241:, April 2013, the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Anna launched their 'Give Us a Break' campaign. This campaign aimed to raise awareness about the bullying of autistic children in school and colleges, particularly during break times, highlighted the need for autistic children to feel safe by providing them opportunities to indulge in positive activities and to encourage schools and colleges to share the ways they can improve their social skills and keep them safe too.
289:, for her services and campaigning work for autistic children. She won an award named, 'Woman of the Year' in 2009 which runs with the collaboration of The Observer and Smooth Radio. Kennedy received the Institute of Directors chairman's special award for her contributions to the community. She is the "Achieving Mum of the Year" of Tesco Mum of the Year Awards 2013 for her campaigning work for autistic children.
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school had places for 14 children, later increased to 63 places by 2002. The funding for places by the local authority was based upon the condition that parents of autistic children select this school as a suitable place for their special children's needs. Anna
Kennedy stood down from all school management in May 2013 leaving this to others. She now focuses exclusively on her charitable work.
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Kennedy is committed to inclusion and empowerment. A very popular part of what the charity does is offer free online legal seminars using fully qualified, practicing lawyers; these workshops are generally applicable autism and indeed all disabilities, their objective being to make what in legal terms
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She highlighted the activities that can keep children from bullying during lunch times. She also emphasised that there should be a strong communication between the parents and school which comes up with a 24-hour curriculum for the children to get a better idea about their behaviour all day and to
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children and young people. Volunteers were also coming out to help them, including carpenters, electricians and painters. Anna also approached the probation service for volunteers to come and help. Hillingdon Manor School for autistic children opened in 1999, with only 19 pupils. Initially, this
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It was difficult for Anna and Sean to find a suitable education for their eight-year-old; they started a support group in their home, which grew rapidly and was joined by 275 families. They remortgaged their house to raise funds to open a school with special educational needs for their children.
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Anna accepted a role as Patron in a bid to boost the profile of a charity called the Daisy Chain
Charity which helps support families with autistic children. She has visited Calf Fallow farm, the home of Daisy Chain, to meet staff and see for herself the work being done there.
164:
She has more than 100,000 online followers through her website including the parents of autistic children, professionals, media and those who are concerned with Autism. She is constantly creating awareness about Autism and making efforts to raise funds to continue their work.
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Anna is also a patron of Autism
Support Crawley, Kilmarnock Horse Rescue, Cheshire Autism Practical Support, Square Peg Foundation, Camp Mohawk Autism Early Support and an ambassador for Special Dreams Foundation, Autism Anglia Born Anxious, and Includability.
308:
Anna's story has been published in various magazines and newspapers, and appeared as 'pick of the day' an hour long Video Diary
Documentary on BBC. Anna's story and the work she has been involved with was also discussed in depth in an episode of The Autism Podcast.
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It was the first talent show organised by Anna on 12 May 2012. In this show, autistic children and adults performed on the stage at London's
Mermaid Theatre. A performance from James Hobley, an autistic dancer, was also included in this show who had appeared on
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A fitness DVD, 'Step in The Right
Direction' was a groundbreaking project which features a dance DVD, offering a clear picture of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). It has been launched in Birmingham at the British Institute of Learning Disabilities Conference.
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In 2009, Anna wrote a book named, Not Stupid which was about the struggle she had to set up the school for her kids. Based on the story of a mother who fights to rescue the lives of her children from autism this bestselling biography is available on Amazon.
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The space available here is fantastic and just what is needed as we move forward and develop the services Daisy Chain provides. I am really excited about coming on board at this stage of development."
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conditions. In pursuing these activities she has (among other things) helped establish two schools, a college, a respite home and a website with over 100,000 international followers.
119:. Before leaving for Italy, she had set up a dance school, which was owned and run by her for a number of years. She married Sean Kennedy who has been given a diagnosis of
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Kennedy's focus is now exclusively on her charity work, this includes working with others in the autism and neurodiversity community. In 2023 Anna worked with
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Anna and her husband prepared a feasibility report to convert a local school, which was apparently due to be demolished, into a school for
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campaigner who has worked to provide improved education and other services and support for children and adults described as being on the
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in 2012 for her services. Kennedy is the special education correspondent of the psychology website
Psychreg. She speaks fluent Italian.
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background. They have two sons, Patrick and Angelo; when the boys reached school age, Anna
Kennedy discovered that they are
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252:, was invited to the official opening of a special school set up by Anna Kennedy with others in Kent, South East London.
