Yenn Purkis

Autistic & ADHD Advocate | Author | Speaker

Yenn Purkis is an Autistic and ADHD, non-binary, Asexual advocate and author. They also have a diagnosis of atypical schizophrenia and anxiety. Yenn has been a disability advocate since 2005 when their first book, the autobiography Finding a Different kind of Normal, was accepted for publication. Yenn has worked as the Deputy CEO External Relations in the Disability Leadership Institute as well as being the accessibility manager for Rebus Theatre and was a public servant for 17 years.

Yenn is a prolific author, having written or co-authored 18 published books. They have been giving presentations since 2002 and have presented all over the world including for TEDx Canberra twice. Yenn is a sought after presenter with a wealth of experience.

Submit Your Speaking Request

Topics

Talking Points

  • Disability

  • Neurodiversity

  • LGBTQIA+ inclusion

  • Autism

  • ADHD

  • Schizophrenia

  • Criminal justice

  • Mental health

  • Gender diversity

  • Intersectionality

  • Resilience

  • What meaningful disability and neurodiversity inclusion actually looks like in real systems

  • Autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia beyond stereotypes — lived experience and public understanding

  • Where organisations, services, and institutions get inclusion wrong

  • Mental health, identity, and navigating systems that weren’t designed to include everyone

  • Gender diversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion within disability and neurodivergent communities

  • Intersectionality and why single-issue inclusion approaches fail

  • The criminal justice system and its impact on neurodivergent and disabled people

  • Resilience without romanticising struggle or adversity

  • Creating safer, non-judgemental spaces for complex conversations

  • Why listening to lived experience changes outcomes

Autistic, ADHD & LGBTQIA+ Advocate Delivering Real-World Inclusion That Works

About Yenn

Yenn Purkis is an internationally recognised autistic and ADHD advocate, author, and speaker who brings lived experience, deep insight, and practical understanding to conversations about neurodiversity, mental health, and inclusion. Identifying as non-binary and asexual, Yenn also lives with atypical schizophrenia and anxiety, perspectives that shape their compassionate, honest, and impactful work.

A disability advocate since 2005, Yenn’s first autobiography, Finding a Different Kind of Normal, launched a career dedicated to education, awareness, and systemic change. They have held senior leadership roles including Deputy CEO (External Relations) at the Disability Leadership Institute and Accessibility Manager at Rebus Theatre.

Yenn is widely respected for translating complex neurodivergent experiences into accessible, engaging insights that help organisations, educators, and communities move from awareness to meaningful inclusion.

Request Discussion