Marie Jevon, Director of Include ‘In’ Autism, leads with empathy, honesty, and a deep understanding of what it means to feel excluded. Here she shares how her lived experience has shaped a new kind of leadership rooted in connection, co-production, and a deep belief that every neurodivergent person deserves to be seen, heard, and truly included.
I’ve always believed in the power of care, connection, and community. My journey into this work wasn’t just a career choice, it was a calling shaped by years of feeling different, excluded, and unheard. Everything I’ve built has come from a place of lived experience, resilience, and love. It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has become part of a bigger purpose: to create spaces where neurodivergent people are seen, valued, and truly included.
I’ve always felt different. Even as a child, I often felt excluded and alone, even when I was surrounded by people. I learned to put on a show so that no one could see the real me, the overwhelm, the confusion, the need to make sense of a world that often felt too much. Deep down, I knew I was different, but I never understood why. It wasn’t until I was 56 that I finally received a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder. That brought so much clarity, but also a deep sadness for the years I spent feeling lost and unseen.
While working as a nursing home manager, I began volunteering in my spare time. It started in a small room with two parents who were looking for support. From there, Include In Autism was born. I’ve always had a natural connection with neurodivergent people. I understood the meltdowns, the shutdowns, the need to just be accepted as we are. I always wanted to make a difference, but I didn’t know how, until I began building this organisation from scratch. It wasn’t built with funding or fancy plans, it was built with passion, purpose, and my heart.
Over the years, my role has grown in ways I never thought possible. What began as a small support group has evolved into a fully established organisation offering outreach, in-reach, crisis support, respite, and children’s homes, each part shaped by real-life experience and the people we support. I now hold the role of Chief Executive of my own organisation, something I never imagined would happen. For so long, I was the one who was excluded, whose thoughts and suggestions were either dismissed or taken and used by others without acknowledgment. To now be leading something I built from the ground up, on my terms, is something I carry with a mix of pride and disbelief.
I’ve led projects rooted in co-production, accessibility, and empowering neurodivergent voices, because I know exactly what it feels like not to have one. Along the way, I’ve been incredibly lucky to receive several awards. Each one overwhelms me, because I never set out to be recognised. Winning the national award for Putting People First meant everything to me. It made me feel proud, not just of the work, but for staying true to what I believe in. People deserve to be seen, heard, and put first, because they are worthy of that, always.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep belief in dignity, connection, and the power of being human first. I don’t just bring knowledge, I bring passion and real-life stories that help others understand neurodivergence from a personal point of view. Whether I’m supporting someone in crisis, helping a young person find their voice, or mentoring a staff member, I always lead with empathy and honesty. We meet people where they are, without judgment, without trying to fix them. That’s when the real magic happens.
This work isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. If I can help others feel seen, safe, and valued, then I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.
