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Man writes play to challenge autism perceptions
Lived experiences on stage helps people understand
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Thursday 5th March 2026 |
Matthew McMahon, a father from County Monaghan, is leveraging the power of the arts to transform how society perceives neurodivergence.
His play, The Flowers of May, which he wrote and stars in, is inspired by the lived experiences of both himself and co-performer Eileen Gomez as parents of autistic children.
The production, which concluded its tour at the Ramor Arts Centre on 27th February 2026, moves beyond fiction to showcase the real-life misunderstandings, meltdowns, and victories families face.
McMahon told Northern Sound that he feels immense pride when audience members without prior experience of autism report a shift in their perspective, moving from judgement to empathy.
By sharing these truthful stories, McMahon aims to ensure other families feel "seen" and less alone.
He believes that fostering kindness through storytelling makes the endeavour a vital educational tool for the wider public.
Source: Northern Sound News (Ireland)
https://www.northernsound.ie/news/
Further reading, listening and viewing...
Have you seen our books about Autism and Neurodiversity?
Written by an autistic author, this book explains what autism is, what it isn't, and how to support autistic people with kindness and consideration. It aims to help the friends, family and carers of autistic people, as well the general public, educators, healthcare providers, employers, authorities, and anyone else who might interact with autistic people. It clearly and concisely shows them what autism can 'look like', how to recognise it, how to sensitively offer support, and how to advocate for greater awareness, acceptance and inclusion in society.
The Autism Manifesto provides a vital 'lived perspective' on autism and advocates for greater understanding, inclusion, and integration for autistic people in society. The manifesto challenges outdated views of autism as a deficit or something to be 'cured', instead presenting it as a natural human variation, and highlights the fact that different ways of thinking only serve to enrich society. Its core lies in the 10 Pillars of Inclusion, which offer direct, practical steps that everyone can take to improve the lives of autistic people in every walk of life, at home, at work, at school, in the community, in government, and in the authorities and legal systems.
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DJ Merryweather is autistic, and shares his life experiences of autism - always trying to fit in, masking his differences at every turn - and how it led to his ultimate burnout, after which he began dismantling his autistic masking habits, one by one. The book explains why you're masking, how bad it can make you feel, and why you probably feel like you're stuck with it - from social rules and situations to 'faking' emotions and learning to 'perform' feelings in socially expected ways. But most of all, it's an inspiring message about the value of unmasking your true self and living a happier, more fulfilling life.
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