2024 interview with Shirelle Stewart, the National Director for the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland.  

Shirelle explores her role within the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland since 2008 when she joined, focusing on her personal motivations, her roles in the charity, and the development of the National Autistic Society in Northern Ireland. The interview covers policies and campaigns and programmes that she has worked on such as ‘I exist’ , ‘You need to Know’, ‘Skills for Life’ ‘Support for life’  ‘broken promises’ ‘A star for autism’ ‘Don’t write me off’, as well as discussing the importance of opening centres and branches across Northern Ireland to better support autistic individuals and their families.  

Shirelle discusses the changes over the years and positive impacts that have been made for autistic people and their families in Northern Ireland, the key partnerships and collaborations that have supported this and ends with stating the importance of continued improvement.

In our Words is a place to share different experiences and viewpoints from the National Autistic Society’s history. Opinions expressed are those of the person sharing their story, and this does not indicate they are the views of the National Autistic Society.