Hear leading autism specialists explore popular topics and offer trusted advice in The Autism Matters Theatre.
Just some of this year’s highlights include Geoff Evans, Autism Trainer and Consultant, talking on recognising distress, meltdown and shutdown, and what you can do to help and avoid them happening; Catherine Mohan, Specialist Teacher in the Communication and Autism Team at Birmingham City Council, exploring practical classroom adaptations for autistic students; Karen Stepanova, Trustee and Education Advisor at the PDA Society, examining helpful approaches for supporting your PDA child or young person; Colin Foley, National Director of Training at the ADHD Foundation, discussing autism and ADHD; and Amanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant, looking at identifying key issues for autistic girls at school and providing practical support strategies to help.
Sound is relayed to the audience through wireless headsets to reduce noise levels in the hall.
Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, so please arrive as early as possible before the session you wish to attend to save disappointment.
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 9.50 - 10.20 | Is the autistic community benefitting from the potential of technology? | Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand |
| 10.30 - 11.10 | Simple strategies for supporting PDA children and young people at school | Clare Truman, Education Consultant at Spectrum Space Education, Training and Consultancy |
| 11.20 - 12.00 | What's sensory got to do with it? Understanding the link between sensory issues and distressed behaviour in the classroom | Jignasha Button, Independent Occupational Therapist/Sensory Integration Practitioner, and Specialist Occupational Therapist at Wider Ambition |
| 12.10 - 12.50 | Practical classroom adaptations for autistic students | Catherine Mohan, Specialist Teacher in the Communication and Autism Team at Birmingham City Council |
| 13.00 - 13.40 | How does anxiety affect autistic students and strategies to manage and reduce it | Lana Grant, Specialist Advisor, Advocate and Author |
| 13.50 - 14.30 | Identifying key issues for autistic girls at school and providing practical support strategies to help | Amanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant |
| 14.35 - 15.10 | The 3C Pathway: how parents and professionals can positively support the wellbeing of young people they live and work with | Tessa Morton and Jane Gurnett, Founders of Act for Autism |
| 15.15 - 15.50 | Creating positive environments at school to improve outcomes and quality of life for autistic students | Kiran Hingorani, CEO of Swalcliffe Park School |
| Time | Presentation Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 10.20 - 11.00 | Overcoming/living with mental health challenges and anxiety - perspectives from a late diagnosed adult | Brian Bird, Public Speaker, Autistic Writer and Blogger at Autism Support Community |
| 11.10 - 11.50 | Understanding your PDA child or young person – helpful approaches to supporting your PDA-er at home | Karen Stepanova, Trustee and Education Advisor, and Julia Daunt and Paul Fiddian, Training Facilitators, at the PDA Society |
| 12.00 - 12.40 | It’s not a tantrum: recognising distress, meltdown and shutdown and what you can do to help and avoid them happening | Geoff Evans, Autism Trainer and Consultant |
| 12.50 - 13.30 | Autism and ADHD | Colin Foley, National Director of Training at the ADHD Foundation |
| 13.40 - 14.20 | Sensory processing and distressed behaviour – why the two are interlinked and what you can do to help | Sam Shard, Specialist Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration at The Local Therapy Company |
| 14.30 - 15.10 | Autism and eating disorders | Phil Wroe, Autism Lived Experience Advisor and Specialist Teacher at Squarepeg SEN |
| 15.15 - 15.50 | Engaging with autistic children who are struggling in or out of school | Aaron Yorke, Autism Advisor, Specialist Teacher and Founder of Accepting Behaviour |
Thank you to our partners
