About Me

Amanda J. Flack grew up in Brighton alongside her younger disabled brother, who she describes as her guiding light. Her brother’s death shaped her life and set her on a path to a career in the Disability Movement. Amanda met her husband whilst studying at University and has called Colchester her home ever since. After finishing University, she worked for Essex Coalition of Disabled People (ECDP) where she campaigned for disability rights. Some of the changes achieved are still entrenched in U.K. equality laws. Amanda also played a fundamental part in establishing a pioneering Post-Graduate Course for Disabled People at Anglia Ruskin University. 

Amanda left ECDP to work as a freelance consultant when her daughter, the illustrator of 'Little Dino’s Autastic Gift', was born. Her freelance work has been wide and varied, influencing equality for disabled people at both a regional and national level. Amanda set up an Easy Read Transcription Service and is also frequently asked to consult on the accessibility of Health and Social Care documents. 

Amanda’s son was born and subsequently diagnosed with Autism. This led her to pursue her passion of working with disabled children. Amanda first taught at mainstream secondary school level and now tutors disabled children who are out of school and awaiting placement.

Amanda believes education is not just an entitlement, but something that should be treasured. She thinks every child should have an equal learning opportunity and that it should be delivered in a way that is relevant and accessible to them.

Amanda has always enjoyed reading and writing. Some of her favourite authors include George Orwell and Lewis Carroll. Her message is that we could all benefit from a little bit more ‘Wonderland’ in our lives’!

When I set out writing 'Little Dino's Autastic Gift', I had two aims:

1. To write a book my son would actually enjoy reading, that would empower him and be a source we could refer back to on the difficult days.

2. To fill the gap left by a clinical diagnosis and be something that would also be a useful tool for other families and professionals.

Well, I am happy to report that my son loves the book! I will leave you to judge if I have achieved the second of my aims!

Writing the book has taken me on a personal journey of discovery and renewed my faith in the power of humanity. I have met some truly gifted and beautiful people along the way. I will forever be grateful to everyone who has contributed to this chapter in my book and enabled me to find myself again and dispose of (some of) the self-doubts.

It's not always easy to walk the path of a parent, and it's very easy for a parent of a child with additional needs to become isolated from friends and support networks. 

I think it's important to remind ourselves that we are in this together. Our journeys might not be the same, but we are facing some of the same battles!