The Autism Matters Theatre

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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.

TimePresentation TitleSpeaker
9.50 - 10.20Is the autistic community benefitting from the potential of technology?Dr Louise Morpeth, CEO of Brain in Hand
10.30 - 11.10Simple strategies for supporting PDA children and young people at schoolClare Truman, Education Consultant at Spectrum Space Education, Training and Consultancy
11.20 - 12.00What'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 - 12.50Practical classroom adaptations for autistic studentsCatherine Mohan, Specialist Teacher in the Communication and Autism Team at Birmingham City Council
13.00 - 13.40How does anxiety affect autistic students and strategies to manage and reduce itLana Grant, Specialist Advisor, Advocate and Author
13.50 - 14.30Identifying key issues for autistic girls at school and providing practical support strategies to help
Amanda Hind, Autism and SEND Consultant
14.35 - 15.10The 3C Pathway: how parents and professionals can positively support the wellbeing of young people they live and work withTessa Morton and Jane Gurnett, Founders of Act for Autism
15.15 - 15.50Creating positive environments at school to improve outcomes and quality of life for autistic studentsKiran Hingorani, CEO of Swalcliffe Park School
TimePresentation TitleSpeaker
10.20 - 11.00Overcoming/living with mental health challenges and anxiety - perspectives from a late diagnosed adultBrian Bird, Public Speaker, Autistic Writer and Blogger at Autism Support Community
11.10 - 11.50Understanding your PDA child or young person – helpful approaches to supporting your PDA-er at homeKaren Stepanova, Trustee and Education Advisor, and Julia Daunt and Paul Fiddian, Training Facilitators, at the PDA Society
12.00 - 12.40It’s not a tantrum: recognising distress, meltdown and shutdown and what you can do to help and avoid them happeningGeoff Evans, Autism Trainer and Consultant
12.50 - 13.30Autism and ADHDColin Foley, National Director of Training at the ADHD Foundation
13.40 - 14.20Sensory processing and distressed behaviour – why the two are interlinked and what you can do to helpSam Shard, Specialist Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration at The Local Therapy Company
14.30 - 15.10Autism and eating disordersPhil Wroe, Autism Lived Experience Advisor and Specialist Teacher at Squarepeg SEN
15.15 - 15.50Engaging with autistic children who are struggling in or out of schoolAaron Yorke, Autism Advisor, Specialist Teacher and Founder of Accepting Behaviour

Thank you to our partners