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181:(NSPCC) and Child line with regards to the disability bullying issue and create awareness about autism all over the UK.
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Anna
Kennedy hosts a weekly show on Women's Radio Station in addition to a monthly show on Gateway 97.8 FM.
885:"The Autism Podcast: The Autism Podcast – Episode 6 – Interview with Anna Kennedy OBE! on Apple Podcasts"
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In 2001, Anna also set up a community college for adults. The former Prime
Minister's wife,
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on producing the document: "Stop and Search guidance for autistic people".
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Also a committee member of LOANI, Ladies Of All Nations International Group.
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Kennedy was given an OBE (Royal Reward for Inspirational Mother) Award by
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Samantha Cameron officially opened Anna's second school in Bromley, Kent
845:"Autism campaigner to pick up honorary degree from Teesside University"
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213:"This is really very good, I am very impressed," she said afterwards.
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to Maria and Antonino Sammarone, she studied at Sacred Heart School
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Anna appeared on the BBC's Peoples Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.
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National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children people
741:"Samantha Cameron opens new school set up by Middlesbrough mum"
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779:"Royal Reward for Inspirational Mother by Queen Elizabeth II"
622:"Dance DVD by Anna Kennedy to help kids effected with Autism"
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prevent them getting mixed messages by parents and teachers.
329:"Autism School by Mum of the year award winner Anna Kennedy"
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National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
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355:"Anna Awarded by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace"
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720:"Anna Kennedy: Raising autistic children is demanding"
296:, the university most associated with her hometown of
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In 2013 Anna was awarded an honorary doctorate from
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762:"Stop and Search – Guidance for Autistic People"
749:…It was great to have Samantha at Baston House.
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431:"Anna mortgaged her house to open the school"
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680:"Campaigns for Autistic Children by Anna"
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682:. Anti-Bullying Alliance. Archived from
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624:. Special Needs Jungle. 31 October 2011.
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932:Special education in the United Kingdom
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57:Disability/ neurodiversity campaigner.
861:. Baston house school. Archived from
795:. Baston house school. Archived from
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604:"Anna Kennedy's Biography at Amazon"
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177:Anna also provides training for the
462:"School for special needs children"
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66:https://www.annakennedyonline.com/
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821:. Tesco Magazine. Archived from
638:. Tesco Magazine. Archived from
544:. Tesco Magazine. Archived from
488:"Anna's 50,000 online followers"
464:. Tesco Magazine. Archived from
404:. Tesco Magazine. Archived from
331:. Tesco Magazine. Archived from
169:appears complicated look simple
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636:"Talent Show Organized by Anna"
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16:Special education campaigner
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859:"Anna's Documentary on BBC"
819:"Achieving Mum of the year"
586:"Biography of Anna Kennedy"
542:"Autism awareness campaign"
260:Metropolitan Police Service
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10:
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793:"Chairman's special award"
662:"Give Us a Break campaign"
490:. Net Mums. Archived from
76:(born 12 March 1960) is a
947:People from Middlesbrough
285:by Queen Elizabeth II at
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283:Queen's Birthday Honours
942:British women activists
514:"AKO – Online Workshop"
277:Kennedy was awarded an
147:Hillingdon Manor School
781:. Baston house school.
706:"Issues faced by Anna"
402:"Autism support group"
239:Autism Awareness Month
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373:"Dr Anna Kennedy OBE"
131:from a working class
123:. Sean is practicing
568:"Not Stupid by Anna"
227:Britain's Got Talent
294:Teesside University
686:on 6 November 2013
97:Queen Elizabeth II
865:on 13 August 2013
799:on 13 August 2013
726:. 24 April 2012.
287:Buckingham Palace
220:Autism Got Talent
127:and is also from
121:Asperger syndrome
101:Buckingham Palace
88:as well as other
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869:24 February
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646:24 February
552:24 February
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339:24 February
205:Daisy Chain
911:Categories
608:John Blake
590:John Blake
572:John Blake
316:References
186:Not Stupid
107:Early life
78:disability
54:Occupation
35:1960-03-12
125:barrister
48:, England
724:Metro UK
377:Psychreg
173:Training
153:autistic
137:autistic
111:Born in
745:Gazette
281:in the
237:During
62:Website
383:15 May
273:Awards
765:(PDF)
304:Media
896:2019
871:2014
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29:Born
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