From Teen Mum to CEO: Kim Ashwin on Dyslexia, Parenting, and Leading with Lived Experience

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with KimAshwin, a neurodivergent leader, parent, and advocate who’s making real changethrough her work as CEO of Autism Oxford UK. We recorded this conversationright from the heart of Autism Oxford, and it’s one that really stayed with me.

Kim shared her powerful story — from being a teen mum tofounding an organisation that listens, validates, and supports neurodivergentindividuals and families. She was diagnosed with dyslexia at university, afteryears of struggling with reading and feeling like she just wasn’t trying hardenough. That diagnosis shifted everything for her. She told me how dyslexia isnow her leadership superpower, and how, without it, she wouldn’t be where sheis today.

She opened up about her parenting journey with her autisticand PDA daughter and how stepping back and “unparenting” became a complete gamechanger. Despite working within the NHS, Kim still faced judgment around herparenting — an experience many of us will sadly relate to. Her decision toleave the NHS was driven by her desire to support families in a way the systemwouldn’t let her, and that’s how Autism Oxford was born.

We spoke about the battle scars so many of us parents carryfrom having to fight for support, and the power of simply being listened to andbelieved. Kim talked about how services like SENDIASS helped her build theconfidence to advocate and how navigating these systems often means knowingmore than the system itself.

She also told me about her upcoming book, “From Teen Mumto CEO”, which she hopes will inspire others to believe in their potential,even when the odds feel stacked against them. And we talked about George theSensory Bus — a travelling, inclusive play space inspired by her dyslexic brainthat will soon be bringing joy to communities across the county.

Finally, we discussed the government’s recent plans to scrapEHCPs and what that could mean for families like ours.

Kim’s story is one of grit, transformation, and rewritingthe narrative. I left this conversation feeling deeply inspired, and I know youwill too.

Links:

Autism Oxford UK

Kim Ashwin

From Teen Mum to CEO