Vikie Shanks

Vikie Shanks is a speaker on a wide variety of mental health issues, her knowledge growing from her own remarkable story. Vikie is a mother of seven, six of her children are autistic, two have cerebral palsy and one has severe dyslexia. Vikie’s husband who tragically committed suicide also suffered from mental health problems.

Vikie demonstrated remarkable strength of character to channel her experiences into becoming an author and motivational speaker. She has shown that the most trying of circumstances can be used as a positive force in promoting awareness of autism and mental health issues. She also speaks to the value of good communication, a lesson vital both in life and in business.

Vikie’s family have spent four years making an award-winning film about their lives and about living with autism – now available via Netflix.  It’s already won the Grierson Award for best documentary at the London Film Festival and was shortlisted at the BIFA’s for best documentary film.