Bio - Patrick Saunders

Patrick Saunders is helping reshape Autism education. 

Just 16, Patrick is a non-speaking Autistic advocate who has ADHD Scoliosis, Apraxia and Developmental Coordination Disorder which affects his motor planning and how he moves. In 2024, he became the first non-speaking individual to address South Australia’s Parliament via letterboard, proposing an Autism and Neurodiversity Academy of Excellence to revolutionise teacher training through lived experience. His ideas have earned him a $10,000 scholarship, influenced the National Autism Strategy, and led to meetings with key political leaders. Patrick spells to communicate in webinars, radio interviews, podcasts, and international conferences, and he recently launched The Story Speller platform. His work equips educators with neuro-affirming strategies and supports inclusive environments for Autistic students.

Patrick loves to spell, bushwalk, listen to and watch music, swim and move. Patrick is currently working on building his various business enterprises, collaborating with leaders, fiercely advocating for other nonspeakers globally for their human rights and dreaming of becoming the first nonspeaking hiking guide in the world. 

You might remember Patrick from when he cycled a bicycle across America with his mum and dad and from the ABC podcast The Parenting Spectrum.

If you would like to contact Patrick or collaborate on something, please head to his website thestoryspeller.com. 

The Story Speller is a website where Patrick shares experiences and stories about non-speaking autism using spelling to communicate. 

A list of some of Patrick's achievements: 

• Awarded a $10,000 education scholarship for Teen presentation in Parliament about autism and education.

• Member of the SA State Government Disability Ministers Advisory Council

• Finalist for the Ch7 Young Achiever Awards - Create Change Award category.

• Member of SA Teen Parliament Minister for Education Council

• Regular Reframing Autism content creator

• International and Australian presenter (including SA Government Department for Education)

• Appeared on the ABC BTN TV program about his life and nonspeaking autism.

• Interviewed on ABC Radio several times

• Presenter of the Award Winning 8-part ABC Podcast series about Autism and Family Life called The Parenting Spectrum

• Appeared on the Front Cover of Australia’s largest Disability Magazine - Link

• Featured in Virgin Airlines magazine and online entertainment for The Parenting Spectrum Podcast

• Cycled 5600 kms across America with his parents and hiked extensively with nonspeakers in the USA

• Attended the World’s largest Nonspeaking Autism Conference in Virginia, USA in 2024 and 2025

• Various advisory groups including Children with Young People and Disability - Inclusive Education Focus group

• Hiked the Triple Crown on the Appalachian Trail with two nonspeakers from Massachusetts, USA 

• Hiked in the Rocky Mountains, Appalachians, White Mountains and Adirondacks in the USA

• Walked the Yurrebilla Trail in stages (56 kms)

• Cycled the Mawson Trail in South Australia on a semi recumbent tandem

• Content Contributor for Autism From The Inside - 25 Autistic Speakers Series, 2025

• Volunteer National Parks SA, Department for Environment and Water, 2025

• Walking SA Ambassador, 2025

• Established www.thestoryspeller.com (an advocacy blog about nonspeaking autism)

• Started an Instagram account: www.instagram.com/iamthestoryspeller/

(Please Note: This page is a work in progress and will be constantly updated)