02/09/2024
Meet one of trainers, Nicholas Fern. Nicholas is a successful freelance journalist from south Wales. His patch is reporting on technology and business. Diagnosed as autistic with OCD and an anxiety disorder aged 14, his difficulties with neurotypical socialising became evident when he arrived at secondary school, where he found understanding social cues, emotions and sarcasm didn't come naturally. He explains how this impacts his working life:
"I have found large offices - and being around people I don't know - difficult as well as the loud noises in the office. As a journalist if I go to a conference or an event and there are big crowds, I become really socially awkward and struggle to make small talk. In my career I have been able to focus on particular areas of my autistic interest - for example the latest trends in technology and - and this this has been fundamental to my success of my career. I've very persistent. Some people think I'm annoying and a nag but I just want to get stuff done."