Work Is a Winding Path

Gillian Rogers recorded on 18/09/2024

Gillian Rogers is a retired GP and a member of the Royal College of General Practice. She is also the Founder and CEO of Autism Arena CIC, a non-profit community interest company set up to help families of autistic children navigate health & social care, education and leisure.

Gillian took medical retirement from the NHS after having a stroke 10 years ago. A mum of 3, a carer of autistic and neurodivergent children, she also has an acquired neurodiversity.

In Lockdown, when home-schooling, Gillian noticed her son was behaving differently and had some learning challenges. On checking the diagnostic criteria for autism, she realised that she needed to refer her son to be assessed for autism.

It was through doing that Gillian realised there was no easy way for non-doctors to access the information required to work out what to do for autistic child. Rather than every family having to go through a torturous process, she decided there had to be an easier way, and it would be very beneficial to others to share her knowledge skills and experience.

At the bottom of everything was a child who needed the right support to be able to reach their potential.

Gillian has set up a non-profit community interest company (CIC) to help families be stronger advocates for their children. She is delighted to have been awarded National Lottery Community Funding towards this work.

She’s created a website, organised online peer support sessions, educational webinars and attended events in schools to support families. Gillian also provide individual consultations for families and she says, “I have had lovely feedback, where my advice has made a difference to people's lives”.

To work with Gillian go to: www.autismarena.org.uk