Get Autism Active

Dr Susan Crawford is an Autism Consultant who specialises in the development of movement skills for autistic children and adults. Originally qualified and working as a nurse and midwife, Susan was studying for a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Limerick when Susan’s only child, Tomás was diagnosed as autistic at the age of two. Tomas influenced and directed Susan’s passion as an autism advocate both personally and professionally. Susan went on to complete her PhD at the University of Limerick specialising in autism and motor impairment with the support of an Irish Research Council Scholarship. Susan became a faculty member at the University College Cork as a lecturer and researcher. Susan completed a Masters in Teaching and Learning. She received the President’s Award in 2014 for her work in promoting University-School-Community Collaboration especially in disadvantaged areas. In 2015, Susan became a Fulbright Scholar where she travelled to the University of San Francisco, to design and develop the Get Autism Active resource kit. She received the Digital Champion Award from the National Teaching and Learning Forum for the development of this resource. In 2016, Susan launched her own consultancy. To date Susan has provided training to Public Bodies, Private and Corporate Enterprises, Education, Health, Sports and Disability organisations globally. She highly published and addresses audiences all over the world. As an active fundraiser Susan has run several half and full marathons including in the Antarctic. With Tomás, they run, hike and travel extensively and in November 2023 completed the New York Marathon together. In 2019, they ran the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland promoting the autism awareness and autism active agenda.