A Story of Strength and Support: Michael Barton’s Journey
Written by Caragh McMurtry. Subheadings added by the Neurodiverse Sport team to support readability.
Michael Barton is a British 30+ bronze medallist in Judo, a data analyst, TEDx speaker, author—and he’s Autistic. Michael’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when structured support meets perseverance and self-awareness. Diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age two and non-verbal until three, he’s faced a lifetime of misunderstanding—but never let that define him. From being bullied at school to founding his own university Judo club, Michael’s journey challenges assumptions about what Autistic people can achieve in sport, and in life. He’s also a vocal advocate for Autism acceptance and accessible communication. You may know him from his TEDx talk, his appearances at Autism shows across the UK, or his books like “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs” and “A Different Kettle of Fish”. Now, as an accomplished athlete and public speaker, he continues to break new ground—showing that success doesn’t come from fitting in, but from being understood.
Michael Barton, TEDx Oxford
A Divergent Path to Excellence
Michael exemplifies how, through explicit learning and the right support, those who face early developmental challenges can thrive as adults—with sport and physical activity playing a crucial role in that journey. While most children develop skills like walking, talking, and socialising instinctively, many Autistic children—including Michael—need more structured, explicit instruction. His developmental path may have diverged from the typical, but that divergence ultimately gave him the tools to excel.
Early Challenges, Deep Foundations
Diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) at age 2 and non-verbal until age 3, Michael experienced a range of early difficulties. He described struggling with proprioception, often walking on the balls of his feet; with executive functioning, requiring detailed daily to-do lists; and with obsessive compulsive traits, becoming distressed when things appeared visually “out of place.”
Despite these challenges, Michael began Judo at age 8, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Encouraged by his family—especially in response to school bullying—Judo became a pivotal part of his life. It not only supported his physical coordination but also helped him regain confidence in himself.
Why Judo Worked for Michael
Proprioceptive challenges are often misunderstood. Children may be quickly labelled “clumsy” or “uncoordinated” and have negative early experiences with sport—particularly chaotic or unstructured sports. But Michael is living proof that those difficulties can be addressed in the right environment. For him, that environment was Judo.
Through a structured and supportive approach, Michael was able to:
Learn skills at his own pace
Improve his motor control
Build a sense of routine
Find confidence and connection
When he found his university had no Judo club, he didn’t give up—he created one.
Michael Barton Practicing Judo
Learning, Resilience, and Achievement
Michael’s story shows the power of early support and opportunity. His journey wasn’t typical, but it was transformative. As an adult, he earned his black belt and most recently won a bronze medal at the national championships (30+ age category).
In Michael’s case, he wasn’t limited by the label of autism—he was enabled by understanding and inclusion. He’s doing things not only seen as “unlikely” for Autistic people, but challenging for anyone. In doing so, he challenges bias and stereotypes in sport.
Michael shared a powerful insight: he “doesn’t see barriers like other people.” That attitude speaks volumes. It reminds us that Autistic people often possess attributes—attention to detail, pattern recognition, perseverance—that are not only valuable but often essential to high-level sport. The problem isn’t capability—it’s recognition.
Sport as Social Space: Respect Without Small Talk
Michael’s ability to succeed on the mat gave him status and respect—something he didn’t always receive in other areas of life. “Admittedly my ability to make friends is below average,” he told me—an honest and humorous observation, but one that highlights the social value of sport.
Sport creates a level playing field for communication. It allows for non-verbal connection, shared purpose, and mutual respect built on effort rather than social finesse. For many Autistic individuals, this type of interaction can be far more meaningful than traditional conversation.
The Power of the Niche
Michael also reflected on the value of smaller, more specialised sports like Judo. In these environments, individuals spend more time together, and each member is more visible, more valued. This kind of setting fosters deeper connections and person-centred understanding—something harder to achieve in large, mainstream sports.
Michael Barton Practicing Judo
Reflections
So how can we bring this level of understanding into broader settings? That’s a question for leaders and decision-makers in sport.
→ Michael’s Advice to Other Autistic Athletes
Michael offered two key pieces of advice for fellow Autistic athletes:
Find the right club for you. Not every environment will feel right—and that’s okay. Explore different sports or clubs until you find the one that fits. Don’t let one bad experience define your sporting journey.
Understand your mindset. Neurodivergent athletes can sometimes view coaching advice in absolutes—accepting it all or rejecting it entirely. Michael encourages athletes to critically assess advice and use personal judgement to find what works best.
→ Michael’s Advice to Coaches and Clubs
For coaches and clubs aiming to be more neuroinclusive, Michael recommends:
Offer one-to-one coaching wherever possible. Having more than one coach on the mat enables tailored support without disrupting the wider group.
Encourage questions. Giving athletes space to ask questions fosters confidence and a sense of inclusion—crucial for those who process information differently.
Final Thoughts
Michael Barton’s path reminds us that the right support, structure, and space to grow can transform potential into achievement. He hasn’t just carved out success for himself—he’s paving the way for others to follow.
To find out more, visit his website: www.michaelbarton.org.uk
You can also follow him on X/Twitter: @michaelbarton4
Lessons From Michael’s Story
Michael’s journey offers valuable lessons for all of us. His story reminds us that support, understanding, and the right environment can unlock potential that’s too often overlooked.
For Neurodivergent Individuals:
Your differences are part of your strength
→ Find environments—like Judo for Michael—that recognise and work with your neurotype, not against it.
Structured sport can support regulation
→ Explicit instruction, clear routines, and repetition can provide clarity and build confidence.
Mindset matters
→ Learn to assess coaching advice critically and apply what works for you—you don’t have to accept or reject everything wholesale.
For Peers, Supporters, and Parents:
Encouragement goes a long way
→ Support someone to keep trying new sports or clubs until they find one that fits—it makes all the difference.
Curiosity builds connection
→ Ask questions. Listen actively. Avoid assumptions. It’s not about fixing—it’s about understanding.
Routines can be empowering
→ Helping someone break down a process or schedule can reduce overwhelm and unlock progress.
For Coaches, Leaders, and Organisations:
Instruction should be explicit, not assumed
→ Clear, step-by-step coaching benefits everyone—but especially Autistic athletes who may not learn implicitly.
Support should be flexible
→ One-to-one coaching or multiple coaches on the mat can create a safety net for those who process information differently.
Respect the individual, not just the outcome
→ Inclusion is about valuing athletes for who they are—not just what they can produce.
This blog post was written by Caragh McMurtry. Subheadings were added by the Neurodiverse Sport team to support readability.
