someone appearing to be "doing okay" is a worrying one IMO, because you are then waiting until people completely burn out before trying to seek help. To me, it seems like waiting until someone is drowning before offering swimming lessons. I appreciate that the resources are perhaps not there and that it's a complex issue and there's no perfect solution but the argument that the "most deserving" get help first also unintentionally implies there are those out there who don't really deserve help either and it's those attitudes historically that have led to so many of those late diagnosed people being missed for so long, IMO.

@AlanStout19 There is an issue at the moment that the spectrum has become so wide that it can encompass many professionals and successful people, right over to non-verbal kids with severe disabilities. I do sympathise that we need to focus resources on those most that need.

@AdamJoseph A big thing that appeals to me is Carrick's calmness and composure. We've seen a lot of managers (and players) come to OT and find the spotlight and the sheer level of scrutiny very difficult to deal with. Carrick's coolness is a very appealing part of his appointment.

Michael Carrick to lead Manchester United forward. Once we have the in depth story of what has happened behind the scenes, what the process looked like, the work done on other candidates & what was decided with them, it will all make this picture clearer. Right now, Carrick makes sense to lead the club forward. Is he the perfect candidate? No, that doesn't exist. Is he the ideal candidate? No, none of the world's leading coaches are available. So you pick the person who is logical in this moment. That is him. The timing means can make the address to the home crowd on Sunday after Forest. Players know who will lead them. Signings will know who they will play for. The recruitment is the most important part of the summer, but Carrick will need his staff bolstered too. I understand the fear, I have it. I understand the risk, every candidate had them. The club has never been better placed post-2013 to support their man, now they need to get to work to make sure he has the best tools to work with in players & staff. One to do item ticked off, with plenty left before the start of next season. He deserves all of our backing.

@Lwazi_____ @AdamJoseph I'd have been astonished had Alonso even been interested, especially as he has potential designs on the Liverpool job. To be honest, as mentioned, there's no perfect candidate. I'd have loved Luis Enrique, but he's not leaving PSG.

@AdamJoseph There’s be no reports of any contact, If Xabi is saying he’s available now, do you not hear him out? Or Iraola when he said he’s not staying (Not saying these guys are the solution) It would be like the Glazers to make a cheap and easy appointment

Without wanting to sound rude I don't particularly need to have Autism explained to me in how it works. It's not about a need to eccentricity to be "labelled", as you say. It's about Autistic People being recognised as such, and being given the appropriate support and environment we need. Trust me, no one is seeking a diagnosis as an adult because everything's going well. Many adults only start the formal diagnostic process when their life has begun to, or already has, got to a point where they cannot properly cope anymore and need support. Earlier recognition and support will stop people from getting to this burnout stage.

@RyanTalksAutism Autism is on a spectrum, some will be lucky and will be a little different but gifted, others who are less fortunate will be almost off the scale. The point is that the incidence of autism hasn’t increased, the need for eccentricity to be labelled & treated has.

ADHD/autism is not necessarily a problem, it can be a gift. Having unique talents sets the ADHD individual out from the crowd. There are many folk with less diverse talents than those shown who make major contributions to society. ADHD should be appreciated & used not treated.

@debrap112012 @Jenny_1884 I respectfully suggest that said Principal is perhaps not especially clued up on ADHD, because this is demonstratably untrue.

@Jenny_1884 My grandsons school principal ( all boys school) said all boys have ADHD at some part of their life. It’s called being a boy!

Schools receive extra funding for children with special needs for example ADHD, Autism & Anxiety. Children with special needs get at least 25% extra time in order to complete their exams. Is this why schools & parents are keen to put a label on the children?

This idea that you just apply for a 'label' and hey presto you get all of these things is just a nonsensical fantasy.

@RyanTalksAutism For the purposes of ALT image descriptions the images are of Ryan with his family at his last event at Stormont (for a while) as he moves to new opportunities with his lovely wife… good luck and don’t forget us or to alt in future! 😉🤣💕

@joanne_sansome 🫣 i'm a clown!

Not a bad way to celebrate 10 years of advocacy in Northern Ireland. Delighted to have been given the opportunity to speak about my experiences at the Independent Reviewer of Autism's first Annual Report. Lots of work to do, but this report sets out a roadmap. Hopefully the path it has set out will be followed. Thank you to Ema for giving me this opportunity, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working with her over this past few years.

@mgtruth @Frances_Coppola To be honest the report is just laying bare the current state of affairs, something we've all known for a long time. First step in addressing a problem is identifying it, and this report goes a long way in doing so. (I'm one of the panelists, for context!)

@Frances_Coppola It’s one bright light after this report yesterday. I was shocked to find out there wasn’t already legislation offering free sign language tbh.

Good news!

@CircleCaring They were indeed! I specifically made sure my nephew Ethan was also in attendance, as a non-speaking 6 year old. The issues faced by those with complex care needs have been highlighted!

Amazing to see this, we do hope that Nonspeaking Autistic people & their families views where also included in this report & at the event 😁

@joanne_sansome @DannyDonnelly1 @AutismReviewer Sorry I missed you Joanne! Bron was telling me she was chatting to you, (and to be fair she is much better company than I am ha), hope you are keeping well!

@DannyDonnelly1 @RyanTalksAutism @AutismReviewer Yes good luck in your new job Ryan sorry I only got to speak to your lovely wife and not you too 💕 safe travels! Stay in touch!

The @AutismReviewer’s first annual report was launched at Stormont this afternoon. The report is shocking and highlights concerning gaps in services for people with autism and their families. Read the report here - autismreviewer-ni.org.uk/publications/a…

@JulieEGilmour I'll still be back sometimes just to keep you all on your toes!

@RyanTalksAutism Wishing you and Bronwen all the very best for the next chapter. We will miss you x

Anyway, that's the flat empty, the van packed and our entire life's possessions on it's way across the Irish Sea. Still can't believe that 31 years of living here comes to an end tomorrow night.

@Cheesewright3 Thanks Ian. Been a long time coming, lot of mixed emotions today as well!

@RyanTalksAutism Best wishes for the move Ryan. We were away for 15 years and many of our greatest times were across the water.