“Stephen was almost in crisis and it took quite a while to pull that around, and the difference in him now is huge.

“I will be asking our candidates how they can ensure that people with autism have their needs met in the right way, and for early interventions. When you’re asking for something reasonable, and you get small wins it helps you to stop being angry because you see that people are working with you.

“We got Hertfordshire to fund a pub group. It’s great, because it’s once a fortnight where young people can get together. There’s a lot of self-support that goes on within the pub groups. And if it’s facilitated by people who understand, they can stop a crisis before it happens.

“Being part of an NAS branch has allowed us to meet other people in similar situations, support one another and work together for real change in Hertfordshire. When we all hold our Campaign Coffee Morning it will be a great chance to tell people our stories and show how different the lives of people with autism can be.”

on holding a candidate coffee morning

on what candidates should know about living with autism