We marked Neurodiversity Celebration Week with a powerful and heartfelt visit from actor and autism advocate Bradley Riches, who spoke to the Lower School about his lived experiences and his forthcoming book, Autistically Me: How to Understand & Celebrate Our Autistic Minds. His talk proved both inspiring and deeply insightful, offering students an authentic window into the diverse ways autistic people experience and communicate with the world.
Riches, who grew up non‑verbal, shared moving reflections from his childhood. “I always thought I was shut off from the world and that I didn’t communicate at all,” he said. “Growing up I realised being nonverbal doesn’t mean I never communicated. It means I communicated in ways that aren’t always spoken by words but instead through movements, sounds, expressions, and so much more.”
He described experiencing the world differently—often feeling, as he put it, “like I was on the outside looking in… an alien in a world that wasn’t built for me.” Acting eventually became his way to express what words could not, a path he credits with transforming his life. “I’m proud to show that autistic people are more than stereotypes—we are individuals with unique voices, even if they don’t always come in the form YOU expect,” he told students.
Riches is working with Autistica UK to challenge misconceptions and promote genuine understanding, pushing for a future where autistic people are understood, accepted, and valued—not just tolerated—by 2030.
Throughout the week, students across RGS took part in activities celebrating neurodiversity, including a vibrant noticeboard featuring personal reflections from neurodiverse students. The Library Team also curated an excellent range of book recommendations showcasing neurodiverse characters and stories, helping to continue the conversation about representation, empathy and acceptance.