AN INSPIRATIONAL man returned to the school where he grew up to present his film about living with autism.

Aston Avery, 27, gave a presentation at Castledon School, in Wickford, where he was taught from age five to 16.

Mr Avery, of Fairleigh Avenue, Pitsea, is a keen awareness campaigner and charity worker, having lived with autism since he was two-years-old.

The video was originally made by a group of five female singers, who have called themselves the “Averyettes” who filmed a cover of “This Is Me” featured in last year’s The Greatest Showman.

It was recorded at Basildon Studios.

It was filmed in secret, but when Mr Avery saw the video he decided to put in sections of his life to raise awareness of what life is like with autism.

The video has since been given accreditation from the National Autistic Society.

Mr Avery previously won the Pride of Essex Award and is an ambassador for the charity Anna Kennedy Online, which helps with social inclusion for those on the autistic spectrum.

His mum, Dawn Avery, said: “I think Aston was genuinely thrilled after it was over.

“The video was playing and he talked a great deal about all the positive aspects of living with autism, and then he had loads of children asking him questions, they were interested in him and his life and really took to his positive message.

“The most profound thing was, after he was finished another parent came up to me, she looked very teary eyed, and she told me that Aston basically just summed up her life.”

Mrs Avery has praised her son for always remaining positive through his difficult childhood.

She added: “Aston had many tough years.

“He was previously bullied and he struggled to cope with the way he was.

“He was born in a time when autism wasn’t really recognised.

“But now here he is promoting such positive messages and I’m so proud of him.

“I wouldn’t change him or his autism, as it’s shaped him into the wonderful human being he is.”