Available to book
Chris Bonnello
Neurodiversity
Workplace Culture
Employee Engagement
Help your organisation build inclusive, high-performing workplaces with Chris Bonnello, autism advocate, neurodiversity speaker, and bestselling author. Founder of Autistic Not Weird, Speakers Award winner, and member of the Professional Speaking Association, Chris works with employers on workplace inclusion, autistic talent, and employee wellbeing.
Author
Neurodiversity Awareness
Autism Awareness
Inclusion
Business Consulting
HR
Educator
Mentor
Chris Bonnello is an autistic advocate, neurodiversity speaker, and former teacher whose work challenges how organisations understand and support neurodivergent team members.
Chris taught in both mainstream and autism-specific education before founding Autistic Not Weird in 2015. A professional member of the Professional Speaking Association, Chris won his category at The Speakers Awards 2026. He is also the writer behind one of the world's most widely read autism platforms, reaching millions of readers and a community of more than 200,000 followers. He is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the Underdogs series, shortlisted for The Guardian's Not The Booker Prize.
Drawing on lived experience, classroom practice, and years of advising employers, educators, and professionals, Chris explains why many workplace barriers are created by systems rather than people. He translates complex conversations around autism and neurodiversity into practical guidance for organisations that improves recruitment, retention, performance, communication, and inclusion.
Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of meaningful workplace adjustments, stronger approaches to supporting autistic colleagues, and greater confidence in creating environments where different thinking is recognised as a strength. His sessions balance professional insights, personal experience, and humour, making difficult topics accessible while remaining grounded in practical action.
Book Chris Bonnello for clear, credible guidance on building workplaces where neurodivergent people and organisations succeed together.
Topics, sessions and talks
Chris Bonnello addresses why neurodivergent employees often struggle in the workplace, making clear that the issue lies not in reduced potential but in systems built around neurotypical norms. Drawing on the practical realities of recruitment, retention, and performance, he sets out where things go wrong and how organisations can address them meaningfully. Suited to companies of any size genuinely committed to getting the best from neurodivergent staff, the talk leaves attendees with a concrete framework for change rather than good intentions alone.
Chris Bonnello explains what workplace accommodations for autistic staff actually involve, and why they typically cost less time and money than employers assume. Speaking from years of experience, he sets out the practical realities behind "reasonable adjustments" and the tangible benefits of getting them right. Suited to any organisation genuinely committed to supporting its neurodivergent employees, the talk replaces vague good intentions with a clear, low-cost path to better outcomes for staff and the wider team.
Drawing on his background as a special education teacher, Chris Bonnello addresses how organisations can meaningfully personalise care for autistic clients and service users, including those with complex disabilities. He examines what genuine best practice looks like after decades of well-intentioned but poorly informed provision, and how to balance a client's rights and dignity alongside their safety and wellbeing. The talk is aimed at professionals who work directly with autistic people and want to get it right for those in their care.
Having taught in mainstream primary schools, an autism-specific special school, and with teenagers outside formal education, Chris Bonnello draws on that range of experience to offer concrete guidance on building up autistic students. Rather than describing the challenges, he focuses on how staff can actively support students to navigate an education system largely built without them in mind. Aimed at academic staff across all education settings, the talk gives attendees specific, applicable strategies rather than general encouragement.
Chris Bonnello blends personal stories from his childhood, many of them awkward in hindsight, with the practical lessons he draws from them as a former teacher. Rather than a straightforward autobiography, the talk is built around insights the audience can apply directly to their own lives, whether raising, teaching, or supporting an autistic child. Suited to family groups, charities, and schools running events for parents, it leaves attendees with genuinely usable takeaways rather than just an inspiring story.
Chris Bonnello brings lived experience as an autistic person combined with years of teaching experience across mainstream and specialist education. He offers practical guidance that can be acted on immediately, helping organisations move beyond awareness towards practical changes that improve how neurodivergent people are recruited, supported, and retained.
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frequently asked questions
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Email chris.bonnello@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Chris's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Chris Bonnello draws on a combination of lived experience as an autistic person and classroom practice as a former special education teacher to ground his sessions in concrete, real-world context. Rather than presenting theory, he works through the practical mechanics of workplace systems — recruitment, retention, reasonable adjustments — and delivers a framework attendees can act on directly.
Chris Bonnello draws on a combination of lived experience as an autistic person and classroom practice as a former special education teacher to ground his sessions in concrete, real-world context. Rather than presenting theory, he works through the practical mechanics of workplace systems — recruitment, retention, reasonable adjustments — and delivers a framework attendees can act on directly.
Chris Bonnello draws on a combination of lived experience as an autistic person and classroom practice as a former special education teacher to ground his sessions in concrete, real-world context. Rather than presenting theory, he works through the practical mechanics of workplace systems — recruitment, retention, reasonable adjustments — and delivers a framework attendees can act on directly.
Chris Bonnello speaks on neurodivergent workplace systems, autism-specific accommodation, and supporting autistic clients and service users. He won his category at The Speakers Awards 2026 and founded Autistic Not Weird, an autism platform with a community of more than 200,000 followers.
Chris Bonnello speaks on neurodivergent workplace systems, autism-specific accommodation, and supporting autistic clients and service users. He won his category at The Speakers Awards 2026 and founded Autistic Not Weird, an autism platform with a community of more than 200,000 followers.
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Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.
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You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Most bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker and are set out clearly in the contract before you confirm, so there are no surprises. PepTalk's team supports you through any change. Contact hello@getapeptalk.com as soon as plans shift.
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Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
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Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
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