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Robyn Steward biographies
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Biog in 60 words
Robyn Steward has 10 disabilities including Autism. Robyn went to mainstream schools, Age 17 she started teaching teachers about autism, Robyn now works as a researcher at UCL (University College London) and the Wellcome Trust, as well as running freelance training Autism courses, she has written 2 books one is about safety for autistic women the other is about periods.
Biog in 100 words
Robyn Steward has 10 disabilities including Autism. Robyn went to mainstream schools, she was bullied and did not get any GCSE’s. Age 17 she started teaching teachers about autism, Robyn now works as a researcher at UCL (University College London) and the Wellcome trust, as well as running training courses, she has written 2 books one is about safety for autistic women the other is about periods. Robyn has a ongoing residency at Café OTO called Robyn’s Rocket. These are inclusive conscious gigs and feature a home made spaceship themed stage. Robyn plays trumpet through guitar pedals.
Robyn steward biog 1 A4 page August 2019
Robyn Steward (b.1986), has 10 disabilities including Autism, visual processing difficulties and cerebral palsy. She grew up in Suffolk, went to the local special educational needs unit within a local primary school. Robyn’s general development was very delayed. She learnt to speak through music, she attended a group called Musical keys. Her mum also played music to her a lot. Robyn was diagnosed as Autistic age 11.
In high school, Robyn was bullied and life was miserable. The ICT teacher greatly helped Robyn by being a listening ear. Computers had always been an interest for Robyn so after being moved on from school she went to further education college age 16. The freedoms that came with college life suited Robyn, giving her the autonomy to take breaks, listen to music, and eat a snack as needed. Later in her college years she was bullied again. She met a lecturer Dr Danusia Latosinski, who had recently set up a group within the College for students on the Autism spectrum. Robyn became part of the first group of students in the college to start training the staff about autism.
During a year at university Robyn took part in a volunteer mentoring scheme where she mentored an Autistic boy. People started offering Robyn work as a mentor. In 2008 Robyn became an ambassador for the National Autistic Society (NAS). Robyn spoke at the launch of the Autism Bill (now the Autism Act) at the House of Commons. Through her work with the NAS Robyn was asked to speak in the media. Robyn applied for a grant from the Charlie Bayne Trust. The trust paid for Robyn to visit one of the research projects in America that Robyn had commented on in the media and she spoke at University of California Los Angeles. In 2010 Robyn was invited to accompany Dr Wenn Lawson on a speaking tour of Australia.
Robyn also began making online surveys about topics she felt others in the Autism community may have thoughts on such as a survey on ‘Stimming’ (repetitive behaviour) that got 100 responses in 9 hours.
Robyn’s first book ‘The Independent Woman’s Handbook for Super Safe Living on the Autistic Spectrum’ was published in 2013 and has been translated into Russian.
This work was recognised when Robyn was joint awardee in 2015 of the National Autistic Societies Professional Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Individual on the Autism Spectrum. Robyn’s work within the media and publications was recognised again in 2018 when Robyn was listed in the 100 power list of the most influential disabled people in the UK.
Robyn was invited to become a Honorary Research Associate at University College London (UCL). This enabled Robyn to access the ethics committee and work with other researchers to make her online surveys .
In 2014 after a long hiatus Robyn took the cornet back up and joined a big band at Morley College under the direction of Tony Douglas MBE, through friends she made on the course Robyn came across the trumpet played Andy Diagram. Andy plays trumpet through guitar pedals and this became something Robyn wanted to try.
In 2017 Robyn became part of the Heart N Soul (an arts organisation) Artist Development Programme. In September 2018 Robyn was invited to bring her residency, ‘Robyn’s Rocket’ to Café OTO, one of the most respected experimental music venues in Europe. Subsequently Robyn gained funding and in 2019 she curated and played 3 Robyn’s Rockets.
In 2018 Robyn also was a member of the core team awarded the 2018-2020 Wellcome Hub Award. In 2019 Robyn’s 2nd book ‘The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods’ was published.
