Alex Manners is an autism and neurodiversity speaker, Asperger’s Champion, presenter, author and accessibility advocate, who uses his lived experience to improve understanding and inspire positive change. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, at the age of 10, Alex experienced significant challenges throughout his education. He was bullied, struggled within a system that frequently failed to understand his needs and often felt that school was like a prison. While some teachers were unwilling to provide the support he required, his father continually fought to ensure Alex received the assistance to which he was entitled. Alex also worked with a child psychiatrist for two years and attended therapeutic clubs operated by a local autism charity, support that played an important role in his confidence and personal development.
Today, Alex has transformed those difficult experiences into a successful career dedicated to autism awareness, neurodiversity and inclusion. Through his own company, he delivers motivational and educational talks to businesses, law firms, banks, NHS Trusts, local authorities, charities, schools, colleges and universities throughout the UK and internationally. Alex has delivered presentations for organisations including Coca-Cola, Lloyds Banking Group, Shell Energy, Linklaters, Ford, B&Q and numerous NHS Trusts, sharing an honest account of what it is like to live, work and study with autism. His presentations combine personal stories, humour and practical advice, helping audiences understand sensory differences, communication, stress, special interests and the barriers autistic people may encounter.
Alongside his keynote speaking, Alex delivers neurodiversity interview training to police forces across the UK and serves on two railway accessibility panels, helping organisations improve their services for autistic and disabled people. He also supports the autism charity that helped him during childhood by volunteering at its therapeutic clubs. A lifelong football supporter, Alex completed his goal of visiting all 92 English Football League stadiums in 2019. He later founded his ‘Autism & Football’ campaign, encouraging clubs to make stadiums and matchdays more accessible. Alex has worked with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Swansea City, created a ‘Neurodiversity & Mental Health in Football’ online course, and filmed Solihull Moors home matches for BT Sport across two seasons.
Alex is also the author of ‘That’s Not Right! My Life Living with Asperger’s’ and ‘The Autistic 92’, which explores his journey around every English Football League stadium and the role football played in helping him navigate life as an autistic person. His broadcasting experience includes presenting a children’s radio programme for two years and appearing in Series 10 and 11 of Channel 4’s ‘The Undateables’. Rather than viewing autism as a limitation, Alex considers it one of his greatest strengths. His positive outlook, infectious enthusiasm and commitment to pursuing his passions encourage audiences to look beyond labels, celebrate individuality and never allow their circumstances to define what they can achieve.
