Adam Harris, founder of autism charity AsIAm has been awarded the 2014 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Elevator Award worth €30,000.
In the past six months the AsIAm website has received over 17,000 visitors and launched a ‘Back to School’ Awareness Handbook – a tool for parents and teachers to deliver more effective lessons for those with the condition.
AsIAm.ie is soon to rollout a workshop to over 200 schools across the country and launch an employer’s awareness programme.
Adam was born with Aspergers Syndrome, a condition on the high-functioning end of the Autism Spectrum.
He considers himself extremely fortunate, having benefitted from early intervention, allowing him to lead an extremely full life today.
Despite this positive result, he remained conscious of those that were unlikely to receive such support, and felt that he had a duty to give back to the community.
Having completed his Leaving Certificate in the summer of 2013, Adam was all set to embark on a BA in Social Studies at University College Dublin.
However, six weeks in, he left his course to follow a different path deciding instead to dedicate himself fully to autism charity AsIAm which he launched in March 2013.
AsIAm.ie was established with the goal of encouraging a society of inclusion.
“It does this through education, empowerment, advocacy, and community participation.
The online platform allows the Autism community across Ireland to communicate with each other, sharing knowledge and advice.”
Adam wants AsIAm to be “the one stop shop” for people affected by Autism in Ireland.
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