After he was finally diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was in his forties, James Charles was able to come to terms with the struggles and unique emotions he had faced his entire life, and shares his journey in a personal and spiritual memoir about overcoming obstacles and finding beauty in adversity.
1965 – Born in Luton, England to Irish parents Vincent and Kathleen Charles
1971 – Attend primary school at St Margaret’s, Farley Hill, Luton
1972 – Attend National school in Rossan, Aughavas, County Leitrim following family returning to Ireland
1979 – Finish National school in Rossan to attend Secondary school at Moyne County Longford
1983 – After a number of secondary school changes I finally settled in Marian College, Mohill, County Leitrim
1986 – Returned to England in order to seek employment
2001 – Diploma in Higher Education in Registered Nursing (Mental Health),Staffordshire University, Stafford, England
2002 – Got married to Helen in Wolverhampton, England
2010 – First made aware of being possibly autistic following communication concerns in nursing
2012 – Finally assessed by an autistic specialist
2015 – First book published – Becoming Unique