Hove man with autism defies expectations and publishes children's book

Oliver Pendlington, 26, from Hove, was diagnosed with severe autism at a young age and his parents were told he may be non-verbal for his whole life.

In 1999, when he was four, Lorraine and Matthew Pendlington, Oliver's parents, spoke to The Argus about the struggles the family had experienced getting Oliver the help he needed in Brighton and Hove.

At the time Brighton and Hove council were receiving criticism about the lack of support for children with learning difficulties and special needs, particularly with diagnosis.

Oliver learning to communicate

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Lorraine, 64, said: "It was very rare back then for children with these needs to be labelled and for it to be recognised.

"So, my husband had pretty much forced the council to acknowledge that there was a requirement.

"This meant that Oliver was able to go to a mainstream nursery and then a primary school, but have one-to-one support."

At the time special needs primary schools were very rare and usually required tuition payments, something that the Pendlington's thought was unfair.

The purpose of The Argus interview was to discuss with his parents which successes they had had and any advice they had for others.

Oliver at his big brothers wedding this sept. Left to right, Oliver, Lorraine, James, Eve and Will

When Oliver was four he began speaking but his mother said it was the capability of an 18 month old child.

He started his academic career at Royal Spa Nursery School before moving onto what is now called Brunswick Primary School.

For his secondary education Oliver opted to attend a special needs school which has since closed, called Patcham House.

He then completed three years at college to get his A-Levels, at the age of 20 he began university - now diagnosed with high-functioning autism.

Lorraine said: "One of the things that was very resonant for me, was that not only had he benefitted from a solid education.

This was Oliver and Eve (his sister in law ) with their medals

"He has now completed an undergraduate degree and a masters degree - we never thought that would be possible. It's amazing."

Both of Oliver's degrees were film based, involving lots of research and theoretical units, as well as creative writing and screen play writing.

During his bachelors degree at Brighton University, Oliver wrote a 500 word short story called The Long Mile.

As a keen runner who has competed in several races and has always enjoyed the sport, the story is an autobiographical tale.

Whilst he had Covid in January 2021, Oliver decided to expand on the story and turned it into a children's book.

At the beginning the protagonist is fighting through a "scary invisible bug" and is forced to stay at home, resembling Covid-19. She flashes back to completing her first mini mile a few years before.

Oliver and his mum Lorraine at his Masters graduation

Oliver said: "It's about a little girl named Ella preparing to run her first mini mile. The story felt quite autobiographical when writing it as Ella’s anxiety over her big challenge was very similar to my own running experiences.

"Running has been one of my favourite recreational activities for at least the past decade.

"I enjoy meeting up with all my friends in the Hove Hornets Running Club and I love all the routes we take.

"I especially enjoy watching the kids’ races at the Fun Runs we do and one of my friend’s daughters was the inspiration for Ella in my story.

"Like her, I’ve found waiting to start a run – any run – nerve-wracking, even after the first time.

"Even after doing certain routes so many times, I find them long and challenging, especially the ones with the big hills and really muddy routes after heavy rain.

"But that is why I love running so much; these routes are challenging and yet I feel a great sense of accomplishment upon completing them.

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"Certainly children feel this too, which is why I chose to have a child as my protagonist."

This year Oliver and his mum got the story published, with illustrations from a professional artist and family friend Sharon James-Alderton.

Publishing initially was a challenge, they struggled to find a company to take a risk on a first time writer.

Oliver said: "Sharon had a friend who specialised in printing and suggested that we could send the story to him.

"We did so and he agreed to print out at least 50 copies for us to self-publish and sell. With Mum’s help, we sorted out payments and he printed out the books for us.

"Now Sharon and I could start promoting our book. I arranged to sell several copies at Hove Fitness Centre, where the Hove Hornets are based.

"Sharon and I also gave some copies to friends who worked at schools. And I even gave a couple to Books for Amnesty, where I work as a volunteer once a week.

"Self-publishing was the best option for my first book."

Lorraine says that she pushed for the book to be published as well because she wanted to highlight how far her son has come since he was first diagnosed.

She said: "I wanted it published as well. It doesn't just make it real for him it means a wider audience can read it.

"We've got family and friends who know Oliver, and for them to see what he has achieved is just incredible.

"My sister in law lives in Australia and she was around a lot when he was little, she said to me 'Lorraine I can't believe this' - everyone is so proud of him."

Oliver hopes to be able to publish more books and sell them on to get his work out there - they jokingly describe it as a "financial failure" because it is being sold for £7 but cost £9 to make.

"We aren't in it for the money, it's to show what he has done and what he is capable of," said Lorraine.

Anyone who would like to get a copy of The Long Mile can email Oliver at oliverpendlington@gmail.com

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