Jude was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at age eleven. He faced his challenges with the help of a supportive family and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. After graduation, Jude worked with a wide range of service user groups and currently works as a social worker specializing in the care of older people and Dementia patients. Jude’s life changed with the birth of his son Ethan as it brought with it parenting challenges that seemed overwhelming initially. His memoir “Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?” is an account of his life experiences growing up with Asperger's and becoming a parent. His book has quickly become an Amazon bestseller. Jude also campaigns and advocates for those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

How and when did you decide to write your memoir “Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?”J: I wrote the book over a period of eight months starting from September 2018 until March 2019. At home one evening, Ethan and I were reflecting on the journey we had together and the challenges we had overcome together. As Ethan was only 5 at the time, he didn’t know the full extent of my torment in his earliest years. We were speaking about my old house, my old job and how things were when he was small. When I wrote down all of the challenges I had in my early adulthood and chronicled them all in the form the book is in now. I also realised in the middle of writing the book that there really isn’t a lot of support for adults like me living with Autism. I was very lucky to have the best support network in the world in my best friends and family. I wanted Ethan to know who his Dad was and where I had been in my early life.

What have been the biggest changes in your life after becoming a parent?J: When Ethan was born it was a huge life change, as it is for every new parent. I had become so reliant on routine that the variety a baby brings affected me greatly. Ethan awakened, ate and slept at different times and I didn’t have a coping strategy for this. I knew I was incredibly vulnerable as a child and now I was responsible for my own child’s wellbeing and safety. It was very overwhelming at first.

What challenges did you face during your school days? What or who motivated you to face those challenges?J: I didn’t mix well with other children, I was often physically and verbally aggressive if people weren’t doing what I expected of them. I had a very fixed way of doing things, especially in sports or group activities so I couldn’t really work well within a group. I was academically gifted but I just couldn’t communicate and express myself in a healthy way.

What activities you and your son Ethan love to do together for fun?J: Ethan is full of fun. He has masses of energy rivalled only by the Atomic Bomb and loves adventures. We would play in the park and he loves his bike. We play games at home and draw together. I don’t have an artistic bone in my body but Ethan has many. He likes bright colours and displaying his artwork around the house. We have travelled abroad a few times and he loves swimming pools. We recently went on holiday to Mallorca and he played in the swimming pool constantly.

What are your other hobbies?J: I loved marathon running but my time commitments and public engagements prevent me from running the hills and the valleys. I have recently taken up table soccer (Subbuteo) and I have become obsessed with it! I have purchased custom teams and even played in tournaments locally! I have a huge interest in history and have become somewhat of a Titanic/White Star Line expert. When I become interested in a particular topic, I have to know absolutely everything about it. I would attend Derry City FC games with my Dad when I can and I have a great relationship with my Mum, who also happens to be my soulmate. My girlfriend Penny and I would go on our own adventures too! She is very much a people person and helps me to mix with others. It is a vital role and I’m grateful to her for it! I mix well with people I know and going to rooms full of strangers can be incredibly unnerving for me. Luckily Penny is a calming presence for me.

What is your favorite place that you would like to visit and why?J: I would love to visit Samoa. My literary hero Robert Louis Stevenson moved there and is buried there. I would love to visit his grave at the top of Mount Vaea to thank him for opening up my heart to books. It also happens to be a tropical island with much more favourable weather than Ireland!

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?J: I would tell every parent with an Autistic child to share their child’s passions. Einstein as an Autistic child loved physics and the universe, had he been told to stop or fall into line with other children we may not have his beautiful theory of relativity that defines our whole universe. The most influential people in human history have most likely been Autistic; Michaelangelo, Mozart, Stanley Kubrick and myself (hehe).

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who want to explore creative writing?J: Write how you feel, not what you think others would want to read. Tell YOUR story. Autistic people don’t use their voices anywhere near enough.

Any special message for our community?J: Autism is a gift to be cherished, not a burden to be pitied.