Robbie Barnes

I’m a children’s author and dad of four, writing the Sofia & Cleo series inspired by my daughters – one autistic and non-verbal, one neurotypical.

My work focuses on autism, communication beyond words, and helping families understand each other better without making it feel like a lecture. These aren’t “issue books” – they’re real, everyday stories that show what inclusion actually looks like at home.

Alongside writing, I’ve worked in SEN settings supporting both children and adults, so I bring real-world experience, not just theory.

I’m currently building the series into a wider project – books, schools, community impact, and potentially screen adaptation. I’ve already had strong feedback from parents, schools, and early readers who say the stories open up conversations they didn’t know how to have.

Great podcast topics I can speak on:

• Raising an autistic, non-verbal child
• Sibling relationships (neurotypical + neurodivergent)
• Communication without speech
• Building a children’s book brand from scratch
• Self-publishing vs traditional routes (what actually works)
• Turning personal stories into a business with impact

I’m honest, grounded, and speak from lived experience – not scripts.